WO2009143608A1 - Method and apparatus for controlling a display unit using a portable processing unit - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for controlling a display unit using a portable processing unit Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009143608A1
WO2009143608A1 PCT/CA2009/000711 CA2009000711W WO2009143608A1 WO 2009143608 A1 WO2009143608 A1 WO 2009143608A1 CA 2009000711 W CA2009000711 W CA 2009000711W WO 2009143608 A1 WO2009143608 A1 WO 2009143608A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
data
remote
user interface
processing unit
user
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA2009/000711
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Andrew Gordon
John Savage
David Haines
Original Assignee
Streamband
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Streamband filed Critical Streamband
Publication of WO2009143608A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009143608A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
    • G08C17/00—Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/4104—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
    • H04N21/4126—The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
    • H04N21/41265—The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/258—Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
    • H04N21/25808—Management of client data
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/258—Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
    • H04N21/25866—Management of end-user data
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/4104—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
    • H04N21/4108—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices characterised by an identification number or address, e.g. local network address
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
    • H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
    • H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
    • H04N21/42208—Display device provided on the remote control
    • H04N21/42209—Display device provided on the remote control for displaying non-command information, e.g. electronic program guide [EPG], e-mail, messages or a second television channel
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
    • H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
    • H04N21/4222—Remote control device emulator integrated into a non-television apparatus, e.g. a PDA, media center or smart toy
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/441—Acquiring end-user identification, e.g. using personal code sent by the remote control or by inserting a card
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/4508—Management of client data or end-user data
    • H04N21/4532—Management of client data or end-user data involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/462—Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
    • H04N21/4622—Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/475—End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data
    • H04N21/4751—End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/65—Transmission of management data between client and server
    • H04N21/654—Transmission by server directed to the client
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
    • H04N21/8126—Monomedia components thereof involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts
    • H04N21/8133—Monomedia components thereof involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts specifically related to the content, e.g. biography of the actors in a movie, detailed information about an article seen in a video program
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
    • G08C2201/00—Transmission systems of control signals via wireless link
    • G08C2201/90—Additional features
    • G08C2201/93—Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L63/00—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security
    • H04L63/08—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for authentication of entities
    • H04L63/083—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for authentication of entities using passwords

Definitions

  • the invention relates to remote controls. More precisely, this invention pertains to a method and apparatus for controlling a display unit using a portable processing unit.
  • the invention provides a method for controlling a display unit using a portable processing device, the method comprising a user performing an authentication on the portable processing device, receiving a personalized user interface on the portable processing device, the user interface comprising data indicative of at least one application displayed on the display unit and corresponding additional data related to the at least one application and performing a selection on the user interface using the data indicative of at least one application displayed on the display unit and corresponding additional data related to the at least one application.
  • the display unit comprises a TV set.
  • the TV set is controlled by a set top box.
  • the portable processing unit is selected from a group consisting of portable digital assistants (PDA), smart phones, laptops and tablet PCs.
  • PDA portable digital assistants
  • smart phones smart phones
  • laptops and tablet PCs.
  • the performing of the authentication on the portable processing device comprises accessing a remote server, providing an indication of a user to the remote server and performing the authentication using the indication provided.
  • the indication of a user is selected from a group consisting of a combination of a login and a password, an identification of a serial number of a software and an identification of a serial number of a piece of hardware.
  • the identification of a user is generated during a configuration processing of the portable processing device.
  • the receiving of the personalized user interface on the portable processing device comprises retrieving data according to a user profile, generating a personalized user interface using the retrieved data and providing the personalized user interface. In yet another embodiment, the receiving of the personalized user interface comprises retrieving data from a local database and retrieving additional data from a remote database.
  • the additional data is provided in combination to the at least one application.
  • the additional data is provided in addition to the at least one application.
  • the at least one application comprises a TV program.
  • the additional data comprises at least one of graphics data, text data, audio data and video data.
  • the additional data comprises audio data, further wherein the audio data is provided according to at least one criterion.
  • the at least one criterion is selected from a group consisting of language, culture, type of compression used and bandwidth available.
  • the additional data comprises at least one of data related to special offers and data requiring an action.
  • the additional data is offered to a user for a fee.
  • the method disclosed further comprises transmitting the selection to the set top box.
  • the performing of a selection on the user interface using the data indicative of at least one application displayed on the display unit and corresponding additional data related to the at least one application comprises identifying an element selected and checking if the element selected is allowed, further comprising controlling the display unit if said element selected is allowed.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram, which shows one embodiment where a remote configuration unit is advantageously used.
  • Figure 2 is a flowchart which shows one embodiment of how the remote configuration unit operates; according to a first step a user is authenticated; according to a second step a personalized user interface is received on a remote control; according to a third step the user is performing a selection on the personalized user interface and according to a fourth step, the selection is transmitted.
  • Figure 3 is a flowchart which shows one embodiment for authenticating a user
  • Figure 4 is flowchart which shows one embodiment for receiving a personalized user interface on a remote control.
  • Figure 5 is flowchart which shows one embodiment for generating a personalized user interface.
  • Figure 6 is flowchart which shows one embodiment for performing a selection on the personalized user interface.
  • Figure 7 is a flowchart which shows one embodiment for transmitting the selection.
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram which shows one embodiment in which the remote configuration unit is advantageously used.
  • Figure 9 is a block diagram which shows one embodiment of a flexible router to which the remote configuration unit is operatively connected to.
  • FIG. 10 is flowchart which shows how the flexible router operates according to one embodiment. Further details of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the detailed description included below.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown an embodiment of a configuration where a remote configuration unit 150 is advantageously used.
  • the remote configuration unit 150 is operatively connected to a set top box 102.
  • the set top box 102 is operatively connected to a TV set 104.
  • the set top box 102 provides a signal to display to the TV set 104 in accordance with a configuration signal provided by the remote configuration unit 150.
  • set top box 102 may be manufactured by various manufacturers such as for instance Cisco, Scientific Atlanta, Motorola, Thomson.
  • remote configuration unit 150 is further operatively connected to a remote processing unit 120 (also referred to as a portable processing unit) which will be used by a user as a remote control as explained further below.
  • a remote processing unit 120 also referred to as a portable processing unit
  • the remote processing unit 120 may be used by the user to remote control the set top box 102 using the remote configuration unit 150.
  • the remote processing unit 120 may be used in place of a standard remote control handset, or in addition to it.
  • more than one remote processing unit may be used at the same time in the vicinity of the TV set 104.
  • each user handling a given remote processing unit may be provided with a personalized user interface which is of great advantage.
  • specific data will be provided by the remote configuration unit 150 to each of the more than one remote processing unit.
  • the skilled addressee will appreciate that because a personalized user interface is provided, applications such as games may be advantageously provided. Interactive games using or not the content displayed by the TV set 104 may be provided.
  • the TV set 104 may further be used for displaying data such as a game score for instance.
  • all the users may or not be located in a same physical location.
  • the remote processing unit 120 may be used to control other devices using Infra Red technology provided that both the remote processing unit 120 and the other devices have an Infra Red communication port.
  • the remote processing unit 120 is wirelessly connected to the remote configuration unit 150.
  • the remote configuration unit 150 may then comprise an application adapted to retrieve specific IR codes suitable to managing the other devices via the Infra Red communication port.
  • Such IR codes may be downloaded from a remote processing unit, not shown, via the broadband data processing unit 106.
  • the IR codes may be locally stored in an IR codes database, not shown, comprised in one of the remote configuration unit 150 and the remote processing unit 120.
  • the IR codes database may be updated according to various embodiments.
  • the IR codes database may be updated upon receipt of a request while in another embodiment, the IR codes database may be updated on a periodic basis. The skilled addressee will appreciate that this is of great advantage since no IR code learning is required.
  • the IR codes database may be created according to the needs of a user. For instance, the personalized interface provided to the remote processing unit 120 may require the user to provide an indication of the surrounding available devices comprising an Infra Red communication port. It will be appreciated that various applications may be performed using advantageously IR codes.
  • a signal indicative of the button pressed is provided to the remote configuration unit 150.
  • the remote configuration unit 150 may then determine using an algorithm whether the set top box 102 is to be controlled or whether any other devices comprising an Infra Red communication port should be controlled.
  • a corresponding determined IR code may be provided to the remote processing unit 120 by the remote configuration unit 120 and the corresponding IR code may be transmitted via the Infra Red communication port of the remote processing unit 120 to the corresponding other device. It will be appreciated that the corresponding IR code may be determined depending on various parameters or information.
  • the remote processing unit 120 is used by a user to control the set top box 102.
  • the remote processing unit 120 may be used by the user to receive a personalized user interface, the user interface comprising data indicative of at least one application displayed on a display unit, an example of which is the TV set 104 and corresponding additional data related to the at least one application.
  • the at least one application comprises any type of data related to a TV program in the case where the display unit is the TV set 104.
  • the at least one application comprises computer applications in the case where the display unit is used to display data originating from a processing unit. A user may therefore be able to perform a selection on the user interface using the data indicative of at least one application displayed on the TV set 104 and corresponding additional data related to the at least one application.
  • the corresponding additional data may originate from various sources as explained below.
  • the additional data may be of various formats such as text, graphics, video or the like.
  • the remote configuration unit 150 comprises, in the embodiment disclosed in Fig. 1 , a broadband data processing unit 106, a set top box managing unit 108, a remote control managing unit 110, a broadband data communication port 112, a router management database 114 and a remote control database 116.
  • the broadband data processing unit 106 is used to process broadband data originating from a broadband data source, not shown in Fig. 1.
  • the broadband data processing unit 106 is operatively connected to the broadband data source via a data network, also not shown in Fig. 1.
  • the data network 118 may comprise at least one of a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN) and a wide area network (WAN).
  • the data network comprises the Internet.
  • the broadband data source is operated by a service provider.
  • the service provider will be able to interact with the user operating the remote processing unit 120 as well as with the set top box 102. The interaction will be of great advantage. It will be appreciated that the service provider may be the operator of the set top box 102. Alternatively, the service provider may be a third party providing for instance content data in the form of the additional data related to the at least one application.
  • the set top box managing unit 108 is used to manage the set top box 102. More precisely, the set top box managing unit 108 is used to provide a configuration signal to the set top box 102. It will be appreciated that the set top box managing unit 108 may further receive a data signal from the set top box 102. The skilled addressee will appreciate that this data signal may be of great advantage for various reasons. For instance, one example is that such data signal may enable the set top box managing unit 108 to specifically know what is being currently displayed by the TV set 104 which may be of great advantage. Another reason is for instance in the case where more than one remote processing unit are used in order for example updating the personalized user interface of a given remote processing unit when another given remote processing unit is interacting with the set top box 102. Another reason is also in the case where the set top box 102 comprises front panel buttons, the data signal provided by the set top box will be useful to update the personalized user interface for instance.
  • the configuration signal may comprise, in one embodiment, a channel selection signal.
  • the configuration signal may comprise data related to a signal to display on the TV set 104.
  • the configuration signal may comprise a data signal to provide back to the MSO in one embodiment.
  • the remote processing unit 120 is not located in the vicinity of the set top box 102. This may be the case when the remote processing unit 120 and the set top box 102 are connected via the data network 118 which is a Wide Area Network, such as the Internet.
  • the configuration signal may be used, for instance, to manage remotely a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) application.
  • the configuration signal may be used in a dedicated application in the remote configuration unit 150.
  • the remote processing unit 120 may be used for home automation applications. More precisely, a home automation system, not shown, may be operatively connected to the remote configuration unit 150. In such embodiment, the user may control the home automation system using the remote configuration unit 150 via the remote processing unit 120. The skilled addressee will appreciate that this is of great advantage especially in the case where the remote processing unit 120 is not located in the vicinity of the set top box 102. Still in the embodiment where the remote processing unit 120 is used to control a home automation system, the remote processing unit 120 may first display to the user a personalized user interface comprising a menu for selecting and defining what to control in the home automation system and then provide the user with a personalized user interface integrating home automation features.
  • the configuration signal may be delivered to the set top box 102 using various communication means such as a communication interface, not shown in the figures, for instance.
  • the communication interface comprises one of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port and an Ethernet port.
  • the configuration signal may be delivered to the set top box 102 using an infra-red transmitter such that the configuration signal transmitted to the set top box 102 emulates signals provided from conventional infra-red handsets.
  • the remote configuration unit 150 is implemented as an integral part of a set top box 102 and so the configuration signal passes from one module to another without requiring any physical communication interface.
  • the remote control managing unit 110 is used to manage the remote processing unit 120. More precisely, the management may comprise providing means for authenticating a user using the remote processing unit 120. The management may further comprise providing means for providing a personalized user interface on the remote processing unit 120, the user interface comprising data indicative of at least one application displayed on the TV set 104 and corresponding additional data related to the at least one application. The management may also comprise providing means for enabling a user using the remote processing unit 120 to perform a selection on the user interface using the data indicative of at least one application displayed on the TV set 104 and corresponding additional data related to the at least one application. In one embodiment, the remote control managing unit 110 comprises a web server for enabling the management of the remote processing unit 120.
  • the broadband data communication port 112 is used to enable the remote configuration unit 150 to communicate via data network 118 to the remote processing unit 120.
  • the data network 118 may comprise at least one of a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN) and a wide area network (WAN).
  • LAN local area network
  • MAN metropolitan area network
  • WAN wide area network
  • the data network 118 comprises the Internet.
  • the router management database 114 is used to store router management data.
  • the router management data comprises data pertaining to the management of the set top box 102 such as filtering data for instance, a list of authorized channels a given user can access, an amount of time a user may browse a channel, a given user's preferences, recent history, such as recently viewed channels history, or the like.
  • the remote control database 116 is used to store remote control data.
  • the remote control data is used for handling the remote control (i.e. the remote processing unit 120) connected to the remote control configuration unit 150.
  • the remote control database 116 comprises data for generating a personalized user interface on the remote processing unit 120 such as graphics data for generating the user interface or the like.
  • the remote control database 116 may further comprise data indicative of users allowed to handle the remote processing unit 120 (including credentials relating to user authentication) and access the remote configuration unit 150.
  • the remote control database 116 may further comprise data related to the at least one application as well as additional data related to the at least one application.
  • the broadband data processing unit 106 is operatively connected to a broadband data source, not shown.
  • the broadband data processing unit 106 receives a broadband signal provided by the broadband data source and may provide a data signal to the remote control managing unit 110 as well as a remote configuration data signal to the set top box managing unit 108.
  • the remote configuration data signal provided by the broadband data processing unit 106 may be used to override the operation of the set top box managing unit 108 and may provide a given configuration signal to the set top box 102 selected by a service provider. This may be of great advantage for the service provider of the broadband data source in order to provide specific data to the set top box 102 when given conditions are met.
  • the data signal provided to the remote control managing unit 110 may comprise various types of information that may be used by the remote control managing unit 110.
  • the data signal may comprise data to be displayed on the remote control (i.e. the remote processing unit 150).
  • the data to be displayed on the remote control may comprise data used for generating the personalized user interface as well as data related to the content displayed on the personalized user interface.
  • the data may comprise the additional data related to at least one application.
  • the data signal may comprise data to be used by the remote control managing unit 110.
  • the data to be used by the remote control may comprise code updates, specific user preferences, learning override, on/off indicators.
  • the data signal may comprise data to be stored in the remote control database 116.
  • the data to be stored in the remote control database 116 may comprise for instance data indicative of users allowed to use the remote processing unit 120.
  • the broadband data processing unit 106 may also receive a request for configuration signal from the set top box managing unit 108 and transmit a corresponding signal to the broadband data source, not shown.
  • the broadband data communication port 112 is operatively connected to the remote processing unit 120 as explained above. More precisely, the broadband data communication port 112 may receive a remote control selection signal from the remote processing unit 120.
  • the remote control selection signal is indicative of a selection made by a given user on the personalized user interface displayed on the remote processing unit 120.
  • the broadband data communication port 112 provides a remote control selection signal indicative of the received remote control selection signal to the remote control managing unit 110.
  • the remote processing unit 120 is capable of displaying data.
  • the broadband data communication port 112 provides a remote control signal to transmit to the remote processing unit 120.
  • the remote control signal to transmit provided by the broadband data communication port 112 is indicative of a remote control signal provided by the remote control managing unit 110 to the broadband data communication port 112.
  • the remote control managing unit 110 may use various data to generate the remote control signal. More precisely, the remote control managing unit 110 may provide a request for data to the remote control database 112 and receive in turn requested data.
  • the data may comprise at least one of text, graphics, video or the like.
  • the skilled addressee will therefore appreciate that the remote control has a personalized interface.
  • the data may comprise executable code to be executed by the remote processing unit 120.
  • the remote control managing unit 110 receives data signal from the broadband data processing unit 106.
  • the data signal may be stored in the remote control database 116 or provided to the broadband data communication port 112.
  • the remote control managing unit 110 receives the remote control selection signal and provides a user configuration data signal to the set top box managing unit 108.
  • a remote control signal may alternatively or also be provided back to the portable processing unit 120 via the broadband data communication port 112.
  • the remote control signal may comprise for instance an update for the display of the portable processing unit 120.
  • such remote control signal may be further provided in response to a data signal received from the broadband data processing unit 103.
  • the set top box managing unit 108 may further receive a remote configuration data signal from the broadband data processing unit 106.
  • the set top box managing unit 108 may further provide a configuration signal to the router management database 114 and receive a corresponding configuration signal for the set top box 102.
  • the set top box managing unit 108 provides the configuration signal to the set top box 102 and may receive a data signal from the set top box 102 as explained above.
  • FIG. 2 shows how the remote configuration unit operates according to one embodiment.
  • processing step 200 user is authenticated.
  • a personalized user interface is received on a remote control.
  • a selection is performed by the user on the personalized user interface.
  • the selection is transmitted.
  • a remote server is accessed.
  • the remote server may be accessed by a user using various means such as a remote processing unit for instance.
  • the remote processing unit may be selected from a group consisting of personal data assistant (PDA), smart phones, laptops, tablet PCs or the like.
  • the remote server may be provided in various locations.
  • the remote server may be provided in the remote configuration unit.
  • the remote server may be provided within a network operator facilities in the embodiment where the data network 118 comprises a wide area network.
  • an indication of a user is provided to the remote server.
  • the indication of a user may be of various types.
  • the indication of a user may comprise a combination of a login and a corresponding password.
  • the indication of a user may comprise an identification of a serial number of software or a piece of hardware used in the remote processing unit used by the user to access the remote server.
  • the remote processing unit is a device typically owned by a single user, such as a mobile phone for instance, the indication of a user may be provided during an initial configuration processing step. In such initial configuration processing step, a credential may be stored permanently in the remote processing unit 120 and corresponding data may be stored in the remote control database 116.
  • a temporary password is displayed and typed in by a user).
  • the remote processing unit 120 comprises a camera
  • a photograph of the display unit may be taken and sent to the remote configuration unit 150.
  • Such embodiment is advantageously used to check that the remote processing unit 120 is in the vicinity of a given display unit.
  • the indication of a user may comprise biometric data.
  • the authentication is performed using the indication provided.
  • the authentication is performed by the remote accessed server.
  • FIG. 4 there is shown one embodiment which shows how the personalized user interface is received on the remote processing unit.
  • processing step 400 data is retrieved according to a user profile.
  • a personalized user interface is generated. It will be appreciated that the personalized user interface is generated according to a user profile. The skilled addressee will appreciate that this is of great interest since some users may have some interests while other users may have different interests. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the personalized user interface may comprise data selected based on various further criteria related or not to the user profile.
  • the personalized user interface is provided.
  • processing step 500 data is retrieved from a local database. More precisely, the data is retrieved from a database comprised in the remote configuration unit.
  • additional data is retrieved from a remote database. It will be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment, the additional data is retrieved from a database comprised in the remote configuration unit.
  • the additional data may be data related to at least one application.
  • the additional data may be provided in combination or addition to the at least one application.
  • the additional data may comprise player statistics or details of other matches that are currently showing on other channels.
  • the additional data may further comprise a video feed in the case where the remote processing unit 120 has access to a suitable bandwidth. This is of great benefit for the user since it avoids obscuring the TV picture with additional, yet pertinent, additional information that would need to be displayed on a relatively large typeface to be readable on the TV.
  • the additional data may comprise data related to special offers, data requiring an action, secret as well as visible data.
  • FIG. 6 there is shown one embodiment for performing a selection on the personalized user interface.
  • the personalized user interface is displayed. It will be appreciated that the personalized user interface is displayed on the remote processing unit. According to processing step 602, an item is selected on the user interface. In one embodiment, the item is selected by the user. The item may be any type of data displayed on the personalized user interface.
  • the element selected is identified.
  • a check is performed in order to find out if a user selection is allowed and in the case where the user selection is allowed and according to step 704, the equipment is controlled in accordance with the selected element.
  • the equipment may be a set top box.
  • the equipment is not controlled by the user.
  • FIG. 8 there is shown another embodiment where the method for controlling a display unit using a portable processing unit is advantageously used.
  • a flexible router 806 is used. This flexible router has been described in US patent application No12/051 , 379 that was filed on March 19, 2008 and that is entitled “Flexible router", the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
  • the flexible router 806 is connected to a broadband access 800 and to a broadcast access 802.
  • the flexible router 806 is further connected to a first TV set 808, to a second TV set 810 and to a third TV set 812 via an existing communication network 804.
  • the first TV set 808 is controlled using a first remote control 814 while the second TV set 810 is controlled by a second remote control 816 and the third TV set 812 is controlled by a third remote control 818.
  • the first remote control 814, the second remote control 816 and the third remote control 818 are each a remote processing unit selected from a group consisting of PDAs, smart phones, laptops, standard "non-interactive" remotes, tablet PCs or the like.
  • the first TV set 808, the second TV set 810 and the third TV set 812 may be selected from a group of consisting of analog TV sets and digital TV sets as explained below and may comprise equipment required for providing a connection to the existing communication network 804. It will be appreciated that each of the first TV set 808, the second TV set 810 and the third TV set 812 are located at various locations of a house 880.
  • the broadband access 800 provides a broadband signal that may be delivered to any type of devices suitable for receiving the broadband signal such as xDSL modem, cable modem, satellite modem or the like.
  • the broadcast access 802 provides a broadcast signal that may be delivered to any type of device suitable for receiving the broadcast signal such as xDSL modem, cable tuner, satellite modem or the like.
  • the flexible router 806 is used for providing a video signal to at least one of the first TV set 808, the second TV set 810 and the third TV set 812 using an existing communication network 804 of the house 880.
  • the existing communication network 804 of the house 880 comprises a coaxial network to which each of the first TV set 808, the second TV set 810 and the third TV set 812 is connected.
  • the existing communication network 804 of the house 880 comprises a coaxial network to which each of the first TV set 808, the second TV set 810 and the third TV set 812 is connected.
  • another type of existing communication network may be provided.
  • the video signal provided by the flexible router 806 may originate from at least one of the broadband access 800 and the broadcast access 802 as further explained below.
  • the remote controls 814, 816 and 818 are operatively connected to the flexible router 806 and are used to control respectively the first TV set 808, the second TV set 810 and the third TV set 812. It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that while three TV sets have been shown in this drawing, many various configurations may be provided as further explained below.
  • the flexible router 806 comprises at least one demodulation unit 900, a switching unit 902, a video processing unit 904 and a modulating unit 906. It will be further appreciated that the flexible router 806 comprises a remote configuration unit 912, operatively connected to each of the remote controls 814, 816 and 818.
  • the at least one demodulation unit 900 comprises a first demodulation unit 908 and an N th demodulation unit 910. Each of the at least one demodulation unit 900 is connected to the switching unit 902.
  • each demodulation unit of the at least one demodulation unit 900 receives a video signal to demodulate and provides a corresponding demodulated video signal to the switching unit 902.
  • the video signal to demodulate may originate from at least one of a broadband access and a broadcast access. It will be appreciated that each demodulation unit operates depending on the source providing the video signal.
  • the switching unit 902 is used to select a demodulated video signal of the at least one demodulated video signal provided by the at least one demodulation unit 900 according to a selection signal.
  • the selection signal is provided by the remote configuration unit 912.
  • the video processing unit 904 is used to process an incoming video signal and to provide a video processed signal. In an alternative embodiment, no video processing is performed. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, the video processing unit 904 receives the selected signal from the switching unit 902 and provides a video processed signal according to a configuration signal provided by the remote configuration unit 912.
  • the processing of the incoming video signal may comprise adding graphics, removing at least one part of the video signal or the like or resizing the incoming video signal to meet specific requirements.
  • the skilled addressee will appreciate that the video processing unit 904 may be advantageously used for inserting advertisements for instance.
  • the skilled addressee will also appreciate that the video processing unit 904 may be used to combine broadband content with a broadcast program to generate a personalized version of that program.
  • the modulating unit 906 is used to modulate an incoming signal and to provide a modulated signal.
  • the modulating unit 906 is used to receive a video signal and to provide a modulated signal depending on a configuration signal provided by the remote configuration unit 912. Alternatively, many other standards may be implemented.
  • the modulating unit 906 operates according to a standard used by the plurality of TV sets to which the modulated signal is delivered to.
  • the modulating unit is used to receive the processed video signal and provide a modulated signal to a particular standard.
  • Many different modulation schemes may be implemented as alternatives.
  • a user may switch the TV on the given channel to view the video signal. It will therefore be appreciated by the skilled addressee that a given channel may be used to display a video signal originating from a streaming video of the broadband access which is of great advantage as explained further below.
  • the modulated signal is delivered to the plurality of TV sets via the existing communication network 804.
  • a demodulation unit 900 with the modulating unit 906 enables the transcoding of an incoming signal having a format selected for example from a group consisting of MPEG2 HD, MPEG2 SD, MPEG4 HD, MPEG4 SD, Windows Media/SMPTE VC1 , HTML & Streaming video into a modulated signal having a format selected from a group consisting of ATSC, J. 83 QAM and Analog.
  • FIG. 10 there is shown an embodiment which shows how the flexible router of Fig. 9 operates.
  • processing step 1000 an incoming signal is received.
  • processing step 1002 the incoming signal is processed to provide a video signal.
  • the video signal is processed.
  • the video processed signal is modulated.
  • a messaging system application may be integrated to each of the remote processing unit 120 and take advantage of the control of the set top box 102.
  • Such messaging system application may be advantageously used by users viewing TV programs in front of distant TV sets to share information on the program being viewed for instance.
  • a user may chat with another user via the remote processing unit 120 and suggest a given TV program to other users.
  • Such messaging system may therefore be used to create a dynamic social network in which information on who is watching what become readily available. It will be appreciated that this is of great advantage since a user may desire to join "virtually" friends watching a specific TV program and eventually share/interact depending on the TV program.
  • the remote processing unit 120 may be advantageously used to improve the user experience by avoiding clutter on the TV screen of the TV set 104 by displaying message on the remote processing unit 120 and identifying the users more precisely. In the case of such application, the remote processing unit 120 may still be used even if the user is not in the vicinity of the TV set 104. In this embodiment, the remote processing unit 120 may be used to continue to have access to the additional data which may be of great advantage. For instance the user may watch a TV program at a remote location and the additional data may be advantageously used to enhance the local viewing experience. One example may be in the case where the additional data comprises an audio feed selected by the user.
  • the audio feed may be advantageous especially in the case where the audio feed is not readily available at the remote location. It will be appreciated that the audio feed may be selected based on various parameters such as language, culture, type of audio compression used, bandwidth available or the like. Additional audio feeds such as "director commentary" may be delivered.
  • a user may, in one embodiment, redirect a given video stream from a first flexible router to a second flexible router using the personalized user interface displayed on the portable processing unit which is of great advantage. This may be done via a data network.

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for controlling a display unit using a portable processing device, the method comprising a user performing an authentication on the portable processing device, receiving a personalized user interface on the portable processing device, the user interface comprising data indicative of at least one application displayed on the display unit and corresponding additional data related to the at least one application and performing a selection on the user interface using the data indicative of at least one application displayed on the display unit and corresponding additional data related to the at least one application.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A DISPLAY UNIT USING A
PORTABLE PROCESSING UNIT
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application relates to US patent application No. 12/051 ,379 that was filed on March 19, 2008 and that is entitled "Flexible router11 which claims priority of US provisional patent application No. 61/033,634 that was filed on March 4, 2008 and that is also entitled "Flexible router", and U.S. provisional application No. 61/056,228 that was filed on May 27, 2008, the specification of which applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
This application claims priority of US patent application No. 61/056,228 that was filed on May 27, 2008 and is entitled "Method and apparatus for controlling a display unit using a portable processing unit, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to remote controls. More precisely, this invention pertains to a method and apparatus for controlling a display unit using a portable processing unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Current technology in the typical consumer home involves many disparate devices controlled by many different and simplistic controls. Many different remote controls are used to control TV's, computers, set top boxes, stereos and other electronic devices. There are some controls that can learn to control additional devices, but in all cases these controls really only provide the benefit to the user of not needing to physically approach their electronic equipment, rather than enhancing its performance.
Features of the invention will be apparent from review of the disclosure, drawings and description of the invention below. BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention provides a method for controlling a display unit using a portable processing device, the method comprising a user performing an authentication on the portable processing device, receiving a personalized user interface on the portable processing device, the user interface comprising data indicative of at least one application displayed on the display unit and corresponding additional data related to the at least one application and performing a selection on the user interface using the data indicative of at least one application displayed on the display unit and corresponding additional data related to the at least one application.
In accordance with one embodiment, the display unit comprises a TV set.
In one embodiment, the TV set is controlled by a set top box.
In yet another embodiment, the portable processing unit is selected from a group consisting of portable digital assistants (PDA), smart phones, laptops and tablet PCs.
In an embodiment, the performing of the authentication on the portable processing device comprises accessing a remote server, providing an indication of a user to the remote server and performing the authentication using the indication provided.
In yet another embodiment, the indication of a user is selected from a group consisting of a combination of a login and a password, an identification of a serial number of a software and an identification of a serial number of a piece of hardware.
In another embodiment, the identification of a user is generated during a configuration processing of the portable processing device.
In yet another embodiment, the receiving of the personalized user interface on the portable processing device comprises retrieving data according to a user profile, generating a personalized user interface using the retrieved data and providing the personalized user interface. In yet another embodiment, the receiving of the personalized user interface comprises retrieving data from a local database and retrieving additional data from a remote database.
In an embodiment, the additional data is provided in combination to the at least one application.
In yet another embodiment, the additional data is provided in addition to the at least one application.
In an embodiment, the at least one application comprises a TV program.
In yet another embodiment, the additional data comprises at least one of graphics data, text data, audio data and video data.
In an embodiment, the additional data comprises audio data, further wherein the audio data is provided according to at least one criterion.
In another embodiment, the at least one criterion is selected from a group consisting of language, culture, type of compression used and bandwidth available.
In yet another embodiment, the additional data comprises at least one of data related to special offers and data requiring an action.
In yet another embodiment, the additional data is offered to a user for a fee.
In an embodiment, the method disclosed further comprises transmitting the selection to the set top box.
In yet another embodiment, the performing of a selection on the user interface using the data indicative of at least one application displayed on the display unit and corresponding additional data related to the at least one application comprises identifying an element selected and checking if the element selected is allowed, further comprising controlling the display unit if said element selected is allowed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be readily understood, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a block diagram, which shows one embodiment where a remote configuration unit is advantageously used.
Figure 2 is a flowchart which shows one embodiment of how the remote configuration unit operates; according to a first step a user is authenticated; according to a second step a personalized user interface is received on a remote control; according to a third step the user is performing a selection on the personalized user interface and according to a fourth step, the selection is transmitted.
Figure 3 is a flowchart which shows one embodiment for authenticating a user;
Figure 4 is flowchart which shows one embodiment for receiving a personalized user interface on a remote control.
Figure 5 is flowchart which shows one embodiment for generating a personalized user interface.
Figure 6 is flowchart which shows one embodiment for performing a selection on the personalized user interface.
Figure 7 is a flowchart which shows one embodiment for transmitting the selection.
Figure 8 is a block diagram which shows one embodiment in which the remote configuration unit is advantageously used.
Figure 9 is a block diagram which shows one embodiment of a flexible router to which the remote configuration unit is operatively connected to.
Figure 10 is flowchart which shows how the flexible router operates according to one embodiment. Further details of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the detailed description included below.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following description of the embodiments, references to the accompanying drawings are by way of illustration of an example by which the invention may be practiced. It will be understood that other embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed.
Now referring to Figure 1 , there is shown an embodiment of a configuration where a remote configuration unit 150 is advantageously used.
In this embodiment, the remote configuration unit 150 is operatively connected to a set top box 102. The set top box 102 is operatively connected to a TV set 104. In fact, the set top box 102 provides a signal to display to the TV set 104 in accordance with a configuration signal provided by the remote configuration unit 150.
It will be appreciated that the set top box 102 may be manufactured by various manufacturers such as for instance Cisco, Scientific Atlanta, Motorola, Thomson.
It will be further appreciated that the remote configuration unit 150 is further operatively connected to a remote processing unit 120 (also referred to as a portable processing unit) which will be used by a user as a remote control as explained further below.
It will be appreciated that the remote processing unit 120 may be used by the user to remote control the set top box 102 using the remote configuration unit 150. In fact it will be appreciated that the remote processing unit 120 may be used in place of a standard remote control handset, or in addition to it. In an alternative embodiment, more than one remote processing unit may be used at the same time in the vicinity of the TV set 104. In such embodiment, each user handling a given remote processing unit may be provided with a personalized user interface which is of great advantage. In such case, specific data will be provided by the remote configuration unit 150 to each of the more than one remote processing unit. The skilled addressee will appreciate that because a personalized user interface is provided, applications such as games may be advantageously provided. Interactive games using or not the content displayed by the TV set 104 may be provided. The TV set 104 may further be used for displaying data such as a game score for instance. The skilled addressee will appreciate that in an embodiment, all the users may or not be located in a same physical location.
Moreover, it will be appreciated that in one embodiment, the remote processing unit 120 may be used to control other devices using Infra Red technology provided that both the remote processing unit 120 and the other devices have an Infra Red communication port. In such embodiment, the remote processing unit 120 is wirelessly connected to the remote configuration unit 150. The remote configuration unit 150 may then comprise an application adapted to retrieve specific IR codes suitable to managing the other devices via the Infra Red communication port. Such IR codes may be downloaded from a remote processing unit, not shown, via the broadband data processing unit 106. Still in this embodiment, the IR codes may be locally stored in an IR codes database, not shown, comprised in one of the remote configuration unit 150 and the remote processing unit 120. The skilled addressee will appreciate that the IR codes database may be updated according to various embodiments. In one embodiment, the IR codes database may be updated upon receipt of a request while in another embodiment, the IR codes database may be updated on a periodic basis. The skilled addressee will appreciate that this is of great advantage since no IR code learning is required. Moreover, the IR codes database may be created according to the needs of a user. For instance, the personalized interface provided to the remote processing unit 120 may require the user to provide an indication of the surrounding available devices comprising an Infra Red communication port. It will be appreciated that various applications may be performed using advantageously IR codes. Typically and in the case where a given button is pressed on the remote processing unit 120, a signal indicative of the button pressed is provided to the remote configuration unit 150. The remote configuration unit 150 may then determine using an algorithm whether the set top box 102 is to be controlled or whether any other devices comprising an Infra Red communication port should be controlled. In the case, for instance, where another device is to be controlled, a corresponding determined IR code may be provided to the remote processing unit 120 by the remote configuration unit 120 and the corresponding IR code may be transmitted via the Infra Red communication port of the remote processing unit 120 to the corresponding other device. It will be appreciated that the corresponding IR code may be determined depending on various parameters or information.
More precisely and in one embodiment, the remote processing unit 120 is used by a user to control the set top box 102. The remote processing unit 120 may be used by the user to receive a personalized user interface, the user interface comprising data indicative of at least one application displayed on a display unit, an example of which is the TV set 104 and corresponding additional data related to the at least one application. It will be appreciated that the at least one application comprises any type of data related to a TV program in the case where the display unit is the TV set 104. Alternatively, the at least one application comprises computer applications in the case where the display unit is used to display data originating from a processing unit. A user may therefore be able to perform a selection on the user interface using the data indicative of at least one application displayed on the TV set 104 and corresponding additional data related to the at least one application.
The corresponding additional data may originate from various sources as explained below. Moreover, the additional data may be of various formats such as text, graphics, video or the like.
The remote configuration unit 150 comprises, in the embodiment disclosed in Fig. 1 , a broadband data processing unit 106, a set top box managing unit 108, a remote control managing unit 110, a broadband data communication port 112, a router management database 114 and a remote control database 116.
More precisely, the broadband data processing unit 106 is used to process broadband data originating from a broadband data source, not shown in Fig. 1. The broadband data processing unit 106 is operatively connected to the broadband data source via a data network, also not shown in Fig. 1. The data network 118 may comprise at least one of a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN) and a wide area network (WAN). In one embodiment, the data network comprises the Internet. In one embodiment, the broadband data source is operated by a service provider. The service provider will be able to interact with the user operating the remote processing unit 120 as well as with the set top box 102. The interaction will be of great advantage. It will be appreciated that the service provider may be the operator of the set top box 102. Alternatively, the service provider may be a third party providing for instance content data in the form of the additional data related to the at least one application.
The set top box managing unit 108 is used to manage the set top box 102. More precisely, the set top box managing unit 108 is used to provide a configuration signal to the set top box 102. It will be appreciated that the set top box managing unit 108 may further receive a data signal from the set top box 102. The skilled addressee will appreciate that this data signal may be of great advantage for various reasons. For instance, one example is that such data signal may enable the set top box managing unit 108 to specifically know what is being currently displayed by the TV set 104 which may be of great advantage. Another reason is for instance in the case where more than one remote processing unit are used in order for example updating the personalized user interface of a given remote processing unit when another given remote processing unit is interacting with the set top box 102. Another reason is also in the case where the set top box 102 comprises front panel buttons, the data signal provided by the set top box will be useful to update the personalized user interface for instance.
The configuration signal may comprise, in one embodiment, a channel selection signal. Alternatively, the configuration signal may comprise data related to a signal to display on the TV set 104. Alternatively, the configuration signal may comprise a data signal to provide back to the MSO in one embodiment. It will be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment, the remote processing unit 120 is not located in the vicinity of the set top box 102. This may be the case when the remote processing unit 120 and the set top box 102 are connected via the data network 118 which is a Wide Area Network, such as the Internet. In such embodiment, the configuration signal may be used, for instance, to manage remotely a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) application. Alternatively, the configuration signal may be used in a dedicated application in the remote configuration unit 150. It will be further appreciated that the remote processing unit 120 may be used for home automation applications. More precisely, a home automation system, not shown, may be operatively connected to the remote configuration unit 150. In such embodiment, the user may control the home automation system using the remote configuration unit 150 via the remote processing unit 120. The skilled addressee will appreciate that this is of great advantage especially in the case where the remote processing unit 120 is not located in the vicinity of the set top box 102. Still in the embodiment where the remote processing unit 120 is used to control a home automation system, the remote processing unit 120 may first display to the user a personalized user interface comprising a menu for selecting and defining what to control in the home automation system and then provide the user with a personalized user interface integrating home automation features.
It will be appreciated that the configuration signal may be delivered to the set top box 102 using various communication means such as a communication interface, not shown in the figures, for instance. In one embodiment, the communication interface comprises one of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port and an Ethernet port. In another embodiment, the configuration signal may be delivered to the set top box 102 using an infra-red transmitter such that the configuration signal transmitted to the set top box 102 emulates signals provided from conventional infra-red handsets. In a preferred embodiment disclosed further below, the remote configuration unit 150 is implemented as an integral part of a set top box 102 and so the configuration signal passes from one module to another without requiring any physical communication interface.
The remote control managing unit 110 is used to manage the remote processing unit 120. More precisely, the management may comprise providing means for authenticating a user using the remote processing unit 120. The management may further comprise providing means for providing a personalized user interface on the remote processing unit 120, the user interface comprising data indicative of at least one application displayed on the TV set 104 and corresponding additional data related to the at least one application. The management may also comprise providing means for enabling a user using the remote processing unit 120 to perform a selection on the user interface using the data indicative of at least one application displayed on the TV set 104 and corresponding additional data related to the at least one application. In one embodiment, the remote control managing unit 110 comprises a web server for enabling the management of the remote processing unit 120.
The broadband data communication port 112 is used to enable the remote configuration unit 150 to communicate via data network 118 to the remote processing unit 120.
It will be appreciated that the data network 118 may comprise at least one of a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN) and a wide area network (WAN). In a preferred embodiment the data network 118 comprises the Internet.
The router management database 114 is used to store router management data. In one embodiment, the router management data comprises data pertaining to the management of the set top box 102 such as filtering data for instance, a list of authorized channels a given user can access, an amount of time a user may browse a channel, a given user's preferences, recent history, such as recently viewed channels history, or the like.
The remote control database 116 is used to store remote control data. The remote control data is used for handling the remote control (i.e. the remote processing unit 120) connected to the remote control configuration unit 150.
In one embodiment, the remote control database 116 comprises data for generating a personalized user interface on the remote processing unit 120 such as graphics data for generating the user interface or the like. The remote control database 116 may further comprise data indicative of users allowed to handle the remote processing unit 120 (including credentials relating to user authentication) and access the remote configuration unit 150. The remote control database 116 may further comprise data related to the at least one application as well as additional data related to the at least one application.
More precisely, the broadband data processing unit 106 is operatively connected to a broadband data source, not shown. The broadband data processing unit 106 receives a broadband signal provided by the broadband data source and may provide a data signal to the remote control managing unit 110 as well as a remote configuration data signal to the set top box managing unit 108.
The remote configuration data signal provided by the broadband data processing unit 106 may be used to override the operation of the set top box managing unit 108 and may provide a given configuration signal to the set top box 102 selected by a service provider. This may be of great advantage for the service provider of the broadband data source in order to provide specific data to the set top box 102 when given conditions are met.
The data signal provided to the remote control managing unit 110 may comprise various types of information that may be used by the remote control managing unit 110.
For instance, the data signal may comprise data to be displayed on the remote control (i.e. the remote processing unit 150). For example the data to be displayed on the remote control may comprise data used for generating the personalized user interface as well as data related to the content displayed on the personalized user interface. The data may comprise the additional data related to at least one application.
Alternatively, the data signal may comprise data to be used by the remote control managing unit 110. For example, the data to be used by the remote control may comprise code updates, specific user preferences, learning override, on/off indicators.
Alternatively, the data signal may comprise data to be stored in the remote control database 116. For example, the data to be stored in the remote control database 116 may comprise for instance data indicative of users allowed to use the remote processing unit 120. It will be appreciated that the broadband data processing unit 106 may also receive a request for configuration signal from the set top box managing unit 108 and transmit a corresponding signal to the broadband data source, not shown.
The broadband data communication port 112 is operatively connected to the remote processing unit 120 as explained above. More precisely, the broadband data communication port 112 may receive a remote control selection signal from the remote processing unit 120. The remote control selection signal is indicative of a selection made by a given user on the personalized user interface displayed on the remote processing unit 120.
The broadband data communication port 112 provides a remote control selection signal indicative of the received remote control selection signal to the remote control managing unit 110.
As explained above, the remote processing unit 120 is capable of displaying data. To that extent, the broadband data communication port 112 provides a remote control signal to transmit to the remote processing unit 120. The remote control signal to transmit provided by the broadband data communication port 112 is indicative of a remote control signal provided by the remote control managing unit 110 to the broadband data communication port 112.
It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that the remote control managing unit 110 may use various data to generate the remote control signal. More precisely, the remote control managing unit 110 may provide a request for data to the remote control database 112 and receive in turn requested data.
It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that the data may comprise at least one of text, graphics, video or the like. The skilled addressee will therefore appreciate that the remote control has a personalized interface. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the data may comprise executable code to be executed by the remote processing unit 120.
The remote control managing unit 110 receives data signal from the broadband data processing unit 106. The data signal may be stored in the remote control database 116 or provided to the broadband data communication port 112. The remote control managing unit 110 receives the remote control selection signal and provides a user configuration data signal to the set top box managing unit 108. It will be appreciated that in response to the remote control selection signal received by the remote control managing unit 110, a remote control signal may alternatively or also be provided back to the portable processing unit 120 via the broadband data communication port 112. The remote control signal may comprise for instance an update for the display of the portable processing unit 120. Moreover, such remote control signal may be further provided in response to a data signal received from the broadband data processing unit 103.
As mentioned earlier, the set top box managing unit 108 may further receive a remote configuration data signal from the broadband data processing unit 106.
The set top box managing unit 108 may further provide a configuration signal to the router management database 114 and receive a corresponding configuration signal for the set top box 102.
The set top box managing unit 108 provides the configuration signal to the set top box 102 and may receive a data signal from the set top box 102 as explained above.
Now referring to Figure 2, there is shown one embodiment, which shows how the remote configuration unit operates according to one embodiment.
According to processing step 200, user is authenticated.
According to processing step 202, a personalized user interface is received on a remote control.
According to processing step 204, a selection is performed by the user on the personalized user interface.
According to processing step 206, the selection is transmitted.
Now referring to Figure 3, there is shown one embodiment for authenticating a user. According to processing step 300, a remote server is accessed. It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that the remote server may be accessed by a user using various means such as a remote processing unit for instance. In one embodiment, the remote processing unit may be selected from a group consisting of personal data assistant (PDA), smart phones, laptops, tablet PCs or the like.
Moreover, it will be appreciated that the remote server may be provided in various locations. For instance, the remote server may be provided in the remote configuration unit. The skilled addressee will appreciate that this may be the case in the embodiment where the data network 118 comprises a Local Area Network (LAN). Alternatively, the remote server may be provided within a network operator facilities in the embodiment where the data network 118 comprises a wide area network.
According to processing step 302, an indication of a user is provided to the remote server. It will be appreciated that the indication of a user may be of various types. In one embodiment, the indication of a user may comprise a combination of a login and a corresponding password. Alternatively, the indication of a user may comprise an identification of a serial number of software or a piece of hardware used in the remote processing unit used by the user to access the remote server. It will be appreciated that in the case were the remote processing unit is a device typically owned by a single user, such as a mobile phone for instance, the indication of a user may be provided during an initial configuration processing step. In such initial configuration processing step, a credential may be stored permanently in the remote processing unit 120 and corresponding data may be stored in the remote control database 116. The skilled addressee will appreciate that in such embodiment, no password is further required for authenticating the user since the user has been de facto authenticated since the initial configuration processing step. The skilled addressee will appreciate that the purpose of the identification is to uniquely identify a user operating the remote processing unit. The skilled addressee will appreciate that identifying the user is of great interest in order to provide a personalized interface. It will be appreciated that the user may be able to use an already authenticated remote processing unit 120 in another location or building where the remote configuration unit 150 is provided. This is of great advantage in the case where a user wishes to access the remote configuration unit 150 from various locations such as for instance hotels or the like. In a preferred embodiment, authentication information is displayed on the display unit and is captured by the remote processing unit 120 (e.g. a temporary password is displayed and typed in by a user). Alternatively, and in the case where the remote processing unit 120 comprises a camera, a photograph of the display unit may be taken and sent to the remote configuration unit 150. Such embodiment is advantageously used to check that the remote processing unit 120 is in the vicinity of a given display unit. In an alternative embodiment, the indication of a user may comprise biometric data.
According to processing step 304, the authentication is performed using the indication provided. In one embodiment the authentication is performed by the remote accessed server.
Now referring to Figure 4, there is shown one embodiment which shows how the personalized user interface is received on the remote processing unit.
According to processing step 400, data is retrieved according to a user profile.
According to processing step 402, a personalized user interface is generated. It will be appreciated that the personalized user interface is generated according to a user profile. The skilled addressee will appreciate that this is of great interest since some users may have some interests while other users may have different interests. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the personalized user interface may comprise data selected based on various further criteria related or not to the user profile.
According to processing step 404, the personalized user interface is provided.
Now referring to Figure 5 there is shown one embodiment for generating a personalized user interface. According to processing step 500, data is retrieved from a local database. More precisely, the data is retrieved from a database comprised in the remote configuration unit.
According to processing step 502, additional data is retrieved from a remote database. It will be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment, the additional data is retrieved from a database comprised in the remote configuration unit.
The additional data may be data related to at least one application. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the additional data may be provided in combination or addition to the at least one application. For instance and in the case where the application is a TV program such as a tennis match, the additional data may comprise player statistics or details of other matches that are currently showing on other channels. The additional data may further comprise a video feed in the case where the remote processing unit 120 has access to a suitable bandwidth. This is of great benefit for the user since it avoids obscuring the TV picture with additional, yet pertinent, additional information that would need to be displayed on a relatively large typeface to be readable on the TV. The skilled addressee will appreciate that the additional data may comprise data related to special offers, data requiring an action, secret as well as visible data. This further enables multiple users to access that information in a personalized way. The skilled addressee will appreciate that this is of great advantage for the service operator since it helps increasing user loyalty to the service. It further offers the opportunity for selling additional services to the user as well as offering the option to place additional, targeted, advertising on the display unit of the remote processing unit. Moreover, the skilled addressee will appreciate that this enables the providing of interactive education applications as well as interactive testing applications which is of great advantage.
Now referring to Figure 6, there is shown one embodiment for performing a selection on the personalized user interface.
According to processing step 600, the personalized user interface is displayed. It will be appreciated that the personalized user interface is displayed on the remote processing unit. According to processing step 602, an item is selected on the user interface. In one embodiment, the item is selected by the user. The item may be any type of data displayed on the personalized user interface.
Now referring to Figure 7, there is shown one embodiment for transmitting the selection.
According to processing step 700, the element selected is identified.
According to processing step 702, a check is performed in order to find out if a user selection is allowed and in the case where the user selection is allowed and according to step 704, the equipment is controlled in accordance with the selected element. In one embodiment, the equipment may be a set top box.
In the case where the user selection is not allowed, the equipment is not controlled by the user.
Now referring to Fig. 8, there is shown another embodiment where the method for controlling a display unit using a portable processing unit is advantageously used.
In this embodiment, a flexible router 806 is used. This flexible router has been described in US patent application No12/051 , 379 that was filed on March 19, 2008 and that is entitled "Flexible router", the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
More precisely, the flexible router 806 is connected to a broadband access 800 and to a broadcast access 802. The flexible router 806 is further connected to a first TV set 808, to a second TV set 810 and to a third TV set 812 via an existing communication network 804.
The first TV set 808 is controlled using a first remote control 814 while the second TV set 810 is controlled by a second remote control 816 and the third TV set 812 is controlled by a third remote control 818.
It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that in this embodiment, the first remote control 814, the second remote control 816 and the third remote control 818 are each a remote processing unit selected from a group consisting of PDAs, smart phones, laptops, standard "non-interactive" remotes, tablet PCs or the like.
The first TV set 808, the second TV set 810 and the third TV set 812 may be selected from a group of consisting of analog TV sets and digital TV sets as explained below and may comprise equipment required for providing a connection to the existing communication network 804. It will be appreciated that each of the first TV set 808, the second TV set 810 and the third TV set 812 are located at various locations of a house 880.
The broadband access 800 provides a broadband signal that may be delivered to any type of devices suitable for receiving the broadband signal such as xDSL modem, cable modem, satellite modem or the like.
Similarly, the broadcast access 802 provides a broadcast signal that may be delivered to any type of device suitable for receiving the broadcast signal such as xDSL modem, cable tuner, satellite modem or the like.
The flexible router 806 is used for providing a video signal to at least one of the first TV set 808, the second TV set 810 and the third TV set 812 using an existing communication network 804 of the house 880.
In one embodiment, the existing communication network 804 of the house 880 comprises a coaxial network to which each of the first TV set 808, the second TV set 810 and the third TV set 812 is connected. The skilled addressee will appreciate that in an alternative embodiment, another type of existing communication network may be provided.
The video signal provided by the flexible router 806 may originate from at least one of the broadband access 800 and the broadcast access 802 as further explained below. The remote controls 814, 816 and 818 are operatively connected to the flexible router 806 and are used to control respectively the first TV set 808, the second TV set 810 and the third TV set 812. It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that while three TV sets have been shown in this drawing, many various configurations may be provided as further explained below. Now referring to Fig. 9, there is shown an embodiment of the flexible router 806. In this embodiment, the flexible router 806 comprises at least one demodulation unit 900, a switching unit 902, a video processing unit 904 and a modulating unit 906. It will be further appreciated that the flexible router 806 comprises a remote configuration unit 912, operatively connected to each of the remote controls 814, 816 and 818.
The at least one demodulation unit 900 comprises a first demodulation unit 908 and an Nth demodulation unit 910. Each of the at least one demodulation unit 900 is connected to the switching unit 902.
More precisely, each demodulation unit of the at least one demodulation unit 900 receives a video signal to demodulate and provides a corresponding demodulated video signal to the switching unit 902. The video signal to demodulate may originate from at least one of a broadband access and a broadcast access. It will be appreciated that each demodulation unit operates depending on the source providing the video signal.
The switching unit 902 is used to select a demodulated video signal of the at least one demodulated video signal provided by the at least one demodulation unit 900 according to a selection signal. The selection signal is provided by the remote configuration unit 912.
The video processing unit 904 is used to process an incoming video signal and to provide a video processed signal. In an alternative embodiment, no video processing is performed. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, the video processing unit 904 receives the selected signal from the switching unit 902 and provides a video processed signal according to a configuration signal provided by the remote configuration unit 912.
The processing of the incoming video signal may comprise adding graphics, removing at least one part of the video signal or the like or resizing the incoming video signal to meet specific requirements. The skilled addressee will appreciate that the video processing unit 904 may be advantageously used for inserting advertisements for instance. The skilled addressee will also appreciate that the video processing unit 904 may be used to combine broadband content with a broadcast program to generate a personalized version of that program.
The modulating unit 906 is used to modulate an incoming signal and to provide a modulated signal. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, the modulating unit 906 is used to receive a video signal and to provide a modulated signal depending on a configuration signal provided by the remote configuration unit 912. Alternatively, many other standards may be implemented.
It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that the modulating unit 906 operates according to a standard used by the plurality of TV sets to which the modulated signal is delivered to. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, the modulating unit is used to receive the processed video signal and provide a modulated signal to a particular standard. Many different modulation schemes may be implemented as alternatives.
A user may switch the TV on the given channel to view the video signal. It will therefore be appreciated by the skilled addressee that a given channel may be used to display a video signal originating from a streaming video of the broadband access which is of great advantage as explained further below.
As mentioned previously, the modulated signal is delivered to the plurality of TV sets via the existing communication network 804.
It will be appreciated that in one embodiment the combination of a demodulation unit 900 with the modulating unit 906 enables the transcoding of an incoming signal having a format selected for example from a group consisting of MPEG2 HD, MPEG2 SD, MPEG4 HD, MPEG4 SD, Windows Media/SMPTE VC1 , HTML & Streaming video into a modulated signal having a format selected from a group consisting of ATSC, J. 83 QAM and Analog.
Now referring to Fig. 10, there is shown an embodiment which shows how the flexible router of Fig. 9 operates.
According to processing step 1000, an incoming signal is received. According to processing step 1002, the incoming signal is processed to provide a video signal.
According to processing step 1004, the video signal is processed.
According to processing step 1006, the video processed signal is modulated.
It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that the system disclosed above may be of great advantage for various reasons. For instance, a messaging system application may be integrated to each of the remote processing unit 120 and take advantage of the control of the set top box 102. Such messaging system application may be advantageously used by users viewing TV programs in front of distant TV sets to share information on the program being viewed for instance. Alternatively, a user may chat with another user via the remote processing unit 120 and suggest a given TV program to other users. Such messaging system may therefore be used to create a dynamic social network in which information on who is watching what become readily available. It will be appreciated that this is of great advantage since a user may desire to join "virtually" friends watching a specific TV program and eventually share/interact depending on the TV program. The remote processing unit 120 may be advantageously used to improve the user experience by avoiding clutter on the TV screen of the TV set 104 by displaying message on the remote processing unit 120 and identifying the users more precisely. In the case of such application, the remote processing unit 120 may still be used even if the user is not in the vicinity of the TV set 104. In this embodiment, the remote processing unit 120 may be used to continue to have access to the additional data which may be of great advantage. For instance the user may watch a TV program at a remote location and the additional data may be advantageously used to enhance the local viewing experience. One example may be in the case where the additional data comprises an audio feed selected by the user. The skilled addressee will appreciate that in such case providing the audio feed may be advantageous especially in the case where the audio feed is not readily available at the remote location. It will be appreciated that the audio feed may be selected based on various parameters such as language, culture, type of audio compression used, bandwidth available or the like. Additional audio feeds such as "director commentary" may be delivered.
It will be further appreciated that a user may, in one embodiment, redirect a given video stream from a first flexible router to a second flexible router using the personalized user interface displayed on the portable processing unit which is of great advantage. This may be done via a data network.
Although the above description relates to specific embodiments as presently contemplated by the inventor, it will be understood that the invention in its broad aspect includes functional equivalents of the elements described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A method for controlling a display unit using a portable processing device, the method comprising: a user performing an authentication on the portable processing device; receiving a personalized user interface on the portable processing device, the personalized user interface comprising data indicative of at least one application displayed on the display unit and corresponding additional data related to the at least one application; and performing a selection on the user interface using the data indicative of at least one application displayed on the display unit and corresponding additional data related to the at least one application.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said display unit comprises a TV set.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said TV set is controlled by a set top box.
4. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said portable processing unit is selected from a group consisting of portable digital assistants (PDA), smart phones, laptops and tablet PCs.
5. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said performing of said authentication on the portable processing device comprises accessing a remote server, providing an indication of a user to the remote server and performing said authentication using the indication provided.
6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said indication of a user is selected from a group consisting of a combination of a login and a password, an identification of a serial number of a software and an identification of a serial number of a piece of hardware.
7. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said identification of a user is generated during a configuration processing of said portable processing device.
8. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said receiving of said personalized user interface on the portable processing device comprises retrieving data according to a user profile, generating a personalized user interface using the retrieved data and providing the personalized user interface.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said receiving of said personalized user interface comprises retrieving data from a local database and retrieving additional data from a remote database.
10. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said additional data is provided in combination to said at least one application.
11. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said additional data is provided in addition to said at least one application.
12. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one application comprises a TV program.
13. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said additional data comprises at least one of graphics data, text data, audio data and video data.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said additional data comprises audio data, further wherein said audio data is provided according to at least one criterion.
15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one criterion is selected from a group consisting of language, culture, type of compression used and bandwidth available.
16. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said additional data comprises at least one of data related to special offers and data requiring an action.
17. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said additional data is offered to a user for a fee.
18. The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising transmitting the selection to the set top box.
19. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said performing of a selection on the user interface using the data indicative of at least one application displayed on the display unit and corresponding additional data related to the at least one application comprises identifying an element selected and checking if the element selected is allowed, further comprising controlling the display unit if said element selected is allowed.
PCT/CA2009/000711 2008-05-27 2009-05-22 Method and apparatus for controlling a display unit using a portable processing unit WO2009143608A1 (en)

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