KR101356028B1 - Television system providing user-interaction related to an in-progress television program - Google Patents

Abstract

System and method in a television system for providing user-interaction associated with a provided television program, as better shown in the claims as substantially shown and / or described with reference to at least one figure.

Description

TELEVISION SYSTEM PROVIDING USER-INTERACTION RELATED TO AN IN-PROGRESS TELEVISION PROGRAM}

Embodiments of the present invention relate to television systems and, more particularly, to a television system capable of providing user-specific behavior related to objects present in a television program.

Current television systems generally cannot provide user-specific behaviors related to objects present in a television program. Through the comparison of the systems of the present invention presented in the remainder of this application with reference to the drawings, the disadvantages and limitations of conventional and conventional processing methods will become more apparent to those skilled in the art.

The present invention is directed to a television system capable of providing user-specific behavior related to objects present in a television program.

Various aspects of the present invention provide a system and method in a television system for providing user-interaction related to an ongoing television program, as better shown in the claims, as substantially shown and / or described with reference to at least one figure. to provide. The various advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention as well as the details of the illustrated embodiments of the present invention will become more fully understood from the following description and the drawings.

According to one aspect, a method for providing user interaction associated with objects in a television program being provided, the method comprising :;

In a television system,

Providing a user interface that enables a user to indicate to the provided television program an action to perform in relation to an object;

Using the provided user interface, receiving user input representing a user-specified action to perform with respect to an object in the provided television program;

Confirming an action to be performed with respect to an object in the provided television program based at least in part on user input indicative of the received user specified action; And

Performing the identified action.

Preferably, the action to be performed in relation to an object in the provided television program is

Providing the user with information related to an object in the provided television program;

Performing a commercial transaction associated with an object with the provided television program; And

Initiating communication with an entity associated with an object in the provided television program.

Preferably, the object is an inanimate object.

Preferably, the object is one or both of a person and / or a group of people.

Advantageously, said action to be performed in connection with an object in said provided television program includes the step of clearly displaying information about said object present in said television program.

Advantageously, providing the user interface to the provided television program to indicate an action to perform with respect to an object comprises selecting a user for the action to perform with respect to the object during only a portion of the provided television program. providing a (user-selection).

Advantageously, the step of providing a user selection of the action to perform with respect to the object generally occurs only when the object appears in the provided television program.

Advantageously, said providing of user selection of said action to be performed with respect to said object generally occurs only during a portion of said provided television program sponsored by a commercial enterprise associated with said object.

Advantageously, said action to be performed in connection with an object in said provided television program comprises performing a commercial transaction in association with said object in said provided television program.

Advantageously, performing a commercial transaction associated with the object with the provided television program comprises ordering a product associated with the object.

Advantageously, said action to be performed in connection with an object in said provided television program comprises establishing a communication session with a commercial enterprise associated with said object.

Advantageously, establishing the communication session with a commercial enterprise associated with the object includes establishing a communication session with an Internet web site associated with the object.

Advantageously, the step of providing a user interface to the provided television program indicative of an action to perform with respect to an object provides the user with a list of actions associated with the object from which the user can select an action to perform. It includes a step.

Advantageously, the step of providing the user with a list of actions associated with the objects from which the user can select an action to perform is a plurality of nested actions that the user can roam to select an action to perform. Providing the list of users to the user.

Advantageously, the provided list of actions includes a list of entities with which a communication session can be established.

According to one aspect, a system for providing user interaction associated with objects in a television program being provided, the system comprising:

At least one

Providing a user interface that allows a user to indicate to the provided television program an action to perform in relation to an object;

Using the provided user interface, to receive user input indicating user-specified behavior to perform with respect to an object in the provided television program;

Confirming an action to be performed with respect to an object in the provided television program based at least in part on user input indicative of the received user specified action; And

At least one module operative to perform the identified action.

Preferably, the action to be performed in relation to an object in the provided television program is

Providing the user with information related to an object in the provided television program;

Perform a commercial transaction involving an object on the provided television program; And

The provided television program includes any one or more of initiating communication with an entity associated with an object.

Preferably, the object is an inanimate object.

Preferably, the object is one or both of a person and / or a group of people.

Advantageously, said action to be performed in connection with an object in said provided television program includes the step of clearly displaying information about said object present in said television program.

Advantageously, said at least one module operates, at least in part, to provide a user-selection of said action to be performed with respect to said object during only a portion of said provided television program. It acts to provide the user with a user interface that can represent actions to be performed on objects.

Advantageously, said at least one module operates to provide a user selection of said action to be generally performed in relation to said object only when said object appears in said provided television program.

Advantageously, said at least one module is operable to provide a user selection of said action to be performed generally in relation to said object only during the portion of said provided television program sponsored by a commercial enterprise associated with said object. do.

Advantageously, said action to be performed in connection with an object in said provided television program comprises performing a commercial transaction in association with said object in said provided television program.

Advantageously, performing a commercial transaction associated with the object with the provided television program comprises ordering a product associated with the object.

Advantageously, said action to be performed in connection with an object in said provided television program comprises establishing a communication session with a commercial enterprise associated with said object.

Advantageously, establishing the communication session with a commercial enterprise associated with the object includes establishing a communication session with an Internet web site associated with the object.

Advantageously, said at least one module operates, at least in part, to provide said user with a list of actions associated with said objects from which the user can select an action to be performed by the user, thereby providing the user with an object in said provided television program. Act to provide a user interface that represents the action to perform in association.

Advantageously, said at least one module operates, at least in part, to provide said user with a list of a plurality of nested actions that the user can roam to select an action to perform. Act to provide the user with a list of actions associated with the objects that can be selected.

Advantageously, the provided list of actions includes a list of entities with which a communication session can be established.

According to the present invention, there is an effect that the user can perform a special action intended by an object related to an in-progress television program. Thus, there is an effect that can provide user-specified results for an object related to an ongoing television program.

1 is an exemplary diagram of an exemplary television system, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
2 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for providing user-interaction related to an ongoing television program, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for providing user-interaction related to an ongoing television program, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary television, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary television receiver, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary television controller, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
7 is a diagram illustrating exemplary modules and / or submodules for a television system, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

The discussion below will relate to various communication modules, components or circuits. Such modules, components, or circuits may generally include hardware and / or a combination of hardware and software (eg, including firmware). Such modules include instructions (eg, software instructions), such as when executed by the processor, to enable the processor to perform various functional aspects of the present invention, for example, computer readable medium (eg, an i-transmitter). Tori medium (non-transitory medium) may also be included. Preferably, the scope of the various aspects of the invention should not be limited by the features of specific hardware and / or software implementations of the module, component or circuit unless specifically stated. Various aspects of the present invention, which are illustrative and not limiting, include one or more processors (eg, microprocessors, digital signal processors, baseband processors) that perform software instructions (eg, stored in volatile and / or non-volatile memory). , Microcontroller, etc.). Also as an example, various aspects of the invention may be implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and / or other hardware components.

In addition, the discussion below relates to various television system modules (eg, television modules, television receiving modules, television control modules, modules of a user's local television system, modules of a geographically dispersed television system, etc.). Will be It should be noted that the discussion below of these various modules is segmented into these modules for specific clarity purposes. However, the scope between the various modules in the correct implementation can be ambiguous. For example, some or all of the functional modules discussed in the specification can be shared with various hardware and / or software components. For example, some or all of the functional modules discussed in the specification may be executed in whole or in part by a shared processor that performs software instructions. Additionally, various software submodules that may be performed by one or more processors may be shared among the various software modules. Preferably, the scope of various aspects of the invention should not be limited by any boundaries between the various hardware and / or software components, unless explicitly stated.

The discussion below may also relate to communication networks and various aspects of communication networks. For the discussion below, a communication network is generally a communication device (eg, portable communication device, television, television control device, television provider, television programming provider, television receiver, video recording device, etc.) that communicates with other systems. An example and unlimited communication network is a cable and / or satellite television communication network, a cellular communication network, a wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), and wireless. A personal area network (WPAN), a home or campus communication network, and the like. For example, a particular communication network may generally have a corresponding communication protocol as the communication device can communicate with the communication network. Unless stated, the scope of various aspects of the present invention is characterized by a particular type of communication network feature. It should not be limited by these.

In addition, the discussion below will sometimes relate to television programming. Such television programming generally includes various types of television programming (eg, television programs, news programs, sports programs, music television, live or recorded television programming, broadcast / multicast / unicast television programming, etc.). do. For example, such television programming may include real-time television broadcast programming (multicast or unicast television programming) and / or user-stored television programming stored on user devices (eg, VCRs, PVRs, etc.). It may include. Such television programming video content may include other non-programming video content that may be displayed on a television screen (eg, electronic program guides, user interface menus, television set-up menus, typical web pages, documents, graphical video games). Etc.). Various aspects of the invention provide for receiving a television program, providing such a received television program to a user, determining one or more objects in the television program on which various actions can be performed, and based on the user's input, the object in the television program. Determining one or more actions to be performed in connection with and performing the determined one or more actions.

Also, the discussions below will sometimes relate to objects in television programming. Such objects include both living (ie living) and inanimate (ie dead), stationary and moving both. For example, these objects may include certain features of various objects in television programming. These examples, but not by way of limitation, are examples of consumer good objects (e.g. consumer product, clothing, automobile or other vehicles, shoes, jewelry, furniture, restaurant, Food, beverages, appliances, electronics, toys, artwork, cosmetics, recreational vehicles, sports equipment, safety equipment, computer equipment, communication devices, books, home improvement products, medicine, etc., consumer service objects (health services, fitness center, rehabilitation center) (rehabilitation center), restaurant services, food services, entertainment services, repair services, insurance services, financial services, security services, transportation services, shopping services, delivery services, educational services, telecommunications Service Objects, vacation services, rental services, information services, legal services (eg, signs, banners, flyers, buildings, vehicles) Site objects (e.g., commercial lands, shops, hotels, signs, doors, buildings, landmarks, historic sites, entertainment venues, hospitals, Government buildings, etc.), objects related to general services (eg, traffic related objects, objects related to emergency services, objects related to general government services, objects related to pre-entertainment services) free entertainment services, etc.), and objects associated with the place (parks, landmarks, streets, signs, road signs, etc.). For example, these objects can be people (eg, actors / female actors, athletes, musicians, salespeople, commentators, reports, analysts, hosts). Fields / hostesses, entertainers, etc., animals (e.g. pets, zoo animals, wild animals, etc.), plants (e.g. , Living objects such as flowers, trees, shrubs, fruits, vegetables, cacti, and the like.

In FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a non-limiting representative television system 100 in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Exemplary system 100 includes a television provider 110. For example, the television provider 110 may include a television network company, a cable company, a movie production company, a news company, an educational institution, and the like. For example, television provider 110 may be an original source of television programming (or related information). Also, for example, the television provider 110 may be a telecommunications company (eg, cable television company, satellite television company, telecommunications company, data network provider, etc.) that provides programming distribution services. For example, the television provider 110 may provide television programming and non-programming information and / or video content. For example, television provider 110 may provide information related to television programs (e.g., describing or other information related to objects in television programming, commerce information related to consumer goods and / or services, etc.). Can be provided. For example, the television provider 110 may provide some or all types of information discussed in the specification. For example, the television provider 110 may operate to perform some or all of the functionality discussed in the specification (eg, working with other entities of the representative television system 100). (Including “acting when enabled”).

Exemplary television system 100 may also include third party program information and / or service provider 120. For example, such a provider may provide information and / or services related to a television program. For example, such information may be used to describe the object in programming, the information to be provided to the user based on the information request of each object in the programming, the user's selection of operations related to the objects in television programming (e.g., a user Information related to various actions (eg, commercial transaction actions, communication actions, etc.) that may be performed with network entities remote from the local television system of the Commerce information, guide information, etc. related to consumer good and / or services related to the service. Third party program information and / or service provider 120 may, for example, provide any or all types of information and / or services discussed in the specification. For example, third party program information and / or service provider 120 may perform some or all of the functionality discussed in the specification (eg, working with other entities of representative television system 100). Act upon (including acting when enabled).

In various representative system scenarios, third party program information and / or service provider 120 may be, for example, a source of consumer good and / or service (eg, a commercial company, manufacturer, supplier). , Distributors, retailers, businesses, Internet businesses, and brick-and-mortar businesses. For example, third party program information and / or service provider 120 may correspond to a commercial enterprise website. Also, for example, such third party program information and / or service provider 120 may include a plurality of such commercial companies (eg, commercial companies, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, retailers, businesses, consumer goods and / or services). Information of a rating company, blog service, consumer protection service, etc.) and / or a central repository for user interaction.

Exemplary television system 100 may include one or more communication networks (eg, communication network (s) 130). Exemplary communication network 130 may include information related to television programming and / or television programming that may be communicated (identification and / or description and / or other information associated with objects in a television program, related to commerce associated with objects in television programming). Information, etc.) may include features of any of various types of communication networks. Examples and without limitation, communication network 130 may include a cable television network, a satellite television network, a telecommunications network, the Internet, a local area network ( LAN), Personal Area Network (PAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), or any of a variety of other types of home networks.

Exemplary television system 100 may include a first television 140. For example, the first television 140 may include networking capabilities that enable the first television 140 to communicate directly with the communication network 130. For example, first television 140 may include one or more embedded television receivers or transceivers (eg, cable television receivers, satellite television receivers, Internet modems, etc.). Also for example, the first television 140 may include one or more recording devices (eg, for recording and / or playing back video content, television programming). For example, the first television 140 may operate to perform some or all of the functionality discussed in the specification (including “operating when enabled”). These examples, but not by way of limitation, may include user interface functionality, performing operations related to objects in television programming (eg, providing information, enabling commerce, establishing communication links, etc.). .

Exemplary television system 100 may include first television controller 160. For example, such a first television controller 160 operates to control the operation of the first television 140 (including “operating when enabled”). The first television controller 160 can include certain features of various television control devices. By way of example and not limitation, first television controller 160 may include features such as a dedicated television control device, a general remote control, a cellular telephone or personal computing device with television control functionality, another personal electronic device with television control functionality, and the like. have. For example, first television controller 160 may operate to perform (including “operate when enabled”) some or all of the functionality discussed in the specification. In a non-limiting exemplary configuration, first television controller 160 may provide television programming and / or interface with a user regarding objects (objects representing consumer goods and / or services, people, etc.) in television programming. The first television controller 160 may include an onboard display capable of operating as a television screen (eg, first, second and / or parallel television screen).

For example, the first television controller 160 (or television control device) can send a signal directly to the first television 140 to control the operation of the first television 140. For example, first television controller 160 connects television provider 110 (eg, communication network 130) to control television programming (or related information) being provided to first television 140. To transmit the signal or to perform other processes (eg, business processes, general communication processes, etc.).

As will be discussed in more detail later, the first television controller 160 can operate to communicate user interface information with the first television 140 and / or other devices. Also, as will be discussed in more detail later, various aspects of the present invention may include the user selecting a user-selectable object for programming and / or user selectable actions associated with such objects. For example, this selection is made by a user who positions the television screen (by specifying a living or inanimate object present in television programming) using cursor movement and / or the ability to traverse the list / menu. Can be performed. In a typical scenario, the user may execute this way of pointing, cursor movement and / or various ways of navigating a list / menu. Some of these representative ways include designating a television control device and / or using other movement features provided by such a television control device. First television controller 160 provides a non-limiting example of another device that a user can use to perform these user interface operations.

As will be mentioned throughout the discussion below, various aspects of the present invention will be performed by one or more devices, components, and / or modules of a user's local television system. First television 140 and first television controller 160 provide a non-limiting example of a user's local television system. For example, such a user local television system relates to television related devices that are local to the television system that can be used by the current user. For example, when a user uses a television system located in the user's home, the user's local television system is generally associated with the television associated devices that make up the user home television system. Also, for example, when a user uses a television system in a premises away from the user's home (e.g., another house, hotel, office, etc.), the user's local television system is generally the television associated television that constitutes the premises television system. Generally related to these. For example, such a user local television system is generally common outside the user's current premises outside of the user's current premises, general devices associated with commercial companies outside the user's current premises and / or outside the user's home. It does not include program source devices that exist and are generally operated by television companies. Such entities that may be connected with respect to communication to the user's local television system may be considered entities away from the user's local television system.

Representative television system 100 may also include a television receiver 151. For example, the television receiver 151 may operate (including “operate when enabled”) between the television and / or the television controller and the communication network and / or the information / service provider. For example, the television receiver 151 may communicate between the second television 141 and the communication network 130, or between the second television 141 and the television provider 110 via the communication network 130 (and / or the second). Operate to provide a third party program information and / or a communication link between the service providers 120.

The television receiver 151 may include the features of various types of television receivers. As an example and without limitation, the television receiver 151 may include features such as a cable television receiver, a satellite television receiver, and the like. Also, for example, the television receiver 151 may include a data communication network modem (eg, the Internet, a LAN, a PAN, a MAN, a telecommunications network, etc.) for data network communication. For example, the television receiver 151 may also include recording capabilities (eg, programming recording and playback, etc.). For example, the television receiver 151 may be a stand-alone component (eg, set-top box) or integrated with some of a variety of other television systems (eg, television, video recorder, gaming station (eg. gaming station). For example, the television receiver 151 operates to perform some or all of the functionality discussed in the specification (including “operating when enabled”).

Exemplary television system 100 may include a second television controller 161. For example, such a second television controller 161 may operate to control the operation of the second television 141 and the television receiver 151 (including “operating when enabled”). The second television controller 161 may include some features of the various television control devices. An example and unlimited second television controller 161 may be a dedicated television control device, a dedicated television receiver control device, a universal remote control, a cellular telephone or personal computing device with television control capabilities, another personal electronic device with television control capabilities, or the like. It may include features.

For example, the second television controller 161 can operate to send a signal directly to the second television 141 to control the operation of the second television 141. For example, the second television controller 161 may operate to send a signal directly to the television receiver 151 to control the operation of the television receiver 151. For example, the second television controller 161 may control the television programming (or related information) that may be provided to the television receiver 151 or other processes (eg, business transactions, etc.). To transmit a signal to the television provider 110 (eg, via the television receiver 151 and the communication network 130) to control the control. For example, second television controller 161 may further operate to receive signals from second television 141 and / or television receiver 151. For example, such signals may transmit to the second television controller 161 some of the information and / or associated operations and / or various other information identifying and / or describing user-selectable objects for television programming, television programming. Informing signals may include. As a non-limiting example, the second television controller 161 displays the same television program on the onboard display as indicated by the television (eg, first television, second television, parallel television (second television 141). And an onboard display that can act as presenting In such a configuration, for example, the second television controller 161 can operate to perform some or all of the functionality discussed in the specification. .

As will be discussed in more detail below, various aspects of the present invention provide a user selectable object (eg, an object associated with consumer goods and / or services) and / or user selection associated with the object in programming. May include selecting possible actions. For example, this selection may use cursor movement and / or list / menu traversal capabilities to allow the user to position on the television screen (eg, to point to living or inanimate objects present in television programming). It may include pointing to). In such a scenario, the user may execute this pointing, cursor movement and / or various ways of moving around the list / menu. Some of these representative ways include designating a television control device and / or using other movement features provided by such a television control device. The second television controller 161 provides a non-limiting example of a device that a user can use to indicate on-screen position. Also in a scenario where the second television controller 161 constructs a touch screen, the user may touch the location of this touch screen to perform such user interface operations.

As will be referred to throughout the discussion below and as mentioned in the previous discussion of the first television 140 and the television controller 160, various aspects of the invention relate to one or more devices, components and components of a user local television system. May be performed by modules. Second television 141, television receiver 151, and second television controller 161 provide another non-limiting example of a user's local television system.

Exemplary television system 100 is presented to provide a non-limiting illustrative basis for discussion of various aspects of the present invention. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the invention should not be limited by some features of the representative television system 100 unless explicitly stated.

2 illustrates an exemplary method 200 for providing user interaction associated with an in-progress television program (eg, associated with objects in an ongoing television program), in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. This is a flow chart. For example, some or all aspects of the exemplary method 200 may be implemented in the user's local television system (eg, the first television 140 and / or the second television (discussed above and shown in FIG. 1). 141, one or more devices (components or modules), such as one or more of a television receiver 151, a first television controller 160, and / or a second television controller 161. Also by way of example, various aspects may be communicated by one or more system entities (eg, by third party program information and / or service provider 120, by television programming provider 110, away from a user's local television system). By infrastructure components of network 130, etc.).

The following discussions can sometimes be performed with respect to objects in a television program that are presented to the user (eg, usually at a play rate, at a reduced rate, at rest, etc.). Can be related to Various non-limiting features of these objects in television programs have been provided above. Such operations involving objects in a television program may include various features, non-limiting examples provided so far.

Representative actions that are illustrative and not limiting may include actions related to obtaining information related to one or more objects in a television program and / or providing to a user. For example, such information may include general information about particular objects and / or events depicted in the television program. For example, this information may include information about one or more teams playing at a sporting event shown on a television program (eg, team identity, team standings and / or statistics, etc.). May also include general information about musical groups and / or other entertainment organizations associated with the television program. Additionally, such information may include, for example, general information about news organizations associated with reports being presented to television programs. For example, such information may include general information about political parties associated with the television program or part of the program. Further, for example, such information may include general information about environmental groups associated with the television program.

Also for example, such information may include specific information about specific objects in the television program. As mentioned above, these objects are living objects (eg, characters, actors, musicians, entertainers, athletes, coaches, officials, politicians, reporters). Fields, animals, commentators, analysts, etc.). In a representative scenario regarding a living object, such object-specific information may specifically include information associated with this living object. For example, in the context of actor objects, such object-specific information may include actor background information, filmography information, personal information, fan club information, personal website information, social network site information, and the like. have. In addition, for example, to a politician object, this object-specific information may include party affiliation information, voting history information, and a politician's stance on specific issues. Information, contact information, and the like. More for example, in a typical scenario where a person (or organization) object is an object of a news report, such object specific information may include information about such a person (or organization). Also, for example, referring to an athlete object, such object-specific information may include the sports statistics of the athlete, the contact information of the athlete and / or the associated team, the products associated with the athlete and / or the associated team ( information about acquiring merchandise, information on the athlete's personal and / or professional history, information on obtaining tickets to view athlete and / or athlete team performance, contact information, sponsorship It may include sponsorship information, agent information, manager information, and the like.

As mentioned above, these objects are inanimate objects (eg, consumer goods, buildings, landmarks, venues, parks, machines, signs, vehicles). , Clothing, food, etc.). In such a scenario, such object-specific information may specifically include information associated with this inanimate object. For example, in representative scenarios including landmark objects, park objects, museum objects, club objects, etc., such object-specific information may include address and / or direction information, performance times, contact information, admission rates, Reservation information, and / or other visit information. In a typical scenario involving objects of other historical significance (eg, famous landmarks, historical buildings or sites, etc.), such object-specific information may be It may include historical information about these objects, visitation information about these objects, and merchandizing information about these objects. In another representative scenario of incorporating consumer goods objects in a television program, object-specific information describes information describing such consumer goods, information representing the source of such consumer goods, information describing how a person can obtain such consumer goods, and such consumer goods. May include price information. In another representative scenario that includes a consumer service object (eg, building, signage, vehicle, uniform, logo, etc.), the object-specific information may describe information describing such consumer service, information representing the source of consumer service, Information indicative of the price and / or availability of the consumer service, information describing how a person can obtain such consumer service, and the like.

Note that in various representative scenarios, the object-specific information may be mixed with general information about the television program (eg, information that is not specifically related to a particular object represented in the television program). For example, such general information may include information about television program producers, information about television program sponsors, information about television program broadcasting companies, information about television program content providers, and information representing television programs. have.

Other non-limiting representative actions associated with objects in a television program may include actions related to performing a commercial transaction involving objects in a television program. This commerce will now provide various non-limiting examples.

For example, such commerce behaviors may include ordering a commodity (or consumer goods) associated with the objects in a television program. In a representative scenario involving a consumer goods object, these actions may include ordering (or purchasing) the consumer goods. In typical scenarios involving objects associated with producers and / or suppliers of commercial products (eg, building objects, sign objects, trademark logos, representatives, delivery truck objects, etc.), these actions may be used to purchase consumer goods. It may include interacting with the producer and / or supplier for. In other representative scenarios involving tourism-related objects (e.g. landmarks, venues, parks, etc.) these actions interact with groups associated with tourism-related objects to purchase souvenirs, buy tickets and make reservations. It may include doing. In another representative scenario involving a player object and / or a team object in a television program showing a sporting event, these actions may include purchasing a player and / or team product. In a representative scenario involving a musician and / or band object shown in a television program, these actions may include providing a music order offered by such musician and / or band.

Also, for example, such commerce behaviors may include ordering (or purchasing) a service associated with an object in a television program. These illustrative and unlimited services are mobile services, delivery services, shipping services, transportation services, loading services, legal services, entertainment services, food services. And the like. In a representative scenario involving players and / or team objects in a television program showing a sporting event, these behaviors may include ordering tickets for the sporting event and / or additional sporting events involving the same player, team and / or venue. Can be. Also in a typical scenario involving, for example, a hotel object shown in a television program, these actions may include making a reservation at a hotel. More for example, in a representative scenario involving a vehicle (eg, airplane, train, bus, etc.) object, these actions may include purchasing and / or booking a vehicle service.

As an additional example, such actions may include determining product and / or service availability. For example, in a representative scenario of objects in a television program corresponding to a consumer goods, these actions are the personalities associated with finding sources of consumer goods and the user (eg, on a television screen, in communication with the television system). Providing on the computing device product usability information (eg, sources, prices, delivery times, etc.) to an email, etc.). Also, for example, these behaviors may be based on user-defined priority criteria for one or more preferred sources (eg, lowest price, shortest delivery time, closest source, etc.) for such consumer goods. ) May further include finding.

For example, such actions may include searching for reviews (or ratings) information. For example, in a typical scenario involving objects in a television program associated with consumer goods and / or services, these actions may be emailed to a user (eg, on a television screen, on a personal computing device coupled with communication to a television system). And search a variety of consumer goods and / or service ranking databases for review information that may be provided to, etc.).

Other non-limiting representative actions related to objects in a television program may include actions related to performing communication (eg, network communication) related to objects in a television program. Various non-limiting embodiments of such communication actions will now be provided.

For example, such communication actions may include performing commerce communication. For example, such actions may include initiating communication with an entity (eg, a commercial enterprise) associated with an object in a presented television program. For example, such actions may include establishing a communication session (eg, via a data network, via a telephone network, via a television network, etc.) with a provider of consumer goods and / or services associated with the object. In such representative scenarios, these actions may include establishing a communication session with an Internet web site associated with the object and / or person.

Also for example, such communication behaviors may include establishing a communication session with one or more networked information databases that contain information for one or both of the consumer goods and / or services associated with the object. For example, such databases of information may include consumer and / or service review websites, websites of commercial companies that produce and / or supply consumer and / or services associated with the object, and governments associated with special consumer and / or services. Regulatory websites and the like.

Additionally, such communication actions may include establishing a communication session with a web site and / or social networking site associated with the person corresponding to the object. For example, these actions may include establishing an internet connection with an actor's social networking site, a musician's website, a team's website, a venue's ticket broker, and the like.

For example, such communication actions may also include establishing a communication session with a person and / or an automated system associated with an entertainer, television program source, television program sponsor, television distribution network provider, etc., in the television program.

For example, such communication actions may be one-way (e.g., email, posting, etc.) and / or two-way (live chat, voice call, video call, etc.). ) May comprise performing communication. For example, these communication actions may also involve performing communication over some of a variety of media (eg, wired and / or wireless media, tethered and / or non-tethered optical media, etc.). It may include. As mentioned above, these communication actions may be in communication with a person (eg, an entity inner, technical support personnel, ordering support personnel, general customer support staff, etc.) and / or Communication with an automated system.

The representative behaviors mentioned above relating to objects in a television program are merely illustrative and non-limiting. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the invention should not be limited by the features of these exemplary behaviors unless explicitly stated.

As will be discussed below, various actions related to objects in a television program may be useful throughout the entire television program, but may also be useful during only a portion of the television program. Additionally, actions associated with different individual objects in a television program may be useful during different individual portions of the television program (eg, these different individual portions may include the same, completely different or partially overlapping). can do.

For example, one or more actions may be valid to perform in connection with objects in a television program being offered only when the objects appear in the provided television program. As a non-limiting example, an action involving acquiring an actor's information may only be available during scenes in which the actor appears. Also, for example, an action that includes providing descriptive information about a consumer goods object to a television program may be available only when the object is currently shown in the television program. Additionally, for example, actions related to an athlete participating in an athletic event may only be available while the athlete is performing and / or on-screen.

Additionally, for example, behavior associated with a consumer goods and / or service object in a television program may be part of a television program sponsored by a commercial company (eg, producer, retailer or other source, importer, etc.) associated with the object ( For example, it can only be used for time windows, fractional segments, etc. For example, in a typical scenario where a commercial company sponsors the first half of a television program, actions related to the particular object of interest to the commercial company may be made available only during the first half.

In another exemplary scenario, one or more of the actions associated with the consumer goods and / or service objects depicted in the advertisement of the television program may be made available only during the presentation of the television program advertisement. For example, such usefulness can be used during the screening of television program advertisements in addition to being strictly available (eg, only strictly during the screening of television program advertisements without exception) or in general (also during the relatively small time buffer surrounding television program advertisements. At least to some degree of flexibility). In such a scenario, actions that may be useful may be limited to actions generally associated with a television program advertisement during the presentation of the advertisement, and actions on objects appearing in non-advertisement portions of the television program may be presented in the presentation of the television program advertisement. Will not be available. For example, it will not be available during the presentation of a television advertisement sponsored by an action involving providing information related to an actor to a television program.

As mentioned above, some actions may only be available for a portion of the television program, while other actions related to objects in the television program may be available throughout the entire duration of the television program. Also, actions related to, for example, organizations associated with television programs (eg, sports teams, television networks, movie companies, producers, etc.) may be available for the entire duration of the television program.

As discussed above, as mentioned above, some actions may only be available during a portion of a television program, while other actions related to objects in the television program may be available throughout the entire duration of a television program. . Thus, the scope of various aspects of the invention should not be limited by the features of such actions usefulness unless explicitly stated.

For example, the representative method 200 can begin to execute in step 205. The representative method 200 may begin executing in response to some of the various causes and / or conditions of the non-limiting examples now to be provided. For example, the representative method 200 may include an object (e.g., consumer goods and In response to a user's input indicating a user's desire to perform an action on an object associated with the service) and / or a user's input representing a request to provide the user with the ability to select an object and / or action. In response to identification of the user and / or user device for which the object and / or behavior selection capability is to be provided, upon reception and / or presentation of a television program comprising user-selectable objects and / or behaviors. In response, execution can be started in response to a user's command to start, in response to the user's payment of a fee, and the like.

In a non-limiting and representative scenario of the execution of the method 200 caused by a user's input, for example, such user input may be a pushbutton of a remote control, a touch on a personal electronic device connected with respect to communication to a television system. Touched or pressed buttons, user's touching of a particular location on the display, arbitrary location user touching on the display (eg, television, television receiver, television controller, etc.), and the like.

For example, for step 220, exemplary method 200 may include providing a provided television program with a user interface that can indicate an action to be performed by a user with respect to an object. Step 220 may include providing the user's interface to some of the various methods now to be provided, some of the non-limiting examples. For example, the user interface may include a graphical user interface (GUI) presented to a user on a display (eg, television display, television receiver display, television controller display, display of a personal computing device, etc.). step 220 may include presenting the user interface on the same display on which the television program is being presented or on another display (eg, a television display, television receiver display, television controller display, display of a personal computing device, etc.). Pay attention.

For example, step 220 may include providing the user with a list of objects and / or related actions from which the user can select a television program. For example, the list of provided objects and / or actions may be nested. For example, step 220 may first include providing the user with a list of objects to the television program from which the user can select an object of interest. In response to this selection, step 220 may then include providing the user with a list of actions available to perform in connection with the user-selected object. Similarly, the list of objects and / or actions may themselves be nested. Using this user interface, the user can handle through list (s) to select the required behaviors to fulfill.

Also for example, step 220 may include presenting a list of objects and respective corresponding behaviors on one screen (eg, in a matrix format). Additionally, for example, step 220 may include providing a GUI menu structure for a list of such objects and / or individual actions.

The user interface provided at step220 may include providing a list that makes up some of the objects and / or actions discussed above. In an example and scenario of configuring communication behaviors related to objects in an unlimited television program, step 220 includes providing the user with a list of entities with which a communication session can be established with respect to each object (s) in the television program. can do. For example, step 220 may include providing any information of the communication options discussed above. For example, the user can then select the desired communication action to execute. For example, step 220 may include providing communication options generally associated with a television program and / or organization generally associated with the television program.

For example, in a scenario of providing information relating to objects to a television program, step 220 may include providing the user with a list of available information types associated with the individual object (s) in the television program. Additionally, step 220 may include providing the user with a list of information types available for the particular organization and / or company associated with the television program. For example, step 220 may include providing any information of the information-presentation options discussed above. For example, the user can then select the desired information provided to the user. For example, step 220 provides informational options generally related to television programs and / or organizations generally associated with television programs (eg, sponsors, ticket providers, charities, producers, teams, leagues, etc.). It may include doing.

For example, in a scenario involving conducting commerce, step 220 may include providing the user with a list of commerce related actions that can be used to fulfill the individual program (s) in association with the television program. For example, step 220 may include providing any information of the commerce options discussed above. For example, the user can then select the desired commerce to execute. For example, step 220 provides commercial options generally associated with television programs and / or organizations generally associated with television programs (eg, sponsors, ticket providers, charities, producers, teams, leagues, etc.). It may include.

The user interface can provide it in any of a variety of ways for user interaction. For example, a user may interact with a dedicated television controller with the ability to interact with such a user interface (e.g., required software applications and / or hardware), a user interface using a personal electronic device. can do. For example, a user may be able to view a display other than a television and / or a first television display (eg, a touch screen of a television controller or personal electronic device, a touch screen of a second display, a touch screen such as a laptop or notebook computer). The touch screen can be used to interact with the user interface. Also, for example, a user may use a variety of pointing devices (eg, directional beams, light pens, etc.) and / or user interface devices (eg, mouse, trackball, arrow buttons, etc.). Interact with the user interface using motion control features.

As discussed above, certain actions associated with an object in a television program are only part of a television program sponsored by a commercial company associated with the object during only a portion of the television program (eg, when the object appears in the television program being offered). Available). In such a scenario, step 220 may include, for example, providing objects and / or related actions for user selection only when such actions may be useful. Alternatively, for example, step 220 may include highlighting of currently available objects and / or related behaviors, but objects and / or related behaviors that are not currently available but may be available later at some point in time. May also be shown (eg, muted, grayed out, de-emphasized, etc.).

Also, as mentioned above, special behaviors will be available during the entire television program. In such a case, step 220 may include providing user selection of these actions through a user interface throughout the television program.

As mentioned with respect to step 205, step 220 provides a user interface in response to user input indicating a user's request to interact with objects in the television program and / or with the individual actions associated with those objects. Note that it can include doing. For example, user input may include receiving user input through a menu structure that the user can handle to select the start of a user's interaction. The user input may include any of a variety of features (touching of the display, voice commands, motion based commands, etc.).

In general, step 220 may include providing a user interface indicative of actions to be performed with respect to objects in a provided television program. Various non-limiting aspects of this user interface (U / I) provision have been presented above. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the invention should not be limited by any features of the examples presented before, unless explicitly stated.

For example, at step 225, representative method 200 receives a user input indicating a user-specified action to perform with respect to an object in a provided television program (e.g., a user interface provided in step 220). Using)). Step 225 may include receiving any user input in various ways in the non-limiting examples now provided.

For example, step 225 allows user input selection of a list and / or menu item on a display provided to the user (eg, display of a television, display of a television receiver, display of a television controller, display of a personal computing device, etc.). May include receiving. This input selection can include any of a variety of features. Receipt of this user input selection, which is illustrative and not limiting, may include receiving user input specifying a location on the display corresponding to a list item, a menu item and / or a graphic item presented for selection to the user. Also, for example, receiving such user input selections may include user inputs that traverse a list or menu (e.g., using mechanisms such as various movement specifications, up / down arrows, next buttons, trackball, mouse, etc.). Receiving and selecting the desired item. Additionally, for example, receiving a user's input selection may include receiving user input to toggle between graphical items representing objects and / or behaviors related to the television program and ultimately selecting the desired object and / or action. It may include doing. More for example, receiving user input may include receiving touch screen input from a user touching a desired list item, menu item and / or graphic item. Still further for example, receiving user input may include receiving audio input from a user using voice commands to traverse alternative items and ultimately selecting the desired item.

In general, step 225 may include receiving user input indicative of user specified actions to perform in connection with objects in the television program. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the invention should not be limited by the particular ways of receiving such user input unless explicitly stated.

Representative method 200 at step 230 may include confirming to the television program an action to perform in relation to the object (eg, based at least in part on the user's input received at step 225). Step 230 may include performing verification of any of the various ways, non-limiting examples now presented.

The example and unlimited user interface presented in step 220 may provide user input items (eg, list items, menu items, graphic items, etc.) that have a one-to-one relationship with the action to perform with respect to the object. . In this implementation step 230 may simply include mapping user input to an action corresponding to the user input.

Also, for example, in another representative scenario, the user interface provided at step 220 may include providing user input to a television program to select a particular object and user input to select a particular action to perform with respect to the selected object. have. In such a scenario, step 230 may include combining the user-selected object information and the information of the user-selected action to define the action to be performed.

Also for example, step 230 may include verifying that previously known actions that are available to perform are still available. In such a scenario, if the example is no longer available, the user interface can be updated, and the execution flow can be further user interaction (e.g. user specific behavior is no longer available and requests different input from the user). Can be returned to step 220).

In general, step 230 may include confirming to the television program an action to perform with respect to the objects (eg, based at least in part on the user's input received at step 225). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the invention should not be limited by any particular way of identifying the action to be performed unless explicitly stated.

Exemplary method 200 may include performing an action identified in step 240 (eg, an action identified in step 230). Step 240 may include performing any of the identified actions in various ways to be presented now, non-limiting examples.

For example, in a scenario involving providing and / or acquiring information to a user in association with an object in a provided television program, step 240 may include acquiring information in any of a variety of ways. For example, step 240 is a representative scenario where a local memory for such information is retrieved (eg, presenting the desired information to the user and / or causing the information of the objects to be downloaded to the local system to the television program prior to the presentation of the television program). May include). Also for example, step 240 may include requesting the desired information from one or more remote systems (eg, via a communication network). In such a scenario, step 240 may include establishing the necessary communication link (s) to fulfill this request and to receive return information to respond to this request. As mentioned above, these sources for object information include information sources associated with consumer and / or service sources, information sources associated with a particular person and / or groups thereof, information sources associated with an event venue, etc. It may include.

In such a scenario, step 240 may then include providing the obtained information to the user. For example, such a presentation may be a display and / or other display (eg, a television controller and / or a television program being provided (eg, superimposed and / or mixed instead of a television program, etc.). Or a display of a personal computing device).

Also, in a typical scenario involving, for example, performing commerce with respect to objects in a given television program, step 240 sets up the necessary communication links with the television system (or other component thereof) and the commercial entity through which the commerce takes place. Setting may be included. For example, step 240 may be to retrieve network address and protocol information associated with a commercial company associated with the user's chosen commerce and then use this address and / or protocol information to initiate communication with the target commercial company system. It may include. Step 240 may further include using the user interface to interact with the user regarding the user-required commerce (eg, to obtain shipping information, financial information, etc.).

Additionally, in a representative scenario that includes, for example, initiating communication with an entity associated with objects in a provided television program, step 240 can include initiating a desired communication. For example, step 240 may include retrieving network address and protocol information associated with the user-selected behavior and then using this address and / or protocol information to initiate communication with the target destination system.

In various representative scenarios, step 240 may include requesting additional information from the user. For example, such information may include user input information, shipping address information, financial information, contact information, security information, etc., to further define information presented to the user.

Step 240 may include performing the identified action (s) in any of a variety of ways. An example and unlimited user-selected object and / or action may be mapped to a special software routine that step240 executes based on confirmation of the user specified action at step 230. In a representative implementation, when a user specifies a particular action to perform with respect to an object in a television program, the user interface presented in step 220 may be logical to the software routines so that step 240 includes executing the linked software routine (s). For example, such software routines may include web browser applications, email and / or social networking applications, specific interface applications associated with particular behaviors (eg, associated with such behaviors). As provided by a commercial company).

In the execution of such software, step 240 may include using software routines that are always present in the local television system capable of performing the method 200. Such software routines may also include communicating to a system executing the method 200 in accordance with television program information. In such a scenario, the system may include storing the relevant software routines during the progress of the television program and then discarding these routines after the progress of the television program is complete. For example, in this manner, a commercial company that provides consumer goods objects to a television program may be provided to a system that executes the method 200 to be executed by the system in response to a user indicating a request to perform a commerce associated with the consumer goods object. Software routines can be supplied.

Also in such software execution, routines may exist remotely from a central location (eg, the location of a television provider). In such a scenario, step 240 may include requiring execution of the identified remote routine based on user selection of the particular action.

In another exemplary implementation, step 240 is a central location (eg, a television) with one or more servers (eg, remotely interfacing with a user located in a user local television system) in a central location that performs user specified actions. Program provider).

During the execution of the identified action step 240 may include stopping the presentation of the television program. Alternatively, step 240 may include performing the identified action while the screening of the television program is in a normal manner.

In general, step 240 may include performing a confirmed action associated with the object in the television program. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the invention should not be limited by any particular way of performing these actions unless explicitly stated.

Exemplary method 200 may include performing a continued operation at step 205. This continued operation may include any features of various types of continued operations, non-limiting examples presented below.

For example, step 295 may return to step 220 for continued user interaction, behavior confirmation, and action performance and may include looping the execution flow of the representative method 200. Also for example, step 295 may include performing additional user interaction with the user for further refinement of the user selected actions identified in step 230 and / or performed in step 240. For example, step 295 may include interfacing with the user to determine what actions to perform and / or how such actions should be performed. Additionally, for example, based on the completion of one or more actions performed in step 240, step 295 may include resuming normal presentation of the television program.

Also for example, step 295 may include determining when the action (s) performed in step 240 is completed. For example, step 295 may include making this determination in any of a variety of ways. An example and unlimited step 295 may include determining whether an action is completed based, at least in part, on a clear user command indicating that the user no longer wants to perform this action. Also, for example, step 295 is at least partially related to user dismissal of the presented information associated with the user-selected behavior (eg, closing of information windows and / or other GUIs associated with user-selected behavior). As such, it may include determining whether the performance of the action is completed based. Additionally, for example, step 295 can be used to make this determination on the amount of time set since the user interacted with the system on the user-selected object, for example after a timemer (eg, information and / or GUI interface was presented to the user). And determining, at least in part, whether the performance of the action is complete based. Also, for example, step 295 is a user's command to perform some other action (e.g., a user's command for normal television program play to resume (if stopped), until the television program catches up in real time. Determining whether to perform an action based on a user's command to fast-forward, a user command to jump a screening of a television program in real time, and the like. Still further, for example, step 295 may include determining whether the action execution is complete based on receipt of a message from a remote server (eg, associated with a commercial company involved in commerce) when the action is completed.

In general, step 295 may include performing a continued operation. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the invention should not be limited by any particular type of feature of continued operation unless explicitly stated.

Various aspects of the invention will now be presented by way of non-limiting representative scenario.

In a first exemplary scenario, the user may be watching a hockey game (or other sports game). The user (eg, at step 220) presses a button in connection with a request to perform an action related to a television program (eg, a hockey game). The system senses the user's input and in response provides the user with a list of information and / or other actions related to the various objects shown in the hockey game available. The list includes items related to team stats, team schedules, ticket orders, and lists of individual players at specific points in the television program (for example, these lists can be updated in real time when a television program is screened) and these plays. Types of information available for the user. The user may select a list item related to viewing statistics about the team's goalkeeper. The system receives user input (eg, step 225) and confirms the action requested by the user (step 230). The system then presents the goalkeeper's statistics on the television display superimposed on the hockey game (eg, until the user discards this information).

In a second exemplary scenario, the user may be watching a movie. The user presses a button associated with a request to perform an action related to a television program (eg, a movie). The system senses the user input and responds (eg, at step 220) to provide the user with a list of information available in connection with the movie. The list includes entries associated with director information, producer information, individual information relating to a plurality of selected actors / actresses, information relating to landmarks where a particular scene of a movie was filmed, and the like. Note that this list can be updated in real time, for example, scene-based updating, frame-based updating, sliding time-window based updating, and the like. It is also noted that the presentation of the list and / or the next user interaction may cause the television program to freeze.

The user selects a list item associated with a particular actor. In response, the system provides on the display a list of other type information and / or actions associated with the selected actor. The list includes personal information, filmography, awards, fan club information associated with charitable causes, a list of social networking sites associated with the actor, and the like. Select a list item associated with one of the user's (eg, step 225) pages of the actor's social networking (eg, Facebook ™) page. The system then establishes a web session on the actor's social networking page (e.g., in step 240) and continues to interact with the user in the general manner associated with the web session.

The user then indicates that he wants to run another actor. In response (e.g., returning to step 220), the system once again presents the user with a list of actors. This time the user selects a list item associated with the actor's filmography. The system then provides on the display a list of actors' films and / or related images (eg, at step 240). The user then marks the user's interaction complete. In response, the system (eg, at step 295) returns to the presentation of the movie (eg, in real time and / or from a stationary position). For example, the portion of the movie where the user interaction took place may be recorded for resumption of the movie bonus at the portion of the interference.

In a third representative scenario, a user watches a movie. The user selects a menu item associated with a request to perform an action related to a television program (eg, a movie). The system senses the user's input and in response (eg, at step 220) provides the list information available to the user. The list includes individual items associated with a number of consumer goods in the scene of the movie currently being offered. The user (eg, at step 225) selects a list item associated with the particular consumer goods. In response (eg, at step 240), the system provides an information page describing the selected consumer goods and providing internet links when the user orders the consumer goods online. The user selects one of the internet links. The system then provides a user interface associated with the selected internet link (eg, a general web browser, a special user interface provided by an internet site, etc.). The system then provides a communication link between the commercial company and the user that affects the ordering of the selected consumer goods. The user then indicates that the interaction is complete, and if normal play is interrupted, the normal play of the movie is resumed (eg, at step 295).

In a fourth representative scenario, a user watches a sporting event. The user presses a button on the television controller associated with the request to perform an action related to the sporting event television program. For example, this behavior may affect all players currently participating in the game (for example, all players on the field, all players on the court, all players on the ice, etc.). May include a request to view individual information. In response to user input, step 220 provides the user with this information and also provides the user with the ability to perform other actions (eg, relating to players, teams, venues). When providing this information to the user, step 220 may include, for example, superimposing player names and / or other player information on the players shown on the screen.

The representative method 200 may be performed in one or more components (or devices) of a user's local television system. For example, the method 200 (or part of the method) may be performed on a television. Also for example, the method 200 may be applied to a television receiver (eg, a standalone cable and / or satellite television receiver (or set-top box), a digital video recorder with a television receiver capability, a game device with a television receiver capability, etc.). Can be performed. Additionally, for example, the method 200 (or part of the method) may be performed in a television controller (eg, a dedicated television or entertainment system remote control, a personal electronic device with television control capability, etc.). For example, the method 200 may be performed by any combination of the user's local television system components. For example, in a non-limiting representative scenario, one or more modules of the television may be operable to perform at least steps 220 and 225, and one or more modules of the television controller may be operable to perform at least step 230, and the television One or more modules of the receiver may be operable to perform at least step 240. Additionally, any of the various portions of the method steps mentioned above (eg, steps 220, 225, 230, and 240) may be performed on any one or more components (or devices) away from the user's television system.

In addition, the steps of representative method 200 (or aspects of the method) may be performed, for example, in real time. In this way, the user can have relatively quick access to the functionality associated with the user selected behavior. As an alternative example, the representative method 200 (or aspects of the method) is that functionality associated with user-selected behavior may later be logged (eg, after screening of a television program, user logging to the user's computer). based on (logging), based on the user's e-mail connection, etc.) can be executed offline in the k ° formula provided to the user.

In addition, some or all of the steps of the representative method 200 may be executed for user selection of actions related to an object in television programming and / or the user's (or home) television programming recorder (eg, when the program is broadcast in real time). For example, for user selection related to an object in television programming being recorded to a personal video recorder (PVR), video cassette recorder (VCR), etc.) and presently being presented to the user in a time-shifted manner. Can be executed. For example, a user may record a television program that broadcasts on a PVR for later viewing, later watch the recorded programming, and later while watching time-shifted television programming. Selects user-selectable actions associated with the objects.

Similarly, some or all of the steps of the representative method 200 may be presented to a user (or stored by the user) in a physical storage medium (eg, digital versatile disc (DVD), video cassette record tape, non-volatile (non-volatile)). television programming provided on a volatile memory disk, etc.) may be performed for user selection of the object. For example, a user may purchase a set of DVDs containing all episodes of the season of the television series, watch each of these episodes at his convenience, and while watching these episodes, objects in programming Select user selectable actions associated with the. For example, such DVDs may contain the above-mentioned information (e.g., network addresses, user-selectable objects and / or related actions for entities away from memory and / or the user's local television system) (or associated consumer goods and And / or general information corresponding to services), user interface information corresponding to user selectable objects and / or related behaviors, executable software corresponding to user selectable objects and / or related behaviors, etc.). Or both.

Turning next to FIG. 3, this diagram is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 300 for providing user interaction related to an ongoing television program, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Exemplary method 300 may share some or all of the features with exemplary method 200 discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 2.

As with the representative method 200 discussed above, some or all aspects of the representative method 300 may be, for example, one or more devices of the user's local television system (eg, part of FIG. 1 discussed and presented previously). Or all or first television 140 and / or second television 141, television receiver 151, first television controller 160, and / or second television controller 161, or the like. Also, as in the representative method 200 discussed above, various aspects may be performed in one or more system entities away from the user's local television system.

For example, the representative method 300 begins execution at step 305. Exemplary method 300 may begin execution in response to some of various causes or conditions. For example, step 305 may share some or all of the features with step 205 of the representative method 200 discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 2.

For example, at step 310, the representative method 300 may include providing the user with a television program that includes such objects in the program associated with individual actions selectable by the user. Step 310 may include providing such a television program in non-limiting examples of any of the various ways now offered to the user.

For example, step 310 can include receiving television programming. Many non-limiting examples of such television programming are provided above. Step 310 can include receiving television programming from any of a variety of sources. As an example and non-limiting example, step 310 is an internet television programming from a television broadcaster, from a movie streaming company, from a user (or consumer) video recording and / or playback device (eg, embedded and / or external to a television). And receiving television programming from a provider, from a game device that includes television programming capabilities, from a DVD player, or the like.

Step 310 may also include receiving television programming via any of various types of communication networks. For example, such networks may include wireless television networks (eg, terrestrial and / or satellite) and / or cable television networks. Such networks may include any of a variety of general data communication networks (eg, the Internet, local area networks, personal area networks, metropolitan area networks, etc.).

For example, step 310 can include providing the received television programming to the user. For example, step 310 may include providing the user with television programming received in any of a variety of ways (eg, received from a local and / or non-local television program source). . For example, it may include providing television programming on one or more screens, such as a television, a television controller with a screen, a television receiver with a screen, a personal computer system, a handheld computer, and the like.

Provided television programming may include, for example, user-selectable objects (eg, objects related to consumer goods and / or services) and user-selectable actions associated with such objects. Many non-limiting examples of such user selectable objects and / or related behaviors have been provided above.

In general, step 310 may include providing a user with a television program comprising user selectable objects (eg, objects related to consumer goods and / or services) with user selectable actions corresponding to the program. have. Thus, the scope of various embodiments of the present invention should not be limited by any particular manner of features for receiving and / or providing such television programs to a user unless explicitly stated.

Exemplary method 300 may include, at step 320, providing a user interface indicative of an action to be performed with respect to an object in a provided television program. Such objects in a provided television program may, for example, correspond to consumer goods and / or services. This example, but not limiting, behavior may correspond to information acquisition and / or provision behavior, commerce related behavior, communication session related behavior, etc. Step 320 is any or all of the features of step 220 of the representative method 200 discussed above and shown in FIG. Can share them.

An example and unlimited step 320 may include identifying objects (eg, in sub-step 322) to a television program for actions available to the user. For example, a single frame of the television program. Although a frame may contain multiple objects, only some of them have corresponding behaviors that may be useful to the user. Also for example, step 320 may include providing the user with information of the identified objects and their individual behaviors (eg, at sub-step 234) for selection by the user.

Exemplary method 300 may include receiving user input (eg, using a user interface provided in stp320) indicating a user specified action to be performed with respect to an object to a provided television program, for example at step 325. It may include. Step 325 may share any or all of the features with step 225 of the exemplary method 200 discussed above and shown in FIG. 2.

Exemplary method 300 may include, at step 330, identifying the action to be performed with respect to the object in the television program (eg, based at least in part on user input received at step 325). Step 330 may share any or all of the features of step230 of exemplary method 200 discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 2, for example.

An example and unlimited step 330 may include identifying (eg, at sub-step 332) user-specific informational actions to be performed with respect to the object in the provided television program. Also for example, step 330 may include identifying (eg, at step 334) user-specific commerce related actions to be performed with respect to the object in the provided television program. As an additional example, step 330 may include identifying (eg, at step 336) a user-specific communication action to perform with respect to the object in the television program.

Exemplary method 300 may include performing, at step 340, one or more actions determined at step 330. For example, step 340 may share any or all of the features of step 240 of the representative method 200 discussed above and shown in FIG. 2.

As an example and without limitation, step 340 may include performing the identified informational action (eg, at sub-step 342). Also for example, step 340 may include performing a confirmed commerce (eg, at sub-step 344). As an additional example, step 340 may include performing a confirmed communication action (eg, at sub-step 346).

Exemplary method 300 may include performing continued operations, for example at step 395. For example, in step 395 one or all of the features may be shared with step 295 of the representative method 200 discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 2.

As discussed above, any or all portions of the representative methods 200 and 300 may be executed in one or more components (or devices) of the user's local television system. Various non-limiting examples of such implementation will now be provided in the discussion of FIGS. 4 to 7. As discussed above, note that at least portions of the steps discussed above may also be performed in components away from the user's local television system. In such an implementation, any or all of the components illustrated in FIGS. 4-7 may be used for remote components to implement the corresponding aspects of the present invention. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the invention should not be limited by the following focus on the various entities of the user's local television system unless explicitly stated.

Turning next to FIG. 4, a diagram is an illustration of an exemplary television 400, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Representative television 400 may share any or all of the features with one or more representative televisions 140 and 141 discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 1, for example. In addition, a representative television 400 (eg, various modules of the television) is discussed above and performing any or all of the functionality discussed above with respect to the representative methods 200 and 300 illustrated in FIGS. To operate.

Exemplary television 400 may include a first communication interface module 410. The first communication interface module 410 can, for example, operate to use any of a variety of communication protocols and to communicate via any of a variety of communication media. For example, although a first communication interface module 410 is illustrated that is coupled with a wireless RF antenna via a wireless port 412, the wireless medium is merely exemplary and non-limiting. The first communication interface module 410 may, for example, communicate television video content (eg, television programming) and / or other data (eg, commerce information) via one or more communication networks. Operate to communicate with one or more communication networks (eg, cable television networks, satellite television networks, telecommunications networks, the Internet, local area networks, personal area networks, metropolitan area networks, etc.) have. Also for example, the first communication interface module 410 can operate to communicate with local sources of television video content (eg, video recorders, receivers, game devices, etc.). Additionally, for example, the first communication interface module 410 may operate to communicate (eg, directly or through one or more arbitration communication networks) with a television controller and / or television receiver external to the television 400. Can be.

Exemplary television 400 may include a second communication interface module 420. The second communication interface module 420 can, for example, operate to communicate via any of a variety of communication media and using any of a variety of communication protocols. For example, the second communication interface module 420 may communicate via a wireless RF communication port 422 and an antenna or may be a non-tethered optical communication port 424 (eg, a laser diode, Photodiode, etc.). Also for example, the second communication interface module 420 can communicate via a tethered optical communication port 426 (eg, a fiber optic cable) or wired communication port 428 (eg, For example, via coaxial cable, twisted pair, HDMI cable, Ethernet cable, any of a variety of wired components and / or composite video connections, and the like. The second communication interface module 420 can be, for example, one or more communication networks (eg, cables) in which television video content (eg, television programming) and / or other data is communicated via one or more communication networks. Television networks, satellite television networks, telecommunications networks, the Internet, local area networks, personal area networks, metropolitan area networks, etc.). Also for example, the second communication interface module 420 can operate to communicate with local sources of television video content (eg, video recorders, receivers, game devices, etc.). Additionally, for example, the second communication interface module 420 can operate to communicate with the television controller (eg, directly or through one or more arbitration communication networks).

The representative television 400 may also include additional communication interface modules that are not illustrated. Such an additional communication interface module may share any or all aspects with, for example, the first 410 and second 420 communication interface modules discussed above.

Representative television 400 may also include communication module 430. The communication module 430 may, for example, control and / or adjust the operation of the first communication interface module 410 and the second communication interface module 420 (and / or additional communication interface modules if necessary). It can work. The communication module 430 may provide a comfortable communication interface, for example, by other components of the television 400 utilizing first 410 and second 420 communication interface modules. Additionally, in a representative scenario where, for example, a plurality of communication interface modules share a medium and / or network, the communication module 430 may coordinate communication to reduce collisions and / or other interference between the communication interface modules. Can be.

The representative television 400 may further include one or more user interface modules 440. User interface module (s) 440 may generally operate to provide user interface functionality to a user of television 400. Example and non-limiting, user interface module (s) 440 provides the user with control of any or all standard television commands (eg, channel control, volume control, on / off, screen setting, input selection, etc.). Can be operated to The user interface module (s) 440 can operate and / or respond to user commands using, for example, user interface features (eg, buttons, etc.) disposed on the television, and the television controller Communication module 430 (and / or first 410 and first) to communicate with (e.g., a dedicated television remote control, a conventional remote control, a cellular telephone, a personal computing device, a game controller, etc.). 2 420 communication interface modules) may also be used.

The user interface module (s) 440 may also include one or more sensor modules that control operation and / or operation for any of the various sensors used to identify the on-screen position. This location can be used, for example, to determine user selected behavior.

In addition, the user interface module (s) 440 may provide various video output functions (eg, providing television programming to the user, providing visual feedback to the user with respect to the user selected entity identified in the provided television programming. Can do anything). The user interface module (s) 440 may be described in terms of, for example, the specification (with respect to the method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 (eg, steps 200, 225, etc.), with respect to the method 300 illustrated in FIG. (E.g., steps 320, 325, etc.), etc.

Exemplary television 400 may include one or more processors 450. Processor (s) 450 may include, for example, a general purpose processor, digital signal processor, application-specific processor, microcontroller, microprocessor, and the like. For example, processor 450 may operate in accordance with software (or firmware) instructions. As mentioned above, any or all of the functionality discussed in the specification may be executed (in part or in whole) by a processor that executes instructions. For example, in FIG. Although illustrated, some of these example modules or modules may be executed by the processor 450.

Exemplary television 400 may include one or more memories 460. As discussed above, various aspects may be executed by one or more processors executing instructions. Such instructions may be stored, for example, in one or more memories 460. Such a memory 460 may include certain features of various types of memory. By way of example and not limitation, memory 460 may include one or more memory chips (eg, ROM, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, one-time-programmable OTP memory, etc.), hard drive memory, CD. Memory, DVD memory, and the like.

Also as discussed above, television programming (eg, narrative information describing consumer goods and / or services, people, groups, places, communication information, information relating to obtaining consumer goods and / or services, user interactions) Information, user control information, interactions with local and / or remote devices and information describing consumer and / or services associated with and associated with user selectable objects, information of user selectable actions associated with objects in television programming, communication Various information corresponding to user selectable objects (eg, objects related to consumer goods and / or services, people, etc.) to session destination information, network address information, etc. may be stored in a memory. Memory 460 provides a non-limiting example of memory that can store this information. Memory 460 (or portions thereof) may be external to television 400 and may be connected to the television with respect to communications.

Exemplary television 400 may include one or more modules (not explicitly illustrated in FIG. 4) that operate to receive a television program and to provide a television program to a user. One or more modules may operate, for example, to use one or more user interface module (s) 440 to present a television program on display 470. One or more modules may, for example, operate to perform step 310 of the representative method 300 discussed above.

Exemplary television 400 includes one or more user selectable objects and / or user selectable behavior availability determining modules that operate to determine availability of user selectable behaviors associated with objects in a television program being presented to the user. 454 may include. For example, such module (s) 454 may comprise at least a portion of step 220 of the representative method 200 discussed above and / or at least a portion (eg, sub of step 320 of the representative method 300 discussed above). Operate to execute step 322).

For example, in a representative scenario where the television 400 locally determines confirmation of user selectable actions related to objects in a television program, the module (s) 454 may be capable of such functionality (eg, receiving a television program and receiving it). By analyzing the collected information). Information of these identified user selectable actions is then provided to the user for selection (eg, by user interface module (s) 440). Additionally, for example, module (s) 454 may communicate module 430 (and communication interface modules 410 and 420) to communicate with external systems relating to user selectable actions regarding an object in television programming. Can be used to

Also in a representative scenario where the television 400 operates to receive confirmation information of user-selectable actions related to objects in a television program, for example, from an external source to the television 400, the module (s) 454 may It may operate to use communication module 430 (and communication interface modules 410 and 420) to communicate with this external source.

Representative television 400 may, for example, identify one or more actions associated with an entity local to the user's local television system and / or away from the local television system, such actions associated with objects in the television program (eg, For example, one or more user selected objects and / or behavior confirmation module (s) 456 that operate to at least partially based on user input information received via the user interface module (s) 440. Can be. For example, such module (s) 456 may operate to perform step 230 of representative method 200 discussed above and / or step 330 of representative method 300 discussed above.

For example, in a non-limiting representative scenario where such behavioral confirmation involves analyzing a table or other data structure that maps (or links) objects and / or behavioral confirmations to particular user inputs, the module ( 456 may operate to analyze tables and / or other structures stored in memory 460. As an additional example, in a representative scenario where such behavioral confirmation involves interacting with a user to further specify an action to be performed with respect to the object in the television program, the module (s) 456 may be configured to perform user interaction. May operate to utilize user interface module (s) 440.

Exemplary television 400 may further include one or more action performing module (s) 458 operative to perform one or more actions determined by action confirmation module (s) 456. For example, the action performing module (s) 458 may operate to perform step 240 of the representative method 200 discussed above and / or step 340 of the representative method 300 discussed above.

For example, the identified action may include retrieving information in relation to the television program object from the memory of the entity away from the user's local television system (eg, the memory of a commercial entity associated with a particular consumer goods and / or service). In a non-limiting representative scenario, the module (s) 458 may be in communication with (eg, directly, indirectly, for example, using DMA and / or using an interface of the remote entity) with the memory of the remote entity. It can work. For example, module (s) 458 may operate to use communication module 430 (and first communication interface module 410 and / or second communication interface module 420) to communicate with a remote entity. can do. Such remote entities may include, for example, television systems, television server components, cable and / or satellite head-end stations, networked information servers, remote computers coupled with communications to televisions, It may include a communications infrastructure component of a commercial company's web server or database.

Also, for example, in a non-limiting scenario where the confirmed behavior includes retrieving information in association with an object in a television program, module (s) 458 may operate to perform retrieval of such information. In such a scenario, module (s) 458 may, for example, utilize other television system components and / or the user's local television system (eg, directly using direct memory access and / or by a remote entity). Operate to perform a search in memory of other networked entities (eg, a commercial company's web-servers or databases) away from the provided search interface. For example, to perform a search on remote entities using communication module 430 (and first communication interface module 410 and / or second communication interface module 420) to communicate with remote entities ( 458 may operate. For example, remote entities may provide an interface that is particularly suited to the need and / or retrieval of information stored at remote entities and / or accessible to remote entities. In such a scenario, module (s) 458 may operate according to this interface.

In a typical scenario where a requestor (via a communication network) requests information (eg, commerce information) related to a particular user selected object (or related consumer goods and / or services, related persons, etc.). For example, the remote entity may operate in accordance with the protocol and the remote entity may respond to the request by communicating back to the requester. In the scenario, the module (s) 458 will operate in accordance with the protocol when interacting with a remote entity through the communication network.

As a further example, in a non-limiting scenario where the confirmed behavior involves further interfacing with a user of the television 400, the module (s) 458 may be configured to provide a user interface module (s) to provide a user interface. 440 may be used to operate.

For example, in a representative scenario where the identified behavior includes providing object information (eg, product information for consumer goods and / or services) and / or other views to the user, the module (s) 458 may operate to utilize interface module (s) 440 to perform such output (eg, on display 470 of television 400). Also for example, module (s) 458 may be used to provide information to one or more other local television system components for presentation on individual output displays of one or more other local television system components. Operate to use a module 430 (and a first communication interface module 410 and / or a second communication interface module 420) in communication with system components.

More for example, the confirmed behavior establishes and / or maintains a communication session between the user and another system entity (eg, a non-television system entity away from the television system and / or the user's local television system). In a non-limiting scenario that includes a module, the module (s) 458 communicate with a user interface module (s) 440 that provides a user interface and communicate to perform communication link establishment and / or maintenance. And / or the second communication interface module 420 (s) 430 (and the first communication interface module 410 and / or the second communication interface module 420). The communication session may be, for example, a communication session related to acquired information, conducting a commerce, communication between people, and the like.

Still further, for example, the determined behavior may result in user selection of a particular behavior related to the object in the television program, such as one or more other television systems and / or other networked entities (eg, production companies, distribution companies, rating companies). In a non-limiting scenario that includes notifying the ad agency, etc.), the module (s) 458 may communicate with the communication module (s) 430 (and the first communication interface module 410 and / or executing such notification). Or to use the second communication interface module 420.

Although not illustrated, the representative television 400 may include, for example, any or all of the continuous processing of step 395 of the exemplary method 300 discussed above and discussed above with respect to step 295 of the exemplary method 200. continued processing) It may include one or more modules that operate to execute. Such modules (eg, one or more modules 454, 456, and 458) may be performed by processor (s) 450 executing instructions stored in memory 460.

Turning next to FIG. 5, a diagram is a diagram illustrating an exemplary television receiver 500, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Representative television receiver 500 may share any or all of the features with, for example, representative television receiver 151 discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 1. In addition, the representative television receiver 500 may share any or all of the features with the representative television 400 discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 4, for example. For example, a representative television receiver 500 (eg, various modules of the receiver) may employ any or all of the functionalities discussed above in connection with the representative methods 200 and 300 discussed above and illustrated in FIGS. 2-3. Can operate to perform.

An exemplary television receiver 500 includes a first communication interface module 510. The first communication interface module 510 can operate, for example, to use any of a variety of communication protocols and to communicate via any of a variety of communication media. For example, although a first communication interface module 510 is illustrated that is coupled with a wireless RF antenna via a wireless port 512, the wireless medium is merely exemplary and non-limiting. The first communication interface module 510 can communicate television video content (eg, television programming) and / or other data (eg, commerce information), for example, via one or more communication networks. Operate to communicate with one or more communication networks (eg, cable television networks, satellite television networks, telecommunications networks, the Internet, local area networks, personal area networks, metropolitan area networks, etc.) have. Also for example, the first communication interface module 510 can operate to communicate with local sources of television video content (eg, video recorders, receivers, game devices, etc.). Additionally, for example, the first communication interface module 510 can operate to perform television controller and / or television communication (eg, directly or through one or more arbitration communication networks).

Exemplary television receiver 500 may include a second communication interface module 520. The second communication interface module 520 can, for example, operate to communicate via any of a variety of communication media and using any of a variety of communication protocols. For example, the second communication interface module 520 may communicate via a wireless RF communication port 522 and an antenna or may be a non-tethered optical communication port 524 (eg, a laser diode, Photodiode, etc.). Also for example, the second communication interface module 520 can communicate via a tethered optical communication port 526 (eg, fiber optic cable) or a wired communication port 528 (eg For example, via coaxial cable, twisted pair, HDMI cable, Ethernet cable, any of a variety of wired components and / or composite video connections, and the like. The second communication interface module 520 is, for example, one or more communication networks (eg, cables) in which television video content (eg, television programming) and / or other data is communicated via one or more communication networks. Television networks, satellite television networks, telecommunications networks, the Internet, local area networks, personal area networks, metropolitan area networks, etc.). Also for example, the second communication interface module 520 can operate to communicate with local sources of television video content (eg, video recorders, receivers, game devices, etc.). Additionally, for example, second communication interface module 520 may operate to communicate with an external television to television controller and / or television receiver 500 (eg, directly or via one or more arbitration communication networks). Can be. The second communication interface module 520 may be operable to communicate video and / or graphical information, for example, to a television and / or a television receiver (eg, using any of the previous interfaces mentioned above). have.

The representative television receiver 500 may also include additional communication interface modules that are not illustrated. Such additional communication interface module may share any or all aspects with, for example, the first 510 and second 520 communication interface modules discussed above.

Representative television receiver 500 may also include a communication module 530. The communication module 530 may, for example, control and / or adjust the operation of the first communication interface module 510 and the second communication interface module 520 (and / or additional communication interface modules if necessary). It can work. The communication module 530 may provide a comfortable communication interface, for example, by other components of the television receiver 500 utilizing the first 510 and second 520 communication interface modules. Additionally, in a representative scenario where, for example, a plurality of communication interface modules share a medium and / or network, the communication module 530 may coordinate communication to reduce collisions and / or other interference between the communication interface modules. Can be.

Exemplary television receiver 500 is one or more television interface modules 535 that operate to provide an interface between television receiver 500 and a television (eg, housed in television or television receiver externally to television receiver 500). ) May also be included. For example, television interface module (s) 535 may be connected via a television (eg, communication module 530, first communication interface module 510, and / or second communication interface module (s) 520. To provide video, graphics and / or textual information.

Exemplary television receiver 500 may additionally include one or more user interface modules 540. User interface module (s) 540 may generally operate to provide user interface functionality to a user of television receiver 500. Example and non-limiting, user interface module (s) 540 provide the user with control of any or all standard television commands (eg, channel control, volume control, on / off, screen setting, input selection, etc.). Can be operated to The user interface module (s) 540 may operate and / or respond to user commands using, for example, user interface features (eg, buttons, etc.) disposed in the television receiver 500. Communication module 530 (and / or first) to communicate with a television controller (e.g., a dedicated television remote control, a conventional remote control, a cellular telephone, a personal computing device, a game controller, etc.). 510 and second 520 communication interface modules) may also be used.

The user interface module (s) 540 may also include one or more sensor modules that control the operation and / or operation for any of the various sensors used to identify the on-screen position. This location can be used, for example, to determine user selected behavior.

In addition, the user interface module (s) 540 may provide various video output functions (eg, providing television programming to the user, visual feedback to the user with respect to the user selected entity identified in the provided television programming). To provide any of them). The user interface module (s) 540 may be described in terms of, for example, the specification (with respect to the method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 (eg, steps 200, 225, etc.), with respect to the method 300 illustrated in FIG. (E.g., steps 320, 325, etc.), etc.) may be operative to implement any or all of the user interface functionality discussed.

Exemplary television receiver 500 may include one or more processors 550. Processor (s) 550 may include, for example, a general purpose processor, digital signal processor, application-specific processor, microcontroller, microprocessor, and the like. For example, processor 550 may operate in accordance with software (or firmware) instructions. As mentioned above, any or all of the functionality discussed in the specification may be executed by a processor executing instructions. For example, although various modules are illustrated in separate blocks or modules in FIG. 5, some of these example modules or modules may be executed by the processor 550.

Exemplary television 500 may include one or more memories 560. As discussed above, various aspects may be executed by one or more processors executing instructions. Such instructions may be stored, for example, in one or more memories 560. Such a memory 560 may include certain features of various types of memory. By way of example and not limitation, memory 560 may include one or more memory chips (eg, ROM, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, one-time-programmable OTP memory, etc.), hard drive memory, CD. Memory, DVD memory, and the like.

Also as discussed above, television programming (eg, narrative information describing consumer goods and / or services, people, groups, places, communication information, information relating to obtaining consumer goods and / or services, user interactions) Information, user control information, interactions with local and / or remote devices and information describing consumer and / or services associated with and associated with user selectable objects, information of user selectable actions associated with objects in television programming, communication Various information corresponding to user selectable objects (eg, objects related to consumer goods and / or services, people, etc.) to session destination information, network address information, etc. may be stored in a memory. Memory 560 is to provide a non-limiting example of memory that can store this information. The memory 560 (or portions thereof) may be external to the television 500 and may be connected to the television with respect to communication.

Exemplary television receiver 500 may include one or more modules (not explicitly illustrated in FIG. 5) that operate to receive a television program and provide a television program to a user. One or more modules may provide, for example, a television program on an optional display 570 (if any) of receiver 500 and / or on a display connected with respect to communication to receiver 500. To utilize one or more user interface module (s) 540 for the purpose. One or more modules may, for example, operate to perform step 310 of the representative method 300 discussed above.

An exemplary television receiver 500 is one or more user selectable objects and / or user selectable behavior availability determining modules that operate to determine the availability of user selectable behaviors associated with objects in a television program being presented to a user. And 554. For example, such module (s) 554 may comprise at least a portion of step 220 of the representative method 200 discussed above and / or at least a portion (eg, sub of step 320 of the representative method 300 discussed above). Operate to execute step 322).

For example, in a representative scenario where the television receiver 500 locally determines confirmation of user-selectable actions related to objects in a television program, module (s) 554 may have such functionality (eg, a television program). By analyzing the received information). Information of these identified user selectable actions is then provided to the user for selection (eg, by user interface module (s) 540). Additionally, for example, module (s) 554 may communicate module 530 (and communication interface modules 510 and 520) to communicate with external systems relating to user selectable actions on an object in television programming. Can be used to

Also in a representative scenario where, for example, the television receiver 500 operates to receive confirmation information of user selectable actions related to objects in a television program from an external source, the module (s) 554. ) May operate to use communication module 530 (and communication interface modules 510 and 520) to communicate with such an external source.

Representative television receiver 500 may, for example, identify one or more actions associated with an entity local to the user's local television system and / or away from the local television system, such actions associated with objects in the television program (eg, For example, one or more user selected objects and / or behavior confirmation module (s) 556 that operate to at least partially based on user input information received via the user interface module (s) 540. Can be. For example, such module (s) 556 may operate to perform step 230 of representative method 200 discussed above and / or step 330 of representative method 300 discussed above.

For example, in a non-limiting representative scenario where such behavioral confirmation involves analyzing a table or other data structure that maps (or links) objects and / or behavioral confirmations to particular user inputs, the module ( S) 556 may operate to analyze tables and / or other structures stored in memory 560. As an additional example, in a representative scenario where such behavioral confirmation involves interacting with a user to further specify an action to be performed with respect to the object in the television program, the module (s) 556 may be configured to perform user interaction. May operate to utilize user interface module (s) 540.

Exemplary television receiver 500 may further include one or more behavioral execution module (s) 558 that operate to perform one or more interactions determined by behavioral identification module (s) 556. For example, the action performing module (s) 558 may operate to perform step 240 of the representative method 200 discussed above and / or step 340 of the representative method 300 discussed above.

For example, the identified action may include retrieving information in relation to the television program object from the memory of the entity away from the user's local television system (eg, the memory of a commercial entity associated with a particular consumer goods and / or service). In a non-limiting representative scenario, module (s) 558 may be used to communicate (eg, directly, for example using DMA and / or using an interface of a remote entity) with the memory of the remote entity. It can work. For example, module (s) 558 may operate to use communication module 530 (and first communication interface module 510 and / or second communication interface module 520) to communicate with a remote entity. can do. Such remote entities may include, for example, television systems, television server components, cable and / or satellite head-end stations, networked information servers, remote computers coupled with communications to televisions, It may include a communications infrastructure component of a commercial company's web server or database.

Also, for example, in a non-limiting scenario where the identified behavior includes retrieving information in association with an object in a television program, module (s) 558 may operate to perform retrieval of such information. In such a scenario, the module (s) 558 may, for example, utilize other television system components and / or the user's local television system (eg, directly using direct memory access and / or by a remote entity). Operate to perform a search in memory of other networked entities (eg, a commercial company's web-servers or databases) away from the provided search interface. For example, to perform a search on remote entities using communication module 530 (and first communication interface module 510 and / or second communication interface module 520) to communicate with remote entities ( 558) may operate. For example, remote entities may provide an interface that is particularly suited to the need and / or retrieval of information stored in and / or accessible to remote entities. In such a scenario, module (s) 558 may operate according to this interface.

In a typical scenario where a requestor (via a communication network) requests information (eg, commerce information) related to a particular user selected object (or related consumer goods and / or services, related persons, etc.). For example, the remote entity may operate in accordance with the protocol and the remote entity may respond to the request by communicating back to the requester. In the scenario, the module (s) 558 will operate in accordance with the protocol when interacting with a remote entity through the communication network.

As a further example, in a non-limiting scenario where the identified action involves further interfacing with a user of the television 500, the module (s) 558 may be configured to provide a user interface module (s) to provide a user interface. 540 to operate.

For example, in a representative scenario where the identified behavior includes providing object information (eg, product information for consumer goods and / or services) and / or other views to the user, the module (s) 558 is an interface module (s) 540 that performs such output (eg, on display optional 570 of television receiver 500, if display 570 is included). It can operate to use. Also for example, module (s) 558 may be used to provide information to one or more other local television system components for presentation on individual output displays of one or more other local television system components. Module 530 (and first communication interface module 510 and / or second) in communication with system components (e.g., television, television controller, personal computing device or system coupled to television receiver 500). And to use communication interface module 520).

More for example, in a non-limiting scenario where the confirmed behavior involves establishing and / or maintaining a communication session between the user and another system entity, the module (s) 558 may be a user interface module ( Communication module (s) 530 (and the first communication interface module 510 and / or the second communication interface module 520) that communicate with and to perform communication link establishment and / or maintenance. Can be used to The communication session may be, for example, a communication session related to acquired information, conducting a commerce, communication between people, and the like.

Still further, for example, the determined behavior may result in user selection of a particular behavior related to the object in the television program, such as one or more other television systems and / or other networked entities (eg, production companies, distribution companies, rating companies). In a non-limiting scenario that includes notifying the advertising agency, etc.), the module (s) 558 may communicate with the communication module (s) 530 (and the first communication interface module 510 and / or executing such a notification). Or to use the second communication interface module 520).

Although not illustrated, the representative television receiver 500 may be, for example, any or all of the continuous processing of step 395 of the exemplary method 300 discussed above and discussed above with respect to step 295 of the exemplary method 200. (continued processing) May contain one or more modules that operate to execute. Such modules (eg, one or more modules 545, 556, and 558) may be performed by processor (s) 550 executing instructions stored in memory 560.

Turning next to FIG. 6, a diagram is a diagram illustrating an exemplary television controller 600, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Representative television controller 600 may share any or all of the features with, for example, representative television controllers 160 and 161 discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 1. Also, representative television controller 600 may, for example, incorporate any or all of the features with representative television 400 discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 4 and / or representative television 500 discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 5. Can share For example, representative television controller 600 (eg, various modules of the controller) may employ any or all of the functionality discussed above in connection with the representative methods 200 and 300 discussed above and illustrated in FIGS. 2-3. Can operate to perform.

Exemplary television controller 600 includes a first communication interface module 610. The first communication interface module 610 can, for example, operate to use any of a variety of communication protocols and communicate via any of a variety of communication media. For example, although a first communication interface module 610 is illustrated that is coupled with a wireless RF antenna via a wireless port 612, the wireless medium is merely exemplary and non-limiting. The first communication interface module 610 can communicate television video content (eg, television programming) and / or other data (eg, commerce information), for example, via one or more communication networks. Operate to communicate with one or more communication networks (eg, cable television networks, satellite television networks, telecommunications networks, the Internet, local area networks, personal area networks, metropolitan area networks, etc.) have. Also for example, the first communication interface module 610 can operate to communicate with local sources of television video content (eg, video recorders, receivers, game devices, etc.). In addition, for example, the first communication interface module 610 may operate to perform a television controller and / or television communication (eg, directly or via one or more arbitration communication networks).

Exemplary television controller 600 may include a second communication interface module 620. The second communication interface module 620 may, for example, operate to communicate via any of a variety of communication media and using any of a variety of communication protocols. For example, the second communication interface module 620 can communicate via a wireless RF communication port 622 and an antenna or a non-tethered optical communication port 624 (eg, a laser diode, Photodiode, etc.). Also for example, the second communication interface module 620 may communicate via a tethered optical communication port 626 (eg, fiber optic cable) or wired communication port 628 (eg, For example, via coaxial cable, twisted pair, HDMI cable, Ethernet cable, any of a variety of wired components and / or composite video connections, and the like. The second communication interface module 620 may include one or more communication networks (eg, cables) in which television video content (eg, television programming) and / or other data is communicated, for example, via one or more communication networks. Television networks, satellite television networks, telecommunications networks, the Internet, local area networks, personal area networks, metropolitan area networks, etc.). Also for example, the second communication interface module 620 can operate to communicate with local sources of television video content (eg, video recorders, receivers, game devices, etc.). Additionally, for example, the second communication interface module 620 may operate to communicate with an external television to the television controller and / or the television controller 600 (eg, directly or through one or more arbitration communication networks). Can be. The second communication interface module 620 may, for example, operate to communicate video and / or graphical information to a television and / or a television receiver (eg, using any of the previous interfaces mentioned above). have.

The representative television controller 600 may also include additional communication interface modules that are not illustrated. Such an additional communication interface module may share any or all aspects with, for example, the first 610 and second 620 communication interface modules discussed above.

Exemplary television controller 600 may also include communication module 630. The communication module 630 may, for example, control and / or adjust the operation of the first communication interface module 610 and the second communication interface module 620 (and / or additional communication interface modules if necessary). It can work. The communication module 630 may provide a convenient communication interface, for example, by other components of the television controller 600 utilizing the first 610 and second 620 communication interface modules. Additionally, in a representative scenario where, for example, a plurality of communication interface modules share a medium and / or network, the communication module 630 may coordinate communication to reduce collisions and / or other interference between the communication interface modules. Can be.

Exemplary television controller 600 may also include one or more television interface modules 635 that operate to provide an interface between television controller 600 and a television (eg, television external to television controller 600). Can be. For example, television interface module (s) 635 may be a television and / or television receiver (eg, communication module 630, first communication interface module 610, and / or second communication interface module (s)). 620), to provide video, graphics and / or textual information.

Exemplary television controller 600 may additionally include one or more user interface modules 640. User interface module (s) 640 may generally operate to provide user interface functionality to a user of television controller 600. Example and non-limiting, user interface module (s) 640 provide the user with control of any or all standard television commands (eg, channel control, volume control, on / off, screen setting, input selection, etc.). Can be operated to The user interface module (s) 640 may operate and / or respond to user commands using, for example, user interface features (eg, buttons, etc.) disposed on the television controller 600. And and also use communication module 630 (and / or first 610 and second 620 communication interface modules) to communicate with a television and / or television receiver.

The user interface module (s) 640 may also include one or more sensor modules that control operation and / or operation for any of the various sensors used to identify the on-screen position. This location can be used, for example, to determine user selected behavior.

In addition, the user interface module (s) 640 may provide various video output functions (eg, providing television programming to the user, visual feedback to the user with respect to the user selected entity identified in the provided television programming). To provide any of them). The user interface module (s) 640 may, for example, be described in terms of the specification (with respect to the method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 (eg, steps 200, 225, etc.), with respect to the method 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 ( (E.g., steps 320, 325, etc.), etc.

Exemplary television controller 600 may include one or more processors 650. Processor (s) 650 may include, for example, a general purpose processor, digital signal processor, application-specific processor, microcontroller, microprocessor, and the like. For example, processor 650 may operate in accordance with software (or firmware) instructions. As mentioned above, any or all of the functionality discussed in the specification may be executed by a processor executing instructions. For example, although various modules are illustrated in separate blocks or modules in FIG. 6, some of these example modules or modules may be executed by the processor 650.

Representative television 600 may include one or more memories 660. As discussed above, various aspects may be executed by one or more processors executing instructions. Such instructions may be stored, for example, in one or more memories 660. Such a memory 660 may include certain features of various types of memory. By way of example and not limitation, memory 660 may include one or more memory chips (eg, ROM, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, one-time-programmable OTP memory, etc.), hard drive memory, CD. Memory, DVD memory, and the like.

Also as discussed above, television programming (eg, narrative information describing consumer goods and / or services, people, groups, places, communication information, information relating to obtaining consumer goods and / or services, user interactions) Information, user control information, interactions with local and / or remote devices and information describing consumer and / or services associated with and associated with user selectable objects, information of user selectable actions associated with objects in television programming, communication Various information corresponding to user selectable objects (eg, objects related to consumer goods and / or services, people, etc.) to session destination information, network address information, etc. may be stored in a memory. Memory 660 is to provide a non-limiting example of memory that can store this information. Memory 660 (or a portion thereof) may be external to television 600 and may be connected to the television with respect to communications.

Exemplary television controller 600 may include one or more modules (not explicitly illustrated in FIG. 6) that operate to receive a television program and provide a television program to a user. One or more modules may include, for example, one or more user interface modules to provide a television program on an optional display 670 (if present with controller 600 and / or connected with respect to communication to the controller). Operate to use (s) 640. One or more modules may, for example, operate to perform step 310 of the representative method 300 discussed above.

Exemplary television controller 600 is one or more user selectable objects and / or user selectable behavior availability determining modules that operate to determine availability of user selectable behaviors associated with objects in a television program being presented to a user. And 654. For example, such module (s) 654 may comprise at least a portion of step 220 of the representative method 200 discussed above and / or at least a portion (eg, sub of step 320 of the representative method 300 discussed above). Operate to execute step 322).

For example, in a representative scenario where the television controller 600 locally determines confirmation of user selectable actions related to objects in a television program, the module (s) 654 may have such functionality (eg, a television program). By analyzing the received information). Information of these identified user selectable actions is then provided to the user for selection (eg, by the user interface module (s) 640). Additionally, for example, module (s) 654 may communicate module 630 (and communication interface modules 610 and 620) to communicate with external systems relating to user selectable actions regarding an object in television programming. Can be used to

Also in another representative scenario where the television controller 600 operates to receive confirmation information of user-selectable actions related to objects in a television program, for example, from an external source to the television controller 600, the module (s) ( 654 may operate to use communication module 630 (and communication interface modules 610 and 620) to communicate with such an external source.

Representative television controller 600 identifies (eg, one or more actions related to an entity local to the user's local television system and / or away from the local television system, such actions associated with objects in a television program (eg, For example, one or more user selected objects and / or behavior confirmation module (s) 656 that operate to at least partially based on user input information received via the user interface module (s) 640. Can be. For example, such module (s) 656 may operate to perform step 230 of exemplary method 200 discussed above and / or step 330 of exemplary method 300 discussed above.

For example, in a non-limiting representative scenario where such behavioral confirmation involves analyzing a table or other data structure that maps (or links) objects and / or behavioral confirmations to particular user inputs, the module ( 656 may operate to analyze tables and / or other structures stored in memory 660. As an additional example, in a representative scenario where such behavioral confirmation involves interacting with a user to further specify an action to be performed with respect to the object in the television program, the module (s) 656 may be configured to perform user interaction. May operate to utilize user interface module (s) 640.

Exemplary television controller 600 may further include one or more behavioral execution module (s) 658 that operate to perform one or more interactions determined by behavioral identification module (s) 656. For example, the action performing module (s) 658 may operate to perform step 240 of the representative method 200 discussed above and / or step 340 of the representative method 300 discussed above.

For example, the identified action may include retrieving information in relation to the television program object from the memory of the entity away from the user's local television system (eg, the memory of a commercial entity associated with a particular consumer goods and / or service). In a non-limiting representative scenario, module (s) 658 may communicate with (eg, directly, indirectly, for example, using DMA and / or using an interface of a remote entity) the memory of the remote entity. It can work. For example, module (s) 658 may operate to use communication module 630 (and first communication interface module 610 and / or second communication interface module 620) to communicate with a remote entity. can do. Such remote entities may include, for example, television systems, television server components, cable and / or satellite head-end stations, networked information servers, remote computers coupled with communications to televisions, It may include a communications infrastructure component of a commercial company's web server or database.

Also, for example, in a non-limiting scenario where the confirmed behavior includes retrieving information in association with an object in a television program, module (s) 658 may operate to perform retrieval of such information. In such a scenario, the module (s) 658 may, for example, utilize other television system components and / or the user's local television system (eg, directly using direct memory access and / or by a remote entity). Operate to perform a search in memory of other networked entities (eg, a commercial company's web-servers or databases) away from the provided search interface. For example, the module to perform a search on remote entities using the communication module 630 (and the first communication interface module 610 and / or the second communication interface module 620) to communicate with the remote entities. 658) may operate. For example, remote entities may provide an interface that is particularly suited to the need and / or retrieval of information stored in and / or accessible to remote entities. In such a scenario, module (s) 658 may operate in accordance with this interface.

In a typical scenario where a requestor (via a communication network) requests information (eg, commerce information) related to a particular user selected object (or related consumer goods and / or services, related persons, etc.). For example, the remote entity may operate in accordance with the protocol and the remote entity may respond to the request by communicating back to the requester. In the scenario, the module (s) 658 will operate in accordance with the protocol when interacting with a remote entity through the communication network.

As a further example, in a non-limiting scenario where the confirmed behavior involves further interfacing with a user of the television controller 600, the module (s) 658 may be configured to provide a user interface module (eg, a user interface module) to provide a user interface. 640) to operate.

For example, in a representative scenario where the identified behavior includes providing object information (eg, product information for consumer goods and / or services) and / or other views to the user, the module (s) 658 interfaces module (s) 640 that perform such output (eg, on display 670 of optional display 670 of television controller 600). It can operate to use. Also for example, module (s) 658 may be used to provide information to one or more other local television system components for presentation on individual output displays of one or more other local television system components. Module 630 (and first communication interface module 610 and / or second) in communication with system components (eg, television, television receiver, personal computing device or system coupled to television controller 600). And to use communication interface module 620.

More for example, in a non-limiting scenario where the confirmed behavior involves establishing and / or maintaining a communication session between the user and another system entity, the module (s) 658 may be a user interface module ( Communication module (s) 630 (and the first communication interface module 610 and / or the second communication interface module 620) to communicate with and to perform communication link establishment and / or maintenance. Can be used to The communication session may be, for example, a communication session related to acquired information, conducting a commerce, communication between people, and the like.

Still further, for example, the determined behavior may result in user selection of a particular behavior related to the object in the television program, such as one or more other television systems and / or other networked entities (eg, production companies, distribution companies, rating companies). In a non-limiting scenario that includes notifying the advertising agency, etc.), the module (s) 658 may communicate with the communication module (s) 630 (and the first communication interface module 610 and / or executing such a notification). Or to use the second communication interface module 620).

Although not illustrated, the representative television controller 600 may be, for example, any or all of the continuous processing of step 395 of the exemplary method 300 discussed above and discussed above with respect to step 295 of the exemplary method 200. (continued processing) May contain one or more modules that operate to execute. Such modules (eg, one or more modules 645, 656, and 658) may be performed by processor (s) 650 executing instructions stored in memory 660.

Although the foregoing discussions of FIGS. 4-6 provide various representative modules of the television 400, the television receiver 500, and the television controller 600, as discussed above, various aspects of the present invention provide a distributed system. (E.g., by a plurality of components of a user's local television system). Thus, the scope of the various aspects of the present invention is defined by a single television system component (or device) unless explicitly stated. It should not be restricted to implementation.

Turning next to FIG. 7, a diagram is a diagram illustrating exemplary modules and / or sub-modules for a local television system, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The representative local television system 700 may share any or all aspects with any of the television 400, the television receiver 500, and / or the television controller 600 discussed above and illustrated in FIGS. 4-6. Representative local television system 700 is, for example, one or more representative televisions 140 and 141, television controllers 160 and 161, television receiver 151, television provider 110, as discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 1. And / or share any or all features with a third party program information provider. In addition, a representative local television system 700 (eg, various modules of the system) may perform any or all of the functionality discussed above with respect to the representative methods 200 and 300 discussed above and illustrated in FIGS. 2-3. To operate. Components of an exemplary local television system 700 may be placed in a single television system component (eg, a single television, a single television receiver, a single television controller, etc.) or a plurality of television system components (eg, a user local television system). A plurality of components, a combination of one or more components of a user's local television system, and components constituting one or more components away from the user local television system, and the like.

For example, local television system 700 may include a processor 730. Such a processor 730 may be any of the processors 450, 550, and 650 discussed, for example, in connection with FIGS. Or share all the features. Also for example, local television system 700 may include a memory 740. Such a memory 740 may share any or all of the features with, for example, the memory 460, 560 and 660 discussed with reference to FIGS. 4-6.

Also for example, local television system 700 may include any of a variety of user interface module (s) 750. Such user interface module (s) 750 may share any or all of the features with user interface module (s) 440, 540 and 640, discussed above with respect to FIGS. 4-6, for example. Example and non-limiting user interface module (s) 750 may include a display device, camera (for still or moving image acquisition), speakers, earphones (e.g., wired or wireless), microphone, video screen (e.g., For example, a touch screen), a vibrating mechanism, a keypad, and / or any of a variety of other user interface devices (eg, mouse, trackball, touch pad, touch screen, light pen, game control device) And the like).

Exemplary local television system 700 may include any of a variety of communication modules 705, 706 and 710, for example. Such communication module (s) may share any or all of the features with the communication interface module (s) 410, 420, 510, 520, 610 and 620 discussed above with respect to FIGS. 4-6, for example. (S) 710 may include a Bluetooth device; IEEE 802.11, 802.11, 802.11 and / or 802.20 modules; Any of a variety of cellular telecommunications interface modules (eg, GSM / GPRS / EDGE, CDMA / CDMA2000 / 1 × -EV-DO, WCDMA / HSDPA / HSUPA, TDMA / PDC, WiMAX, etc.); Any of a variety of location related communication interface modules (eg, GPS, A-GPS, etc.); Any of a variety of wired / tethered communication interface modules (eg, USB, Fire Wire, RS-232, HDMI, Ethernet, wireline and / or cable modems, etc.); Various communication interface modules, etc., associated with communicating with external memory devices. Exemplary local television system 700 may also comprise various wired 706 and / or wireless 705 front-end modules included in and / or utilized by, for example, communication interface modules. May be exemplified.

Representative local television system 700 may also include any of a variety of signal processing module (s) 790. Such signal processing module (s) 790 may share any or all features with the modules of representative television 400, television receiver 500, and / or television controller 600 that perform signal processing. Such signal processing module (s) 790 may, for example, support (eg, sensor processing, positioning, video processing, image processing, audio processing, general) to assist in processing the various types of information discussed above. User interface information data processing). Example and non-limiting, signal processing module (s) 790 may include video / graphic processing modules (eg, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.263, H.264, JPEG, TIFF, 3-D). , 2-D, MDDI, etc.); Audio processing modules (eg, MP3, AAC, MIDI, QCELP, AMR, CMX, etc.); And / or tactile processing modules (eg, keypad I / O, touch screen processing, motor control, etc.).

In conclusion, various aspects of the present invention provide a system and method in a television system that provides user-interaction related to an in-progress television program. While the invention has been described in connection with certain aspects and embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended that the invention include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (15)

A method for providing user interaction associated with objects in a television program being provided, the method comprising:
In a television system,
Providing a user interface that enables a user to indicate to the provided television program an action to perform in relation to an object;
Using the provided user interface, receiving user input representing a user-specified action to perform with respect to an object in the provided television program;
Confirming an action to be performed with respect to an object in the provided television program based at least in part on user input indicative of the received user specified action; And
Performing the identified action,
The action to be performed in connection with an object in the provided television program is
Providing the user with information related to an object in the provided television program;
Performing a commercial transaction associated with an object with the provided television program; And
Initiating communication with an entity associated with an object in the provided television program;
The information associated with the object in the provided television program differs according to the type of the object, and initiating communication with the entity associated with the object in the provided television program comprises: technical support staff, order support staff, customer support At least one of communicating with employees or an automated system, and initiating the communication comprises either one-way or two-way communication with the entity. A method for providing user interaction with objects. delete The method according to claim 1,
And the object is an inanimate object. A method for providing user interaction associated with objects in a television program being provided. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the object is one or both of a person or a group of people, the method of providing user interaction associated with the objects to the television program being provided. The method of claim 1, wherein the action to be performed in connection with an object in the provided television program comprises providing information explicitly about the object present in the television program. Method for providing user interaction. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a user interface to the provided television program to indicate an action to perform with respect to an object comprises: a user of the action to perform with respect to the object during only a portion of the provided television program. A method for providing user interaction associated with objects in a television program being provided, the method comprising providing a user-selection. 7. The user interaction of claim 6, wherein providing the user selection of the action to perform with respect to the object occurs only when the object appears in the provided television program. Method for providing. The method of claim 6, wherein providing the user selection of the action to perform in relation to the object occurs only during a portion of the provided television program sponsored by a commercial enterprise associated with the object. A method for providing user interaction with objects in a running television program. The method of claim 1, wherein the action to be performed in connection with an object in the provided television program comprises performing a commercial transaction associated with the object in the provided television program. Method for providing user interaction. The method of claim 9, wherein performing a commercial transaction associated with the object with the provided television program comprises ordering a product associated with the object. Method for providing. The method of claim 1, wherein the action to be performed in connection with an object in the provided television program comprises establishing a communication session with a commercial enterprise associated with the object. Method for providing user interaction. The method of claim 11, wherein establishing a communication session with a commercial enterprise associated with the object comprises establishing a communication session with an internet web site associated with the object. A method for providing user interaction with a user. A system for providing user interaction associated with objects in a television program being provided,
At least one
Providing a user interface that allows a user to indicate to the provided television program an action to perform in relation to an object;
Using the provided user interface, to receive user input indicating user-specified behavior to perform with respect to an object in the provided television program;
Confirming an action to be performed with respect to an object in the provided television program based at least in part on user input indicative of the received user specified action; And
At least one module operative to perform the identified action,
The action to be performed in connection with an object in the provided television program is
Providing the user with information related to an object in the provided television program;
Perform a commercial transaction involving an object on the provided television program; And
Include any one or more of initiating communication with an entity associated with an object in the provided television program,
The information associated with the object in the provided television program differs according to the type of the object, and initiating communication with the entity associated with the object in the provided television program may include technical support staff, order support staff, customer support staff or And at least one of communicating with an automated system, and said initiating communication is either one-way or two-way communication with said entity. System to provide action. delete The user interaction of claim 13 wherein the object is an inanimate object, or one or both of a person or a group of people. System to provide action.

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