WO2003063474A1 - Icones sequentielles, et systemes et procedes dans lesquels elles sont utilisees - Google Patents

Icones sequentielles, et systemes et procedes dans lesquels elles sont utilisees Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003063474A1
WO2003063474A1 PCT/US2002/000418 US0200418W WO03063474A1 WO 2003063474 A1 WO2003063474 A1 WO 2003063474A1 US 0200418 W US0200418 W US 0200418W WO 03063474 A1 WO03063474 A1 WO 03063474A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
controller
icons
sequencing
designations
television
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/000418
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ratha Reth
Original Assignee
Ub Port, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ub Port, Inc. filed Critical Ub Port, Inc.
Priority to PCT/US2002/000418 priority Critical patent/WO2003063474A1/fr
Publication of WO2003063474A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003063474A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/4104—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
    • H04N21/4131—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices home appliance, e.g. lighting, air conditioning system, metering devices
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/4104—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
    • H04N21/4126—The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
    • H04N21/41265—The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/4104—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
    • H04N21/4135—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices external recorder
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/418—External card to be used in combination with the client device, e.g. for conditional access
    • H04N21/4182—External card to be used in combination with the client device, e.g. for conditional access for identification purposes, e.g. storing user identification data, preferences, personal settings or data
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
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    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
    • H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
    • H04N21/42222—Additional components integrated in the remote control device, e.g. timer, speaker, sensors for detecting position, direction or movement of the remote control, microphone or battery charging device
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/4223—Cameras
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
    • H04N21/4312—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
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    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
    • H04N21/4312—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
    • H04N21/4316—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/436—Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
    • H04N21/43615—Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
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    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
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    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/4782—Web browsing, e.g. WebTV
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/4786—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application e-mailing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/4788—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application communicating with other users, e.g. chatting
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
    • H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
    • H04N21/4221—Dedicated function buttons, e.g. for the control of an EPG, subtitles, aspect ratio, picture-in-picture or teletext
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
    • H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
    • H04N21/42225—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details characterized by types of remote control, e.g. universal remote control
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/426—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof
    • H04N21/42676—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof for modulating an analogue carrier signal to encode digital information or demodulating it to decode digital information, e.g. ADSL or cable modem
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/462—Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
    • H04N21/4622—Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet

Definitions

  • the field of the invention is controllers for interactive television systems.
  • Televisions are self-contained units that include a radio signal receiver to receive audio and image information, a screen in the form of a cathode ray tube, a speaker, and control buttons or knobs to select channels, control image characteristics, and control the audio output level.
  • Many television sets are equipped to cooperate with hand-held remote controls that allow a viewer to operate the television from a distance of several feet.
  • Many television sets also have video input ports that receive input from video/DVD players, and that cooperate with cable demodulation boxes.
  • set top box is somewhat of a misnomer because the computer portion need not be physically located on top of the television set, and indeed is often positioned to the side of, below, or even within the housing of a television set. Moreover, set top boxes do not need to have a separate housing at all, and certainly do not need to have a boxy housing.
  • the more accurate term for a set-top box would be a "television controller".
  • the key feature that distinguishes a television controller from a PC or other computer that can receive and display television images accessed via Internet is that a television controller cooperates with a television set rather than a dedicated computer monitor.
  • the term Internet is used herein as a euphemism for any public package switched network.
  • the television screen can be used for both (a) viewing television programming and (b) operating standard computer applications.
  • a user may choose to use the television controller and the television screen to "surf the Internet, operate a word processing or spreadsheet program, or place an Internet phone call. Interaction with many such applications is commonly handled with a keyboard, and several wireless keyboards are now available that facilitate just such operations.
  • hand-held remotes that omit text keys can be quite difficult to use in navigating computer applications designed for text-based keyboards.
  • One problem is that computer icons can be located anywhere on a display, and in any order. They are designed to be accessed in an analog manner, i.e., by "moving" a cursor across a L5 display using an analog selection device such as a mouse, track point button, or similar device. For these reasons it can be difficult to select a specific icon using known hand-held remotes. Even where cursor movement control is relatively easy, the freeform placement of icons on a display can make some icons difficult to locate and select.
  • the present invention provides apparatus and methods in which a controller operates a television receiver and a display, where the display displays at least three icons, each of which has a sequencing designation logically independent from any descriptive name or symbol, and 0 all of which are positioned on the display in a visually recognizable order corresponding to the respective sequencing designations.
  • Preferred sequencing designations are sequential, such as 1, 2, 3, 4 etc, or red, orange, yellow, green, blue, etc.
  • Preferred icons trigger a software application, or operation of a function of a peripheral device, which may include any record, stop, play, rewind, fast forward, change disk, change track, answer, dial, save number, access number, change channel, volume up, volume down, picture within picture, select channel, start time, stop time, and duration.
  • a remote control handset can communicate with the controller using a wireless connection.
  • Preferred handsets include at least a microphone, and more preferably a speaker.
  • the microphone is preferably used in conjunction with software to recognize voice commands, and especially voice intonations of the sequencing designations associated with the icons.
  • the handset can also be used as a telephone to make calls through HPNA or other electronics employed by the controller.
  • a security device reader can cooperate with software to limit access in some manner. For example, access can be limited to one or more icons, to contents of local or distal storage, web sites, and so forth.
  • a preferred embodiment provides an interface layer for applications software that standardizes and simplifies access to functionality using sequenced icons.
  • the same play, stop, fast forward, and rewind display icons numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively, could be used to control those functions for multiple different software and hardware configurations, such as DND and NCR devices.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram of an interactive television system according to the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a block diagram of the controller of Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is a block diagram of a display with sequencing designations overlaid on icons representing disc player devices according to the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is a block diagram of a remote control handset according to the present invention.
  • an interactive television system 10 generally includes a controller 20, a television 80, and a remote control handset 40.
  • the controller 20 communicates with a plurality of built-in or peripheral devices, optionally including a security card reader 50, a digital camera 82, a phone 84, a video recorder 86, a DND player 88, and household appliances 90.
  • Television system 10 receives signals from Internet service providers 60, and television program providers 70.
  • Sequentially designated icons 32 are displayed on the display 30 of the television screen for operation of the various peripheral devices, web browsing, television access, and other functions. For simplicity of description, sequentially designated icons are referred from time to time herein simply as sequenced icons. In this particular instance, numerals 34 are utilized to sequentially designate the sequenced icons 32.
  • the controller 20 generally comprises a memory 100, a microprocessor 110, a security device reader 55, and various interfaces.
  • the interfaces depicted are a television interface 120, a modem 130, a remote control interface 45, a network interface 65, television signal receiver 75, peripheral device control 91, audio transmitter 93, and an audio receiver 95.
  • Each of these components by itself is well known in the electronic industry, with the exception of the programming of the microprocessor in accordance with the functionality set forth herein.
  • controller 20 may be co-located in a single housing (not shown).
  • the controller housing may or may not be physically coupled to the television set 80 housing.
  • one or more of the various components of controller 20 may be disposed in the television set 80 housing.
  • Controller 20 is an example of a "set-top box", and may be used to access the Internet or other network through the network interface 65 or a telephone modem 130. Alternatively, network access can be made through a cable television line, satellite dish, or any other suitable equipment.
  • the television screen (i.e. display) 30 comprises a high definition screen having a dot pitch of no more than 0.25 Mm.
  • At least three sequenced icons 32 are displayed on the screen, although the total number of sequenced icons 32 displayed can vary considerably. Six to twenty-one of the sequenced icons are preferably displayed, more 5 preferably six to twelve icons, and most preferably nine to twelve icons.
  • the sequenced icons 32 may be placed anywhere on the display 30, but are advantageously placed in rows and columns, substantially centered in the display area. Sequenced icons 32 can have any suitable shape, including rectangular, ovals, circles, and irregular shapes.
  • Sequenced icons 32 can be used to symbolically represent all manner of processes, 10 programs or commands. For example, one of the sequenced icons 32 may be linked to an application trigger that initiates a session of an Internet browser. Another one of the sequenced icons 32 may be used to initiate a session of an office product selected from the group consisting of a word processor, a spreadsheet program, and an email program.
  • Sequenced icons 32 may also be used to trigger functions of peripheral devices. For 15 example, sequenced icons 32 may be used to trigger the record, stop, play, rewind, and fast forward functions of digital camera 82. Other sequenced icons 32 may be used to trigger the play, stop, change disk, and change track of DVD player 88, or the answer, dial, save number, and access number functions of a telephone.
  • Television screen 30 may also be one of the peripheral devices, with various sequenced 20 icons 32 being used to initiate functions such as change channel, volume up, volume down, and picture within picture.
  • a video recorder is still another contemplated peripheral device, and appropriate sequenced icons 32 in that case would be used to trigger functions such as select channel, record, start time, stop time, duration, play, rewind, and fast forward, and so forth.
  • Other contemplated peripheral devices are household appliances such as coffee pots and 25. watering systems, provided that they have sufficient communications capabilities, or at least can be controlled by switches or valves operated by controller 20. It should thus be appreciated that sequenced icons 32 may be linked to any application trigger or function trigger that is involved in a process, program or command involving any element that would be included in an interactive television system 10.
  • Installation software (not numbered) can be run by the controller 20 to simplify installation and use of a peripheral device.
  • Such software advantageously assigns sequential icons 32 to functions that would otherwise be accessed by hot keys, non-sequential icons, menu selections, or some other triggers. For example, if a user installs a video mail program that operates a video camera, the software might assign icons numbered one through nine to functions record, playback, forward, reverse, mark segment, delete segment, select recipient, send, and receive, respectively. Such icons could be assigned completely independently from any icons or control procedures provided by the video mail program.
  • sequenced icons 32 can be hierarchically related to one another.
  • a preliminary display screen (“desktop” in MicrosoftTM parlance) might show sequenced icons 32 for major peripherals and functions such as: television, radio, Internet, DND, CD, VP ⁇ (virtual private network access), Office Applications, telephone, and so forth.
  • Those "top level” sequenced icons 32 may advantageously be numbered one through fifteen, and accessing any of them would trigger display of a second level set of sequenced icons 32.
  • sequenced icon 32 numbered 12 may correspond to Office Applications, and accessing that sequenced icon 32 may trigger display of other sequenced icons 32 for word processor, spreadsheet, database controller, and so on.
  • Those second level sequenced icons 32 may be sequenced using the same scheme as the top level sequenced icons 32, or may utilize some other sequencing.
  • both the top level sequenced icons 32 and the second level sequenced icons 32 may utilize numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 . . . n), or the top level sequenced icons 32 may utilize numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 . . . n) and the second level sequenced icons 32 may utilize letters (A, B, C, D, E, etc).
  • a lower level of sequenced icons 32 may also be related to a higher level of sequenced icons 32 by incorporating at least a portion of the higher level sequencing scheme, such as where the upper level uses 1, 2, 3, 4, etc, and the lower level uses 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, etc.
  • a top level of sequenced icons could be colored, and a second level could be numbered.
  • a second level icon could be accessed by speaking "red three", or "blue four".
  • sequenced icons 32 disclosed herein are logically independent from any descriptive name or symbol. This excludes, for example, icons numbered to correspond to steps in a process. In such instances the icons would represent sequential steps, and any corresponding numbers would be logically dependent with respect to a descriptive name or symbol.
  • sequencing designations contemplated herein are employed in conjunction with an icon. Ordinary text-based computer menus, such as that shown below, correlate a sequencing designation with a description this is entirely, or at least primarily textual. Icons represent information in a primarily graphical, rather a primarily textual representation..
  • the security card 50, security device reader 55, and security software collectively comprise a security system.
  • Security device reader 55 is preferably located inside the controller 20, and cooperates with the software to limit access to at least one of the various peripherals or functions controlled by controller 20.
  • limitations are reflected in information stored in a security card 50. Such limitations can include any combination of temporal limitations, such as when viewers could watch the television of play music; content limitations, such as what web sites a user could or could not access; or function limitations, such as how loud music could be played, or how long a telephone call could take place.
  • the security system can be used to enable selection, or enable function of selected ones of the sequenced icons 32.
  • the security system can be used to prevent selection, or disable function of selected ones of the sequenced icons 32. In that way a user could be precluded from executing a process, program or command.
  • the security system can even be used to allow or prevent access to all or a portion of the hard drive from a connected network, thereby effectively locking the controller 20 from outside attack when it is not being used.
  • a letter type of sequencing designation 34 is overlaid on the sequencing icon 32.
  • the sequencing designations 34 are preferably overlaid in the upper left corner of the sequencing icons 32, but they can be placed anywhere on or near the sequencing icons 32, and need not be overlaid in the sense of obscuring any underlying material.
  • a critical aspect is that a typical user would properly associate specific sequencing designations 34 with corresponding specific icons 32.
  • the underlying hardware, software, or functions designated by most of the sequencing icons 32 displayed on a single display would be logically correlated in some manner.
  • the correlation may simply be that they are all of the same level, as in a hierarchical ranking as discussed above with respect to hierarchical presentation, or the correlation may be a functional relationship, such as all functions of a given peripheral device.
  • "most" rather than all of the sequencing icons 32 are likely to be related acknowledges an expectation that users will still have use for navigational icons, such as those for main menu, back, forward, and so forth.
  • Sequencing designations 34 comprise a numeral. They may, however, comprise a letter, a color, a tone or any other designation that would differentiate one icon 32 from another icon 32, and provide some logical rationale for ordering, i.e., sequencing the corresponding icons. Sequenced icons 32 are preferably lined up in rows and columns as shown in Figure 3. The Western convention of left to right and top to bottom is depicted, but alternative arrangements are also contemplated to correspond to different languages and cultures. It is even contemplated to utilize sequencing designations 34 on the sequenced icons 32, but to display the sequenced icons 32 out of any readily recognizable sequence, such as by using random positioning of the icons.
  • Colors can also be used as sequencing designations, either by themselves, or in combination with other sequencing designations.
  • the six icons labeled A - F are colored red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet, respectively.
  • Figure 4 generally depicts a remote control handset 40 that is a cross between a telephone handset and a television handset.
  • a telephone handset there is a speaker 200 near the upper end, a microphone 290 near the lower end, and in between various telephone control keys: call/talk button 270, a send button 271, a redial button 272, a mute button 273, and a numeric/alphabetic keypad 280.
  • function selectors TV button 210, TV/STB (set top box) selector button 211, STB button 212, channel and volume controls 215, 216, respectively, and AM/FM radio button 231.
  • handset 40 may also advantageously include buttons for main menu 220, print 230, surf 232.
  • a trackball 240 or other cursor control device cooperates with a "left-click” or select button 250, and a "right click” button 260 for cursor control.
  • Remote control handset 40 can be used in many different ways to access the sequenced icons 32, or perhaps more strictly speaking can be used to access the functions or devices designated by the sequenced icons 32.
  • a particular sequenced icon 32 is selected using a remote control handset, which selects the particular sequenced icon 32 via its corresponding sequencing designation 34.
  • This can be done in numerous ways, one of which is to press on a numeric or other key carried by the handset.
  • a sequenced icon 32 having the numeral 11 as its corresponding sequencing designation 34 one could press the numeral 1 key twice in relatively rapid succession.
  • Sequenced icons 32 having letters as their corresponding sequencing designations 34 could be accessed using letter keys, which may be laid out for example, in the manner of the letter keys on a cellular telephone.
  • a key for the numeral 2 may also suffice for the letters A, B, and C, with the user pressing the key twice in rapid succession to obtain the letter B, and three times to obtain the letter C.
  • Access can also be accomplished by voice. Instead of manually depressing a number on the remote control handset 40, an individual could access a particular sequenced icon 32 by speaking a number, letter, color, or other word or phrase corresponding to one of the sequencing designations 34.
  • numerals there are several advantages to using numerals to access devices or function rather than the actual names of the devices or functions. For one thing, there are relatively few numerals in most cultures, and they are relatively consistent across cultures. For example, in most of the technologically developed world only ten numerals are needed to express any real integer, the ten numerals being zero and one through nine. Thus, sequenced icon having the numeral 15 as its sequence designation would be accessed by typing the numerals 1 followed by 5. The small set of numerals required greatly reduces the resources needed to program and interpret voice commands. Letters could also be used in this manner, but they would not necessarily translate well across languages and cultures, thus increasing development, production, and maintenance costs. Voice recognition software could be installed in the remote control handset 40, the controller 20, or some combination of the two.
  • the voice recognition software preferably contains sample voice patterns in at least ten different languages, at the very least for each of the numerals zero through nine.
  • the voice recognition software may contain sample voice patterns for less than or more than ten different languages. More preferred is that the voice recognition software contains at least 100 sample voice patterns for each of the ten different languages for each of the numerals zero through nine, requiring at least 10,000 total sample voice patterns. Even more preferred software recognizes at least 25,000 total sample voice patterns, and still more preferred software recognizes at least 50,000 total sample voice patterns.
  • the voice command does not have to be received by the microphone 290 disposed in the remote control handset 40.
  • the voice command may be received directly by a microphone in the controller 20, or elsewhere.
  • a typical universal remote control handset has electronics that wirelessly couples the remote control handset to a television controller to control the television, video recorder and other devices that are connected to the television set.
  • the remote control handset 40 has similar electronics to a universal remote control handset for the control of the television, video recorder and other devices that are connected to the television set.
  • the remote control handset 40 selects icons 32 by selecting a sequencing designation 34 overlaid on the icon 32 that represents various processes, programs or commands involving elements that are a part of an interactive television system 10. It is further contemplated that the remote control handset 40 will, in cooperation with the controller 20, be used to conduct telephone calls through a conventional telephone, videophone, e-phone or other type of phone.
  • the remote control handset 40 is wirelessly coupled to the controller 20, and thence to a typical household hardwired or cellular telephone connection.
  • Conventional telephone software installed in the controller 20 enables telephone calls to be made between a user and a third party.
  • a user would use the remote control handset 40 to select the sequenced icon 32 that is linked to a telephone trigger by pressing the appropriate number on the numerical keypad 280.
  • the user would then manually depress the call button 270, and enter the telephone numbers of the third party by depressing whatever numbers on the numerical keypad 280 coincide with the telephone number.
  • the user would then manually depress the send button 271.
  • the user would communicate with the third party by speaking into the microphone 290 and receiving information from the third party via the speaker 200.
  • the remote control handset 40 in cooperation with the controller 20, Figure 2 will be used to receive calls.
  • Some of the above steps such as manually depressing the call button 270, and manually depressing the send button 271, could alternatively be accomplished by selecting an appropriate "receive call" sequenced icon 32.
  • the manual operations of keys could be replaced by appropriate verbal instructions.
  • a desired telephone number may be selected from a listing of telephone numbers, by accessing an appropriate sequenced icon 32.
  • the remote control handset 40 can cooperate with the controller 20 to conduct telephone calls over the Internet. This is accomplished through the network interface 65, with the controller 20 running any necessary e-phone software. Appropriate home phone line networking alliance (HPNA) or other electronics is included in, or coupled to, the controller 20 as needed.
  • HPNA home phone line networking alliance
  • access to the software and/or hardware equipment and functions can advantageously be made through sequenced icons 32, with icon selection being made manually or by voice.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computing Systems (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Selective Calling Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne des icônes d'affichage informatique auxquelles sont associées des désignations séquentielles et qui sont placées sur un écran selon un ordre visuellement reconnaissable correspondant à leurs désignations séquentielles respectives. Les désignations séquentielles peuvent être numériques (34), alphabétiques (34), ou présenter un quelconque autre ordre reconnaissable. On peut utiliser les icônes séquentielles de ce type pour lancer une application logicielle ou commander le fonctionnement d'un dispositif périphérique. Selon l'invention, un dispositif de télécommande peut comprendre un microphone (290) et être utilisé comme combiné de téléphone ou de téléphone électronique. On utilise de préférence le microphone avec un logiciel permettant de reconnaître les instructions vocales, et en particulier les intonations vocales des désignations séquentielles associées aux icônes. On peut utiliser un lecteur de dispositif de sécurité pour limiter l'accès aux icônes, le contenu d'une mémoire locale ou éloignée, de sites Web, etc. Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, l'invention concerne une couche d'interface destinée à un logiciel d'applications qui normalise et simplifie l'accès à des fonctionnalités au moyen des icônes séquentielles précitées.
PCT/US2002/000418 2002-01-08 2002-01-08 Icones sequentielles, et systemes et procedes dans lesquels elles sont utilisees WO2003063474A1 (fr)

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EP1783586A1 (fr) * 2004-06-09 2007-05-09 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Dispositif de reproduction multimédia et méthode d'affichage écran de menu
CN100447715C (zh) * 2004-06-18 2008-12-31 索尼计算机娱乐公司 内容再现装置和菜单画面显示方法
EP2587771A1 (fr) * 2011-10-28 2013-05-01 Doro AB Traitement et configuration améliorés d'un terminal de communication mobile
US20130159894A1 (en) * 2011-12-19 2013-06-20 Kt Corporation Method for providing space market widget, market server and user device thereof

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US6202212B1 (en) * 1997-04-01 2001-03-13 Compaq Computer Corporation System for changing modalities
US6351270B1 (en) * 1999-03-01 2002-02-26 Sony Corporation Miniature video in the guide logo
US6359636B1 (en) * 1995-07-17 2002-03-19 Gateway, Inc. Graphical user interface for control of a home entertainment system

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US6359636B1 (en) * 1995-07-17 2002-03-19 Gateway, Inc. Graphical user interface for control of a home entertainment system
US6202212B1 (en) * 1997-04-01 2001-03-13 Compaq Computer Corporation System for changing modalities
US6351270B1 (en) * 1999-03-01 2002-02-26 Sony Corporation Miniature video in the guide logo

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1783586A1 (fr) * 2004-06-09 2007-05-09 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Dispositif de reproduction multimédia et méthode d'affichage écran de menu
EP1783586A4 (fr) * 2004-06-09 2007-08-15 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc Dispositif de reproduction multimédia et méthode d'affichage écran de menu
US7681128B2 (en) 2004-06-09 2010-03-16 Sony Corporation Multimedia player and method of displaying on-screen menu
CN100447715C (zh) * 2004-06-18 2008-12-31 索尼计算机娱乐公司 内容再现装置和菜单画面显示方法
EP2587771A1 (fr) * 2011-10-28 2013-05-01 Doro AB Traitement et configuration améliorés d'un terminal de communication mobile
WO2013060841A1 (fr) * 2011-10-28 2013-05-02 Doro AB Gestion et configuration améliorées d'un terminal de communication mobile
CN104054318A (zh) * 2011-10-28 2014-09-17 多若公司 移动通信终端的改进的操纵和配置
US20130159894A1 (en) * 2011-12-19 2013-06-20 Kt Corporation Method for providing space market widget, market server and user device thereof
US9569058B2 (en) * 2011-12-19 2017-02-14 Kt Corporation Method for providing space market widget, market server and user device thereof

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