WO2003088666A1 - Systeme et procede de partage de reactions de telespectateurs - Google Patents

Systeme et procede de partage de reactions de telespectateurs Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003088666A1
WO2003088666A1 PCT/GB2003/001539 GB0301539W WO03088666A1 WO 2003088666 A1 WO2003088666 A1 WO 2003088666A1 GB 0301539 W GB0301539 W GB 0301539W WO 03088666 A1 WO03088666 A1 WO 03088666A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
viewer
audio
buddy
visual
reaction
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2003/001539
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Toby Moores
Joanne Elizabeth Allen
Mark Anthony Hilton
Stewart Burnett Jones
Benjamin James Last
Original Assignee
Sleepydog Limited
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
Priority claimed from GB0208073A external-priority patent/GB0208073D0/en
Application filed by Sleepydog Limited filed Critical Sleepydog Limited
Priority to AU2003219328A priority Critical patent/AU2003219328A1/en
Publication of WO2003088666A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003088666A1/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
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/475—End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/258—Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
    • H04N21/25866—Management of end-user data
    • H04N21/25875—Management of end-user data involving end-user authentication
    • 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
    • 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
    • H04N21/4314—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 fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
    • 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]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
    • H04N21/8146—Monomedia components thereof involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics
    • H04N21/8153—Monomedia components thereof involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics comprising still images, e.g. texture, background image
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/14—Systems for two-way working
    • H04N7/15—Conference systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H04N7/17309—Transmission or handling of upstream communications
    • H04N7/17318—Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns improvements relating to communications and provides, more specifically, a method of sharing viewer reactions to an audio-visual program being viewed simultaneously by two or more remotely located viewers.
  • Text messaging provided on mobile phones as a short messaging service, allows people to stay in touch whilst on the move and has been enormously successful, with billions of messages being sent around the world every month.
  • E-mail and instant messaging services have proved extremely popular during office hours, when many workers are sat in front of computer screens, although personal communications to friends or family outside of an employer's organisation are not encouraged. However, these communication aids do not tend to be heavily used within the home.
  • the association of computers with working environments is now very strong and many people are loath to spend more time in front of computer screens than they have to.
  • a significant portion of leisure time within the home environment is spent watching television. Accordingly, recent efforts have been made to extend interaction with television beyond passive viewing and it has latterly become a more interactive communications medium, particularly with the advent of digital television. Much of the development in this area has centred on increasing viewer participation with the programmes they are viewing. However, digital televisions have also been recognised as tools for enabling communication between persons who are located remotely from one another in their respective home environments. America Online (AOL) have been the leaders in this field, extending their computer-based proprietary environment services to a digital television service. AOL have attempted to enhance the television viewing experience by providing e-mail and instant messaging services via televisions.
  • Instant messaging in general, is a phenomenon which became popular in the late 1990s; it is a more direct and intimate communications tool than e-mail, providing status information about preferred recipients before any message is sent, and is particularly suitable for textual dialogue or 'chat'.
  • instant messaging provides a common dialogue window to the computer screen of both parties. Messages appear in the common dialogue window, for both parties to see, until the dialogue is terminated, hence removing a plurality of opening and addressing steps.
  • Instant messaging services also allow users to maintain a 'contacts list' of persons with whom they wish to exchange messages and let their status for receiving messages (online/offline) be known to those contacts.
  • Instant messaging services on computers generally work as follows. Each user must download proprietary client software onto their computer which enables the computer to connect to a central proprietary server.
  • the computer may connect to the server either through a direct proprietary connection or via indirect routes such as the Internet.
  • logon and password details When a user wishes to go online to send and receive messages, they must first provide the central server with logon and password details. Once these details have been verified, the central server checks the user's contacts list and determines which contacts are online. The central server can then operate in one of two ways according to whether the messaging system is of the peer-to-peer variety or is fully centralised.
  • the central server introduces clients to one another in the first instance, but thereafter communication between clients is direct.
  • the central server forwards connection information about the user's computer to the clients associated with the online contacts and also passes connection information about the computers being used by the online contacts to the client for the user.
  • the user's client updates the contacts list to indicate which of the contacts is online. Having performed this exchange of information, the server's role in this type of messaging system is complete, bar notifying user clients of any change in a contact's status. All communications between online contacts can proceed directly since each client has the other's connection information.
  • the user In order to send a message, the user refers to his or her contacts list and selects one of the contacts who is online. This causes a dialogue window to open, into which the user can enter a message. When the user clicks to send the message it is sent to their online contact (either directly or via the central server), who is presented with an instance of the same dialogue window. The common dialogue window then allows a 'conversation' to take place, whereby the user and the contact can each see the textual dialogue as it unfolds. When the user logs off from the central server, the server notifies the client of each online contact that the status of the user has changed to offline.
  • AOL AOL television service
  • the AOL television service allows users to access their contacts list and to send and receive messages via either their computer or their television set.
  • instant messaging services do not readily translate to the television environment.
  • tasks performed on a computer are not unduly disturbed by the receipt and sending of messages, whereas in the television environment the user's prime focus will be on whatever television programme they are watching.
  • Reading and composing a text message during a television programme is disruptive and may cause the viewer to miss an important event which takes place within the programme.
  • television screens are viewed from much greater distances than computer screens and so the text displayed on them must be correspondingly larger.
  • the AOL system reduces the television picture to a quarter of the available screen size, in order that text messages may be read, but this makes it difficult to view the television programme.
  • the present invention acknowledges that communications between remote viewers of a television programme can be beneficial, but recognises that the communications which viewers actually want to make during television programmes are likely to be concerned with the content of the programme which is being viewed.
  • server capacity requires the participants to be divided into sub-groups of around fifty viewers and the service is typically only available immediately after transmission of the programme.
  • the allocation to chat rooms is done automatically and so the chance of being able to communicate with friends or family in such forums is remote.
  • instant messaging systems in the television environment which allow 'real' time communication viewers who are between predetermined contacts, are able to facilitate communication between friends and family, but they do not account for the television environment particularly well and are at best cumbersome to use.
  • Steps have been taken to better integrate internet chat rooms into the television viewing experience.
  • US 6,081,830 the automatic linking of a viewer to a program specific computer chat room is described.
  • a computer detects the channel selected on a corresponding tuner and determines the specific program being watched.
  • a unique program identifier code is sent to a central server which then links the computer to the appropriate chat room enabling computer users viewing the same channel to enter the same chat room.
  • the system is slow taking upwards of 30 seconds for a connection to a new chat room to be made.
  • the requirement to use a computer and to compose messages is cumbersome and detracts from the desired instantaneous interaction between viewers.
  • the audio/visual program and reaction information are to be displayed on the same screen, the actual size of the program image is significantly reduced to accommodate the required on-screen chat message viewing and composition facilities, thereby detracting from the viewing experience. It is desired to overcome or substantially reduce some of the abovementioned problems. More specifically, it is desired to provide a method of sharing viewer reactions to an audio-visual program being viewed simultaneously by two or more remotely located viewers, whereby the method is non-obtrusive and promotes social interaction.
  • the present invention resides in the appreciation that, in certain environments, communications between remotely located individuals using display screens are better conveyed by graphical images rather than by text, since a viewer's attention may be primarily directed to an audio-visual program which is being displayed on their display screen and the only communications which the individual wishes to send and receive are ones relating to events occurring within the audio-visual program.
  • a method of sharing viewer reactions to an audio-visual program being viewed simultaneously by two remotely located viewers comprising: displaying the audio-visual program to a first viewer on a display screen; receiving a communication from a second viewer, remotely located from the first viewer, in response to a simultaneously viewed event which has occurred within the audio-visual program; and outputting a first visual icon in conjunction with the audio-visual program in response to the receiving step, the first visual icon appearing on the display screen simultaneously with the audio-visual program and conveying to the first viewer the second viewer's reaction to the event.
  • An image conveying a reaction can appear on the display screen, catch the first viewer's attention and be readily understood without unduly distracting the first viewer from the audio-visual program that they are watching. This is a very important aspect of the present invention, which distinguishes it from conventional instant messaging techniques where the importance of the main audio-visual program over the message itself is often forgotten. Viewing of the audio-visual program by the first viewer will be further less disturbed if the outputting step of the method comprises outputting the first visual icon to a relatively small area of the display screen, allowing most of the audio-visual program to be seen on the display screen by the first viewer.
  • the visual icons may also overlay the audio-visual program when it is output to the display screen, such that there is no reduction in the size of the audio-visual program itself when output to the display screen. Furthermore, by making the icons temporal in nature, or translucent, the disturbance to the audio-visual program can be minimised.
  • the above-described method employs 'visual icons' to convey viewer reactions to events occurring within audio-visual programs.
  • 'visual icon' used here, is taken to include a graphical image, but also extends to a graphical image which additionally incorporates several textual characters helping to uniquely distinguish the image from other similar images. For example, several textual characters may be incorporated into a graphical image in order to display a viewer's nick-name.
  • the reaction itself in the method is conveyed pictorially only, without the use of any text.
  • the received communication may comprise data representing the second viewer's reaction to the event, the data having been selected from a set of predetermined reactions and having non-verbal reaction-representing characteristics, and the method may further comprise converting the non-verbal reaction-representing data into the first visual icon.
  • non-verbal reactions are taken to be those which can be conveyed physically rather than those which are only spoken or only expressed by written description.
  • the method is particularly advantageous when the displaying step comprises displaying the audio-visual program on a television screen.
  • the status of television as one of the world's most powerful mediums of communication, if not the most powerful medium, is well-established. People generally make time for some television viewing during their daily routine. Television's ability to engage significant portions of a nation at any one time, and in some instances a significant portion of the world's population, is unrivalled. A common news and entertainment source lying at the hub of family life, television provides a communal experience both within and outside of the home, which prompts comment and discussion between individuals.
  • the above method enables people who are remotely located from one another to interact with each other in a non-intrusive way through their televisions, with visual icons allowing the reactions of other viewers to be comprehended quickly as opposed to the time which would be taken to read equivalent textual descriptions of the reactions.
  • the invention can be readily used to promote interaction between family members and friends. For example, a grandparent could interact with a distant grandchild by watching a children's programme in this way.
  • the viewing and interaction experience can be extended by displaying one or more viewer icons on the display screen, each viewer icon identifying a viewer who is viewing the audio-visual program simultaneously with the first viewer. For example, a group of friends living in different cities could watch a sporting event together, each friend being represented on the television screen by a visual icon, enabling a viewer to discern which of his or her friends are watching in parallel.
  • the method may further comprise providing details of what one or more viewing companions are viewing and receiving an instruction from the first viewer electing to watch the audio-visual program being viewed by the one or more viewing companions, wherein the displaying step comprises displaying the selected audio-visual program.
  • the first viewer can determine which audio-visual programs his or her viewing companions are watching and then select an audio-visual program to view based on that information.
  • This aspect of the invention provides a fast way of getting the viewer to a shared viewing experience, of his or her choice, than is otherwise possible.
  • the outputting step comprises outputting the first visual icon to the display screen shortly after the event has occurred within the audio-visual program, such that the reaction of the second viewer to the event is received as quickly as possible after the event has occurred, ensuring that the first viewer knows to which event the communication relates.
  • the time taken to process a received communication, and output the corresponding reaction to the display screen is therefore also of obvious importance.
  • the received communication comprises data representing the second viewer's reaction to the event, the data having been selected from a set of predetermined reactions and having non-text representing characteristics, and the method further comprises converting the non-text representing data into the first visual icon; this minimises the size of the communication which is received and the associated processing time.
  • the method may further comprise sending a reply to the communication received from the second viewer, the reply conveying the first viewer's response to the second viewer's communication.
  • the sending step preferably comprises sending data that can be used to generate a second icon which represents the first viewer's response, rather than sending the second icon itself, to optimise data transmission times. It is advantageous if the creating of a communication is kept as simple and easy as possible, so that a viewer need not be unduly distracted from the audio-visual program they are watching.
  • the method may further comprise selecting the reply from a set of predetermined replies, the reply comprising reaction-representing data having a non-composite characteristic and indicating the first viewer's response to the second viewer's communication.
  • the method ensures that the viewer is not unduly perturbed by having instead to compose a reply.
  • the intuitiveness of the method can be increased by presenting a predefined set of different visual icons to the first viewer for selection of the reply, each visual icon representing a different response. Again, the use of visual icons minimises the amount of time that the viewer is distracted from the audio-visual program, enabling them to select their response quickly.
  • the method can be further improved by associating a different predefined reply with a particular key on a remote control keypad and the sending step comprises sending the reply in response to a single key press on the remote control keypad made by the first viewer.
  • Transmission times can be minimised by selecting the reply from a set of predetermined replies, the reply comprising data having non-text representing characteristics and representing the first viewer's response to the second viewer's communication; this minimises the size of the data which is to be communicated and the therefore the time taken to transmit the data.
  • a telecommunications device for sharing viewer reactions to an audio-visual program being viewed simultaneously by remotely located viewers, the telecommunications device comprising: displaying means for displaying the audio- visual program to a first viewer on a local display screen; receiving means for receiving a communication from a second viewer who is remotely located from the first viewer, the communication having been sent in response to an event which occurred within the audio-visual program whilst it was being viewed simultaneously by the viewers; and outputting means for outputting a visual icon to the display screen in conjunction with the audio- visual program, the visual icon appearing on the display screen simultaneously with the audio-visual program and conveying to the first viewer the second viewer's reaction to the event.
  • a communications system for sharing viewer reactions to an audio-visual program being viewed simultaneously by two remotely located viewers, the system comprising: first displaying means for displaying the audio-visual program to a first viewer on a first display screen at a first location; second displaying means for displaying the audio-visual program to a second viewer on a second display screen at a second location remotely located from the first location; transmitting means provided at the second location for transmitting a reaction communication from the second viewer to the first viewer in response to a simultaneously viewed event which has occurred within the simultaneously viewed audio-visual program; receiving means provided at the first location for receiving the reaction communication; and outputting means for outputting a visual icon in conjunction with the audio-visual program in response to receipt of the reaction communication, the visual icon appearing on the first display screen simultaneously with the audio-visual program and conveying to the first viewer the second viewer's reaction to the event.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a communications system for sharing reactions between remotely located viewers of an audio-visual program, for use in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of a set-top box as featured in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a flow diagram showing the processing steps executed by the set-top box of Figure 2 when starting an application which facilitates the sharing of viewer reactions;
  • Figure 4a is a schematic diagram showing a database which is downloaded to the set- top box of Figure 2;
  • Figure 4b is a table showing buddy image data contained within the database of Figure 4a;
  • Figure 5a is a schematic diagram showing the central buddies database of Figure 1, containing buddy state records and buddy lists;
  • Figure 5 b is a table showing a buddy state record of Figure 5 a for a particular viewer
  • Figure 5c is a table showing a buddy list of Figure 5a for the same particular viewer
  • Figure 6 is a flow diagram showing the processing steps carried out by the set-top box of Figure 2 when it receives a buddy state message concerning a change in the state of a buddy;
  • Figure 7 is a table showing the buddy states table of Figure 4a for the buddies of a particular viewer
  • Figure 8a is a schematic front view of a television as featured in Figure 1 when outputting default buddy image data
  • Figure 8b is a schematic front view of a television as featured in Figure 1 when outputting buddy reaction image data;
  • Figure 9 is a flow diagram showing the processing steps executed by the set-top box of Figure 2 when it receives a buddy reaction message indicating a reaction of a buddy to a simultaneously viewed event in the audio-visual program;
  • Figure 10 is a flow diagram showing the processing steps executed by the set-top box of Figure 2 when it sends a buddy reaction message;
  • Figure 1 la is a flow diagram showing the steps executed by the set-top box of Figure 2 when it produces a buddy programs report;
  • Figure l ib is a schematic front view of a television as featured in Figure 1 when outputting a buddy programs report;
  • Figure 12 is a flow diagram showing the processing steps executed by the set-top box of Figure 2 when closing the application which facilitates the sharing of viewer reactions.
  • the communications system 100 facilitates the sharing of viewer reactions to an audiovisual program which is being viewed simultaneously on televisions by 'buddies' (friends/family) who are located remotely from one another; it achieves this by providing each viewer with an on-screen graphical icon whose appearance they can manipulate to express their reactions to events occurring within the audio-visual program.
  • the term 'audio-visual program' is taken to include television programmes as provided by terrestrial or satellite broadcasters and cable network operators, but is also inclusive of locally provided audio-visual content such as that made available from video players.
  • the television programmes may be provided in analogue or digital formats and the invention can also be applied when the audio- visual program is provided from either an analogue video cassette, a digital video disc (DND) or from the hard disk drive of a personal video recorder.
  • the communications system 100 is comprised of a plurality of viewing stations 102 (of which only two are shown in Figure 1), a satellite/terrestrial broadcaster 104 and a cable network operator 106 providing television programmes, a centralised buddies system 108 and a telecommunications network 110.
  • All of the system components connect directly to the telecommunications network 110 except for one of the viewing stations 102, which instead connects to the cable network operator 106 via a two-way fibre-optic cable 112; the connections between the telecommunications network 110 and the other system components are all two-way apart from that to the satellite/terrestrial broadcaster 104 which only permits data to be sent from the telecommunications network 110.
  • the viewing station 102 receiving cable television will be considered to be controlled by a local viewer called Eve, whilst the other viewing station 102 shown in Figure 1 will be considered to be controlled by a local viewer called Bob.
  • Each viewing station 102 is comprised of a television 114 and a set-top box 116, the set-top box 116 being connected to the television 114 and being operable by the local viewer via a remote-control device 118. All communications to and from the viewing stations 102 are routed through their respective set-top boxes 116, including the receipt of audio-visual programs and the receipt and transmission of data relating to the sharing of reactions between buddies.
  • the set-top boxes 116 can receive audio-visual programs in a number of ways.
  • each set-top box 116 is additionally connected to an external antenna 120, enabling terrestrial broadcasts from the satellite/terrestrial broadcaster 104 to be detected.
  • Bob's set-top box 116 is also connected to an external satellite dish 122, through which it receives satellite broadcasts from the satellite/terrestrial broadcaster 104.
  • the external antenna 120 and the satellite dish 122 may each be configured to receive either analogue or digital broadcasts.
  • Eve's set-top box 116 in contrast, receives so-called 'cable television' from the cable network operator 106 via the fibre- optic cable 112.
  • the cable network operator 106 is able to provide television programmes directly, but can also forward broadcasts received from the satellite/terrestrial broadcaster 104.
  • audio-visual programs can also be received from a VCR or a DVD player (not shown) to which the set-top box 116 is connected, neither of which is shown in Figure 1.
  • the set-top boxes 116 can also receive and send other communications via the telecommunications network 110.
  • the telecommunications network 110 encompasses a variety of communications networks such as the public switched telephone network, the Internet and proprietary intranets.
  • all communications concerning the sharing of buddy reactions to events occurring within audio-visual programs are routed through the telecommunications network 110 to the centralised buddies system 108.
  • the centralised buddies system 108 is comprised of a central buddies server 124 and a central buddies database 126. Each registered user is assigned a buddy identification (ID) number which uniquely identifies them to the centralised buddies system 108.
  • a buddy list is stored within the central buddies database 126 for each registered user, along with a buddy state record for that user.
  • the central buddies server 124 maintains the buddy lists and buddy state records and acts as the hub for sharing buddy reactions between viewers, as will be described in due course. Using their buddy LD number, a viewer can identify themselves to the central buddies server 124 from any set-top box 116, such that they are not restricted to using the viewing station 102 in their own home, say, but can also access the communications system 100, for example, from hotels providing viewing stations 102.
  • the set-top box 116 is comprised of software processing and storage modules, some of which are permanent entities within the set-top box 116, others of which are downloaded to the set-top box 116 in the course of implementing the present embodiment, but which are deleted thereafter so as to free-up memory for other processing functions. All inputs to the set-top box 116 pass through an external communications interface 200, apart from signals received from the associated remote control device 118 which are routed through a user input interface 202. Hence, the external communications interface 200 is connectable to an external antenna 120, an external satellite dish 122, a fibre-optic cable 112, a video player (not shown) and the telecommunications network 110.
  • the external communications interface 200 contains a modem device which is not shown in Figure 2.
  • the external communications interface 200 separates out audio-visual data relating to audio-visual programs, provided by the satellite/terrestrial broadcaster 104, the cable network operator 106 or a video player, and sends it to an audio-visual data decoder 204. All other data, such as network communications data, electronic programming guide data (giving scheduling details of audio-visual programs, as can be provided by the satellite/terrestrial broadcaster 104 and the cable network operator 106) and particularly any data relating to buddy reactions, is sent by the external communications interface 200 to a non audio-visual data processing engine 206.
  • the external communications interface 200 also comprises a multiplexer (not shown in Figure 2) to handle the receipt and transmittal of data along fibre-optic cables 112.
  • Signals from a local viewer's remote control device 118 are received at the user input interface 202 and converted into data which is forwarded to the non audio-visual data processing engine 206. If the signal relates to the selection of an audio-visual program (for example, a particular data channel broadcast by the satellite/terrestrial broadcaster 104 or the data channel through which audio-visual programs from video players are received), then the non audio-visual data processing engine 206 forwards the selection to the audio-visual data decoder 204. The audio-visual data decoder 204 then isolates and decodes the appropriate audio-visual data, converting it into separate analogue audio and video streams 208 and 210, respectively, as required by a television 114.
  • an audio-visual program for example, a particular data channel broadcast by the satellite/terrestrial broadcaster 104 or the data channel through which audio-visual programs from video players are received
  • the non audio-visual data processing engine 206 forwards the selection to the audio-visual data decoder 204.
  • the local viewer can request that additional information is provided to their television 114 from their set-top box 116, for example an electronic programming guide or in the case of the present invention buddy image graphics.
  • the non-audio-visual data processing engine 206 obtains the appropriate data (either received from the external communications interface 200 or stored locally within the set-top box 116) and forwards it to a video generator 212 which creates a video stream for the additional information.
  • the output from the video generator 212 is then stored by a video mixer 214 in its video RAM (not shown) and combined with the video stream 210 for the audio-visual program; the output from the video mixer 214 is, in turn, fed to the television 114 along with the audio stream 208 provided by the audio-visual data decoder 204.
  • a buddy client 216 and a local buddy database 218, are incorporated into the set-top box 116 when it is to be used for implementing the present invention.
  • the buddy client 216 resides within the non-audio-visual data processing engine 206, whilst the local buddy database 218 is connected to the engine 206.
  • Figures 3, 4a and 4b are concerned with the starting of an application which permits the sharing of buddy reactions
  • Figures 5 a and 5 b show the data which is stored by the centralised buddies system 108
  • Figures 6 to 11 deal with the processing performed by a set-top box 116 when viewer reactions are being shared
  • Figure 12 details the processing which is performed when the application is closed down.
  • the communications system 100 enables buddies to share their reactions to events in audio-visual programs by providing each buddy with a graphical on-screen representation, or persona, whose appearance the buddy can manipulate by selecting from a predetermined set of buddy reaction image graphics.
  • these graphics can take the form of animations which make a graphical on-screen persona perform actions (such as waving their arms about, jumping up and down, falling asleep) and change the persona's expression to one of happiness, fear, anger, boredom etc.
  • the graphical personas will be taken to be provided by facial icons only, for ease of representation, and the reactions will be limited to those of happiness and sadness, whilst a default expression is also provided for when a reaction is not required.
  • An application starting process 300 as performed by a set-top box 116, will now be described with reference to Figure 3.
  • the process begins when Eve, using her remote control device 118, instructs her set-top box 116 to start the application for sharing buddy reactions.
  • the instruction is received by the non audio-visual data processing engine 206 at step 302, which in turn instructs the external communications interface 200 to request the application software and associated data.
  • the external communications interface 200 of Eve's set-top box 116 connects to a server (not shown in Figure 1) which is hosted by the cable network operator 106 and downloads the application software and a set of buddy image data.
  • the external communications interface 200 may alternatively download the software and buddy image data by tuning into a broadcast from the satellite/terrestrial broadcaster 104 or by connecting to a predetermined Web site via the telecommunications network 110.
  • the same application software and buddy image data is downloaded to every set-top box 116 from which a request is received and results in a buddy client module 216 being incorporated into the non audio-visual data processing engine 206 of the requesting set-top box 116 and the creation of a local buddy database 218 within that set-top box 116.
  • the downloaded local buddy database 218 is shown in Figure 4a and contains a populated buddy images table 400, a buddy states table 402, a local buddy identifier variable 404 and a local program identifier variable 406.
  • An example of the populated buddy images table 400 downloaded to Eve's set-top box 116 is shown in Figure 4b.
  • the table is comprised of three data columns which respectfully contain values of a buddy persona identifier variable 410, a buddy reaction identifier variable 412 and a buddy image data variable 414, the latter containing graphical representations of different buddies with each buddy having a range of facial expressions.
  • the buddy persona identifiers 410 have been assigned different hairstyle parameters (bald, curly, fringe, long, spikey); three different buddy reaction identifiers 412 (default, happy and sad) correspond to each buddy persona identifier 410; and a corresponding graphical representation is provided as the buddy image data 414 (for example, there are three entries for the buddy persona which has long hair - one with a default expression, one with a happy face and one with a sad face).
  • the buddy image data variable 414 contains both default buddy image data and buddy reaction image data.
  • the default buddy image data 414 which corresponds to the default buddy reaction identifier 412, is translucent in each case. Whilst textual identifiers 410 and 412 have been used to aid clarity within the description of the present embodiment, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is preferable to code such identifiers numerically when implementing the embodiment so that they can be efficiently transmitted.
  • the buddy client 216 instructs the external communications interface 200 to connect to the central buddies server 124 (in Eve's case, the external communications interface 200 connects via the cable network operator 106).
  • the local viewer is prompted to identify themselves by means of their buddy identification (ID) number which uniquely identifies them to the centralised buddies system 108.
  • ID buddy identification
  • Eve responds to the prompt by entering a buddy ID number, say '5555', using her remote control device 118.
  • the buddy client 216 forwards this information, together with details of the audio-visual program which the local viewer's television 114 is presently receiving, to the central buddies server 124.
  • the set-top boxes 116 receive electronic programming guides, such that it is possible for the buddy client 216 to determine the specific program that the local viewer is watching (in the first example, the buddy client 216 determines that Eve is watching a television programme 'LiveFootie' on Channel 4).
  • the invention can be implemented by the buddy client 216 noting merely which channel is being received by the viewer's television 114.
  • the central buddies server 124 Upon receiving the information, the central buddies server 124 uses the buddy ID number to look-up the buddy state record and buddy list for that viewer from the central buddies database 126 and to label its connection with that set-top box 116.
  • a limited sample of the data stored within the central buddies database 126 is shown in Figure 5a, comprising four buddy state records 500 and four corresponding buddy lists 502.
  • a buddy state record 500 for Eve is shown in Figure 5b and her buddy list 502 is shown in Figure 5 c.
  • Each buddy state record 500 is comprised of a variable 510 for the buddy ID number, a buddy name variable 512 for storing the name by which the viewer wishes to be known on-screen, their buddy persona identifier 410, a viewing status variable 514 (indicating whether they are connected to the central buddies server 124 or not - i.e. are 'online' or 'offline', respectfully) and a program identifier variable 516 for storing details of the audio-visual program that the viewer is watching.
  • each user When registering to use the centralised buddies system 108, each user is assigned a unique buddy ID number 510 and has to choose the buddy persona identifier 410 by which they wish to be represented on-screen, as well as specifying the buddy name 512 that they wish to use and selecting other registered users for inclusion on their buddy list 502.
  • the details of such a registration system will be well understood to those skilled in the art and so will not be repeated here, but it will be appreciated that in the context of the present examples additional processing can be performed to ensure that within any one buddy list 502 no two buddy ID numbers 510 correspond to the same buddy persona identifier 410.
  • Each buddy list 502 is comprised of the buddy ID numbers 510 for the registered users who have been selected by the viewer as viewing buddies and also includes the viewer's own buddy ID number 510.
  • Eve's buddy list shown in Figure 5c, is comprised of the buddy ID number 510 for herself (5555) and those of her friends Alice (4321), Bob (2244) and Steve (1357).
  • the central buddies server 124 changes the status variable 514 within the user's buddy state record 500 from being 'offline' to 'online', and populates the program identifier variable 516 with details of the audio-visual program being watched. In Eve's case, 'LiveFootie - Channel 4' is written into the program identifier variable 516.
  • the central buddies server 124 After updating the buddy state record 500, the central buddies server 124 goes on to access the buddy list 502 for the newly identified viewer using their buddy ID number 510; it then extracts the buddy ID numbers 510 stored within the buddy list 502 and sends them back to the buddy client 216 within the set-top box 116.
  • the buddy client 216 receives the buddy ID numbers 510 at step 308 in the application starting process 300 and writes them to the buddy states table 402 stored in the local buddy database 218.
  • the buddy client 216 also populates the local buddy identifier variable 404 with the buddy ID number 510 that was entered by the local viewer and populates the local program identifier variable 406 with the details of the audio-visual program which the local viewer is watching. In Eve's case, these variables are populated with the values '5555' and 'LiveFootie - Channel 4', respectively.
  • the application starting process 300 then finishes at step 310 when the buddy client 216 issues a request to the central buddies server 124 to send buddy state messages for the buddies on the buddy list 502 of the identified viewer, so that the viewing circumstances of the other buddies can be made known to the local buddy who has just started the application.
  • the central buddies server 124 accesses the buddy state record 500 for each buddy ID number 510 on the viewer's buddy list 502 and replies by transmitting the record as a buddy state message to the set-top box 116.
  • a buddy state handling process 600 performed by a set-top box 116 on receipt of a buddy state message, will now be described with reference to Figure 6.
  • the message is received by the set-top box 116 through its external communications interface 200 at step 602 and forwarded on to the non audio-visual data processing engine 206.
  • the non audio-visual data processing engine 206 At step 602
  • the buddy client 216 extracts the buddy state record contained within the buddy state message and writes it to the buddy states table 402.
  • the buddy client 216 checks at step 606 whether the extracted program identifier 516 is the same as the local program identifier 406 stored within the local buddy database 218. If the two programs are the same, then at step 608 the buddy client 216 uses the extracted buddy persona identifier 410 to fetch the default buddy image data 414 for that buddy from the buddy states table 402; it then forwards this to the video generator 212 along with the buddy ID number 510. Subsequently, the video mixer 214 outputs a default graphical image to the television 114 for each online buddy who is watching the same audio-visual program as the local viewer.
  • the above processing results in the buddy states table 402 becoming fully populated.
  • An example of Eve's buddy states table 402 when populated is shown in Figure 7.
  • the table shows that when Eve starts the application for sharing buddy reactions, her buddy Steve is watching a recording of the film 'Star Battles' whilst Bob is watching the same program as Eve ('LiveFootie' on Channel 4), but Alice is 'offline' and not connected to the centralised buddies system 108.
  • the images output to Eve's television 114 in conjunction with the television programme 'LiveFootie' are those shown in Figure 8a, namely the default translucent graphical images provided by the default buddy image data 414 for both Bob and Eve.
  • the television screen is divided into square segments and a different segment is assigned by the video mixer 214 to each buddy ID number 510 within the buddy states table 402. It is preferred that the buddy images are output to the screen vertically below one another, in the same order as the buddy ID numbers 510 appear in the buddy states table 402, starting with the segment in the top right hand corner of the television screen.
  • the first and third segments are empty since Steve and Alice are not watching 'LiveFootie'; the second and fourth segments, however, are occupied by the default images for Bob and Eve, respectively, as created from the default buddy image data 414.
  • the translucent nature of the default graphical images means that when no reactions are being conveyed the audio-visual program can be watched without being unduly obscured.
  • the buddy state message transmitted by the central buddies server 124 in response to the request made by Eve's set-top box 116, at step 310 in the application starting process 300, will also have been received by Bob's set-top box 116.
  • Processing of a buddy state message received by a set-top box 116 at any stage after start-up of the application for sharing buddy reactions proceeds according to the buddy state handling process 600 described above with reference to Figure 6. Accordingly, the output to Bob's television 114 will be identical to that shown on Eve's television 114, such that he too will see the icons shown in Figure 8a overlaying the 'LiveFootie' programme. Hence, Eve and Bob each know that the other is also watching the 'LiveFootie' programme.
  • the programme 'LiveFootie' is showing a live football match.
  • Eve supports one of the teams playing whilst Bob supports the other.
  • Bob's team eventually score to take the lead in the match and Bob is jubilant.
  • the remote control device 118 enables the viewer to specify a buddy reaction identifier 412, which the set-top box 116 combines with the local buddy identifier 404 and the local program identifier 406 to form a buddy reaction message.
  • the buddy reaction message sent by Bob contains the parameters 'happy', '2244' and 'LiveFootie: Channel 4', respectively.
  • the buddy reaction message is sent to the central buddies server 124, which subsequently transmits the message to the set-top boxes 116 of those buddies of the message sender who are watching the same program.
  • the set-top box 116 When a buddy reaction message is received by a set-top box 116, the set-top box 116 outputs buddy reaction image data 414 to the television 114 as specified by the message.
  • the buddy reaction image data 414 is output for a short time period only, of say five seconds, before being replaced by the default buddy image data 414 for that buddy.
  • FIG. 9 shows a reaction message handling process 900, as executed by a buddy client 216 for reaction messages which are received from a particular buddy.
  • the buddy reaction message sent by Bob is received at both Eve's and Bob's set-top boxes 116; accordingly, the reaction message handling process 900 is executed by each of their respective set-top boxes 116.
  • a buddy reaction message for a particular buddy ID number 510 is received at step 902.
  • the buddy client 216 extracts only the buddy reaction identifier 412 from the message, the buddy ID number 510 already being known by virtue of the extraction and streaming process described above.
  • the buddy client 216 then refers to the buddy states table 402 at step 906, using the buddy ID number 510 to determine the buddy persona identifier 402 for the message sender.
  • Eve's buddy states table 402 shown in Figure 7, indicates that Bob's persona identifier 402 is 'spikey' i.e. he is represented on screen by the graphical buddy image which has spikey hair. This information will also be available from the buddy states table 402 which is stored in the local buddy database 218 of Bob's set-top box 116.
  • the buddy client 216 uses the buddy persona identifier 402 to fetch the buddy reaction image data 414 specified by the buddy reaction identifier 412 in the buddy reaction message.
  • the buddy reaction image data 414 fetched in response to Bob's buddy reaction message is the spikey hair icon with the happy face.
  • the buddy client 216 then sends the buddy reaction image data 414 retrieved in the previous step, together with the extracted buddy ID number 510, to the video generator 212 at step 910 for output to the television 114, also starting a reaction timer clock (not shown in Figure 2).
  • the video mixer 214 overwrites the default buddy image which it previously stored for that buddy ID number 510 with the newly generated buddy reaction image.
  • it is preferred that the an image with a locally flashing background is produced, such that the non-translucent buddy image readily catches the viewer's eye.
  • the reaction message handling process 900 continues at step 912 with the buddy client 216 fetching the default buddy image data 414 which corresponds to the buddy ID number 510. Finally, when the predetermined time period (of say five seconds) for outputting the buddy reaction image data 414 has expired, the default buddy image data 414 is sent at step 914 to the video generator 212, such that the image on the television 114 portraying the buddy's reaction is replaced by the default image of that buddy. Accordingly, the images seen on the televisions 114 of Bob and Eve are once again those shown in Figure 8a.
  • a process 1000 for sending a buddy reaction message from a set-top box 116 will now be described with respect to Figure 10.
  • the predetermined reactions available to a local viewer are assigned to predesignated 'reaction' buttons on the remote control device 118.
  • the 'happy' reaction is assigned to a red button on the remote control device 118, whilst the 'sad' reaction is assigned to a blue button.
  • the process 1000 for sending a buddy reaction message is initiated at step 1002 when a signal from one of the reaction buttons is received at the user input interface 202; the signal is then converted into a data instruction and forwarded to the buddy client 216.
  • the buddy client 216 recognises the data instruction as a request to send a buddy reaction message which is comprised of a particular buddy reaction identifier 412, the local buddy identifier 404 and the local program identifier 406 and it creates the message at step 1004. Accordingly, a buddy reaction message containing the parameters 'sad', '5555' and 'LiveFootie: Channel 4' is created in response to the input received from Eve's remote control device 118. The buddy client 216 then forwards the buddy reaction message to the external communications interface 200 at step 1006 and it is transmitted to the central buddies server 124.
  • the central buddies server 124 When the central buddies server 124 receives a buddy reaction message, it extracts the local buddy identifier 404 and local program identifier 406 included within the message. Using the local buddy identifier 404 to first access the buddy list 502 for that viewer, it then determines which buddies are watching the same program by referring to the buddy state records 500 for the viewer's buddies. The central buddies server 124 then forwards the buddy reaction message to the set-top boxes 116 of those buddies.
  • Eve's buddy reaction message is sent to her own set-top box 116 and Bob's set-top box 116.
  • the reactions depicted on the televisions 114 in Figure 1 show the images which are produced if Eve sends her reaction before Bob's reaction has expired, such that Bob's happy reaction and Eve's sad reaction are seen on the screen at the same time.
  • Local viewers can, of course, elect to change the program they are watching at any time using their remote control device 118.
  • the buddy client 216 updates the local program identifier variable 406 and then uses this, in conjunction with the local buddy identifier variable 404, to create a buddy update message which it sends to the central buddies server 124.
  • the central buddies server 124 updates the buddy state record 500 for the local buddy identifier 404 accordingly and then sends out a buddy state message for that viewer to the set-top boxes 116 of those buddies on the viewer's buddy list 502 who are 'online'.
  • the buddy state message is then processed by each of the online set-top boxes 116 according to the buddy state handling process 600 shown in Figure 6.
  • Step 606 ensures that for each television 114 only default buddy image data for those buddies who are watching the same program as the local viewer is output to the screen.
  • the present invention also enables a local viewer to check the viewing status of their buddies, such they can see which programs (if any) their buddies are watching and elect to watch the same program as one of their buddies.
  • Eve instructs her set-top box 116 to produce a buddy programs report and elects to stop watching the football match with Bob and to start watching a film with Steve instead.
  • Figure 11 shows a buddy programs report generating process 1100.
  • the process 1100 begins at step 1102 when a viewer requests a buddy programs report by pressing a particular button on their remote control device 118, resulting with a corresponding instruction being received by the buddy client 216.
  • the buddy client 216 then accesses the buddy states table 402 within the local buddy database 218 and extracts the entry (row of data) for each buddy ID number 510 at step 1104.
  • the buddy client 216 checks the program identifier 516 for each entry to see if the program being watched is a pre-recorded one.
  • the program identifier 516 for a prerecorded program additionally contains a time offset indicating at which point within the audio-visual program a buddy state message was created and sent to the central buddies server 124.
  • the offset allows the set-top boxes 116 of other viewing stations 102 to synchronise the playing of their local copy of the recording with that of the other buddy's set-top box 116.
  • the time offset also allows the stage at which the other buddy is viewing the program to be deduced, at step 1106, by the buddy client 216 using standard date and time stamp information generated when the buddy state message was received. It should be noted that a buddy update message is also sent whenever a buddy who is watching a pre-recorded program fast-forwards, pauses or rewinds the audio-visual program, the buddy program identifier 516 within the message containing an appropriately adjusted offset.
  • the buddy client 216 continues the process 1100 for generating the buddy programs report at step 1108 by fetching the default buddy image data 414 for each buddy ID number 510 within the buddy states table 402.
  • the data for a buddy programs report is then sent at step 1110 to the video generator 212, comprising the buddy name 512, the default buddy image data 414 and the program identifier 516 for each buddy ID number 510.
  • An example of the buddy programs report which is output to Eve's television 114 is shown in Figure 1 lb.
  • the entry for Steve indicates that he is watching the film 'Star Battles' and that thirty-five minutes of the film have elapsed so far.
  • Eve decides that her football team are probably going to get soundly beaten by Bob's team and decides that she would rather watch the 'Star Battles' film with Steve.
  • Eve indicates her decision to her set-top box 116 using the remote control device 118, which creates and outputs a buddy update message as described above.
  • Eve's set-top box 116 is additionally connected to a personal video recorder (not shown in Figure 1) and the buddy client 216 instructs the personal video recorder to start playing the recording at the appropriate point within the film, such that Eve begins watching the film in parallel with Steve.
  • the buddy image data 414 representing Eve disappears from Bob's television 114 but now appears on Steve's television, whilst Eve now sees buddy images for herself and Steve on her own television 114.
  • an application closing process 1200 will now be described with respect to Figure 12.
  • the instruction to close the application is received from the local viewer's remote control device 118 by the set-top box 116 at step 1202.
  • the buddy client 216 instructs the video generator 212 and the video mixer 214 to halt all processing and output of buddy image data 414; it then informs the central buddies server 124 at step 1206 that the buddy status 514 for that viewer has changed to offline.
  • the central buddies server 124 issues buddy state messages to the set-top boxes 116 of the viewer's online buddies.
  • the buddy client 216 then disconnects from the central buddies server 124 at step 1208 and proceeds to delete the local buddy database 218 and its contents at step 1210, before finally deleting itself.
  • the embodiment in question is exemplary only, and that variations and modifications, such as those that will occur to those possessed of the appropriate knowledge and skills, may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
  • the central buddies server 124 could be located at the cable network operator 106 or at the satellite/terrestrial broadcaster 104.
  • Another alternative would be to implement the communications system 100 on a proprietary network only.
  • fibre-optic cables permitting data flow in one direction only could be used in place of the two-way fibre- optic cable 112 described previously.
  • the set-top box 116 could then either receive televised content only through the fibre-optic cable connection whilst sending and receiving buddy communications data via a separate telecommunications connection, or receive all data via the fibre-optic cable but send communications data via the separate telecommunications connection.
  • the buddy client 216 and local buddy database 218 could be permanently located within the set-top box 116, such that only updates to the buddy images table 400 need be downloaded to the set-top box 116, along with any changes resulting from an amended buddy list 502. Whilst this would result in the application occupying a greater portion of the memory available to the set- top box 116, it would allow the application to be started more quickly.
  • different data sets could be downloaded to different set-top boxes 116 after a user has logged on to the central buddies server 124, dependent on the buddy persona identifiers 410 chosen by each buddy on the user's buddy list 502.
  • the invention could also be adapted so that users choose their on-screen persona at the time of logging on.
  • the identification procedure could also be modified by having the central buddies server 124 'push' buddy state messages to the set-top boxes 116 of fellow buddies further to a buddy going 'online', such that step 310 in the application starting process 300 could be omitted.
  • the role of the central buddies server 124 could also be modified such that it acts merely as an introductions agent for the set-top boxes 116 of different buddies, with communications thereafter taking place directly in peer- to-peer fashion.
  • the display of the buddy image data 414 is one area where many variations are possible.
  • the translucency of the default buddy images is preferable but not essential, as is the flashing background intended to catch the attention of the viewer.
  • a more simple implementation would be to employ the same icon for each buddy, but to distinguish the icons on screen by outputting the buddy name in conjunction with each icon.
  • reactions to events would still be selected rather than composed and still be conveyed in a non-verbal manner - it would simply be the identification of the buddy which would have a textual element.
  • the icons could be arranged on screen - for example the buddy icons could be output in alphabetical order by name or in the order in which the buddies logged on to the central buddies server 124.
  • the icons also need not overlay the audio-visual program, but could instead be output to a separate vertical or horizontal strip alongside the audio-visual program, with the audio-visual program being slightly reduced in size to occupy the remaining area available on screen.
  • buddies watching the same audio-visual program need not be represented on screen at all times, rather only when a reaction for that buddy is required. In this case, further processing could be employed to maintain a local buddy segment record, whereby new buddy reactions would be output to the next available segment on screen unless a buddy reaction for that buddy was already being output to a screen segment, in which case the icon expression's within that segment would merely be updated.
  • a buddy reaction to an event may be cut short if a new buddy starts watching the same program, since the screen is redrawn with default buddy images every time a buddy state message is received.
  • Increased processing power would, of course, allow any existing buddy reactions to be retained whilst default image data was output only for the new buddy.
  • the present embodiment could be adapted to be responsive to a viewer sending buddy reaction messages in quick succession, such that the output of an existing reaction can be cut-short and overwritten with the new reaction.
  • reactions could also be modified, for example by presenting the viewer with a pop-up list of reactions for their on-screen buddy persona which they are able to select from using their remote control device 118. Additional processing to account for channel hopping would also be possible, such that a viewer would have to remain on a particular channel for a predetermined time period (of say ten seconds) before their buddy icon would appear on the screen of other viewers watching that channel. Various improvements regarding security are also possible and will be well understood by those skilled in the art.

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Abstract

La présente invention a trait à un procédé de partage de réactions de téléspectateurs à un programme audiovisuel regardé simultanément par deux téléspectateurs situés à distance. Le procédé comprend : l'affichage du programme audiovisuel à un premier téléspectateur sur un écran d'affichage ; la réception d'une communication en provenance du deuxième téléspectateur, situé à distance du premier téléspectateur, suite à un événement visualisé simultanément qui est survenu dans le programme audiovisuel ; et l'émission en sortie d'une icône visuelle conjointement avec le programme audiovisuel suite à l'étape de réception, la première icône visuelle apparaissant sur l'écran d'affichage simultanément avec le programme audiovisuel et transmettant au premier téléspectateur la réaction du deuxième téléspectateur à l'événement. Le procédé présente une application particulière dans l'environnement télévisuel où les communications ont lieu entre des téléspectateurs situés à distance regardant le même programme de télévision.
PCT/GB2003/001539 2002-04-08 2003-04-08 Systeme et procede de partage de reactions de telespectateurs WO2003088666A1 (fr)

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