WO2006109111A2 - Systems and methods for sharing content - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for downloading to a receiving device, content such as photographs. The content is provided by authorized participants among select viewers by pre-authorizing certain participants to allow for automatically downloading the content from an associated server to the receiving device. The system and method provides for ad hoc authorization of other participants, and for the capturing and forwarding of subsequent content to the receiving device. The system and method also provide for inserting content into specific locations of a video stream so that the content appears to a viewer as if it is part of the video stream. In addition, the system and method provide for the automatic taking and routing of content.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SHARING CONTENT RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 60/568,709 which was filed on May 6, 2004, Serial Number 60/579,740 which was filed on June 15, 2004, Serial Number 60/625,538 which was filed on November 5, 2004 and Serial Number 60/648,001 which was filed on January 28, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to digital file sharing and, more particularly, to a system and method for sharing content such as, digital photographs, movies, sound, etc., which have been obtained by authorized participants among select viewers. The invention also relates to a system and method for inserting content into specific locations of a video stream so that the content will appear to a viewer as if the content is part of the video stream. The invention also relates to the automatic capturing and routing of content, such as pictures, etc. to users.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0003] Communication infrastructures suitable for users in a wireless context (in particular, though not exclusively, cellular radio infrastructures) have now become widely adopted. Whilst the primary driver has been mobile telephony, the desire to implement mobile data-based services over these infrastructures has led to the rapid development of data-capable bearer services across such Infrastructures. This has opened up the possibility of many Internet-based services being available to mobile phone users.

[0004] In addition, the rapid and wide acceptance of digital photography and the apparent ubiquitous nature of so-called camera phones has resulted in an ever increasing amount of digital pictures. These pictures, in turn, require storing and sharing solutions so that the pictures can be saved and also shared, i.e., viewed by multiple persons. This typically requires a user of the camera-phone to transmit the picture to the intended recipients by inputting the corresponding email addresses of the intended recipients into the user's camera-phone and causing the transmission of the pictures to the recipients' email addresses. This is not only a tedious task but also results in a mobile communication provider cost to the user. For example, U.S. Patent No. 6,832,102 (" I'Anson") discloses a system where a mobile entity incorporates camera functionality, such as via the integration of a digital camera In a cell phone or by operatively connecting a digital camera and cell phone. Typically, if the user, having taken a picture, wishes to immediately share it with a friend by sending it over a communications network using a data- capable bearer service, the user will be faced with an inconvenience due to the time needed to implement the transmission of the image data. Furthermore, a user will generally want to send one or more pictures to more than one friend. As a result, the implementation as well as the cost associated with transmitting digital pictures can become a substantial deterrent to such activities . [0005] On the other hand, mobile service providers want to encourage the sending of digital pictures and short moving pictures (of the type capable of capture by camera-phones) over the mobile communication network because that increases revenue for this fee-based service. Accordingly, a need exists to simplify the way content, such as camera-phone pictures, can be shared with multiple recipients. A need also exists for entertaining uses of digital pictures to encourage the sharing of such pictures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention relates to a system and method for sharing content, such as pictures and/or sound, which have been obtained by authorized participants among select viewers. The invention also relates to a system and method for inserting content into specific locations of a video stream so that the content will appear to a viewer as if the content is part of the video stream. In accordance with the invention, the interaction between camera-equipped mobile phones, the Internet, and one or more media receiving devices for displaying images on one or more monitors or televisions is presented. The media receiving device displays images that are provided by authorized image or content providers. Preferably, the digital images are obtained from mobile camera phones and/or from any other source, such as a computer containing pre-stored digital images_,. [0007] In one embodiment, the media device receiving device can be used in the context of a party or social gathering or other event and mobile phone numbers of guests are registered with an associated website. The media device will be used to display content to an audience viewing a monitor and will have internet access to the associated website having one or more servers for accepting from the website, content that is sent to the website from the phones of "authorized" guests. The content can also be provided from the computers of authorized guests so as to upload to the website preexisting content from the computers. Thus, for example, content providers can upload content to the web server, which will forward the content automatically to intended recipients if the content providers have been pre- authorized. In the event a content provider has not been pre-authorized, an option will allow the intended recipient to authorize the provider, such as by selecting a function on the media receiving device in response to a notification that content from an unauthorized provider is available for download. [0008] In another embodiment of the invention, the device is incorporated into a television set-top box and the content service of the present invention is provided by a cable or satellite television content distributor interfaced with or otherwise connected to a server having the content. As a result, content can be transmitted to the server using intended recipient address codes and the content can then be transmitted from the server using the address codes, such as specific email addresses associated with desired content recipients, to direct the content from the server to the desired recipients via the cable or satellite infrastructure. Thus, content can be sent to a first designated email address for viewing by a first intended recipient on the recipient's TV upon selecting a corresponding channel on the box, and content can be sent to a second designated email address for viewing by a second intended recipient on that second recipient's TV. In this manner, a one-to-one correspondence between each email address and each cable or satellite customer account is provided such that only the particular set- top box(es) associated with an account (e.g., all of the set-top boxes in a customer's home) will receive the content emailed to the corresponding email address and can be viewed by selecting the appropriate set-top box channel .

[0009] In other contemplated embodiments, the set-top box includes printer functionality and hardware to allow a viewer to print selected content by accessing a function key on the set-top box or, more preferably, via a set-top box remote control. This is accomplished by either incorporating a photo printer into the set-top box to yield a combined set-top box printer device, or by incorporating a USB port to the set-top box for allowing connection of a printer thereto. As a result, when a picture of interest to the viewer is presented on the monitor or TV and the printer function is accessed, the set-top box will cause the selected content to print .

[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, the set-top box is provided with a card reader for uploading content to a server via the Internet. As a result, a user is provided with the ability to upload content, such as pictures and/or sound, taken by his camera to a picture service website. Upon uploading the content, it can then be forwarded to the user's (or other user's) televisions. [0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, the presence of a user that is a guest at a hotel or on a cruise ship can be detected at various locations on the cruise ship or in a nearby or surrounding geographic area, such as in a theme park. When pictures are taken during the theme park visit, for example, the pictures can be automatically uploaded via a local server for display on the guest's hotel room TV. While the user tours the park and takes photos, the theme park personnel and or automated cameras can also take additional pictures of the user. When the user gets back to the hotel room or ship cabin the pictures that were taken are transferred to the server and can be then be viewed on the room TV.

[0012] In still another embodiment, the present invention is used in conjunction with a set-top box or device receiving a television video stream containing television programs and advertisements for products . In accordance with this embodiment, the invention will obtain identification coding associated with the advertisement or program and will use that coding to strip out sections of the advertisement or coding and replace the stripped out sections with personal photographs or other content that have been sent to the user's set-top box. In this manner, a user watching a particular advertisement that is designed to allow so- called "Content Insertion" or "Picture Insertion" will view an advertisement that contains a personal picture of the viewer or other picture associate with or recognized by the viewer.

[0013] The present invention provides unique revenue generating opportunities for mobile phone service providers who presently charge a fee for a fixed amount of picture data that can be transmitted through the mobile phone system. The present invention lends itself to a mobile communication pricing scheme where a fixed fee may be charged for a "session" (e.g. for a four-hour event) during which registered participants can transmit a fixed or unlimited number of pictures to the device or for a basic service of receiving content from the server website to the media device with or without cable or satellite TV connection (e.g., a subscription fee) that may or may not be related to the amount of content downloaded to the media receiving device. Moreover, when content providers such as cable and satellite providers are employed to deliver the picture content, revenue can be generated by charging customers a fee for viewing the requested content.

[0014] In addition, Content Insertion is most appropriately implemented in an integrated digital cable or satellite box or into the TV itself. Content Insertion offers a significantly new and valuable way to excite both viewers and presenters of video material via the use of digital photos in widely familiar and personalized programming environments.

[0015] Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims . It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The foregoing and other advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention given below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 is an exemplary illustration of a device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the interface of the device of FIG. 1 with a system for sharing digital photographs in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the interface of the device of FIG. 1 with a system for sharing digital photographs in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the interface of the device of FIG. 1 with a system for sharing digital photographs in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the interface of the device of FIG. 1 with a system for sharing digital photographs in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 6 is an exemplary schematic block diagram illustrating a system of the present invention; [0023] FIGs. 7a and 7b are exemplary schematic block diagram of configurations for "stripping" content into media being presented to users;

[0024] FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a picture receiving device incorporated into a set-top box in accordance with the present invention; and

[0025] FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a system for sharing digital photographs in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS [0026] The present invention relates to systems , devices and methods for allowing the sharing of digital photographs which have been obtained by authorized participants among select viewers . The invention also relates to a system and method for inserting pictures into specific locations of a video stream so that the pictures will appear to a viewer as if the pictures are part of the video stream .

[0027] FIG . 1 is an illustration of a digital picture receiving device 10 in accordance with the invention . The interaction between camera-equipped mobile phones , the Internet , and one or more media interaction devices ( the "device" ) for displaying images on one or more monitors or televisions is provided via a communication port 20 . Although an integral display 12 is shown in FIG . 1 , the device 10 can include a wired or wireless audio/video output port , as is known in the art , for interfacing the device with the external display monitor 12 , such as a computer monitor or TV as shown in FIG . 2 . Here, the device 10 displays images that are provided by authorized image or content providers. Preferably, the digital images are obtained from mobile camera phones and/or from any other source, such as a computer. As used herein, ^""content" may include digital still pictures and digital moving pictures, such as a moving picture of a few seconds of duration as captured by a camera phone, and sound or flash files and/or video. [0028] The embodiments below are described in the context of pictures. However, it is not the intention to limit the present invention to pictures. It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would appreciate that information other than pictures would be within the scope of the disclosed embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the interface of the device of FIG. 1 with a system for sharing digital photographs in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. With particular reference to FIG. 2, the device 10 is located at a site of an event, such as a party or social gathering, and interfaces the Internet with a display 12 that is integral with the device, or that is connected to the device via the communication port 20 (see Fig. 1) . The device 10 accesses an associated website server e.g., an "event website server" through the Internet. The website server is temporarily configured for a set period of time to receive content such as camera-phone images from content providers during the duration of an event. The device 10 periodically polls the event website server at a predetermined adjustable time interval, such as every 5 minutes, etc., or continuously polls the event website server for stored images for display on one or more displays 12, such as TVs in communication with the device 10.

[0030] In the context of a party or social gathering, mobile phone numbers and/or email addresses of guests are registered with the associated event website server. This can occur in several ways. In one embodiment, each guest enters his/her phone number on a keypad 30 on the device while the guest is at the party venue and has access to the keypad. This can also be done by the party host prior to or during the party. To provide for security against unauthorized participants, a pass code may be used to unlock the keypad, for example in order to input the guest phone numbers. In accordance with the present invention, the device 10 conveys the phone numbers and email addresses to the party website server to designate the guests as "authorized" participants and then forwards to the device from the party website server, content that is sent to the website server from each phone or computer of the authorized guests. In the event content from unauthorized providers is received at the website server, the server will send a message to the device advising the device user of the availability of such "unauthorized" content. The device user can then approve the content for download (such as by accessing an appropriate button, etc.), whereupon future content from that previously- unauthorized provider will now be automatically downloaded to the device. [0031] In an alternative embodiment, the phone numbers and/or email addresses of the guests are registered by either the party host or the individual guests accessing the designated party website server via a computer or phone to input the phone numbers and email addxesses of participants who are authorized to access the party server, as opposed to registering. In this case, once the phone numbers and/or email addresses of the participants are known, an identifier of the sender can be shown on the display 12 along with the content to identify the content's creator.

[0032] In yet another embodiment, content contributors (e.g., guests) are provided with authorization to contribute content for display through the device 10 by assigning a password for a particular event that must be used in order to allow content to be accepted from a contributor. For example, and in accordance with the present embodiment, pictures will be sent to the event website server via e-mail. By embedding a password within the "To" part in the users' phones of the e-mail address, the event website server will be able to recognize the event to which the received picture is directed. For example, if a picture is to be uploaded for "event A", a password (e.g., xyzl23) would be used, so that the email address used to upload each picture may be xyzl23eventA@yyyy.com. [0033] The event website server accepts digital photographs and may also accept sound bites accompanying the photographs from mobile phone cameras 20 of those guests during the event, once a guest is registered. The data (pictures and/or sound) is transmitted from guests' phones 20 for storage at the website server as pictures, with or without sound. The party website server, thus, receives digital photographs and sound data from party guests as captured by the mobile phone cameras 20 of the party guests, and the picture receiving device 10 periodically or continuously polls the event website server for content for display to the party guests on the TV display 12. In accordance with the contemplated embodiments, all content contained at the event website server at the expiration of the time period during which the event occurs may be transferred to recordable mediums (e.g., CD's, etc.) in any method known in the art and offered to party guests, or content contributors and/or interested parties.

[0034] As will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, once a guest or user is registered to the event website server, i.e., is "authorized", that person may also send content from other devices which are identified as being associated with the authorized person, such as a PC containing pre-stored pictures. Here, the PC pictures could be sent to the device at any time, such as before, during or after an event. In this manner, it is contemplated for example in the case of an anniversary party, that preexisting images of the anniversary couple can be displayed by the device during the party or at a later time.

[0035] With additional reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the device 10 of the present invention includes several data handling features that can be implemented upon accessing designated push buttons 40. In one contemplated embodiment, the device includes a feature that permits a user to delete a particular picture that is displayed on the TV. That particular picture will then be deleted from the website server during the next poll operation or designated as a "do not show" image without causing its deletion. In alternative embodiments, the device also includes a "preview feature", including the display 12 and/or an output port 50 for providing that display of each picture prior to it being output to the TV. This causes a delay between the display of the picture on the dedicated display screen 12 or other display interfaced with port 50 and the display of the picture on the TV. However, the device operator is permitted to mask, block or delete a particular picture by selecting the appropriate push button 40 prior to the picture being displayed on the TV.

[0036] In another example of a mode of use, parents using the device can receive content from their children that is sent via the Internet and downloaded to the device from the associated server. By pre-authorizing camera-phones of the children, for example, the children can then send, the content captured from their phones to the device using an address associated with the device. The associated server will only transmit the received content to the device at the parents' home. Thus, the content can remain private between the parents and children or, more generally, between the originator of the content and the intended recipient (s) .

[0037] In further embodiments, stock photos or borders for photos are stored in memory within the device. The photos or borders can be selected by the user for resizing based on an additional sizing feature to thereby uniformly display the pictures on the TV. Other features may include the ability to display the photos with or without borders, in a scrolling, tiling or slide show manner. Thus, the pictures, select borders for the pictures, select captions and/or sound bites, will be interleaved with pre-stored content such as the stock or pre-existing photographs with newly captured images, or designate preexisting images such as titles and/or captions to be displayed at the beginning, end, or during the event.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the interface of the device of FIG. 1 with a system for sharing digital photographs in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Here, the ability is provided to upload pictures to the website server 40 from two or more groups of phones which are remotely located with respect to each other, and to also allow two or more remotely located devices 10 to display the pictures. For this purpose, each device 10 is provided with a switching feature 60 (see FIG. 1) that permits the device 10 to display pictures supplied by a first group of users when a first switch position A is selected, and to display pictures supplied by a second group of users when a second switch position B is selected. In accordance with the present embodiment, the picture groups are designated by an indicator code or other identifier uploaded to the website server 40 with each received picture. Alternatively, different websites with corresponding addresses are established for receiving each group's pictures. Here, the switch 60 also includes a "blend" or "random" position which randomly combines or otherwise alternates the content from separate picture groups or from the separate websites .

[0039] For example, in the case of two simultaneously-occurring events having different venues, guests in a first group at a first event ("event A") register their phones 20 for event A using any of the disclosed techniques, e.g., using a keypad 30 on a device 10 ("device A") located at the site of event A, accessing the website server, etc. Guests in a second group at a second event ("event B") register their phones 20 for event B, such as via a second device ("device B") located at the site of event B. During the time period of the simultaneously-occurring events, content (e.g., digital pictures and sound) is provided to the website 40 from the first and second groups of phones. In accordance with the present embodiment, the devices are programmed to display the pictures taken of both events, along with optional captions that identify each event. Alternatively, device A may be selected to only display pictures provided to the website sever 40 from the second group of guests, and device B may be selected to display pictures supplied to the website 40 from the first group of guests. Either way, guests at event A will be able to observe pictures taken at event B and vice versa.

[0040] In an alternative embodiment, two or more groups of users, e.g. Group A at a first location and Group B at a second location, contribute content in the form of mobile phone camera-obtained photographs to the website server 40. As a result, the content at the website server 40 can be displayed on one or more accessing devices such that Group A and Group B users will view the same digital photographs as displayed on the one or more devices. Thus, attendees at event A and attendees at event B will be able to view the pictures supplied by Group A and by Group B users.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the interface of the device of FIG. 1 with a system for sharing digital photographs in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Here, a second device (device B) is used to display content from the website server 40 without the need for a second event (event B) or a second group of registered guests. Thus, device B may be situated at a location remote from the site of event A and, via access to the website 40, will display images of event A as supplied by registered guests of event A, on a display, such as a TV, coupled to device B. As a result, people who are not present at event A are permitted to view pictures of event A in substantially real time, i.e. during the occurrence of event A.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the interface of the device of FIG. 1 with a system for sharing digital photographs in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. As an alternative, or in addition to the device 10 providing a connection to the Internet via communication port 20 to receive content from registered guests, the contemplated embodiments of the device may also include a mobile phone receiver ^'630 for connecting to a mobile phone wireless network 520 having access to a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) gateway 510 for receiving content from the Internet via the mobile phone network 520. Here, the device 10 is assigned a mobile phone address (e.g., phone number) that can be accessed by registered guests to transmit camera phone photographs to the device through the mobile network.

[0043] Preferably, the device connection will provide for parallel channels so that multiple participants can simultaneously upload pictures. In this manner, the device provides a connection to display 12, such as the TV, while the content transmitted to the device for display is received directly through the mobile phone network 520 and stored in memory in the device. Here, the memory is accessed in a manner which is known, e.g., random, by receipt time stamp, by a hierarchy of sender, or by category, such as a picture which is designated by the sender as humorous, sentimental, etc.

[0044] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a system for implementation of another aspect of the invention. For illustrative purposes, the invention is shown with the present intention of being marketed under the name In The Picture™. With reference to FIG. 6, a user's cell phone 20 transmits content, such as a picture, taken by the phone through the Internet 30 to one or more In The Picture website servers 40. In accordance with the disclosed embodiments, the transmission can also occur via a mobile telecommunications network 70. Pre-existing content may also be sent via a computer 24 through the Internet 30 to the In The Picture servers 40. The pictures are then transmitted by the In The Picture servers 40 via, for example, the Internet 30, to a designated device 50 interfaced with a monitor or TV 52 for displaying the pictures on the monitor. Alternatively, a computer 54 having appropriate viewer software and an Internet connection receives and displays the pictures transmitted by the servers 40. [0045] As shown in FIG. 6, the device 50 can be incorporated into a television set-top box 60 and the picture service of the present invention is provided by a cable or satellite television content distributor 62. As a result, digital pictures can be transmitted to the In The Picture servers 40 using address codes, such as specific email addresses associated with desired content recipients, to direct the pictures to the desired recipients through the In The Picture servers 40. In other words, a first picture can be sent to a first designated email address for viewing by a first intended recipient, and a second picture can be sent to a second designated email address for viewing by a second intended recipient. In this manner, a one-to-one correspondence between each email address and each cable or satellite customer account is provided such that only the particular set-top box(es) 60 associated with an account (e.g., all of the set-top-boxes in a customer's home) will receive the pictures emailed to the corresponding email address.

[0046] In accordance with the invention, the first and second pictures can be sent from the same phone or computer, or from different phones or^' computers. For example, pictures from cell phones 20 and/or computers 24 are communicated to the In The Picture servers 40 via the Internet 30 or via any other communication link for routing to content distributor customers, i.e. cable or satellite television customers. In this case, if a customer desires to view picture content received by the In The Picture servers 40, the customer will need to register with his cable company or satellite provider for that service. In accordance with the contemplated embodiments, the service will require payment of a subscription fee, preferably a monthly fee, which will allow the customer to view the picture content by tuning the set-top box 60 to a designated channel. Once the registration process is complete, the pictures and related content intended for access by a particular customer will be transmitted via, for example, cable television lines or satellite transmission — depending on the television content service of the customer -- for receipt by the particular customer's set-top box 60. In this manner, the customer is permitted to view a somewhat regularly-updated slide show of pictures sent to the In The Picture servers 40 at a specific address. [0047] In one embodiment, the In The Picture servers 40 provide a feature that permits users to establish mail groups such that content, e.g., pictures and/or sound, will be directed to the set-top boxes 60 of the members of a mail group for viewing by those members merely by the sender selecting the group, such as at the time the picture is forwarded to the server 40. As a result, the user is permitted to send a single email which will forward the picture to the server 40, whereupon the server will then forward that picture according to the specified group (s) .

[0048] As an example of a mode of use, of the system of FIG. 6, parents can be registered for the In The Picture™ service. The parents' children can then send, to the In The Picture servers 40, content from different sources (e.g. from different mobile phones, etc.) using an In The Picture email address which corresponds to the parents' In The Picture account. The servers will, in turn, only transmit the received picture content to the set-top boxes at the parents' home, but not to any other set-top box. Thus, the content remains private between the parents and children or, more generally, between the originator of the content and the intended recipient (s) . The content can be viewed by tuning any one of the set- top boxes 60 in the parents' home to the designated channel. To transmit the content to a second, or to multiple, locations, the content will be sent using multiple email addresses, such as a first email address designating a first intended recipient, and a second email address designating a second intended recipient. The two email addresses will then cause the In The Picture servers 40 to transmit the content to the multiple customers corresponding to the email addresses. [0049] In other contemplated embodiments, the set-top box includes printer functionality and hardware to allow a viewer to print a selected content by accessing a function key on the set-top box 60 or, more preferably, via a set-top box remote control 80. This is accomplished by either incorporating a photo printer into the set-top box to yield a combined set-top box- printer device, or by incorporating a USB port to the set-top box for allowing connection of a printer 90 thereto. As a result, when content of interest to the viewer is presented on the monitor or TV and the printer function is accessed, the set-top box will print out the selected content. This printing feature can be enhanced by providing a higher resolution and re-sized picture for printing, as compared to the resolution and size of the picture used for display on the monitor or TV. For example, it is presently contemplated that when a high resolution picture is uploaded to the In The Picture server 40 (e.g., a picture size of 1600 x 1200 Pix at 3MB), the In The Picture server 40, via known software- based manipulation techniques, will generate a "display" version via compression and downsizing of the picture, and then transmit the "display" version to the set-top box for display on the monitor. This "display" version may be resized to 640 x 480 resolution and reduced in size to 50 to 60KB (which is satisfactory for display purposes), as compared to the original, uploaded version. Therefore, the transmission of the "display" version will use significantly less bandwidth for transmission to the set-top box 60 as compared to the unaltered original (3MB) picture. If a printout of the picture is desired, however, the "display" version may not be desirable for this purpose. Therefore, the original or "print" version of the picture which has been stored on the In The Picture server 40 for generating the "display" version, will be requested by the set-top box 60 from the In The Picture server 40 upon user command, whereupon the "print" version will be downloaded to the set-top box 60 and printed. [0050] Other printing options will be readily known to those having ordinary skill in the art. For example, at any time before, during or after the display of pictures on the monitor from the In The Picture server 40, a viewer can request the display of a "proof" sheet which will display thumbnail-sized versions of all pictures, or of certain pictures, present on the In The Picture servers 40 which are intended for the user/viewer. From this "proof" sheet, the viewer can select certain ones of the pictures for printing, either immediately or at a later time, by using remote-control cursor keys or the like. This functionality alleviates the need for a user to access the print key for a selected picture while that picture is presently being displayed on the monitor. For example, after a slide show of content, such as a picture, has been displayed, the user can select a display of the "proof" sheet and then designate which of the pictures from the proof sheet should be printed. The user can also select a time for the printing to commence.

[0051] The In The Picture service provider, in another embodiment, can also offer printing services to users which may be desirable in instances, for example, when a user does not have the printer functionality on the user' s set-top box 60 or when a user desires printing features or a better printing quality than the features and quality available to the user via the set- top box 60 or peripheral printer 90. In this regard, an "order" function can be presented on the remote control 80 which allows a user to place an order for one or more prints of one or more pictures to the In The Picture service provider. The order feature may also allow the user to choose from various picture sizes and other options. It is contemplated that the user will pay a fee for such service and that the requested pictures will be delivered to the user via courier or mail, etc. [0052] In another embodiment, an apparatus and method is used to insert content, such as pictures and/or sound, into pre-designed television programming material sent from the programming source once the content is received locally in the set-top box 60. In particular, the set-top box 60 receives data containing mapping parameters to be used to instruct the set-top box 60 how, when and where to present content within a TV signal presently being viewed. This feature is referred to herein as "Content Insertion" . The mapping parameters are contemplated to be provided by or with cooperation from the content provider, e.g. the television program or advertisement provider. For example, the mapping parameters associated with a particular program or advertisement can be stored on a server and obtained by the set-top box via the Internet or any other known technique to enable use of the Content Insertion feature in subsequent airing of the corresponding program or advertisement. The Content Insertion feature allows for the insertion of private digital content that is "stripped" into the presentation of any media that is being viewed, for example, everything from advertisements to scheduled television programs. As a result, viewers are encouraged to watch applicable programs in order to see their own content. Typically, this content is often new, having been recently received, and the placement can be amusing to a viewer, and even subtle within the TV program. [0053] In the present contemplated embodiment, the content is assembled locally at the home of a viewer. As a result, the content that each viewer sees will be different at each of their locations. This differs from the integration of advertising material at a studio or "head-end" level into pre-existing TV pictures that are then broadcast to viewers . In accordance with the present embodiment, the viewers only see their own content that is added to familiar, professionally produced programming or advertising. The system and method of the present embodiment fundamentally differs from a conventional picture-in-picture ("PIP") feature of a TV set. With PIP, a second television program is shown on a small portion of the screen. This permits a viewer to watch the main program, while monitoring the secondary program on a second channel. However, in accordance with the Content Insertion feature of the present embodiment, content is "mapped" into the main displayed television program or advertisement so that, from the viewer's perspective, the content is contextually part of the main program or advertisement that is being viewed in the viewer's home. In particular, by tuning into a Content Insertion-enabled program or advertisement, a mapping code transmitted during or in advance of the received program or advertisement will provide timing and placement data to identify the exact time and location (i.e. the pixel addresses) for placement of content. This placement can occur within a video stream or at the end of a video stream, such as at the end of a particular advertisement .

[0054] As an example, if a television program displays a bedroom scene depicting a picture frame on a dresser, then with knowledge of the timing of the scene or some other form of identification of the scene when the scene is displayed, and with knowledge of the location of the picture frame within the depicted scene, content received from the In the Picture server 40 can be retrieved from memory, modified to an appropriate size and orientation, if necessary, and "inserted" into the picture frame. Likewise, for an advertisement, for example, which depicts a family eating breakfast around a kitchen table where a cereal box is on top of the table, the system and method of the present embodiment will superimpose a content received from the In the Picture server 40 onto the cover of the cereal box. In order to perform the Content Insertion that appears relatively seamless, the system and method of the present embodiment rotates, skews, and resizes the original personal image so that it fits correctly on the box. This is performed using known image manipulation techniques .

[0055] It should be appreciated that instead of a "personal" photo being used in the insertion feature in each viewer's home, stock photos can be selected based on, for example, demographics or the geography of the users and downloaded from the In the Picture server 40 to select set-top boxes 60. For example, with knowledge of certain demographic information of the In the Picture users, the In the Picture server 40 can retrieve content that is related to, associated with or otherwise appropriate for the users of a demographic group or the users within a geographic area.

[0056] FIG. 7a is an exemplary schematic block diagram of the configuration for substituting or "stripping" content into media being presented to users. As shown in FIG. 7a, the set-top box of the present embodiment also includes a tuner module 710 which receives standard cable TV RF video input . Tuner module 710 converts the incoming RF TV signal into a base-band composite video signal. In the normal (e.g. default) mode of operation of the set-top box 60, the base-band composite signal is supplied directly to the display via switch 730. This switch, for example, is a high rate analog switch that is used to provide mixing of the signal that is output from a video generator engine 750 containing software instructions and related hardware, and the standard cable TV RF video input signal. [0057] The composite signal is also supplied to a sync separator 720, which locks to this incoming video signal, and synchronizes all subsequent circuits to the external cable TV video signal. The sync separator 720 outputs a sync pulse that is supplied to a vertical interval meta-data decoder 740 and the video generator engine 750. The vertical interval meta-data decoder 740 is provided with binary data that is embedded in the vertical interval signal of the TV video signal. The binary data references the previously-downloaded template for indicating the exact time and place that content retrieved from memory 760 is to be inserted into the RF TV signal.

[0058] In the preferred embodiment, a video codec 780 is inserted between the incoming program source and the display 12. Here, the "stripping" is performed in the digital domain via software instructions under control of a computer 770, such as a microprocessor, as shown in FIG. 7b.

[0059] In accordance with the presently preferred embodiment, prior to airing a video program, such as an advertisement, the set-top box 60 automatically downloads from the Internet an insertion template associated with an ad or program, and the template is then stored in the video generator engine 750. The insertion template includes, for example, the content (sound, picture, video) , complex timing, scaling, translating and other image manipulation information, as well as complex compositing window shape changes of the corresponding ad or program. The code that is embedded in the actual video vertical interval identifies the advertisement as a Picture Insert candidate as it is received by the set-top box. Thus, when the set-top- box is selected to a particular channel that is airing an advertisement having a corresponding downloaded template, the advertisement will be identified and a picture then selected for insertion at the appropriate time and position based on the template data. [0060] In accordance with the present contemplated embodiment, the video generator engine 750 drives the analog switch, which selects between the base-band composite signal source and a locally generated picture image on a line-by-line, pixel-by-pixel basis, in order to "composite" the two images together.

[0061] FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of the set-top box 60 of FIG. 6. The set-top box includes a Flash RAM 812 and CPU 810 (ROM) for storing content that is uploaded to the set-top box 60. An IR receiver is included to permit remote operation of the set-top box 60 via a hand held remote control unit 80 (see FIG. 6) . Buttons 816 are located on the exterior of the box and activate switches that permit a user to operate the set- top box 60 to perform desired functions in accordance with the disclosed embodiments of the present invention. As certain functions are performed, for example, uploading content to the set-top box, the LEDs 818 provide the status and configuration of the set-top box. A power supply 848 is also included to provide regulated voltages to power the various chips sets of the set-top box 60 in an manner which is known. A system bus 820 is also provided to permit communication between the various components of the set-top box 60.

[0062] In accordance with the contemplated embodiments of the invention, the set-top box is able to connect to the Internet using a conventional Ethernet chip set 830 via connector 740 that is located at the rear of the set-top box 60, a modem module 835 via connector 837 to a phone line or a 802.11 wireless interface 860.

[0063] NTSC/PAL chip set 842 is used to generate a composite video signal based on images stored in Flash RAM 812. An RF modulator 850 is provided for receiving the composite video signal from the NTSC/PAL chip set 842. This composite signal is combined in RF modulator 850 with the standard "N" video-RF output that is provided at connector 852. The processor creates digital audio that is stored in the Flash RAM 812 and outputs it to a Digital-to-Analog converter (DAC) 845. [0064] In contemplated embodiments of the present invention, the Content Insertion feature is most fully implemented via integration within the television set- top box 60 or digital cable box. As a result, any television program or advertisement compatible with the Content Insertion feature will be identified digitally for example, in a manner described above. Hence, when the viewer tunes to each TV channel, and upon engagement of the In The Picture feature the personal or custom photos will appear in pre-designated spots in the advertisements or programming. The Content Insertion feature may be activated or deactivated by the user. In this case, the program or commercial is displayed in a default mode wherein no insertion of content occurs. [0065] Rather than having a set-top box 60 incorporating the hardware and software instructions for performing the receipt, insertion and display of content, into pre-designed television programming material or on a designated channel, a stand-alone unit or device 50 can be employed. In accordance with the present contemplated embodiment, the unit 50 is inserted into a normal cable or satellite television end-user setup that includes a TV 52 and the cable or converter box. In this case, the unit 50 is inserted between the TV 52 and the cable or converter box, and is connected to the Internet as opposed to a cable company. This data stream will provide parameters to "strip in" the content in the appropriate manner. Also, if the data is received via the Internet, the unit 50 of the preferred embodiment must have a way to determine what channel is being viewed. This is accomplished either by "fingerprinting" the TV signal or by some other means. [0066] In an alternative embodiment of the system and method for inserting content into pre-designed television programming material, a hybrid Content Insertion-type presentation is achieved by performing a simple split of the TV screen, for example, in the manner that occurs in familiar TV schedule channels that display video promotional material over a "crawl" of graphical information

[0067] In another embodiment of the present invention, the unit 50 is provided with a card reader for uploading content to the server 40 via the Internet. As a result, a user is provided with the ability to upload content, such as pictures taken by a digital camera, to the server 40. After uploading, the content can be provided to the user's (or other user's) televisions by the unit 50 receiving the content from the server 40. The present embodiment is particularly advantageous when implemented in locations outside of the user's home, such as a hotel room. In a vacation setting, for example, the hotel rooms will include the unit 50 connected to the TV so that the content can be read from the card, transferred to the local server and then to the hotel room TV for viewing. In accordance with the present embodiment, a hotel guest is permitted to order prints of desired content, such as pictures, for subsequent delivery to the guest.

[0068] FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a system for sharing content, such as digital photographs, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Here, the presence of a user that is a guest at the hotel can be detected at various locations throughout a theme park that is visited. With reference to FIG. 9, when pictures are taken during the theme park visit, such as while riding a roller-coaster or while visiting other attractions in the theme park, the pictures can be automatically uploaded via a local server 930 to the server 40 for presentation on the guest's hotel room TV. In accordance with the the present embodiment, while the user tours the park and takes photos, the theme park can also take additional pictures of the user. When the user gets back to the hotel room the pictures that were taken are transferred to the server 40. Upon selecting the pictures for viewing, the user is presented with additional pictures that were taken by the cameras in the theme park. It is also contemplated the park personal can generate conent, such as pictures taken of the guests with cameras, which is also automatically forwared to the server 40 for presentation on the guest's hotel room TV. [0069] To accomplish this, each user is provided with an ID tag 910 that is carried or worn on the ride for detection by the camera and for providing the server with the owner of the picture. This provides the server 40 with the location to which the pictures are to be directed. The ID tag 910 may also be the room key that is presented to each guest that registers in the hotel. In the preferred embodiment, the ID tag 910 uses Radio frequency identification (RFID) to remotely store and retrieve user ID data via RFID tags/transponders. An RFID tag is a small object which can be incorporated in a small object such as a bracelet or pin worn by a user. RFID tags contain antennas to enable them to receive and respond to radio-frequency.

[0070] In a typical hotel TV system, the cable TV network is an analog system. In such systems, all Internet/video processing is performed remotely, for example in a basement room in which the local server 930 is located. Standard RF video is distributed throughout the hotel via cable. A slow serial link, typically, sends commands back from a specific hotel room to the back-end system. In the case where a hotel room includes Internet connectivity, it is performed via a separate system that is not related to the in room cable TV system. The system of the present invention utilizes both the cable TV system and the Internet so as to achieve an optimal integrated system.

[0071] For example, in one embodiment, the hotel guest can put his memory card containing content, such as digital pictures, into the set-top box 60 and it will upload the content to the server 40. The box will then connect to a specific website server that can display, for example, a slide show to the user. In another embodiment, the set-top box 60 uploads the content via the Internet. In this case, however, the slide show is produced by the local server 930 of the hotel . The local server 930 then connects to the Internet in order to generate, for example, a slide show that is presented to the hotel guest.

[0072] In another embodiment, the set-top box reads the card directly. In this the case, the hotel's internal LAN is used to direct the content to the local server 930. Here, the back end or hotel server uploads the content to the server 40 and then connects to the website server to produce the slide show.

[0073] The present invention provides unique revenue generating opportunities for mobile phone service providers who presently charge a fee for a fixed amount of picture data that can be transmitted through the mobile phone system. The present invention lends itself to a mobile communication pricing scheme where a fixed fee may be charged for a "session" (e.g. for a four-hour event) during which registered participants can transmit a fixed or unlimited number of pictures to the device. Alternatively, a fee per participant, or a fee per transmitted picture can be charged. Moreover, when content providers such as cable and satellite providers are employed to deliver the picture content, revenue can be generated by charging customers a fee for viewing the requested content. In addition, picture insertion is most appropriately implemented in an integrated digital cable or satellite box or into the TV itself. Picture insertion offers a significantly new and valuable way to excite both viewers and presenters of video material via the use of digital photos in widely familiar but personalized programming environments. In addition, the revenue generation may occur via the web sever without the need to interact with cable or satellite providers. [0074] Other uses of the invention are also contemplated. For example, the device can be used to display a so-called virtual channel which contains data relevant to viewers based on demographics and/or geography and which will also display personal pictures intended for specific viewers. This could be particularly useful for target advertising. In particular, and as shown in the drawings, the virtual channel can display a schedule of local events, the local weather forecast and/or sales events or other local news, which can be interspersed with personal pictures of a viewer, e.g., the viewer's grandchildren, etc. In addition, the device of the present invention is particularly valuable as a source of advertising, such as in connection with an advertiser - sponsored event. Here, preexisting images, sound bites and/or logos or text associated with the advertiser or with the advertiser' s product can be interleaved with, or otherwise used to embellish, the guest - supplied pictures when the pictures are displayed by the device. [0075] Thus, while there have shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A method for sharing via the Internet, content provided by contributors to a communication system, comprising the steps of: receiving content at an associated server from a user device, said content having user device identification codes associated with each user device for ensuring that only content from authorized users is automatically downloaded to at least one receiving device at a specific location; polling the communication system for content added to the associated website server; and automatically downloading the content to the at least one receiving device at the specific location if the content is identified as originating from an authorized user.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: transmitting a message to the receiving device indicating the availability of content from an unauthorized user ; inputting a request for the content from the unauthorized user on the receiving device, said request being transmitted to the associated server; downloading the content f rom the unauthori zed user to the receiving device upon receipt of said request by the associated server ; and automatically downloading to the receiving device, subsequent content provided from the unauthorized user to the associated website server .

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: authorizing users by entering a phone number or an email address of user devices.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the authorizing step comprises the step of inputting a pass code on the keypad of the device.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the device forwards the phone number or the email address to the associated server to designate the users as authorized content providers, and accepts from the associated server the content that is sent to the associated server from each authorized user device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the content includes at least one of digital pictures, digital movies, or digital audio.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: inserting the content into a programming source; and providing the programming source over the system for viewing by the users.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the programming source is a cable or satellite video program.

9. A method for sharing via the Internet, content provided by contributors which are located in a local geographical area to a communication system, comprising the steps of: registering users so that content pertaining to said registered users can be transmitted to a local server, said content having user identification codes associated with each user for ensuring that only said pertinent content is available for access by a corresponding user on a receiving device accessible by the corresponding user at a specific location; monitoring an ID tag that is provided to the registered users while the users are within the local geographic area to generate said pertinent content, said content being generated by external cameras within the local geographic area; and distributing the specific content to the receiving device based on the user identification code.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the ID tag uses Radio frequency identification (RFID) to remotely store and retrieve user ID data.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the ID tag provides the local server with the address to which the content is to be directed.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein upon selecting content for presentation, the user is presented with additional content that was generated by the external cameras .

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the ID tag is worn by the registered users.

14. A communication system sharing via the Internet, content provided by contributors to a communication system, comprising: at least one server for receiving content from user devices over the Internet or a wireless network, said content having a user identification code associated with each user device for ensuring that only content from authorized users is automatically distributed; a receiving device for receiving the automatically distributed content at a remote location relative to the at least one server, said receiving device having an input for identifying the authorized users to the associated server; polling means for polling the system for additional content added to the associated server; and means for automatically downloading the content to the at least one receiving device at the specific location if the content is identified as originating from an authorized user.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the receiving device further comprises an output port for communicating the received content to a monitor, and a printer port for selectively communicating the received content to a printer

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the receiving device is integrated into a television set-top box.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the receiving device receives content from a programming source comprising a cable or satellite television content provider.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the receiving device inserts the content into a programming source for viewing by the users .

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the content from authorized users comprises digital pictures.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the receiving device further comprises: a tuner module for receiving an input RF TV signal; said module converting the RF TV signal into a base-band composite video signal; a switch for receiving the base-band composite video signal during a normal mode of operation; a video generator engine for outputting a picture signal to the switch; a vertical interval meta-data decoder having binary data that is embedded in a vertical interval signal, said binary data indicating a time and location for insertion of the picture signal associated with a received picture from an authorized user into the base-band composite video signal; and a sync separator for synchronizing circuits to the RF TV signal, said sync separator outputting a sync pulse that is supplied to the vertical interval meta- data decoder and the video generator engine.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the switch comprises a high rate analog switch that is used to provide mixing of the signal that is output from the video generator engine .

22. The system of claim 20, wherein prior to airing a video program from a cable or satellite content provider the device automatically downloads from the Internet an insertion template associated with said program, which is stored in the video generator engine.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the insertion template includes at least one of content, complex timing, scaling, translating and other image manipulation information and complex compositing window shape changes of a corresponding ad or program.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the content is at least one of sound, digital pictures, video images and flash images.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein upon selection of a particular channel airing a program having a corresponding downloaded template, the program is identified and content is selected for insertion into the program at the appropriate time and position based on the template.

26. The system of claim 14, further comprising: a WAP gateway for providing users with wireless access to the at least one server.

27. The system of claim 14, further comprising: means for monitoring an ID tag that is provided to registered guests for identifying the guests to the system when the guests are in a local environment; means for obtaining pictures of the guests within the local environment; and means for transmitting the pictures to the at least one server for downloading to the receiving device.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the means for obtaining pictures comprises multiple external cameras for taking pictures of the registered guests based on the ID tag.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the ID tag uses Radio frequency identification (RFID) to remotely store and retrieve user ID data.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the ID tag provides the server with data corresponding to an address of the receiving device.

31. A receiving device for receiving content from the internet, said content provided by authorized providers, comprising: means for connecting the device to an associated website server, wherein content from a group of providers can be uploaded from content producing devices associated with the providers in said group; means for inputting an authorization code associated with at least one provider in said group, to designate the at least one provider as an authorized provider; means for automatically receiving content provided by the authorized provider from the associated website server; and means for viewing the received content.

32. The device of claim 31, further comprising means for inputting a command on the device to request receipt of content from a provider other than the authorized provider, whereupon said command causes subsequent content from said provider other than the authorized provider to be automatically received from the associated website server.

33. The method of claim 9, wherein the specific location is one of a hotel and cruise ship.

34. The method of claim 9, wherein the geographical location is an outdoor theme park.

35. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of: uploading the specific content from the local server to a central server for distribution to the receiving device .