Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
  • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
  • G06F3/0346—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
  • G06F3/0481—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
  • G06F3/04815—Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object

Definitions

• Service providers e.g., wireless, cellular, etc.
• device manufacturers are continually challenged to deliver value and convenience to consumers by, for example, providing compelling network services.
• One area of interest has been the development of services for providing online content over, for instance, the Internet (e.g., online television broadcasts, streaming video and audio, photographs, etc.), which in turn has resulted in an abundance of available content originating from across the world. It is noted that much of this content can be of high quality (e.g., professionally produced online web television channels) and attractive to a broad spectrum of users, but this content is often hard to find. Accordingly, service providers and device manufacturers face significant technical challenges to enabling users to discover and access such content.
• a method comprises receiving an access address of content, the content including location information.
• the method also comprises determining availability information of the content by causing, at least in part, detection of the content at the access address.
• the method further comprises causing, at least in part, presentation of the content on a user interface of a user device indicating the location information based on the availability information of the content.
• the user interface includes a first person perspective based on determined location, directional heading, and angle of elevation of a user device.
• an apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause, at least in part, the apparatus to receive an access address of content, the content data including location information.
• the apparatus is further caused to determine availability information of the content by causing, at least in part, detection of the content at the access address.
• the apparatus further causes presentation of the content on a user interface of a user device indicating the location information based on the availability information of the content.
• the user interface includes a first person perspective based on determined location, directional heading, and angle of elevation of a user device.
• a computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause, at least in part, an apparatus to receive an access address of content, the content including location information.
• the apparatus is further caused to determine availability information of the content by causing, at least in part, detection of the content at the access address.
• the apparatus further causes presentation of the content on a user interface of a user device indicating the location information based on the availability information of the content.
• the user interface includes a first person perspective based on determined location, directional heading, and angle of elevation of a user device.
• an apparatus comprises means for receiving an access address of content, the content including location information.
• the apparatus also comprises means for selecting a point on one of the map objects.
• the apparatus further comprises means for determining availability information of the content by causing, at least in part, detection of the content at the access address.
• the apparatus additionally comprises means for causing, at least in part, presentation of the content on a user interface of a user device indicating the location information based on the availability information of the content.
• the user interface includes a first person perspective based on determined location, directional heading, and angle of elevation of a user device.
• FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of presenting a world view of content, according to one embodiment
• FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of a content mapping platform, according to one embodiment
• FIG. 3 is a diagram of the components of user equipment capable of presenting a world view of content, according to one embodiment
• FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for determining the availability of content, according to one embodiment
• FIG. 5 is a time sequence diagram that illustrates a sequence of messages and processes for retrieving and updating content availability information, according to one embodiment
• FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process for presenting a user interface depicting a first person world view of content, according to one embodiment
• FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an augmented reality view employing a transparency effect, according to one embodiment
• FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a process for locking an augmented reality user interface at a fixed position, according to one embodiment
• FIG. 9 is a diagram of a user interface utilized to present a global view of content on a map, according to one embodiment.
• FIG. 10 is diagram of a user interface utilized to update content access information, according to one embodiment
• FIG. 11 is a diagram of a user interface utilized to present an augmented reality world view of content, according to one embodiment
• FIG. 14 is a diagram of a mobile terminal (e.g., handset) that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS
• FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of presenting a world view of content, according to one embodiment.
• a large amount of content can be accessed over the Internet, using computers, mobile devices, and other Internet-connected devices.
• the channels are globally available and free.
• the content or channels generally may originate from any place in the world for access by a device located in any other part of the world.
• some of the content can be limited or exclusive.
• some content may be a part of pay services or may require registration, authentication, or some other pre-access process before a device can access the content.
• a system 100 of FIG. 1 introduces the capability of presenting a simple and intuitive interface which gives the user a global view of currently available content. More specifically, the system 100 receives access information about potentially available content and automatically accesses the content as part of a verification process to determine availability information of the content. In one embodiment, the verification process may be performed at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 30 seconds, every 5 minutes, etc.) or at specified times to ensure that the availability information is up-to-date.
• the system 100 generates a user interface to present the content or content information in interesting user interfaces. In the approach described herein, these user interfaces are based on depicting location information that is typically associated with the content.
• the location information may indicate: (1) a broadcast location of the content, (2) a location that is the subject of the content, (3) a location where the content was captured, e.g., geo-tagged data, (4) a location of a provider of the content, or any other data or information to tie the content to a particular location. It is also contemplated that content may be associated with multiple locations.
• the system 100 presents representations (e.g., thumbnail images, animation, audio alerts, etc.) of the content on a map (e.g., a map of the world), wherein the content representations are displayed at locations corresponding to the location information associated with the content.
• a map e.g., a map of the world
• the system 100 shows content based on the three- dimensional (3D) direction along which a user device displaying the content is pointed.
• the system 100 utilizes augmented reality (e.g., using live or actual images of a location) or augmented virtuality (e.g., using 3D models and 3D mapping information) to present a model of an map object (e.g., the Earth), seen in a first person view from the user device's current location so that the locations seen in the view match corresponding physical locations in reality.
• augmented reality e.g., using live or actual images of a location
• augmented virtuality e.g., using 3D models and 3D mapping information
• the first person view is rendered as though the user would see through map object (e.g., the Earth) to view the representation of the content.
• This view e.g., a transparency effect
• the content location information indicates that the content is associated with a location sufficiently far from the user's location (e.g., the opposite side of the Earth) that the map object (e.g., the Earth) itself would be an obstruction between the user and the content.
• the view shows the user the content at a corresponding location on the other side of the map object where the user device is pointed.
• This view advantageously enables the user to understand how the map object as seen in the generated first person view relates to the physical world.
• the user becomes concretely aware of the nature (e.g., the spherical nature of the Earth). For instance, it is noted that although users are generally familiar that the Earth is round, they do not actively consider its meaning in the physical world: that they live on the surface of a spherical planet, and that most of the world is in fact located somewhere below their feet.
• a person living in New York were asked where China is in reality, the person likely would reply with a compass direction (e.g., East of New York) or could not answer accurately at all. It is unlikely that the person would point along the most direct route through the Earth below the person's feet.
• compass direction e.g., East of New York
• search/browse content e.g., geolocations, geo-tagged data, content associated with location information, etc.
• the range can, in fact, be very short due to obstacles such as walls of buildings, and ultimately objects will drop below the horizon in the distance, making distant objects impossible to view in traditional augmented reality systems. Because the first person augmented reality view of the system 100 treats the Earth as if it were transparent, the system 100 does not suffer the same limitations of traditional systems with respect to rendering distant objects.
• the system 100 enables the user to browse available content by time as well as location. For example, the user can specify a time in the past, present, or future. The system 100 can then determine the availability of content with respect to the specified period of time and map the content based on the specified time. In this way, the user can view what content is available at any particular time. For example, to view upcoming content so that the user can plan what content to access, the user can specify a time period in the future and generate a corresponding content map to explore available content.
• a user equipment (UE) 101 may retrieve content information (e.g., content and location information) and mapping information (e.g., global maps, 3D maps, first person augmented reality views, etc.) from a content mapping platform 103 via a communication network 105.
• the content and mapping information can be used by an application 107 on the UE 101 (e.g., an augmented reality application, navigation application, or other location-based application).
• the content mapping platform 103 stores content information in the content catalog 109a and mapping information in the map database 109b.
• content information includes one or more identifiers, metadata, access addresses (e.g., network address such as a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) or an Internet Protocol (IP) address; or a local address such as a file or storage location in a memory of the UE 101), description, or the like associated with content.
• content includes live media (e.g., streaming broadcasts), stored media (e.g., stored on a network or locally), metadata associated with media, text information, location information of other user devices, mapping data, geo-tagged data (e.g., indicating locations of people, objects, images, etc.), or a combination thereof.
• the content may be provided by the service platform 1 11 which includes one or more services 113a-113n (e.g., music service, mapping service, video service, social networking service, content broadcasting service, etc.), the one or more content providers 11 Sai l 5m (e.g., online content retailers, public databases, etc.), other content source available or accessible over the communication network 105.
• one or more services 113a-113n e.g., music service, mapping service, video service, social networking service, content broadcasting service, etc.
• the one or more content providers 11 Sai l 5m e.g., online content retailers, public databases, etc.
• other content source available or accessible over the communication network 105.
• the mapping information and the maps presented to the user may be an augmented reality view, a simulated 3D environment, a two-dimensional map, or the like.
• the simulated 3D environment is a 3D model created to approximate the locations of streets, buildings, features, etc. of an area. This model can then be used to render the location from virtually any angle or perspective for display on the UE 101.
• the 3D model or environment enables, for instance, the navigation application 107 to animate movement through the 3D environment to provide a more dynamic and potentially more useful or interesting mapping display to the user.
• structures are stored using simple objects (e.g., three dimensional models describing the dimensions of the structures).
• complex objects may be utilized to represent structures and other objects within the 3D representation.
• Complex objects may include multiple smaller or simple objects dividing the complex objects into portions or elements.
• object information can be collected from various databases as well as data entry methods such as processing images associated with location stamps to determine structures and other objects in the 3D model.
• mapping information may be displayed using other user interfaces such as audio interfaces, haptic feedback, and other sensory interfaces.
• audio interfaces such as audio interfaces, haptic feedback, and other sensory interfaces.
• the approximate locations of streets, buildings, features, points of interest, content, etc. can be read aloud by an voice synthesizer executing on the UE 101.
• an image capture module 1 17 of the UE 101 may be utilized in conjunction with the application 107 to present content information, location information (e.g., mapping and navigation information), availability information, etc. to the user.
• the user may be presented with an augmented reality interface associated with the application 107 and/or the content mapping platform allowing 3D objects or other representations of content and related information to be superimposed onto an image of a physical environment on the UE 101.
• the user interface may display a hybrid physical and virtual environment where 3D objects from the map database 109 are placed superimposed on top of a physical image.
• the UE 101 may execute the application 107 to receive content and/or mapping information from the content mapping platform 103 or other component of the network 105.
• the application 107 and content mapping platform 103 receive access information about content, periodically determines the availability of the content based on the access information, and then presents a unique global view of the content (e.g., a global map of available content or an augmented reality view of global content with a transparent Earth effect).
• a unique global view of the content e.g., a global map of available content or an augmented reality view of global content with a transparent Earth effect.
• map information stored in the map database 109b may be created from 3D models of real-world buildings and other sites.
• objects can be associated with real world locations (e.g., based on location coordinates such as global positioning system (GPS) coordinates).
• GPS global positioning system
• the UE 101 may utilize GPS satellites 119 to determine the location of the UE 101 to utilize the content mapping functions of the content mapping platform 103 and/or the application 107.
• the map information may include a 3D model (e.g., a complex 3D model) of objects and structures in a physical environment (e.g., buildings) made up of a number of separate but adjoined simple 3D shapes such as polygons.
• Conventional approaches of 3D modeling include the ability to access and transform each polygon in size and shape separately from the other polygons that form the complete 3D model of the object.
• the communication network 105 of system 100 includes one or more networks such as a data network (not shown), a wireless network (not shown), a telephony network (not shown), or any combination thereof.
• the data network may be any local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), a public data network (e.g., the Internet), or any other suitable packet-switched network, such as a commercially owned, proprietary packet-switched network, e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber- optic network.
• the wireless network may be, for example, a cellular network and may employ various technologies including enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), satellite, mobile ad-hoc network (MANET), and the like.
• EDGE enhanced data rates for global evolution
• GPRS general packet radio service
• GSM global system for mobile communications
• IMS Internet protocol multimedia subsystem
• UMTS universal mobile telecommunications system
• WiMAX worldwide interoperability for microwave access
• LTE Long Term Evolution
• CDMA code division multiple access
• WCDMA wideband code division multiple access
• WiFi wireless fidelity
• satellite mobile
• the UE 101 is any type of mobile terminal, fixed terminal, or portable terminal including a mobile handset, station, unit, device, navigational device, multimedia computer, multimedia tablet, Internet node, communicator, desktop computer, laptop computer, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), or any combination thereof.
• the UE 101 can be a device that simulates or provides a virtual telescope-like function.
• This type of UE 101 can be, for instance, mounted in a public place (e.g., a shopping center, hotel, etc.) to enable users to view content presented as described herein.
• the UE 101 can support any type of interface to the user (such as "wearable" circuitry, etc.).
• a protocol includes a set of rules defining how the network nodes within the communication network 105 interact with each other based on information sent over the communication links.
• the protocols are effective at different layers of operation within each node, from generating and receiving physical signals of various types, to selecting a link for transferring those signals, to the format of information indicated by those signals, to identifying which software application executing on a computer system sends or receives the information.
• the conceptually different layers of protocols for exchanging information over a network are described in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model.
• OSI Open Systems Interconnection
• Each packet typically comprises (1) header information associated with a particular protocol, and (2) payload information that follows the header information and contains information that may be processed independently of that particular protocol.
• the packet includes (3) trailer information following the payload and indicating the end of the payload information.
• the header includes information such as the source of the packet, its destination, the length of the payload, and other properties used by the protocol.
• the data in the payload for the particular protocol includes a header and payload for a different protocol associated with a different, higher layer of the OSI Reference Model.
• the header for a particular protocol typically indicates a type for the next protocol contained in its payload.
• the higher layer protocol is said to be encapsulated in the lower layer protocol.
• the headers included in a packet traversing multiple heterogeneous networks, such as the Internet typically include a physical (layer 1) header, a data-link (layer 2) header, an internetwork (layer 3) header and a transport (layer 4) header, and various application headers (layer 5, layer 6 and layer 7) as defined by the OSI Reference Model.
• the application 107 and the content mapping platform 103 may interact according to a client-server model.
• a client process sends a message including a request to a server process, and the server process responds by providing a service (e.g., providing map information).
• the server process may also return a message with a response to the client process.
• client process and server process execute on different computer devices, called hosts, and communicate via a network using one or more protocols for network communications.
• server is conventionally used to refer to the process that provides the service, or the host computer on which the process operates.
• client is conventionally used to refer to the process that makes the request, or the host computer on which the process operates.
• client and server refer to the processes, rather than the host computers, unless otherwise clear from the context.
• process performed by a server can be broken up to run as multiple processes on multiple hosts (sometimes called tiers) for reasons that include reliability, scalability, and redundancy, among others.
• FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of a content mapping platform, according to one embodiment.
• the content mapping platform 103 includes one or more components for presenting a global view of content. It is contemplated that the functions of these components may be combined in one or more components or performed by other components of equivalent functionality.
• the content mapping platform 103 includes at least a control logic 201 which executes at least one algorithm for executing functions of the content mapping platform 103.
• the control logic 201 interacts with a content management module 203 to receive access addresses corresponding to one or more content items.
• the access addresses may be received from the service platform 11 1, the services 113a- 113n, the content providers 115a- 115m, other like components, or a combination thereof.
• the user or another party authorized by the user may manually enter an access address of a content item.
• the content management module 203 may create a content catalog listing all content items and associated access addresses provided to the content management module 203.
• the content catalog may include additional descriptive information and other metadata describing the content.
• the control logic interacts with the content verification module 205 to determine the availability or information about the availability of content. More specifically, the content verification module 205 verifies the status of a given content item (e.g., a live broadcast stream) by accessing the content at the corresponding access address.
• the status includes: (1) whether the server hosting the content's access address is responding with the requested content; (2) whether there are any limitations or exclusivity restrictions on the content (e.g., does the content require authentication or registration before access); (3) whether the content is available for a certain period (e.g., only for a specific duration or only at specific times); and other like information.
• the content verification module 205 can verify a particular content item before the content management module 205 adds the content item and related information to the content catalog.
• the content verification module 205 can perform the verification process continuously (e.g., a predetermined or fixed interval) by scanning the entire content catalog and updating the availability information accordingly.
• the content verification module 205 includes one or more sub-modules or application programming interfaces (APIs) (not pictured) for receiving and/or detecting the media content in its native format or for converting the media content to a media format compatible with the content mapping platform 103.
• APIs application programming interfaces
• the content verification module 205 may initiate a download or installation of the components (e.g., codecs, player applications, etc.) needed to verify the content or stream.
• the control logic 201 interacts with the mapping module 207 to correlate the location information associated with the one or more content items with respective locations on a map.
• the location information may include coordinates (e.g., GPS coordinates) or other indicators (e.g., longitude and latitude information) that can be associated with an existing map.
• the location information may be extracted or derived from any geo-tagged data (e.g., geo-tagged automatically or manually by the user) such as photographs, videos, audio recordings, and the like. This location information (e.g., GPS or other coordinates associated data) generally is recorded with the data when the data is captured or recorded.
• the mapping module 207 can then perform recognition (e.g., facial recognition, audio recognition, object recognition, etc.) on the data to identify people, locations, other subjects, or related information in the data. The identified people, locations, etc. can then be associated with the extracted location information.
• recognition e.g., facial recognition, audio recognition, object recognition, etc.
• the identified people, locations, etc. can then be associated with the extracted location information.
• the location information or geo-tagged data could also be created by the mapping module 207 by deriving the location from associated metadata (e.g., media titles, tags, and comments). More specifically, the mapping module 207 can parse the metadata for any terms that indicate association with a particular location.
• a family vacation photograph may be tagged with a description of "Paris Vacation.”
• the mapping module 207 can parse "Paris Vacation” using a natural language model to associate the photograph with Paris, France even though the photograph does not include any traditional location information (e.g., GPS coordinates).
• the mapping module 207 then interacts with the rendering engine 209 to present the location information, content information, and other content related information using any type of visual user interface (e.g., augmented reality view, 3D maps, etc.), audio user interface, tactile or tangible user interface (e.g., haptic feedback), or any possible user interface or combination of user interface types.
• FIG. 3 is a diagram of the components of user equipment capable of presenting a world view of content, according to one embodiment.
• the UE 101 includes one or more components for presenting availability information, location information, and content information of content accessible over the communication network 105 in user interface. It is contemplated that the functions of these components may be combined in one or more components or performed by other components of equivalent functionality.
• the UE 101 includes a user interface 301 to present content information and receive input, a content mapping platform interface 303 to retrieve content and mapping information from the content mapping platform 103, a runtime module 305, a cache 307 to locally store content and mapping information, a location module 309 to determine a location of the UE 101 , a magnetometer module 311 to determine horizontal orientation or directional heading (e.g., a compass heading) of the UE 101 , an accelerometer module 313 to determine vertical orientation or an angle of elevation of the UE 101 , and an image capture module 117.
• a user interface 301 to present content information and receive input
• a content mapping platform interface 303 to retrieve content and mapping information from the content mapping platform 103
• a runtime module 305 to locally store content and mapping information
• a location module 309 to determine a location of the UE 101
• a magnetometer module 311 to determine horizontal orientation or directional heading (e.g., a compass heading) of the UE 101
• Content and mapping information may be presented to the user via the user interface 301 , which may include various methods of communication.
• the user interface 301 can have outputs including a visual component (e.g., a screen), an audio component (e.g., a verbal instructions), a physical component (e.g., vibrations), and other methods of communication.
• User inputs can include a touch-screen interface, microphone, camera, a scroll-and-click interface, a button interface, etc.
• the user may input a request to start an application 107 (e.g., a mapping or augmented reality application) and utilize the user interface 301 to receive content and mapping information.
• the user may request different types of content, mapping, or location information to be presented.
• the user may be presented with 3D or augmented reality representations of particular locations and related objects (e.g., buildings, terrain features, POIs, etc. at the particular location) as part of a graphical user interface on a screen of the UE 101.
• the content mapping platform interface 303 is used by the runtime module 305 to communicate with the content mapping platform 103.
• the interface is used to fetch content, mapping, and or location information from the content mapping platform 103, service platform 1 11, and/or content providers 115a- 115m.
• the UE 101 may utilize requests in a client server format to retrieve the content and mapping information. Moreover, the UE 101 may specify location information and/or orientation information in the request to retrieve the content and mapping information.
• the location module 309, magnetometer module 311 , accelerometer module 313, and image capture module 1 17 may be utilized to determine location and/or orientation information used in determining along which direction the UE 101 is pointed so that content and mapping information corresponding to the pointed direction can be retrieved. Further, this content and mapping information may be stored in the cache 307 to be utilized in presenting a world view of content at the UE 101.
• the location module 309 can determine a user's location.
• the user's location can be determined by a triangulation system such as a GPS, assisted GPS (A-GPS) A- GPS, Cell of Origin, wireless local area network triangulation, or other location extrapolation technologies.
• Standard GPS and A-GPS systems can use satellites 119 to pinpoint the location (e.g., longitude, latitude, and altitude) of the UE 101.
• a Cell of Origin system can be used to determine the cellular tower that a cellular UE 101 is synchronized with. This information provides a coarse location of the UE 101 because the cellular tower can have a unique cellular identifier (cell-ID) that can be geographically mapped.
• cell-ID unique cellular identifier
• the location module 309 may also utilize multiple technologies to detect the location of the UE 101. GPS coordinates can provide finer detail as to the location of the UE 101. As previously noted, the location module 309 may be utilized to determine location coordinates for use by the application 107 and/or the content mapping platform 103.
• the magnetometer module 31 1 can include an instrument that can measure the strength and/or direction of a magnetic field. Using the same approach as a compass, the magnetometer is capable of determining the directional heading of a UE 101 using the magnetic field of the Earth.
• the front of the image capture device e.g., a digital camera
• the angle the UE 101 reference point is from the magnetic field is known. Simple calculations can be made to determine the direction of the UE 101.
• horizontal directional data obtained from a magnetometer is utilized to determine the orientation of the user. This directional information may be correlated with the location information of the UE 101 to determine where (e.g., at which geographic feature or object) the UE 101 is pointing towards. This information may be utilized to select a first person view to render content and mapping information.
• the accelero meter module 313 may include an instrument that can measure acceleration. Using a three-axis accelerometer, with axes X, Y, and Z, provides the acceleration in three directions with known angles. Once again, the front of a media capture device can be marked as a reference point in determining direction. Because the acceleration due to gravity is known, when a UE 101 is stationary, the accelerometer module 313 can determine the angle the UE 101 is pointed as compared to Earth's gravity. In one embodiment, vertical directional data obtained from an accelerometer is used to determine the angle of elevation or tilt angle at which the UE 101 is pointing. This information in conjunction with the magnetometer information and location information may be utilized to determine a viewpoint to provide content and mapping information to the user.
• this information may be utilized in selecting available content items to present navigational information to the user.
• the combined information may be utilized to determine portions of a particular 3D map or augmented reality view that may interest the user.
• one or more indicators e.g., arrows or pointers
• the user may manually input any one or more of the location, directional heading, and tilt angle to specify a viewpoint for displaying the user interface on the UE 101 instead of determining the viewpoint from the sensors.
• Images for supporting a graphical user interface can be captured using an image capture module 1 17.
• An image capture module 1 17 may include a camera, a video camera, a combination thereof, etc.
• visual media is captured in the form of an image or a series of images.
• the image capture module 1 17 can obtain the image from a camera and associate the image with location information, magnetometer information, accelerometer information, or a combination thereof.
• this combination of information may be utilized to determine the viewpoint of the user by combining the location of the user, horizontal orientation information of the user, and vertical orientation information of the user. This information may be utilized to retrieve content and mapping information from the map cache 307 or the mapping platform 103.
• the cache 307 includes all or a portion the information in the content catalog 109a and the map database 109b.
• FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for determining the availability of content, according to one embodiment.
• the runtime module 305 performs the process 400 and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown FIG. 13.
• the content mapping platform 103 may perform some or all of the steps of the process 400 and communicate with the UE 101 using a client server interface.
• the UE 101 may activate an application 107 to utilize content mapping services of the content mapping platform 103.
• the application 107 may execute upon the runtime module 305.
• the runtime module 305 receives an access address of one or more content items that include location information.
• the one or more content items and related data may comprise one or more of: (1) media content (e.g., live or stored media, streaming media, web cam feeds, photographs, metadata related to the media content, metadata related to the location information of the media content, etc., or a combination thereof); (2) mapping information (e.g., any available map data); (3) text information (e.g., descriptive labels such as "Venice, Italy”); (4) location information of other users (e.g., friends, coworkers, etc.) and associated avatars, photographs, text, etc.; (5) time of day (e.g., night-time regions can be visualized in darker colors, or working hours regions can be presented differently than non- working hour regions); and (6) natural phenomenon (e.g., ocean currents, hurricanes, environmental conditions, other weather events.
• media content e.g., live or stored media, streaming media, web cam feeds, photographs, metadata related to the media content
• the runtime module 305 may optionally receive input from the UE 101 for specifying a time period in the past, present, or future that is associated with the one or more content items.
• a time period in the past, present, or future that is associated with the one or more content items.
• the approach described herein enables the user to navigate content information using both location and time.
• the default time for viewing the content and mapping information is the present. If a time period is provided, the runtime module will determine availability information for the one or more content items based on the specified time (step 405).
• the runtime module 305 analyses whether the access address (e.g., a URL for Internet content or a file storage location for locally stored content) provides active content corresponding to the one or more content item. For example, if the content item is a live streaming broadcast, the runtime module 305 detects whether the stream is active (e.g., whether data corresponding to the stream is available) at the access address at the specified time.
• the access address e.g., a URL for Internet content or a file storage location for locally stored content
• the runtime module 305 detects whether the stream is active (e.g., whether data corresponding to the stream is available) at the access address at the specified time.
• the runtime module 305 may also determine whether the access to the content item is limited or exclusive. That is, the runtime module 305 can determine whether there are additional steps or restrictions (e.g., registration, payment, authorization, etc.) that have to be performed before access to a particular content item is granted. The additional limitations or restrictions can be noted and stored in the content catalog 109a.
• the runtime module 305 then presents the determined availability information in a user interface on the UE 101 based on the location information (step 407).
• the content and availability information can be presented on a map with representations of each content item placed according to the associated location information. If a streaming broadcast originates from Paris, France, the content can be depicted as a thumbnail overlaid on the user interface map at the location corresponding to Paris.
• the user interface may be a graphical user interface. In addition or alternatively, the user interface may be an audio or tactile interface.
• the runtime module 305 presents only those content items that are available at the specified time and are not associated with any limitations or exclusive restrictions.
• the runtime module 305 may present all available content and differentiate the presentation of content available with a single click versus content associated with additional limitations or restrictions. In yet another embodiment, the runtime module 305 may display all evaluated content and differentiate the presentation of available and unavailable content and then differentiate within the available content those content that are available with a single click and those available with additional limitations.
• the specific types of presentations can be specified by the user, content provider 1 15, network operator, service platform 11 1, or a combination thereof.
• the runtime module determines whether to periodically update the content availability information (step 409). If the runtime module 305 has been configured for periodic updates, the process 400 returns to step 405 and repeats the availability determination step.
• the frequency of updating may be specified the user, content provider 1 15, etc. as described above. In this way, the runtime module 305 can present the most up-to-date availability information to the user.
• the availability information is then used to update the content catalog 109a (step 41 1) for subsequent access and distribution to over the communication network 105.
• FIG. 5 is a time sequence diagram that illustrates a sequence of messages and processes for retrieving and updating content availability information, according to one embodiment.
• a network process on the network is represented by a shaded vertical box.
• a message passed from one process to another is represented by horizontal arrows.
• a step performed by a process is indicated by the text.
• the network processes represented in FIG. 5 are a UE 101a, a UE 101b, a content mapping platform 103, and a content catalog 109a.
• the UE 101a transmits a request to the content mapping platform 103 for a list of available content determined per the approach described herein.
• the request may include filters which enable the UE 101 a to select what kind of content should be included in the requested content list.
• the request may seek information related to one more places marked as places that are of particular interest to a user of the UE 101a.
• the request may also define criteria for content of interest to the user.
• the content mapping platform 103 applies the filters and criteria to request a content list from the content catalog 109a (at 503).
• the content catalog 109a completes the request and returns the content list to the content mapping platform 103 (at 505).
• the UE 101b accesses the content mapping platform 103 to specify new content to add to the content list (at 507).
• the UE 101b may submit an access address (e.g., a URL) of the new content for evaluation by the content mapping platform 103.
• the content mapping platform 103 verifies the new submission (at 509) and updates the content list for the content catalog 109a (at 511) based on the verification.
• the content mapping platform 103 evaluates whether the new content passes the filter or satisfies the criteria applied by the UE 101a and transmits the updated content list to the UE 101a (at 513).
• the content mapping platform 103 may also apply external filters or criteria applied by content providers 115, the service platform 1 11 , network operator, etc.
• one external criteria may form a two-way link (essentially a tunnel through the Earth) between all or selected users and/or locations. This tunnel, for instance, restricts or filters content so that only a specific set of users (e.g., users located in a first location) can view content originating at a second location. For example, video content originating in New York may be restricted to viewing by only those users located in Tokyo.
• this restriction in essence, creates a "tunnel" from Tokyo to New York so that users in other locations will not have access to the restricted video content. Accordingly, the UE 101a renders a user interface presenting the content and location information specified in the received content list (at 515).
• FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process for presenting a user interface depicting a first person world view of content, according to one embodiment.
• the runtime module 305 performs the process 600 and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown FIG. 13.
• the process 600 assumes that the runtime module 305 has already completed the process 300 for verifying content items and is now determining the type of user interface for rendering the verified content and location information.
• the runtime module determines whether to render the user interface as an augmented reality view incorporating the transparency effect or as a map highlighting and aggregating content location information.
• the determination is based, for instance, on user preference that may be requested at the time of rendering or may be preconfigured in a user profile or a default setting. If the choice is to present an augmented reality view (e.g., a globe view), the runtime module 305 initiates determination of a location, directional heading, and angle of elevation of the UE 101 to determine a viewpoint from which to render the view (step 603).
• the viewpoint parameters e.g., location, direction heading, and angle of elevation of the UE 101
• the runtime module 305 may utilize the location module 309, magnetometer module 311 , accelerometer module 313, or a combination thereof.
• the user may select the viewpoint based on a 3D environment.
• the user may select the viewpoint based on conventional means of searching a map or 3D map (e.g., by selecting a starting point and traversing the map or entering location coordinates, such as GPS coordinates or an address, of the viewpoint).
• an image representing an augmented reality view or a 3D model of the location corresponding to the viewpoint can be generated or retrieved from the cache 307 or the content mapping platform 103 (step 605).
• the image may represent a physical environment, which may be captured using an image capture module 1 17 of the UE 101.
• the image may represent a virtual 3D environment, where the user's location in the real world physical environment is represented in the virtual 3D environment.
• the viewpoint of the user is mapped onto the virtual 3D environment.
• a hybrid physical and virtual 3D environment may additionally be utilized to present navigational information to the user.
• the runtime module 305 can then further render or indicate the location and availability information of one or more content items in the augmented reality user interface (step 607). It is noted that to enable seeing the globe effect and the content simultaneously, the amount of content shown can be restricted or reduced (e.g., using adjustable zoom or detail levels) so that content labels do not obscure the globe. In certain embodiments, when there is much more content available than can be displayed in the existing globe view use interface, the runtime module 305 can be constantly animating the display of the content items so that new content keeps appearing while older content disappears. This animation process also makes the user interface more entertaining to users and gives a feeling of the world being "alive" with activity.
• the scale of the display enables the runtime module 305 to indicate a specific location with accuracy to generally the city or regional level.
• the large scale of the view limits how accurately the location tracking data can be displayed, thereby protecting the privacy of those participating in the people tracking service.
• the user may specify a zooming range or granularity for rendering the user interface.
• the user may have the option to select a range for distance (e.g., a display scale) or a level of accuracy or sensitivity for determining the viewpoint (e.g., the location, directional heading, and tilt angle) of the UE 101.
• the range selection can use traditional numerical input or natural language input (e.g., outer space, the sky above the buildings, above ground on the other side of the Earth, etc.).
• the range may also be specified by zooming controls in a touch-based user interface, or a slider, actuator, knob, or other similar user interface element.
• the sensitivity for determining the viewpoint can be automatically adjusted based on the zoom, thereby advantageously reducing the effects of the natural unsteadiness of the user's pointing of the UE 101 that is exacerbated at higher levels of zoom.
• the exact locations of the location tracking subjects may be automatically obscured to protect the privacy of the location tracking subjects or other location information displayed in the user interface.
• the zoom level also affects the amount of content or other data that can be displayed in the user interface.
• the user can add filters (e.g., based on content subject, type, etc.) to select the types of content to display in the user interface.
• the user can also define the range where content is visible in the user interface, so that the user can, for instance, see only the content around a particular city that is near the horizon. Another example would be to define a very short range for viewing subway lines under a city.
• the user interface may employ a visualization method similar to a camera auto-focus, so that the content that is under the "point of focus" is rendered normally, while the rest of the view user interface is blurred as if it was out of focus. In this way, the user interface more clearly presents the content at which the viewpoint is directed. As the viewpoint changes from one content item to the next, the focus can shift accordingly.
• an inherent property of an augmented reality user interface is that the displayed content is dependent on the viewpoint and that to view a specific point or content located on the Earth, the user has to point the UE 101 in the correct direction.
• the user may specify a particular viewpoint by entering at least one of a location, directional heading, and tilt angle rather than point the UE 101 manually. In this way, the user can virtually aim the UE 101 instead of manually pointing.
• the user interface may be rendered to depict the scene virtually using, for instance, such as a wireframe rendering, a tunnel or pipe graphical element, or other indication to signify that the presentation is based on a virtual viewpoint.
• the runtime module 305 enables the user input search criteria (e.g., a content item, person, city, weather, etc.) and get guidance for finding the direction where the searched content item is located in the real physical world.
• the guidance may be indicated as a directional arrow or other similar indicator in the augmented reality display to indicate the direction the user should move or point the UE 101 in order to find the searched content item. Therefore, as the user moves the UE 101a, the runtime module 305 updates the rendering of the user interface to reflect the new viewpoint (step 609).
• the runtime module 305 can provide a simple and intuitive map view of the content items and their corresponding location (step 611).
• the runtime module 305 renders graphical representations of the content items and places them on the map according to the location information corresponding to each content item.
• the zoom and detail levels of the display can be varied to ensure that the map is not completely obscured.
• content items can be animated to appear and disappear from the view based on date, user preferences, or other criteria to further reduce number of contents to display.
• FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an augmented reality view employing a transparency effect, according to one embodiment.
• a user 701a points a user device 703a towards the Earth 705 to view an augmented reality display of a content item 707 (e.g., a location of a kangaroo) located on the opposite side of the Earth 707.
• a user 701b points a user device 703b through Earth 705 to view a content item 709 (e.g., location of a lightning storm) on the opposite side of the Earth 705.
• the augmented reality view renders the Earth 705 as if the Earth 705 were transparent by showing a representation of the respective content items 707 and 709 unhindered by any obstruction in the graphical user interfaces of the respective user devices 703a and 703b.
• rendering a transparent Earth 705 effect provides for a unique and interesting view of global content.
• FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a process for locking an augmented reality user interface at a fixed position, according to one embodiment.
• the runtime module 305 performs the process 600 and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown FIG. 13.
• the process 600 assumes that the runtime module 305 has already completed the process 300 for verifying content items and the process 600 for displaying an augmented reality view of the content.
• the runtime module receives input from the UE 101 for locking the viewpoint parameters (e.g., location, directional heading, and angle of elevation) of the UE 101 at a fixed viewpoint. This input may be initiated, for instance, selecting a menu option or actuating a physical button (e.g., a shutter release of the image capture module 1 17).
• viewpoint parameters e.g., location, directional heading, and angle of elevation
• the image capture module 1 17 may also be used to "lock" the viewpoint of the UE 101 , so that even if the UE 101 is moved or turned away, the runtime module 305 renders the content from the locked viewpoint (step 803).
• the user can select a favorite viewpoint (e.g., a view of New York City through the transparent Earth) and monitor the development of evolution of available content originating from the location in the locked viewpoint. It is further contemplated that the user may store one or more of the locked viewpoints for later reference or recall.
• FIG. 9 is a diagram of a user interface utilized to present a global view of content on a map, according to one embodiment.
• the user interface 900 depicts a map view of content available over the communication network 105.
• the user interface 900 includes a map 901 that serves as a backdrop for placing graphical representations (e.g., thumbnails) of one or more content items 903a-903f.
• the content items 903a-903f have been verified by the content mapping platform 103 as being available for the time period used as the basis of the view.
• the user interface 900 may be animated to show the availability information of the content items 903a-903f over a defined period of time (e.g., a time lapse animation illustrating the availability information over a two hour period). In this way, the user can view an animation that illustrates content items 903a-903f appearing and disappearing as the broadcast schedules or content availability changes.
• the map 901 is shown zoomed out to a global scale, it is contemplated that the map 901 may be zoomed in or out according to user preference and desired level of details.
• the user interface 900 may show only select content items (e.g., most popular content items) when there are too many to display on the screen at one time without obscuring the map 901.
• additional content items may be shown based on, for instance, the zoom level and available display area. For example, as the user zooms in on North America, additional new content items can be display as other items are cut off from the display (e.g., items in Australia or Asia).
• FIG. 10 is diagram of a user interface utilized to update content access information, according to one embodiment.
• the user interface 1000 depicts a list view of global content wherein all available or potential content items are displayed in a table 1001. In this example, the content items have been filtered to show only those content items that are streaming television broadcasts available over the Internet.
• the table 1001 lists the content items by television channel identifier 1003, description 1005, number of views 1007, date added 1009, and user rating information 1011.
• the user interface 1000 enables sorting and display by any of the available descriptive columns or fields.
• the content list view enables the user to quickly view content items, for instance, when a user wants to add, delete, or modify one or more content items in the list.
• the user interface 1000 includes a command button 1013 for submitting a request to add new content item (e.g., a streaming broadcast channel). For example, if the user discovers an unlisted channel, the user can submit the channel to the content mapping platform 103 for verification and subsequent distribution to other users.
• a command button 1013 for submitting a request to add new content item (e.g., a streaming broadcast channel). For example, if the user discovers an unlisted channel, the user can submit the channel to the content mapping platform 103 for verification and subsequent distribution to other users.
• FIG. 11 is a diagram of a user interface utilized to present an augmented reality world view of content, according to one embodiment.
• the user interface 1100 depicts an augmented reality display of content using the transparency effect described above with respect to FIGs. 6 and 7.
• the user interface 1100 is displayed on a mobile device 1 101 that includes sensors for determining viewpoint parameters such as location, direction heading, and angle of elevation.
• the mobile device 1 101 is pointed towards the Earth in the direction of Africa. Because the viewpoint or perspective is a view through the Earth to the opposite surface (e.g., in essence from inside the Earth), Africa is shown as a mirror image.
• the augmented reality user interface displays content items (e.g., content items 1103 and 1105) that are associated with the location in the user interface 1 100 displayed based on the viewpoint of the mobile device 1 101.
• content items may be animated to appear and disappear periodically to display additional content. This animation also provides for a more dynamic and interesting display that may pique the user's interest in the content.
• directional arrows e.g., arrows 1 107a and 1107b
• the processes described herein for presenting a global view of content may be advantageously implemented via software, hardware (e.g., general processor, Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc.), firmware or a combination thereof.
• DSP Digital Signal Processing
• ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit
• FPGA Field Programmable Gate Arrays
• FIG. 12 illustrates a computer system 1200 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.
• computer system 1200 is depicted with respect to a particular device or equipment, it is contemplated that other devices or equipment (e.g., network elements, servers, etc.) within FIG. 12 can deploy the illustrated hardware and components of system 1200.
• Computer system 1200 is programmed (e.g., via computer program code or instructions) to present a global view of content as described herein and includes a communication mechanism such as a bus 1210 for passing information between other intemal and external components of the computer system 1200.
• Information is represented as a physical expression of a measurable phenomenon, typically electric voltages, but including, in other embodiments, such phenomena as magnetic, electromagnetic, pressure, chemical, biological, molecular, atomic, sub-atomic and quantum interactions.
• a measurable phenomenon typically electric voltages, but including, in other embodiments, such phenomena as magnetic, electromagnetic, pressure, chemical, biological, molecular, atomic, sub-atomic and quantum interactions.
• north and south magnetic fields, or a zero and non-zero electric voltage represent two states (0, 1) of a binary digit (bit).
• Other phenomena can represent digits of a higher base.
• a superposition of multiple simultaneous quantum states before measurement represents a quantum bit (qubit).
• a sequence of one or more digits constitutes digital data that is used to represent a number or code for a character.
• information called analog data is represented by a near continuum of measurable values within a particular range.
• Computer system 1200, or a portion thereof constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of presenting a
• a bus 1210 includes one or more parallel conductors of information so that information is transferred quickly among devices coupled to the bus 1210.
• One or more processors 1202 for processing information are coupled with the bus 1210.
• a processor 1202 performs a set of operations on information as specified by computer program code related to present a global view of content.
• the computer program code is a set of instructions or statements providing instructions for the operation of the processor and/or the computer system to perform specified functions.
• the code for example, may be written in a computer programming language that is compiled into a native instruction set of the processor.
• the code may also be written directly using the native instruction set (e.g., machine language).
• the set of operations include bringing information in from the bus 1210 and placing information on the bus 1210.
• the set of operations also typically include comparing two or more units of information, shifting positions of units of information, and combining two or more units of information, such as by addition or multiplication or logical operations like OR, exclusive OR (XOR), and AND.
• processors Each operation of the set of operations that can be performed by the processor is represented to the processor by information called instructions, such as an operation code of one or more digits.
• a sequence of operations to be executed by the processor 1202, such as a sequence of operation codes, constitute processor instructions, also called computer system instructions or, simply, computer instructions.
• Processors may be implemented as mechanical, electrical, magnetic, optical, chemical or quantum components, among others, alone or in combination.
• Computer system 1200 also includes a memory 1204 coupled to bus 1210.
• the memory 1204 such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, stores information including processor instructions for presenting a global view of content. Dynamic memory allows information stored therein to be changed by the computer system 1200. RAM allows a unit of information stored at a location called a memory address to be stored and retrieved independently of information at neighboring addresses.
• the memory 1204 is also used by the processor 1202 to store temporary values during execution of processor instructions.
• the computer system 1200 also includes a read only memory (ROM) 1206 or other static storage device coupled to the bus 1210 for storing static information, including instructions, that is not changed by the computer system 1200. Some memory is composed of volatile storage that loses the information stored thereon when power is lost.
• Information including instructions for presenting a global view of content, is provided to the bus 1210 for use by the processor from an external input device 1212, such as a keyboard containing alphanumeric keys operated by a human user, or a sensor.
• an external input device 1212 such as a keyboard containing alphanumeric keys operated by a human user, or a sensor.
• a sensor detects conditions in its vicinity and transforms those detections into physical expression compatible with the measurable phenomenon used to represent information in computer system 1200.
• Other external devices coupled to bus 1210 used primarily for interacting with humans, include a display device 1214, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD), or plasma screen or printer for presenting text or images, and a pointing device 1216, such as a mouse or a trackball or cursor direction keys, or motion sensor, for controlling a position of a small cursor image presented on the display 1214 and issuing commands associated with graphical elements presented on the display 1214.
• a display device 1214 such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD), or plasma screen or printer for presenting text or images
• a pointing device 1216 such as a mouse or a trackball or cursor direction keys, or motion sensor, for controlling a position of a small cursor image presented on the display 1214 and issuing commands associated with graphical elements presented on the display 1214.
• a display device 1214 such as a cathode ray tube (CRT
• special purpose hardware such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 1220
• ASIC application specific integrated circuit
• the special purpose hardware is configured to perform operations not performed by processor 1202 quickly enough for special purposes.
• Examples of application specific ICs include graphics accelerator cards for generating images for display 1214, cryptographic boards for encrypting and decrypting messages sent over a network, speech recognition, and interfaces to special external devices, such as robotic arms and medical scanning equipment that repeatedly perform some complex sequence of operations that are more efficiently implemented in hardware.
• Computer system 1200 also includes one or more instances of a communications interface 1270 coupled to bus 1210.
• Communication interface 1270 provides a one-way or two-way communication coupling to a variety of external devices that operate with their own processors, such as printers, scanners and external disks.
• communication interface 1270 may be a parallel port or a serial port or a universal serial bus (USB) port on a personal computer.
• communications interface 1270 is an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a digital subscriber line (DSL) card or a telephone modem that provides an information communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line.
• ISDN integrated services digital network
• DSL digital subscriber line
• a communication interface 1270 is a cable modem that converts signals on bus 1210 into signals for a communication connection over a coaxial cable or into optical signals for a communication connection over a fiber optic cable.
• communications interface 1270 may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN, such as Ethernet.
• LAN local area network
• Wireless links may also be implemented.
• the communications interface 1270 sends or receives or both sends and receives electrical, acoustic or electromagnetic signals, including infrared and optical signals, that carry information streams, such as digital data.
• the communications interface 1270 includes a radio band electromagnetic transmitter and receiver called a radio transceiver.
• the communications interface 1270 enables connection to the communication network 105 for presenting a global view of content.
• Non-transitory media such as nonvolatile media, include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 1208.
• Volatile media include, for example, dynamic memory 1204.
• Transmission media include, for example, coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optic cables, and carrier waves that travel through space without wires or cables, such as acoustic waves and electromagnetic waves, including radio, optical and infrared waves.
• Signals include man-made transient variations in amplitude, frequency, phase, polarization or other physical properties transmitted through the transmission media.
• Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, optical mark sheets, any other physical medium with patterns of holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read.
• the term computer-readable storage medium is used herein to refer to any computer-readable medium except transmission media.
• Network link 1278 typically provides information communication using transmission media through one or more networks to other devices that use or process the information.
• network link 1278 may provide a connection through local network 1280 to a host computer 1282 or to equipment 1284 operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
• ISP equipment 1284 in turn provides data communication services through the public, world-wide packet-switching communication network of networks now commonly referred to as the Internet 1290.
• a computer called a server host 1292 connected to the Internet hosts a process that provides a service in response to information received over the Internet.
• server host 1292 hosts a process that provides information representing video data for presentation at display 1214. It is contemplated that the components of system 1200 can be deployed in various configurations within other computer systems, e.g., host 1282 and server 1292.
• At least some embodiments of the invention are related to the use of computer system 1200 for implementing some or all of the techniques described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, those techniques are performed by computer system 1200 in response to processor 1202 executing one or more sequences of one or more processor instructions contained in memory 1204. Such instructions, also called computer instructions, software and program code, may be read into memory 1204 from another computer-readable medium such as storage device 1208 or network link 1278. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in memory 1204 causes processor 1202 to perform one or more of the method steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardware, such as ASIC 1220, may be used in place of or in combination with software to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software, unless otherwise explicitly stated herein.
• Computer system 1200 can send and receive information, including program code, through the networks 1280, 1290 among others, through network link 1278 and communications interface 1270.
• a server host 1292 transmits program code for a particular application, requested by a message sent from computer 1200, through Internet 1290, ISP equipment 1284, local network 1280 and communications interface 1270.
• the received code may be executed by processor 1202 as it is received, or may be stored in memory 1204 or in storage device 1208 or other non-volatile storage for later execution, or both. In this manner, computer system 1200 may obtain application program code in the form of signals on a carrier wave.
• instructions and data may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer such as host 1282.
• the remote computer loads the instructions and data into its dynamic memory and sends the instructions and data over a telephone line using a modem.
• a modem local to the computer system 1200 receives the instructions and data on a telephone line and uses an infra-red transmitter to convert the instructions and data to a signal on an infra-red carrier wave serving as the network link 1278.
• An infrared detector serving as communications interface 1270 receives the instructions and data carried in the infrared signal and places information representing the instructions and data onto bus 1210.
• Bus 1210 carries the information to memory 1204 from which processor 1202 retrieves and executes the instructions using some of the data sent with the instructions.
• the instructions and data received in memory 1204 may optionally be stored on storage device 1208, either before or after execution by the processor 1202.
• FIG. 13 illustrates a chip set 1300 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.
• Chip set 1300 is programmed to present a global view of content as described herein and includes, for instance, the processor and memory components described with respect to FIG. 12 incorporated in one or more physical packages (e.g., chips).
• a physical package includes an arrangement of one or more materials, components, and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard) to provide one or more characteristics such as physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction.
• the chip set can be implemented in a single chip.
• Chip set 1300, or a portion thereof constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of presenting a global view of content.
• the chip set 1300 includes a communication mechanism such as a bus 1301 for passing information among the components of the chip set 1300.
• a processor 1303 has connectivity to the bus 1301 to execute instructions and process information stored in, for example, a memory 1305.
• the processor 1303 may include one or more processing cores with each core configured to perform independently.
• a multi-core processor enables multiprocessing within a single physical package. Examples of a multi-core processor include two, four, eight, or greater numbers of processing cores.
• the processor 1303 may include one or more microprocessors configured in tandem via the bus 1301 to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and multithreading.
• the processor 1303 may also be accompanied with one or more specialized components to perform certain processing functions and tasks such as one or more digital signal processors (DSP) 1307, or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) 1309.
• DSP 1307 typically is configured to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) in real time independently of the processor 1303.
• ASIC 1309 can be configured to performed specialized functions not easily performed by a general purposed processor.
• Other specialized components to aid in performing the inventive functions described herein include one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) (not shown), one or more controllers (not shown), or one or more other special-purpose computer chips.
• FPGA field programmable gate arrays
• the processor 1303 and accompanying components have connectivity to the memory 1305 via the bus 1301.
• the memory 1305 includes both dynamic memory (e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable optical disk, etc.) and static memory (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for storing executable instructions that when executed perform the inventive steps described herein to present a global view of content.
• the memory 1305 also stores the data associated with or generated by the execution of the inventive steps.
• FIG. 14 is a diagram of exemplary components of a mobile terminal (e.g., handset) for communications, which is capable of operating in the system of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment.
• mobile terminal 1400 or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of presenting a global view of content.
• a radio receiver is often defined in terms of front-end and back-end characteristics.
• the front-end of the receiver encompasses all of the Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry whereas the back-end encompasses all of the base-band processing circuitry.
• RF Radio Frequency
• circuitry refers to both: (1) hardware-only implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry), and (2) to combinations of circuitry and software (and/or firmware) (such as, if applicable to the particular context, to a combination of processor(s), including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile device or server, to perform various functions).
• This definition of "circuitry” applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims.
• the term “circuitry” would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) and its (or their) accompanying software/or firmware.
• circuitry would also cover if applicable to the particular context, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit in a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a cellular network device or other network devices.
• Pertinent internal components of the telephone include a Main Control Unit (MCU) 1403, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 1405, and a receiver/transmitter unit including a microphone gain control unit and a speaker gain control unit.
• a main display unit 1407 provides a display to the user in support of various applications and mobile terminal functions that perform or support the steps of presenting a global view of content.
• the display 14 includes display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile terminal (e.g., mobile telephone).
• An audio function circuitry 1409 includes a microphone 1411 and microphone amplifier that amplifies the speech signal output from the microphone 1411.
• the amplified speech signal output from the microphone 141 1 is fed to a coder/decoder (CODEC) 1413.
• CDDEC coder/decoder
• a radio section 1415 amplifies power and converts frequency in order to communicate with a base station, which is included in a mobile communication system, via antenna 1417.
• the power amplifier (PA) 1419 and the transmitter/modulation circuitry are operationally responsive to the MCU 1403, with an output from the PA 1419 coupled to the dup lexer 1421 or circulator or antenna switch, as known in the art.
• the PA 1419 also couples to a battery interface and power control unit 1420.
• a user of mobile terminal 1401 speaks into the microphone 141 1 and his or her voice along with any detected background noise is converted into an analog voltage. The analog voltage is then converted into a digital signal through the Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) 1423.
• ADC Analog to Digital Converter
• the control unit 1403 routes the digital signal into the DSP 1405 for processing therein, such as speech encoding, channel encoding, encrypting, and interleaving.
• the processed voice signals are encoded, by units not separately shown, using a cellular transmission protocol such as global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), satellite, and the like.
• EDGE global evolution
• GPRS general packet radio service
• GSM global system for mobile communications
• IMS Internet protocol multimedia subsystem
• UMTS universal mobile telecommunications system
• any other suitable wireless medium e.g., microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE
• the encoded signals are then routed to an equalizer 1425 for compensation of any frequency-dependent impairments that occur during transmission though the air such as phase and amplitude distortion.
• the modulator 1427 combines the signal with a RF signal generated in the RF interface 1429.
• the modulator 1427 generates a sine wave by way of frequency or phase modulation.
• an up- converter 1431 combines the sine wave output from the modulator 1427 with another sine wave generated by a synthesizer 1433 to achieve the desired frequency of transmission.
• the signal is then sent through a PA 1419 to increase the signal to an appropriate power level.
• the PA 1419 acts as a variable gain amplifier whose gain is controlled by the DSP 1405 from information received from a network base station.
• the signal is then filtered within the duplexer 1421 and optionally sent to an antenna coupler 1435 to match impedances to provide maximum power transfer. Finally, the signal is transmitted via antenna 1417 to a local base station.
• An automatic gain control (AGC) can be supplied to control the gain of the final stages of the receiver.
• the signals may be forwarded from there to a remote telephone which may be another cellular telephone, other mobile device or a land-line connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), or other telephony networks.
• PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network
• Voice signals transmitted to the mobile terminal 1401 are received via antenna 1417 and immediately amplified by a low noise amplifier (LNA) 1437.
• LNA low noise amplifier
• a down-converter 1439 lowers the carrier frequency while the demodulator 1441 strips away the RF leaving only a digital bit stream.
• the signal then goes through the equalizer 1425 and is processed by the DSP 1405.
• a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) 1443 converts the signal and the resulting output is transmitted to the user through the speaker 1445, all under control of a Main Control Unit (MCU) 1403-which can be implemented as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) (not shown).
• MCU Main Control Unit
• CPU Central Processing Unit
• the MCU 1403 receives various signals including input signals from the keyboard 1447.
• the keyboard 1447 and/or the MCU 1403 in combination with other user input components comprise a user interface circuitry for managing user input.
• the MCU 1403 runs a user interface software to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal 1401 to present a global view of content.
• the MCU 1403 also delivers a display command and a switch command to the display 1407 and to the speech output switching controller, respectively.
• the MCU 1403 exchanges information with the DSP 1405 and can access an optionally incorporated SIM card 1449 and a memory 1451.
• the MCU 1403 executes various control functions required of the terminal.
• the DSP 1405 may, depending upon the implementation, perform any of a variety of conventional digital processing functions on the voice signals. Additionally, DSP 1405 determines the background noise level of the local environment from the signals detected by microphone 1411 and sets the gain of microphone 1411 to a level selected to compensate for the natural tendency of the user of the mobile terminal 1401.
• the CODEC 1413 includes the ADC 1423 and DAC 1443.
• the memory 1451 stores various data including call incoming tone data and is capable of storing other data including music data received via, e.g., the global Internet.
• the software module could reside in RAM memory, flash memory, registers, or any other form of writable storage medium known in the art.
• the memory device 1451 may be, but not limited to, a single memory, CD, DVD, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, optical storage, or any other non-volatile storage medium capable of storing digital data.
• An optionally incorporated SIM card 1449 carries, for instance, important information, such as the cellular phone number, the carrier supplying service, subscription details, and security information.
• the SIM card 1449 serves primarily to identify the mobile terminal 1401 on a radio network.
• the card 1449 also contains a memory for storing a personal telephone number registry, text messages, and user specific mobile terminal settings.

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• 2009
  • 2009-12-11 US US12/636,262 patent/US8543917B2/en active Active
• 2010
  • 2010-11-25 CN CN201080056025.3A patent/CN102754097B/zh active Active
  • 2010-11-25 EP EP10835546.2A patent/EP2510465A4/de not_active Ceased
  • 2010-11-25 WO PCT/FI2010/050960 patent/WO2011070228A1/en active Application Filing

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