System, method and apparatus for integrating social functions into a device
AssigneeVizio Inc.
InventorMatthew Blake McRae
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An application for a television interfacing to a social network includes an interface to the social network relating to a program or activity of the user. For example, if the user is watching a sporting event, using their remote control, the user easily informs other social network subscribers or groups of subscribers of the sporting event, in case they are unaware that the sporting event is being televised. With a simple command initiative, the receiving subscriber changes to the recommended content/program.
Claims25
A social network system comprising:
- a network;
- a plurality of televisions, each of the televisions having a processor, each processor interfaced to the network;
- a social network system, the social network system having a server, the server interfaced to the network;
- a means for registering each of the televisions with the social network;
- a means for signaling a first television of the televisions to initiate a social network function, responsive to means for signaling, the first television of the televisions sending an information packet over the network to the server;
- a means for distributing a request packet from the social network to one or more of the televisions over the network;
- and
- at the one or more of the televisions, a means for receiving the request packet, a means for displaying information from the request packet and a means for changing a content shown on the one or more of the televisions based on viewer approval.
A method of providing social network features to a television, the method comprising:
- providing a network and a plurality of televisions, each of the televisions having a processor, each processor interfaced to the network;
- providing a social network system, the social network system having a server, the server interfaced to the network;
- registering each of the televisions with the social network;
- signaling a first television of the televisions to initiate a social network function;
- responsive to the signaling, the first television of the televisions sending an information packet over the network to the server;
- the server distributing a request packet to one or more of the televisions over the network;
- and
- at the one or more of the televisions, receiving the request packet, displaying information from the request packet and changing a content shown on the one or more of the televisions based on viewer approval.
A system for providing social network features to a television, the system comprising:
- a network, a first television and a second television, each of the televisions having a processor, each processor interfaced to the network;
- a social network system, the social network system having a server, the server interfaced to the network;
- software running on each of the processors registers each of the televisions with the social network;
- software running on the processor of the first television initiates a social network function responsive to a command from a remote control associated with the first television by sending an information packet over the network to the server;
- software running on the server receives the information packet and, responsive to the information packet, distributes a request packet over the network to one or more televisions, including the second television;
- and
- software running on the processor of the second television receives the request packet, displays information from the request packet, reads a viewer's command from a remote control associated with the second television, and changes a content shown on the second televisions based on approval of the viewer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.