US 5,548,340 AGranted

Intelligent television receivers combinations including video displays, and methods for diversion of television viewers by visual image modification

AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation

InventorRandall L. Bertram

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Abstract

Television viewers are presented with the opportunity to be diverted during intervals such as display of commercials, delays pending initiation of a near video on demand signal stream, and the like. The diversions take the form of overlaying on a frozen or continuing moving frame of visual images various game playing constructs manipulable by the remote control used to perform other control functions for the display device. The display device may be a television receiver linked to a set top device, an intelligent television receiver, or a personal computer provided with television image reception and display capability. Overlaying occurs over a frozen frame in certain disclosed diversions and over moving images in others. The accompanying audio signal stream may also be modified.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A combination comprising:

a television receiver having:
a video display device for displaying visual images to a human observer;
an audio transducer for emitting sound associated with displayed visual images;
and
video/audio reception circuitry coupled to said video display device and to said audio transducer for receiving signals transmitted at frequencies which are outside direct sensing by the human observer and for delivering to said video display device video signals which drive said video display device to display said visual images and to said audio transducer audio signals which drive said audio transducer to emit said sound;
a remote control device usable at some distance of separation from said television receiver and having:
a housing sized to be held in the hand of the human observer;
a manually engagable input device mounted in said housing for manipulation by the human observer;
and
control transmitter circuitry mounted in said housing and coupled to said input device for transmitting at a frequency which is outside direct sensing by the human observer command signals coordinated in a predetermined manner to manipulation of said input device by the human observer;
and
a display controller having:
command receiver circuitry for receiving said command signals from said command transmitter circuitry and for deriving from said received command signals image directing signals directing modification of said visual images;
a microprocessor coupled to said command receiver circuitry and to said video reception circuitry
(a) for receiving said image directing signals,
(b) for executing control sequences in response to said image directing signals, and
(c) for modifying said visual images as directed by manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer;
memory devices coupled to said microprocessor for receiving and storing and delivering digitally encoded data used by said microprocessor in executing control programs;
and
digitally encoded control program data stored in said memory devices and effective on execution by said microprocessor for modifying said video signals in predetermined manners in response to predetermined image directing signals;
said control program data comprising game program data for selectively manipulating said visual images to display intentional distortions of visual images otherwise displayed for purposes of diversion and further comprising menuing program data effective on execution by said microprocessor for controlling modification of said video signals.

18 more elements

A combination comprising:

a television receiver having:
a video display device for displaying visual images to a human observer;
an audio transducer for emitting sound associated with displayed visual images;
and
video/audio reception circuitry coupled to said video display device and to said audio transducer for receiving signals transmitted at frequencies which are outside direct sensing by the human observer and for delivering to said video display device video signals which drive said video display device to display said visual images and to said audio transducer audio signals which drive said audio transducer to emit said sound;
a remote control device usable at some distance of separation from said television receiver and having:
a housing sized to be held in the hand of the human observer;
a manually engagable input device mounted in said housing for manipulation by the human observer;
and
control transmitter circuitry mounted in said housing and coupled to said input device for transmitting at a frequency which is outside direct sensing by the human observer command signals coordinated in a predetermined manner to manipulation of said input device by the human observer;
and
a display controller having:
command receiver circuitry for receiving said command signals from said command transmitter circuitry and for deriving from said received command signals image directing signals directing modification of said visual images;
a microprocessor coupled to said command receiver circuitry and to said video reception circuitry
(a) for receiving said image directing signals,
(b) for executing control sequences in response to said image directing signals, and
(c) for modifying said visual images as directed by manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer;
memory devices coupled to said microprocessor for receiving and storing and delivering digitally encoded data used by said microprocessor in executing control programs;
and
digitally encoded control program data stored in said memory devices and effective on execution by said microprocessor for modifying said video signals in predetermined manners in response to predetermined image directing signals;
said control program data comprising game program data for selectively manipulating said visual images to display intentional distortions of visual images otherwise displayed for purposes of diversion;
said microprocessor and said game program data cooperating, as directed by manipulation of said remote control by the human observer, for:
freezing a frame of said visual images while delivery of said audio signals continues;
executing control sequences in response to said image directing signals for modifying said frame of said visual images as directed by manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer to display intentional distortions of said frame of said visual images for purposes of diversion while delivery of audio signals continues;
and
thereafter resuming delivery of video signals.

23 more elements

A combination comprising:

a television receiver having:
a video display device for displaying visual images to a human observer;
an audio transducer for emitting sound associated with displayed visual images;
and
video/audio reception circuitry coupled to said video display device and to said audio transducer for receiving signals transmitted at frequencies which are outside direct sensing by the human observer and for delivering to said video display device video signals which drive said video display device to display said visual images and to said audio transducer audio signals which drive said audio transducer to emit said sound;
a remote control device usable at some distance of separation from said television receiver and having:
a housing sized to be held in the hand of the human observer;
a manually engagable input device mounted in said housing for manipulation by the human observer;
and
control transmitter circuitry mounted in said housing and coupled to said input device for transmitting at a frequency which is outside direct sensing by the human observer command signals coordinated in a predetermined manner to manipulation of said input device by the human observer;
and
a display controller having:
command receiver circuitry for receiving said command signals from said command transmitter circuitry and for deriving from said received command signals image directing signals directing modification of said visual images;
a microprocessor coupled to said command receiver circuitry and to said video reception circuitry
(a) for receiving said image directing signals,
(b) for executing control sequences in response to said image directing signals, and
(c) for modifying said visual images as directed by manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer;
memory devices coupled to said microprocessor for receiving and storing and delivering digitally encoded data used by said microprocessor in executing control programs;
and
digitally encoded control program data stored in said memory devices and effective on execution by said microprocessor for modifying said video signals in predetermined manners in response to predetermined image directing signals;
said control program data comprising game program data for selectively manipulating said visual images to display intentional distortions of visual images otherwise displayed for purposes of diversion;
wherein said microprocessor and said game program data cooperate for modifying said frame of said visual images by causing cartoon character graphic elements to be superimposed on said frame of said visual images while modifying the tonal characteristics of said audio signals to a tonal envelope characteristic of a selected one of said cartoon character graphic elements.

19 more elements

A combination comprising:

a remote control device usable at some distance of separation from a television receiver and having:
a housing sized to be held in the hand of a human observer;
a manually engagable input device mounted in said housing for manipulation by the human observer;
and
control transmitter circuitry mounted in said housing and coupled to said input device for transmitting at a frequency which is outside direct sensing by the human observer command signals coordinated in a predetermined manner to manipulation of said input device by the human observer;
and
a display controller for coupling to a television receiver video display device and for delivering to a coupled television receiver video display device image directing signals, said display controller having:
command receiver circuitry for receiving said command signals from said command transmitter circuitry and for deriving from said received command signals image directing signals directing modification of visual images displayed to a human observer by the television receiver video display device, and;
a microprocessor coupled to said command receiver circuitry and to said video reception circuitry
(a) for receiving said image directing signals,
(b) for executing control sequences in response to said image directing signals, and
(c) for modifying said visual images as directed by manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer;
memory devices coupled to said microprocessor for receiving and storing and delivering digitally encoded data used by said microprocessor in executing control programs;
and
digitally encoded control program data stored in said memory devices and effective on execution by said microprocessor for modifying said video signals in predetermined manners in response to predetermined image directing signals;
said control program data comprising game program data for selectively manipulating said visual images to display intentional distortions of visual images otherwise displayed for purposes of diversion menuing program data effective on execution by said microprocessor for controlling modification of said video signals.

13 more elements

A combination comprising:

a remote control device usable at some distance of separation from a television receiver and having:
a housing sized to be held in the hand of a human observer;
a manually engagable input device mounted in said housing for manipulation by the human observer;
and
control transmitter circuitry mounted in said housing and coupled to said input device for transmitting at a frequency which is outside direct sensing by the human observer command signals coordinated in a predetermined manner to manipulation of said input device by the human observer;
and
a display controller for coupling to a television receiver video display device and for delivering to a coupled television receiver video display device image directing signals, said display controller having:
command receiver circuitry for receiving said command signals from said command transmitter circuitry and for deriving from said received command signals image directing signals directing modification of visual images displayed to a human observer by the television receiver video display device, and;
a microprocessor coupled to said command receiver circuitry and to said video reception circuitry
(a) for receiving said image directing signals,
(b) for executing control sequences in response to said image directing signals, and
(c) for modifying said visual images as directed by manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer;
memory devices coupled to said microprocessor for receiving and storing and delivering digitally encoded data used by said microprocessor in executing control programs;
and
digitally encoded control program data stored in said memory devices and effective on execution by said microprocessor for modifying said video signals in predetermined manners in response to predetermined image directing signals;
said control program data comprising game program data for selectively manipulating said visual images to display intentional distortions of visual images otherwise displayed for purposes of diversion;
said microprocessor and said game program data cooperating, as directed by manipulation of said remote control by the human observer, for:
freezing a frame of said visual images while delivery of said audio signals continues;
executing control sequences in response to said image directing signals for modifying said frame of said visual images as directed by manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer to display intentional distortions of said frame of said visual images for purposes of diversion while delivery of audio signals continues;
and
thereafter resuming delivery of video signals.

18 more elements

A combination comprising:

a remote control device usable at some distance of separation from a television receiver and having:
a housing sized to be held in the hand of a human observer;
a manually engagable input device mounted in said housing for manipulation by the human observer;
and
control transmitter circuitry mounted in said housing and coupled to said input device for transmitting at a frequency which is outside direct sensing by the human observer command signals coordinated in a predetermined manner to manipulation of said input device by the human observer;
and
a display controller for coupling to a television receiver video display device and for delivering to a coupled television receiver video display device image directing signals, said display controller having:
command receiver circuitry for receiving said command signals from said command transmitter circuitry and for deriving from said received command signals image directing signals directing modification of visual images displayed to a human observer by the television receiver video display device, and;
a microprocessor coupled to said command receiver circuitry and to said video reception circuitry
(a) for receiving said image directing signals,
(b) for executing control sequences in response to said image directing signals, and
(c) for modifying said visual images as directed by manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer;
memory devices coupled to said microprocessor for receiving and storing and delivering digitally encoded data used by said microprocessor in executing control programs;
and
digitally encoded control program data stored in said memory devices and effective on execution by said microprocessor for modifying said video signals in predetermined manners in response to predetermined image directing signals;
said control program data comprising game program data for selectively manipulating said visual images to display intentional distortions of visual images otherwise displayed for purposes of diversion;
wherein said microprocessor and said game program data cooperate for modifying said frame of said visual images by causing cartoon character graphic elements to be superimposed on said frame of said visual images while modifying the tonal characteristics of said audio signals to a tonal envelope characteristic of a selected one of said cartoon character graphic elements.

14 more elements

An intelligent television receiver comprising:

a remote control device usable at some distance of separation from a television receiver and having:
a housing sized to be held in the hand of a human observer;
a manually engagable input device mounted in said housing for manipulation by the human observer;
and
control transmitter circuitry mounted in said housing and coupled to said input device for transmitting at a frequency which is outside direct sensing by the human observer command signals coordinated in a predetermined manner to manipulation of said input device by the human observer;
a video display device for displaying visual images to a human observer;
video reception circuitry coupled to said video display device for receiving signals transmitted at frequencies which are outside direct sensing by the human observer and for delivering to said video display device video signals which drive said video display device to display visual images;
command receiver circuitry for receiving said command signals from said command transmitter circuitry and for deriving from said received command signals image directing signals directing modification of visual images displayed to a human observer by the television receiver video display device;
a microprocessor coupled to said command receiver circuitry and to said video reception circuitry
(a) for receiving said image directing signals,
(b) for executing control sequences in response to said image directing signals, and
(c) for modifying said visual images as directed by manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer;
memory devices coupled to said microprocessor for receiving and storing and delivering digitally encoded data used by said microprocessor in executing control programs;
and
digitally encoded control program data stored in said memory devices and effective on execution by said microprocessor for modifying said video signals in predetermined manners in response to predetermined image directing signals;
said control program data comprising game program data for selectively manipulating said visual images to display intentional distortions of visual images otherwise displayed for purposes of diversion and menuing program data effective on execution by said microprocessor for controlling modification of said video signals.

13 more elements

An intelligent television receiver comprising:

a remote control device usable at some distance of separation from a television receiver and having:
a housing sized to be held in the hand of a human observer;
a manually engagable input device mounted in said housing for manipulation by the human observer;
and
control transmitter circuitry mounted in said housing and coupled to said input device for transmitting at a frequency which is outside direct sensing by the human observer command signals coordinated in a predetermined manner to manipulation of said input device by the human observer;
a video display device for displaying visual images to a human observer;
video reception circuitry coupled to said video display device for receiving signals transmitted at frequencies which are outside direct sensing by the human observer and for delivering to said video display device video signals which drive said video display device to display visual images;
command receiver circuitry for receiving said command signals from said command transmitter circuitry and for deriving from said received command signals image directing signals directing modification of visual images displayed to a human observer by the television receiver video display device;
a microprocessor coupled to said command receiver circuitry and to said video reception circuitry
(a) for receiving said image directing signals,
(b) for executing control sequences in response to said image directing signals, and
(c) for modifying said visual images as directed by manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer;
memory devices coupled to said microprocessor for receiving and storing and delivering digitally encoded data used by said microprocessor in executing control programs;
and
digitally encoded control program data stored in said memory devices and effective on execution by said microprocessor for modifying said video signals in predetermined manners in response to predetermined image directing signals;
said control program data comprising game program data for selectively manipulating said visual images to display intentional distortions of visual images otherwise displayed for purposes of diversion;
said microprocessor and said game program data cooperating, as directed by manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer, for:
freezing a frame of said visual images while delivery of said audio signals continues;
executing control sequences in response to said image directing signals for modifying said frame of said visual images as directed by manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer to display intentional distortions of said frame of said visual images for purposes of diversion while delivery of audio signals continues;
and
thereafter resuming delivery of video signals.

18 more elements

An intelligent television receiver comprising:

a remote control device usable at some distance of separation from a television receiver and having:
a housing sized to be held in the hand of a human observer;
a manually engagable input device mounted in said housing for manipulation by the human observer;
and
control transmitter circuitry mounted in said housing and coupled to said input device for transmitting at a frequency which is outside direct sensing by the human observer command signals coordinated in a predetermined manner to manipulation of said input device by the human observer;
a video display device for displaying visual images to a human observer;
video reception circuitry coupled to said video display device for receiving signals transmitted at frequencies which are outside direct sensing by the human observer and for delivering to said video display device video signals which drive said video display device to display visual images;
command receiver circuitry for receiving said command signals from said command transmitter circuitry and for deriving from said received command signals image directing signals directing modification of visual images displayed to a human observer by the television receiver video display device;
a microprocessor coupled to said command receiver circuitry and to said video reception circuitry
(a) for receiving said image directing signals,
(b) for executing control sequences in response to said image directing signals, and
(c) for modifying said visual images as directed by manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer;
memory devices coupled to said microprocessor for receiving and storing and delivering digitally encoded data used by said microprocessor in executing control programs;
and
digitally encoded control program data stored in said memory devices and effective on execution by said microprocessor for modifying said video signals in predetermined manners in response to predetermined image directing signals;
said control program data comprising game program data for selectively manipulating said visual images to display intentional distortions of visual images otherwise displayed for purposes of diversion;
wherein said microprocessor and said game program data cooperate for modifying said frame of said visual images by causing cartoon character graphic elements to be superimposed on said frame of said visual images while modifying the tonal characteristics of said audio signals to a tonal envelope characteristic of a selected one of said cartoon character graphic elements.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/454,803Filed 31 May 1995
Granted: 20 Aug 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification20 codes

G06F 3/033
Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form: pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user ,…
G09G 5/393
Control of the bit-mapped memory: arrangements for updating the contents of the bit-mapped memory
H04N 5/44
Details of television systems: receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards
H04N 5/775
Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus: between a recording apparatus and a television receiver