# US 9,438,959 B2 · Method and system for watching content and playing games on a mobile communication device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,438,959 B2 - Document ID: US9438959B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/523,515 - Filed: 2012-06-14 - Published: 2013-12-19 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-06-14 - Assignees: Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. - Applicants: Carrie Baugus; Sherri Glass; Christopher Waldron; James Wentzel; Alan Moore; Christine Veith; Beau Teague; Jaclyn Cannon; Randall Coston; Mario Piedra; Paul Condolora; Jason Nunes; Frederick Kahl; Andrew Pratt; Kristin Elllington; Chad Fuller; Kenneth Bunch - Inventors: Carrie Baugus; Sherri Glass; Christopher Waldron; James Wentzel; Alan Moore; Christine Veith; Beau Teague; Jaclyn Cannon; Randall Coston; Mario Piedra; Paul Condolora; Jason Nunes; Frederick Kahl; Andrew Pratt; Kristin Elllington; Chad Fuller; Kenneth Bunch - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9438959B2 ## CPC - H04N 21/4781: {Games} - A63F 13/21: characterised by their sensors, purposes or types - A63F 13/211: using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes - A63F 13/2145: the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens - A63F 13/338: using television networks - A63F 13/52: involving aspects of the displayed game scene - A63F 13/92: Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing - G06T 3/60: Rotation of whole images or parts thereof - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL ## Abstract A method and system for watching video and playing games in a mobile communication device are described in which video content is received from a network television channel and, based on the orientation of the mobile communication device and the device type, the video content and/or a game may be displayed. When in a portrait orientation, the operating mode may be such that the video content and/or the game may be displayed. For a tablet device in a portrait orientation, for example, both the video content and the game may be displayed. When the mobile communication device is changed to a landscape orientation, the operating mode may be different and only one of the video content and the game may be displayed based on whether the mobile communication device was rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise. A rewards program may combine the video-watching and game-playing activities of the user. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method, comprising: in a mobile communication device comprising a display, a hardware communication module, a hardware processor, and a hardware sensor module comprising one or more sensors: receiving, via the hardware communication module from a network channel server, video content corresponding to a network television channel; determining, by the hardware processor, based on an output from the one or more sensors, an orientation of the mobile communication device; determining, by the hardware processor, an operating mode of the mobile communication device when running a particular application, wherein the determination is based on a type of the mobile communication device, a screen size of the display, and capability of the display to support concurrent display of video content and playing of a game; reproducing, by the hardware processor, for concurrent presentation on the display, based on the determined orientation and determined mode of the mobile communication device, the received video content and the game selected from a plurality of games; collecting icons based on an amount of time that video content is displayed or reproduced by the mobile communication device; and mixing the collected icons to produce new icons to be utilized with one or more of the plurality of games, wherein the new icons are utilized to perform interactions that were not previously allowed but are now available because of the new icons. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, comprising reproducing on the display both the selected game and the video content when the mobile communication device is a tablet device and the orientation of the mobile communication device is a portrait orientation. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, comprising: detecting that the orientation of the mobile communication device has changed from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation by rotation of the mobile communication device in a clockwise direction; and reproducing on the display the selected game without the received video content. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, comprising: detecting that the orientation of the mobile communication device has changed from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation by rotation of the mobile communication device in a counter-clockwise direction; and reproducing on the display the selected game without the received video content. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, comprising: detecting that the orientation of the mobile communication device has changed from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation by rotation of the mobile communication device in a clockwise direction; and reproducing on the display the received video content without the selected game. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, comprising: detecting that the orientation of the mobile communication device has changed from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation by rotation of the mobile communication device in a counter-clockwise direction; and reproducing on the display the received video content without the selected game. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, comprising: reproducing on the display, based on the determined orientation of the mobile communication device, one of the received video content and the selected game; detecting that the orientation of the mobile communication device has changed, the change in orientation being from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation or from a landscape orientation to a portrait orientation; and reproducing on the display the one of the received video content and the selected game not previously reproduced. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, comprising: generating one or more operation instructions; reproducing the generated operation instructions on the display; and selecting the game from the plurality of games corresponding to the network television channel based on an input received from a user, the input being provided by the user in response to the reproduction of the generated operation instructions. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the generated operation instructions comprise orientation and/or rotation instructions to reproduce on the display one or both of the received video content and the selected game, the orientation and/or rotation instructions being based on the type of mobile communication device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, comprising: collecting a first type of reward corresponding to the amount of time the received video content is reproduced on the display; collecting a second type of reward corresponding to user interaction with the selected game; and combining the collected first type of reward with the collected second type of reward to produce a third type of reward, wherein the third type of reward is utilized for subsequent user interaction with the selected game. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, comprising collecting points for combining the collected icons. ### Claim 12 A system, comprising: a mobile communication device comprising a display, a hardware communication module, a hardware processor, and a hardware sensor module comprising one or more sensors, wherein: the hardware communication module receives from a network communication server, video content corresponding to a network television channel; the hardware processor determines, based on an output from the one or more sensors, an orientation of the mobile communication device; the hardware processor determines an operating mode of the mobile communication device when running a particular application, wherein the determination is based on a type of the mobile communication device, a screen size of the display, and capability of the display to support concurrent display of video content and playing of a game; the hardware processor reproduces, for concurrent presentation on the display, based on the determined orientation and determined mode of the mobile communication device, the received video content and the game selected from a plurality of games; the hardware processor collects icons based on an amount of time that video content is displayed or reproduced by the mobile communication device; and the hardware processor mixes the collected icons to produce new icons to be utilized with one or more of the plurality of dames, wherein the new icons are utilized to perform interactions that were not previously allowed but are now available because of the new icons. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the mobile communication device is operable to reproduce on the display both the selected game and the video content when the mobile communication device is a tablet device and the orientation of the mobile communication device is a portrait orientation. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the mobile communication device is operable to: detect that the orientation of the mobile communication device has changed from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation by rotation of the mobile communication device in a clockwise direction; and reproduce on the display the selected game without the received video content. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the mobile communication device is operable to: detect that the orientation of the mobile communication device has changed from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation by rotation of the mobile communication device in a counter-clockwise direction; and reproduce on the display the selected game without the received video content. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the mobile communication device is operable to: detect that the orientation of the mobile communication device has changed from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation by rotation of the mobile communication device in a clockwise direction; and reproduce on the display the received video content without the selected game. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the mobile communication device is operable to: detect that the orientation of the mobile communication device has changed from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation by rotation of the mobile communication device in a counter-clockwise direction; and reproduce on the display the received video content without the selected game. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the mobile communication device is operable to: reproduce on the display, based on the determined orientation of the mobile communication device, one of the received video content and the selected game; detect that the orientation of the mobile communication device has changed, the change in orientation being from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation or from a landscape orientation to a portrait orientation; and reproduce on the display the one of the received video content and the selected game not previously reproduced. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the mobile communication device is operable to: generate one or more operation instructions; reproduce the generated operation instructions on the display; and select the game from the plurality of games corresponding to the network television channel based on an input received from a user, the input being provided by the user in response to the reproduction of the generated operation instructions. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the generated operation instructions comprise orientation and/or rotation instructions to reproduce on the display one or both of the received video content and the selected game, the orientation and/or rotation instructions being based on the type of mobile communication device. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the mobile communication device is operable to: collect a first type of reward corresponding to the amount of time the received video content is reproduced on the display; collect a second type of reward corresponding to user interaction with the selected game; and combine the collected first type of reward and the collected second type of reward to produce a third type of reward, wherein the third type of reward is utilized for subsequent user interaction with the selected game. ### Claim 22 (depends on 12) The system according to claim 12, comprising collecting points for combining the collected icons. ### Claim 23 A non-transitory computer readable media having stored thereon a computer program having at least one code section for processing data, the at least one code section being executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform steps comprising: in a mobile communication device comprising a display, a hardware communication module, a hardware processor, and a hardware sensor module comprising one or more sensors: receiving, via the hardware communication module from a network channel server, video content corresponding to a network television channel; determining, by the hardware processor, based on an output from the one or more sensors, an orientation of the mobile communication device; determining, by the hardware processor, an operating mode of the mobile communication device when running a particular application, wherein the determination is based on a type of the mobile communication device, a screen size of the display, and capability of the display to support concurrent display of video content and playing of a game; reproducing, by the hardware processor, for concurrent presentation on the display, based on the determined orientation and determined mode of the mobile communication device, the received video content and the game selected from a plurality of games; collecting icons based on an amount of time that video content is displayed or reproduced by the mobile communication device; and mixing the collected icons to produce new icons to be utilized with one or more of the plurality of games, wherein the new icons are utilized to perform interactions that were not previously allowed but are now available because of the new icons. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 23, wherein the at least one code section comprises code for reproducing on the display both the selected game and the video content when the mobile communication device is a tablet device and the orientation of the mobile communication device is a portrait orientation. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 24, wherein the at least one code section comprises code for: detecting that the orientation of the mobile communication device has changed from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation by rotation of the mobile communication device in a clockwise direction; and reproducing on the display the selected game without the received video content. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 24, wherein the at least one code section comprises code for: detecting that the orientation of the mobile communication device has changed from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation by rotation of the mobile communication device in a counter-clockwise direction; and reproducing on the display the selected game without the received video content. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 24, wherein the at least one code section comprises code for: detecting that the orientation of the mobile communication device has changed from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation by rotation of the mobile communication device in a clockwise direction; and reproducing on the display the received video content without the selected game. ### Claim 28 (depends on 24) The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 24, wherein the at least one code section comprises code for: detecting that the orientation of the mobile communication device has changed from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation by rotation of the mobile communication device in a counter-clockwise direction; and reproducing on the display the received video content without the selected game. ### Claim 29 (depends on 23) The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 23, wherein the at least one code section comprises code for: reproducing on the display, based on the determined orientation of the mobile communication device, one of the received video content and the selected game; detecting that the orientation of the mobile communication device has changed, the change in orientation being from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation or from a landscape orientation to a portrait orientation; and reproducing on the display the one of the received video content and the selected game not previously reproduced. ### Claim 30 (depends on 23) The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 23, wherein the at least one code section comprises code for: generating one or more operation instructions; reproducing the generated operation instructions on the display; and selecting the game from the plurality of games corresponding to the network television channel based on an input received from a user, the input being provided by the user in response to the reproduction of the generated operation instructions. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 30, wherein the generated operation instructions comprise orientation and/or rotation instructions to reproduce on the display one or both of the received video content and the selected game, the orientation and/or rotation instructions being based on the type of mobile communication device. ### Claim 32 (depends on 23) The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 23, wherein the at least one code section comprises code for: collecting a first type of reward corresponding to the amount of time the received video content is reproduced on the display; collecting a second type of reward corresponding to user interaction with the selected game; and combining the collected first type of reward with the collected second type of reward to produce a third type of reward, wherein the third type of reward is utilized for subsequent user interaction with the selected game. ### Claim 33 (depends on 23) The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 23, wherein the at least one code section comprises code for collecting points for combining the collected icons. ### Claim 34 A method, comprising: determining, by a hardware processor in a mobile communication device, based on a type of the mobile communication device, a screen size of a display of the mobile communication device, and capability of the display to support concurrent display of video content and playing of a game when the display is partitioned into a first portion for displaying the video content and a second portion for playing the game, an operating mode of the mobile communication device when running an application that enables displaying of the video content and the playing of the game by the mobile communication device; reproducing instructions corresponding to operation of the running application to assist a user in making selections and in orienting the mobile communication device; concurrently presenting on the display, based on the determined orientation and determined mode of the mobile communication device, the received video content and the game selected from a plurality of games based on the selections; collecting icons based on an amount of time that video content is displayed or reproduced by the mobile communication device; and mixing the collected icons to produce new icons to be utilized with one or more of the plurality of games, wherein the new icons are utilized to perform interactions that were not previously allowed but are now available because of the new icons. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The method according to claim 34, comprising collecting points for combining the collected icons. ### Claim 36 A system, comprising: a hardware processor in a mobile communication device that determines based on a type of the mobile communication device, a screen size of a display of the mobile communication device, and capability of the display to support concurrent display of video content and playing of a game when the display is partitioned into a first portion for displaying the video content and a second portion for playing the game, an operating mode of the mobile communication device when running an application that enables displaying of the video content and the playing of the game by the mobile communication device; the display reproduces instructions corresponding to operation of the running application to assist a user in making selections and in orienting the mobile communication device; the display concurrently presents, based on the determined orientation and determined mode of the mobile communication device, the received video content and the game selected from a plurality of games based on the selections; the hardware processor collects icons based on an amount of time that video content is displayed or reproduced by the mobile communication device; and the hardware processor mixes the collected icons to produce new icons to be utilized with one or more of the plurality of games, wherein the new icons are utilized to perform interactions that were not previously allowed but are now available because of the new icons. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The system according to claim 36, comprising collecting points for combining the collected icons. ### Claim 38 A non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising: code for determining, by a hardware processor in a mobile communication device, based on a type of the mobile communication device, a screen size of a display of the mobile communication device, and capability of the display to support concurrent display of video content and playing of a game when the display is partitioned into a first portion for displaying the video content and a second portion for playing the game, an operating mode of the mobile communication device when running an application that enables displaying of the video content and the playing of the game by the mobile communication device; code for reproducing instructions corresponding to operation of the running application to assist a user in making selections and in orienting the mobile communication device; code for concurrently presenting on the display, based on the determined orientation and determined mode of the mobile communication device, the received video content and the game selected from a plurality of games based on the selections; code for collecting icons based on an amount of time that video content is displayed or reproduced by the mobile communication device; and code for mixing the collected icons to produce new icons to be utilized with one or more of the plurality of games, wherein the new icons are utilized to perform interactions that were not previously allowed but are now available because of the new icons. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 38, comprising code for collecting points for combining the collected icons.