FIELDO F INVENTION
[000 1 ] The present subject matter relates to Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and,
particularly but not exclusively, to providing information about IPTV streams.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Digital broadcasting services have been traditionally provided through satellite,
cable, or ground waves. The increase in network speeds and the enhancement of quality of
service (QoS) of services provided over the internet has led to the wide adoption of Internet
Protocol television (IPTV). The IPTV services facilitate providing digital broadcasting service
over the Internet. Initially, many service providers had developed and used proprietary
technologies to offer various IPTV products and lPTV services to the users. With time, various
standards related to IPTV have been introduced and adopted. For example, the Technical Module
IP Infrastructure (TM-IPI) ad-hoc group which is under the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB)
Project is a representative IPTV standard group. IPTV provides many additional features, over
traditional broadcast televisions, which include the possibility to offer video on demand (VOD)
service, using picture-in-picture to view a second channel as a pop-up window or an overlay
window while watching a program on a first channel, pausing a program, rewinding a program
and restarting a program.
SUMMARY
[0003] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to providing information
about IPTV streams. This summary is not intended to identi@ essential features of the claimed
subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed
subject matter.
[0004] According to an embodiment of the present subject matter, a content viewing
device for providing information about lnternet Protocol Television (IPTV) streams comprises a
processor, and a content splitter module coupled to the processor, The content splitter module
receives an IPTV stream as a composite content from a service provider of IPTV services and
splits the composite content into primary content and background content. The content viewing
device further comprises a background content display (BGCD) module, coupled to the
processor, to determine whether a user input to provide the background content of the primary
content has been received. The BGCD module thereafter provides the background content to the
user on determining the receipt of the user input.
[OOOS] According to another embodiment of the present subject matter, a method for
providing information about IPTV streams comprises receiving an IPTV stream as a composite
content from a service provider of IPTV services and splitting the composite content into
primary content and background content. The method further comprises determining whether a
user input to provide the background content of the primary content has been received and
providing the background content to the user on determining the receipt of the user input.
[0006] According to another embodiment of the present subject matter, a non-transitory
computer-readable medium having a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed,
cause a content viewing device to receive an IPTV stream as a composite content from a service
provider of IPTV services and split the composite content into primary content and background
content. On execution of the computer readable instructions, the content viewing device further
determines whether a user input to provide the background content of the primary content has
been received and provides the background content to the user on determining the receipt of the
user input
BRIEFD ESCRIPTIOONF T HEF IGURES
[0007] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures.
In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the
reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference
like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with
embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and with
reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[OOOS] Figure 1 illustrates a network environment implementation of a content viewing
device for providing background information about IPTV streams, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present subject matter;
[OOOS] Figure 2 illustrates a method for providing background information about IPTV
streams, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[OOlO] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein
represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present
I transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be
substantially represented in computer readable medium and so executed by a computer or
processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.
DETAILED ESCRIPTION
[OOl l] Systems and methods related to providing information about IPTV streams are
described herein. In one embodiment, the present subject matter may be implemented in various
I computing systems, such as a television (TV), smart TV, set top box and multimedia device.
1
[0012] In recent times, there has been a lot of development in TV technology. The
commercially available TV sets now include data processing units and integrate various
functionalities. For example, the commercially available Smart TVs, also referred to as
Q
connected TVs and hybrid TVs, integrate services, such as Web 2.0 features, available over the
Internet. The smart TVs are usually connected to the servers of the content provider using an
integrated or a separate set-top box. The smart TVs also integrate the functionalities of a
computing device, such as a laptop. For example, many smart TVs facilitate the user to browse
the internet, chat with friends using messengers, watch video using video applications, such as a
YouTubeTM application and play multimedia games. Many smart TVs also include a plurality of
web widgets or applications which facilitate the user to browse and view content available over
the internet.
[0013] Recently service providers started providing more information about the content
being displayed to the user. For example, the user, while watching a movie on a channel, may
press an "information" button of a remote of the set top box and obtain information, such as the
cast, a very brief storyline and the duration of the movie. In many cases, a user may like to obtain
complete information about the content being displayed to the user. For example, the content
being viewed by the user may be an adaptation of a novel and the user may be interested in
reading the novel. However, the commercially available set top box provides information which
is restricted to the meta-data of the content being displayed. Such meta-data provides limited
information, such as the cast, a very brief storyline and the duration of the content, and may not
be as detailed and informative as per the user's expectations. Thus, the user may have to
independently search the information regarding the content being viewed by him which leads to
reduced user experience.
[00 141 The present subject matter discloses methods and systems for providing
information about IPTV streams to the users. The techniques may be implemented in various
types of devices, such as set top box, smart televisions and multimedia devices.
[00 151 In accordance with one example of the present subject matter, a user views IPTV
stream provided by a service provider on a content viewing device such as a smart TV, a
television communicatively connected to a set top box and a multimedia device. In said example,
the service provider provides an IPTV stream as a composite content which comprises of a
primary content and a background content. In one example, both the primary content and the
background content are dynamic. In yet another example, the background content may be based
on the primary content. The primary content may be audio content or video content or an audiovideo
content. The background content may be some textual content which provides information
about the primary content being viewed by the user. For example, the background content may
be the meta-data associated with the primary content. The background content may provide
details about the storyline of the primary content, lead performers of the primary content, runtime
of the primary content and merchandise associated with the primary content.
[0016] In one example, the background content may be provided, by a content provider,
along with the primary content to the service provider for being relayed to the users. In another
example, the background content may be provided by the service provider and integrated with
the primary content provided by the content provider. Thereafter, the composite content may be
relayed to the users. In yet another example, the background content may be provided by a third
party, such as an advertising agency, and the received background content may be integrated by
the service provider with the primary content provided by the content provider for being relayed
to the user. The service provider may synchronize the background content with the primary
content so that the user viewing the primary content can relate to the background content.
(001 71 In operation, the composite content received from the service provider is fed to a
content viewing device of the user either directly or through a set top box which may be
integrated or may be separately connected with the content viewing device. The composite
content is then split into the constituent contents, i.e., the primary content and the background
content. By default the primary content is displayed to the user.
[OOlS] In case, a user input is received indicative of the user's intention of viewing the
background content, the content viewing device may display the background information to the
user. In one example, the background information may be displayed as picture-in-picture (PIP)
window or an overlay window or a pop-up window which may be opaque or translucent. In
another example, the background information may be displayed by dividing the display unit of
the content viewing device into two portions, wherein the first portion displays the primary
content and the second portion displays the background content. In yet another example, the
background content may be displayed on a browser application installed on the content viewing
device or a reader application installed on the content viewing device.
[OO 191 The background information may also provide various interactive options to the
user. For example, if the primary content is a movie which is based on a novel, the background
information may include links to an electronic store from where the novel may be purchased. In
said example, the user may click on the links and on clicking the user may be re-directed to a
@ portal of the electronic store from which the novel may be purchased. In another example, if the
primary content is an advertisement of a restaurant, the background information may include
links to place an order or may include phone numbers of the restaurant. Further, the user may
click on the phone numbers to place a call to the restaurant using techniques such as voice over
internet protocol (VOIP) and calling applications, such as SkypeTM.
[0020] Thus, the aforementioned systems and methods for providing information about
IPTV streams facilitate the user to obtain detailed background information about the content
being watched by them. Further, this creates opportunities of revenue generation for the service
provider. The user experience is also enhanced as the user is able to obtain information he is
interested in.
[002 1) The above systems and the methods are further described in conjunction with the
following figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the
@ principles of the present subject matter. Further, various arrangements may be devised that,
although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject
matter and are included within its spirit and scope.
100221 The manners in which the systems and methods for providing information about
IPTV streams are implemented are explained in details with respect to Figures 1 and 2. While
aspects of described systems and methods for providing information about IPTV streams can be
implemented in any number of different computing systems, environments, and/or
implementations, the examples and implementations are described in the context of the following
system(s).
[0023] Figure 1 illustrates a network environment implementation 100 of a content
viewing device 102 for providing background information about IPTV streams, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The content viewing device 102 may be
implemented as various devices, such as a smart TV 103, a laptop, a personal computer, a set top
box connected to a screen and a multimedia device. The content viewing device 102 may receive
content from a content server 104, maintained by a service provider, over a communication
network 106. The communication network 106 may include a Global System for Mobile
Communication (GSM) network, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)
network, or any other communication network that use any of the commonly used protocols, for
example, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol (TCPIIP).
[0024] In one implementation, the content viewing device 102 includes a processor 108,
and a memory 109 connected to the processor 108. The processor 108 may include
microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing
units, state machines, logic circuitries andlor any other devices that manipulate signals and data
based on computer-readable instructions. Among other capabilities, the processor 108 may fetch
and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 109.
(0025j Functions of the various elements shown in the figures, including any functional
blocks labeled as "processor(s)", may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well
as hardware capable of executing computer-readable instructions.
a [0026] The memory 109, communicatively coupled to the processor 108, can include any
non-transitory computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile
memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory
(DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM), erasable
programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes.
[0027] Further, the content viewing device 102 may include modules 1 10. The modules
110 may be coupled to the processor 108. The modules 110, amongst other things, include
routines, programs, objects, components, and data structures, which perform particular tasks or
implement particular abstract data types. The modules 110 may also be implemented as, signal
processor(s), state machine(s), logic circuitries, and/or any other device or component that
manipulate signals based on computer-readable instructions.
[0028] In said implementation, the modules 110 include a content splitter module 116, a
background (BG) content display (BGCD) module 118, a background (BG) content file
download (BGCFD) module 120 and other module(s) 122. The other module(s) 122 may include
computer-readable instructions that supplement applications or functions performed by the
content viewing device 102.
(00291 Further, the content viewing device 102 may also include data 112. In one
implementation, the data 122 includes content data 124 and other data 126. The other data 126
may include data generated and saved by the modules 110 for providing various functionalities
I of the content viewing device 102.
[0030] In one example, the content viewing device 102 may include an input unit 128
which may be informed of a keypad comprising a plurality of keys or an on-screen keyboard
comprising a plurality*of keys or a remote. In said example, the input unit 128 includes a
dedicated background information button 130 to initiate display of background information of an
IPTV stream.
[003 11 In one example, the content server 104 may include a content synchronization
module 114. The content synchronization module may be structurally and functionally similar to
the modules 110.
(00321 In operation, the content server 104 relays IPTV stream as a composite content to
the users. In one example, the composite content comprises of a primary content and a
background content. The primary content may be a video or an audio which may be played to the
user. For example, the primary content may be a movie, a TV show, a music video. a song. an
advertisement and so on. In one example, the content synchronization module 114 may receive
the primary content and the background content from a content provider. The content
synchronization module 114 may synchronize the background content with the primary content
so that if played at the same time, the background content corresponds to and is related to the
primary content. In another example, the content provider may directly provide the composite
synchronized content to the content server 104. In such a case, the content synchronization
module 114 may not process the composite content.
100331 In yet another example, the background content may be provided by a third party,
such as an advertising agency, or the service provider. In said example, the content
synchronization module 114 may integrate the background content with the primary content
provided by the content provider for being relayed to the user. The content synchronization
module 114 may increase or decrease the playback speed of the background content so as to
synchronize the background content with the primary content.
100341 The content server 104 relays the composite content to the content viewing
system 102. The content viewing system 102 receives the composite content either directly or
through an integrated set top box or through a separately connected set top box. The composite
content is then fed to the content splitter module 1 16. The content splitter module 1 16 may then
split the composite content into its constituents, i.e., the primary content and the background
0 content. The primary content is played or displayed to the user as a default.
[0035] In one example, the user may press the dedicated background information button
130 to obtain background information of the primary content. On receiving the user input, the
BGCD module 118 is activated. The BGCD module 11 8 may be in form of an application or a
browser.
[0036] In one example, the BGCD module 11 8 may display the background information
as picture-in-picture (PIP) window or an overlay window or a pop-up window which may be
opaque or translucent. In another example, the BGCD module 11 8 may display the background
information by dividing the display unit of the content viewing device 102 into two portions,
wherein the first portion displays the primary content and the second portion displays the
background content. In another example, the BGCD module 118 may display the background
information on a web browser application or reader application installed on the content viewing
device 102
10037) In one example, the BGCD module 11 8 may format the background information
based on the various interactive options included within the background information. For
example, any links within the background information may be formatted by using a different
font, font color, font size, font style and so on, for highlighting the links to the user. In one
example, if the primary content being displayed to the user is an advertisement of a pizza
delivery service, the background information may include links to place an order or may include
phone numbers of the pizza delivery service. Further, BGCD module 1 18 may facilitate the user
to click on the phone numbers to place a call to the restaurant using techniques such as voice
over internet protocol (VOIP) and calling applications, such as SkypeTM.
[0038] In one example, if the primary content being displayed to the user is a TV show,
the user may wish to download the background information regarding the primary content. On
selecting the appropriate option using the input unit 128, the BGCFD module 120 may provide
the users to download the background information in various formats, such as a portable
document format (pdf), a document format and a text format. In certain situations, the
background information may be provided to the user free of cost. In another example, wherein
the download of the background information is a paid option, the BGCFD module 120 may
provide the user to pay for the download using various options, such as net banking, credit card,
debit card and deduction from subscription. The BGCFD module 120 may store the downloaded
data as content data 124 which may be viewed by the user as per his convenience.
[0039] Thus, the content viewing device 102 for providing information about IPTV
streams facilitate the user to obtain detailed background information about the content being
watched by them. Further, this creates opportunities of revenue generation for the service
provider. The user experience is also enhanced as the user is able to obtain information he is
interested in.
(00401 Figure 2 illustrates a method 200 for providing information about IPTV streams,
according to an example of the present subject matter. The order in which the method 200 is
described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described
method blocks can be combined in any order to implement method 200, or an alternative
I method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method 200 without departing
from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method 200
may be implemented in any suitable hardware, machine readable instructions. firmware, or
combination thereof.
[0041] In one example, the steps of the method 200 can be performed by programmed
computers. Herein, some examples are also intended to cover program storage devices, for
example, digital data storage media, which are machine or computer readable and encode
machine-executable or computer-executable programs of instructions, where said instructions
perform some or all of the steps of the described method 200. The program storage devices may
be, for example, digital memories, magnetic storage media such as a magnetic disks and
magnetic tapes, hard drives, or optically readable digital data storage media.
I00421 With reference to method 200 as depicted in Figure 2, as depicted in block 202,
composite content is received from the service provider. In one example, the content splitter
module 1 16 received the composite content from a service provider of IPTV streams.
[0043] As illustrated in block 204, the composite content is split into primary content and
background content. In one example, the content splitter module 1 16 splits the composite content
into primary content and background content. The content splitter module 116 may implement
commercially available de-multiplexing techniques to split the composite content into primary
content and background content.
[0044] At block 206, it is determined whether a user input for viewing background
e content has been received. In one example, the BGCD module 118 may determine whether the
user input has been received. As mentioned earlier, the user may indicate his preference to view
background information by pressing the dedicated background information button 130 of the
input device 128.
100451 If at block 206, the user input for viewing background content is determined to
have been received, then as shown in block 208, a switch is made from the primary content to the
background content. In one implementation, the BGCD module 11 8 may initiate the switching
between the primary content and the background content. If at block 206, the user input for
viewing background content is determined not to have been received, then the method proceeds
to block 2 12.
I00461 As shown in block 210, the background content is displayed to the user. In one
example, the BGCD module 118 may display the background content to the user. The BGCD
module 118 may display the background information as picture-in-picture (PIP) window or an
overlay window or a pop-up window which may be opaque or translucent. In another example,
the BGCD module 118 may display the background information by dividing the display unit of
the content viewing device 102 into two portions, wherein the first portion displays the primary
content and the second portion displays the background content. In another example, the BGCD
module 11 8 may display the background information on a web browser application or reader
application installed on the content viewing device 102.
[0047] At block 212, it is determined whether a user input for downloading files related
to the background content is received. In one implementation, the BGCD module 1 18 determines
whether the user has selected the option of downloading the files related to the background
content. In one example, the user may select the option of downloading the files related to the
background content by selecting or clicking on the appropriate option or link present in the
background content.
[0048] If at block 212, the user input for downloading files related to the background
content is determined to have been received, then as shown in block 214, the files related to the
background content are downloaded. In one example, the BGCFD module 120 may download
the files from various sources, such as the content server 104 and a third party source. Further,
@ the BGCFD module 120 may initiate accounting or billing the user based on whether the
download is billable or free.
[0049] If at block 212, the user input for downloading files related to the background
content is determined not to have been received, as shown in block 2 16, the operation is aborted.
[OOSO] Thus, the method 200 for providing information about IPTV streams facilitates
the user to obtain detailed background information about the content being watched by them.
Further, the method 200 creates opportunities of revenue generation for the service provider. The
user experience is also enhanced as the user is able to obtain information he is interested in.
[OOSl] Although implementations for providing information about IPTV streams have
been described in language specific to structural features andlor methods, it is to be understood
that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods
described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as examples of systems and
@ methods for providing information about IPTV streams.

VWe claim:
1. A content viewing device (102) for providing information about Internet Protocol
Television (IPTV) streams, the content viewing device (1 02) comprising:
a processor ( I 08);
a content splitter module (1 16) coupled to the processor (1 08), to:
receive a IPTV stream as a composite content from a service provider of
IPTV services; and
split the composite content into primary content and background content;
and
a background content display (BGCD) module (1 18). coupled to the processor
(1 08), to :
determine whether a user input to provide the background content of the
primary content has been received; and
provide the background content to the user on determining the receipt of
the user input.
2. The content viewing device (102) as claimed in claim I, wherein the BGCD module
( 1 18) further formats interactive options present in the background content for
highlighting the interactive options.
3. The content viewing device (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the BGCD module m (1 18) further provides the background by generating at least one of a picture-in-picture
(PIP) window, an overlay window, a pop-up window, division of a display unit of the
content viewing device (102) and on a browser application.
4. The content viewing device (1 02) as claimed in claim 1, the content viewing device ( 1 02)
further comprises a background content file download (BGCFD) module (120), coupled
to the processor (1 08), to
determine whether a user input to download a file pertaining to the background
content of the primary content has been received; and
download the file on determining the receipt of the user input.
5. The content viewing device (102) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the BGCFD module
(1 20) further:
receives a user input selecting an interactive option present in the background
content; and
initiates a response action on the user selecting the interactive content.
6. The content viewing device (102) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the BGCFD module
(120) further initiates at least one of placing a call and redirecting to a web-page of an
electronic store.
7. A method for providing information about Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) streams,
comprising:
receiving an IPTV stream as a composite content from a service provider of IPTV
services;
splitting the composite content into primary content and background content;
determining whether a user input to provide the background content of the
primary content has been received; and
providing the background content to the user on determining the receipt of the
user input.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the method further comprises formatting
interactive options present in the background content for highlighting the interactive
options.
9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the method further comprises providing the
background, by generating at least one of a .picture-in-picture (PIP) window, an overlay
window, a pop-up window, division of a display unit of the content viewing device (102)
and on a browser application.
10. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the method further comprises:
determining whether a user input to download a file pertaining to the background
content of the primary content has been received; and
downloading the file on determining the receipt of the user input.
1 1. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the method further comprises:
receiving a user input selecting an interactive option present in the background
content; and
0 initiating a response action on the user selecting the interactive content.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium having a set of computer readable
instructions that, when executed, cause a content viewing device (102) to:
receive an IPTV stream as a composite content from a service provider of IPTV
services;
split the composite content into primary content and background content;
determine whether a user input to provide the background content of the primary
content has been received; and
provide the background content to the user on determining the receipt of the user
input.