Claims:I/We Claim:

1. A method for providing an interactive program for one or more viewers, the method comprising:
generating an interactive content stream having an animated virtual character to be displayed live to the one or more viewers;
providing one or more engagement channels to allow the one or more viewers to provide viewer input for participating with the interactive content stream;
capturing motion data from a performance of a human host as a response to the viewer input; and
overlaying the captured motion data in real-time on to the animated virtual character to dynamically update the interactive content stream.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting at least one participant from the one or more viewers based on the viewer input, wherein the motion data is captured as a response to the viewer input from the selected participant.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the interactive content stream comprises one or more questions to be displayed live to the one or more viewers, and wherein the provided viewer input comprises one or more answers to the one or more questions by the one or more viewers, and wherein selecting at least one viewer as the participant is based at least in part on the corresponding one or more answers of the viewer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more engagement channels comprises at least one call-back telephone number to be displayed along with the interactive content stream for enabling the one or more viewers to call the call-back telephone number to provide the viewer input.

5. The method of claims 2 and 4, wherein the interactive content stream comprises one or more game objects to be displayed live to the one or more viewers, and wherein the provided viewer input comprises the selected participant to press one or more dial buttons on respective telephone for controlling the one or more game objects.

6. A system for providing an interactive program for one or more viewers, the system comprising:
a content server configured to generate an interactive content stream having an animated virtual character to be displayed live to the one or more viewers;
one or more engagement channels configured to allow one or more viewers to provide viewer input for participating with the interactive content stream;
a motion capture unit configured to capture motion data from a human host; and
a rendering module configured to overlay, in response to receiving the viewer input, the captured motion data in real-time on to the animated virtual character to dynamically update the interactive content stream.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a participant selection module which configures:
the content server to display one or more questions live to the one or more viewers as part of the interactive content stream; and
the one or more engagement channels to receive one or more answers to the one or more questions by the one or more viewers as the viewer input.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the participant selection module is configured to:
generate a score for each of the one or more viewers having provided one or more answers; and
select at least one viewer as the participant based at least in part on the corresponding score.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the one or more engagement channels comprise at least one call-back telephone number to be displayed along with the interactive content stream for enabling the one or more viewers to call the call-back telephone number to provide the viewer input.

10. The system of claims 8 and 9, wherein the content server is configured to generate the interactive content stream with one or more game objects to be displayed live to the one or more viewers, and wherein the provided viewer input comprises the selected participant to press one or more dial buttons on respective telephone for controlling the one or more game objects.
, Description:SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN INTERACTIVE PROGRAM

FIELD OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to an interactive program, and more particularly to a system and a method for providing an interactive program which involves active participation of one or more viewers.

BACKGROUND
[0002] In the present times, children are addicted to televisions (TVs) to watch cartoons and similar TV shows. It may be granted that these type of TV shows are fun to watch, but such TV shows usually do not impart any form of knowledge to the children nor such TV shows assist the children to develop any form of skills. Since it can be difficult keeping a child occupied or interested otherwise, a TV show that is both fun and educational can be invaluable to both the children and their parents. In addition, if the TV show can be made interactive it would help to keep the child engaged for a longer period of time while increasing the interest of the child. Furthermore, such interactive TV show may simply be a fun and interesting way for the child to develop interaction skills.
[0003] Interactive TV (ITV) has been known and implemented in various forms, and refers to enhancing TV programs with interactive services for the end-user. However, the existing interactive shows typically only include interactive banners which may be placed at some location on the screen or interacting with an advertisement being broadcast, e.g. showing a telephone number to buy a product. Such interactive modes may not appeal to children who generally expect the TV show to be a source of fun and enjoyment. Further, typically, modes of interaction with such ITV application may involve use of Internet and web platforms, like a computer browser, which may not be accessible to or viable for children.
[0004] U.S. Patent Publication Number 20030081744 A1 discloses a method for operating a telephone entertainment program, the method including a) receiving a voice communication from at least one caller, b) selecting audio output in accordance with an audio entertainment program, c) presenting the audio output to the caller, d) prompting the caller for input at a plot point of the audio entertainment program, e) receiving the input from the caller, f) selecting audio output at least partly in accordance with the audio entertainment program and the input, and g) presenting to the caller the audio output selected in step f). Although, the disclosed entertainment program provides an interactive platform but it is limited to voice communication for answering questions which may not be of much appeal to the children.
[0005] U.S. Granted Patent Number 6,554,707 discloses a system and a method for providing an interface to and customizing an interactive application for one or more players. The interactive game of the presently preferred embodiment is played in a wireless environment using a mobile station as a user interface with commands entered via a keyboard or via voice. The game is tracked and controlled using a game center and a game server, which is typically at a location remote from the mobile station. Communication between the game server and the mobile station is typically performed using a base station connected to a telecommunications network. The game server executes a software application, which runs a game center. Individual games are managed within the context of this application. Although the disclosed interactive application provides a gaming interactive platform but it does not provide any means for immersive engagement for the participants.
[0006] U.S. Granted Patent Number 6,227,974 discloses a gaming method for use with an interactive game which is played at a player unit having an interface device which is coupled to a television and to at least one communication network. The method includes displaying, via the interface device, the interactive game on the television, capturing a picture of a player, transferring the picture of the player to a headend, processing the picture of the player to create an avatar of the player, electronically assimilating the avatar into the interactive game, and enabling the player to interactively play the interactive game by controlling the avatar via the at least one communication network. In another preferred embodiment, a gaming method is provided for use with an interactive game in which, at a first player unit, a first interface device is coupled to a first television and to a communication network, and at a second player unit, a second interface device is coupled to a second television and to the communication network. The method includes displaying, via the first and second interface devices, the interactive game at the first and second televisions, and enabling a first player, playing at the first player unit, and a second player, playing at the second player unit, to play along with the interactive game by competing each against the other via the communication network. The disclosed interactive game does not provide any means for a broadcaster to interact with the participant or respond to participant’s action, and further is limited to gaming consoles and is not available generally to TV viewers.
[0007] European Patent Application Number 1912175 discloses a system and method for generating a video signal, in which a voice signal is received from a remote viewer via a telecommunications network. Determined from the voice signal is corresponding lip movement data. Furthermore, in response to the voice signal, body motion data is generated. The body motion data is generated based on animation data representative of body motions performed by a human actor in response to the voice signal and captured by a motion capturing system. An animated graphical avatar is generated in real-time and assigned to the remote viewer, lip movements of the avatar being controlled by the lip movement data, and body motions of the avatar being controlled by the body motion data. A live video signal is generated for broadcasting to remote display devices, e.g. a television set, the live video signal including an animated video scene with at least the animated graphical avatar and an audio component comprising the voice signal. The remote viewer can be integrated dynamically and effectively in a live television broadcast as an animated avatar, moving lips and body in synch and in accordance with his voice. The disclosed system and method does not provide any immersive/interactive experience for engaging the participants, such as by talking back to the participating viewers or the like.
[0008] Accordingly, there is a need of an interactive program which provides interactive content, particularly tailored for engagement with children, which may be accessed using conventional telephone line without the need of Internet connection.

SUMMARY
[0009] In one aspect, a method for providing an interactive program for one or more viewers is provided. The method includes generating an interactive content stream having an animated virtual character to be displayed live to the one or more viewers. The method further includes providing one or more engagement channels to allow the one or more viewers to provide viewer input for participating with the interactive content stream. The method further includes capturing motion data from a performance of a human host as a response to the viewer input. The method further includes overlaying the captured motion data in real-time on to the animated virtual character to dynamically update the interactive content stream.
[0010] In another aspect, a system for providing an interactive program for one or more viewers is provided. The system includes a content server configured to generate an interactive content stream having an animated virtual character to be displayed live to the one or more viewers. The system also includes one or more engagement channels configured to allow one or more viewers to provide viewer input for participating with the interactive content stream. The system further includes a motion capture unit configured to capture motion data from a human host. The system further includes a rendering module configured to overlay, in response to receiving the viewer input, the captured motion data in real-time on to the animated virtual character to dynamically update the interactive content stream.
[0011] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0012] For a more complete understanding of example embodiments of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a system for providing an interactive program for one or more viewers, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart representing a method for providing an interactive program for one or more viewers, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, apparatuses and methods are shown in block diagram form only in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure.
[0016] Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Further, the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not for other embodiments.
[0017] The present disclosure implements a computer program which embodies the functions described herein and illustrated in the appended flow charts. The processes and operations performed by the computer include the manipulation of signals by a processing unit or remote server and the maintenance of these signals within data structures resident in one or more of the local or remote memory storage devices. Such data structures impose a physical organization upon the collection of data stored within a memory storage device and represent specific electrical or magnetic elements. These symbolic representations are the means used by those skilled in the art of computer programming and computer construction to most effectively convey teachings and discoveries to others skilled in the art.
[0018] Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a computer code stored on a media for performing various computer-implemented operations. The media and computer code may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present disclosure, or they may be of the kind well known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to: magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs and holographic devices; magneto-optical media; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and execute program code, such as application-specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), programmable logic devices (“PLDs”) and ROM and RAM devices. Examples of computer code include machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher-level code that are executed by a computer using an interpreter. For example, an embodiment of the invention may be implemented using a general programming language, JAVA®, C++, or another object-oriented or non-object-oriented programming language and development tools. Another embodiment of the invention may be implemented in hardwired circuitry in place of, or in combination with, machine-executable software instructions.
[0019] It will also be appreciated that any module or component exemplified herein that executes instructions may include or otherwise have access to computer readable media such as storage media, computer storage media, or data storage devices (removable and/or non-removable) such as, for example, magnetic disks, optical disks, or tape. Computer storage media may include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Examples of computer storage media include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by an application, module, or both. Any application or module herein described may be implemented using computer readable/executable instructions that may be stored or otherwise held by such computer readable media.
[0020] It should be apparent that there could be many different ways of implementing the disclosure in computer programming, and the disclosure should not be construed as limited to any one set of computer program instructions. Further, a skilled programmer would be able to write such a computer program to implement the disclosed invention without difficulty based on the flow charts and associated description in the application text. Therefore, disclosure of a particular set of program code instructions is not considered necessary for an adequate understanding of how to make and use the present disclosure. The inventive functionality will be explained in more detail in consideration of the following description read in conjunction with the appended figures.
[0021] The embodiments are described herein for illustrative purposes and are subject to many variations. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present disclosure. Further, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. Any heading utilized within this description is for convenience only and has no legal or limiting effect.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an interactive broadcast system (hereinafter simply referred to as “system” and referenced by the numeral ‘100’), in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. According to some embodiments, the system 100 provides an interactive program for one or more viewers. Specifically, the system 100 provides an interactive platform for broadcast program, such as TV game shows, which allows one or more viewers (e.g., home audience) to actively participate in the broadcast program by watching the interactive broadcast program. The present system 100 changes the role of the viewer from passive to an active participant. The system 100 may be configured to broadcast the interactive program over a broadcast network (e.g., traditional radio frequency or RF broadcast over air way, cable TV, or satellite TV/radio, etc.), and further allow interaction in real time with the one or more viewers using one or more communication channels, such as a telephone (e.g., fixed line or cellular), mobile phone or portable computer (e.g., via emails or social networking environments such as Facebook™ or Twitter™ over the Internet), as discussed in the subsequent paragraphs.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, as illustrated, the system 100 includes a client 102 communicatively coupled to a broadcasting station 104 over a network 106 to receive audio/video programming and/or data signals therefrom. Herein, the network 106 may be a traditional broadcast network over the air, a cable network, a satellite network, etc.; or any kind of wired or wireless data networks, such as local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), or a combination thereof. In some examples, the network 106 may be a part of the Internet or a cellular network.
[0024] The client 102 may include a receiver 108 to receive signals corresponding to the interactive program from the broadcasting station 104, via the network 106. In some examples, the receiver 108 may be a set top box to receive the Internet content from a particular web server via a high-speed line, radio frequency (RF) signals, conventional modem, or a two-way cable carrying the video programming application. Further, the client 102 may include a television (TV) set 110 to display the interactive program to the respective one or more viewers. It may be understood that the TV set 110 may be any media (e.g., TV/radio) receiver device with a proper media output interface (e.g., display and/or speaker), and further the receiver 108 may be integrated therein. In the present examples, the client 102 may generally represent any kind of users, such as TV viewers, in a variety of environments, e.g. their own homes or other social event places (e.g., a birthday party or the like). In other examples, the client 102 may be coupled to a telecom server, which is generally a remote computer system that is accessible via a conventional PSTN or wireless connection, to receive the broadcast signals.
[0025] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the broadcasting station 104 may include a television (TV) signal transmitter 112 and/or the Internet content provider (or server) to transmit the signals corresponding to the interactive program. The broadcasting station 104 may generally be a TV studio which may broadcast the interactive TV program through the air as radio waves via the TV signal transmitter 112 to the receiver 108. It may be contemplated by a person skilled in the art that the broadcasting station 104 may be a type of television station that broadcasts video, including audio, to television receivers in a particular area. The broadcasting station 104 may include multiple stations linked in radio networks to broadcast common programming, either in syndication or simulcast or both. Further, the TV programs may be delivered in analog, digital, or digitally-compressed formats via any transmission means including satellite, wireless, cable, wire, and the Web.
[0026] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the broadcasting station 104 may include a content server 114 configured to generate an interactive content stream to be displayed live to the one or more viewers. In one example, the interactive content stream may provide a virtual environment so that the television broadcast is an animated show with computer controlled characters. In other examples, the interactive content stream may feature a section with one or more live actors and a section comprising a totally animated portion. In still another examples, the animated portion of the television show consists of a display screen that appears with the one or more live actors so that the actors can interact with the animated characters during the broadcast. It maybe contemplated by a person skilled in the art that the one or more live actors can interact with the animated characters by means of conventional “green screen” techniques. Herein, the “actor” may also be “human host” of the interactive program, and the two term have been interchangeably used for the purpose of the present disclosure.
[0027] In general, the content server 114 may be a processing unit including a processing module and a memory operatively coupled with each other. The memory may be capable of storing machine executable instructions, and the processing module may be capable of executing the stored machine executable instructions for performing tasks such as parsing the dataset of content streams, etc. Examples of the memory include, but are not limited to, volatile and/or non-volatile memories. For instance, the memory may be volatile memory (e.g., registers, cache, RAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, etc.), or some combination of the two. The memory stores software, for example, set of instructions that can, for example, implement the technologies described herein, upon execution. The processing module may be embodied as a multi-core processor, a single core processor, or a combination of one or more multi-core processors and one or more single core processors. For example, the one or more processors may be embodied as one or more of various processing devices, such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing circuitry with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like. The processing unit may be a distributed or a unified system, without any limitations.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the interactive content stream may provide an animated virtual character. The animated virtual character may include any form of cartoon character or an avatar that, in some cases, may be a mascot for that TV program or that TV channel in general, or may be selected from an assortment of available characters. The animated virtual character is preferably a three-dimensional avatar (hereinafter the terms “animated virtual character” and “avatar” have been used interchangeably without any limitations) which may be navigated and controlled through a changing three-dimensional gaming environment which is displayed on the television and forms part of the interactive content stream. In the present example, the interactive content stream provides an avatar referred to by the name of “Arjun” which generally embodies form of a male human being. The term “avatar” as used herein refers to an embodiment or personification, typically a video embodiment or personification, of a person which is typically combined with other video images in a virtual studio to produce a combined representation in which the avatar represents the person. Typically, but not necessarily, an avatar associated with a person embodies or personifies some physical or personality characteristics of the person.
[0029] The system 100 also includes one or more engagement channels 116 to allow the one or more viewers to provide viewer input for participating with the interactive content stream. In one embodiment, the engagement channel 116 may include a voice communications network, such as the telephone network. In operation, one or more viewers of the interactive program place a telephone call using their respective telephone unit 118 which is routed through the telephone network. It may be understood that a wireless telephone unit may be used also in lieu of a conventional wired telephone unit without any limitations. In an embodiment, the engagement channels 116 provides at least one call-back telephone number to be displayed along with the interactive content stream for enabling the one or more viewers to call the call-back telephone number to provide the viewer input. In an exemplary implementation of the system 100, when the one or more viewers call the given telephone number, the engagement channel 116 initiates a connection using the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system or with associated phone lines such that the call is presented to the IVR for communication or initial greeting. The IVR system is well known to those skilled in the art, thus explanation is omitted for the brevity of the disclosure. In some examples, the engagement channel 116 instructs the IVR to inquire through touch tone, voice recognition, or other mechanism to validate the calling viewer.
[0030] Alternatively, the one or more engagement channels 116 may include a mobile application to be installed on respective mobile phones of the one or more viewers for enabling the one or more viewers to provide the viewer input. The mobile application may be connected to the Internet and be able to receive the interactive content stream to be displayed on the screen of the mobile phone. Further, the viewer can participate with the interactive content stream by, say, providing answers to displayed questions by selecting the appropriate options on the touchscreen of the mobile phone. Further, the selected participant may be able to interact with the host and/or the virtual character by using the microphone of the mobile phone. Furthermore, the selected participant may play the game using touchscreen control provided on the mobile phone.
[0031] Further, the system 100 needs to select one participant from the viewers calling the given telephone number for participation in the interactive program of the present disclosure. For this purpose, the system 100 further includes a participant selection module 120 connected to receive the viewer input from the viewer’s telephone unit 118, via the engagement channel 116. For the selected participant, the terms “viewer input” and “participant input” have been used interchangeably for the purpose of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the participant selection module 120 configures the content server 114 to display one or more questions live to the one or more viewers as part of the interactive content stream. The participant selection module 120 further configures the one or more engagement channels 116 to receive one or more answers to the one or more questions by the one or more viewers as the viewer input and store the received one or more answers from the one or more viewers for further reference.
[0032] In one embodiment, the participant selection module 120 then generates scores for each of the one or more viewers having provided one or more answers. In one example, the questions may pertain to the area of general knowledge and the score is calculated based on number of correct answers provided to the one or more questions. In other example, the questions may pertain to fun activities and the score is calculated based on the funniest or most humorous responses of the calling viewers provided to the one or more questions. The participant selection module 120 may then select at least one viewer as the participant based at least in part on the corresponding score. Preferably, a viewer is selected to be a participant who may seem to exhibit attributes to actively participate in the interactive program. In some examples, the viewer may also be selected by studio audience, by a manager of the interactive program, or automatically based on a predetermined criterion, such as previous game playing history of the viewer who wishes to be selected.
[0033] In some examples, the participant selection module 120 further configures the engagement channels 116, for example the IVR in the engagement channels 116, for playing back a welcome playback message to viewers placing telephone calls to participate in the live TV shows confirming that they are successfully participating, and for completing several questions for registration purposes for subsequent use in the interactive program. During the selection process, the participant selection module 120 may ask information about the demographic or location information of the viewer. Such demographic information may include: name, address, age, sex, attending school name, email address, cell phone number, and other preferences. Once the participant is selected, he/she may be able to interact with the host and/or the virtual animated character of the present interactive program using the telephone unit 118. For playing along, the participant may be required to answer questions asked by the host and/or the virtual animated character, or play some form of games as will be discussed in the subsequent paragraphs.
[0034] One exemplary operational scenario of the system 100 may be illustrated within the context of a humorous quiz and game show, in which the animated virtual character, such as the avatar “Arjun” of the interactive program have an interaction with the selected participant in the game show environment. For this purpose, the system 100 includes a motion capture unit 122 configured to capture motion data from a human host. The motion capture unit 122 includes one or more sensors (not shown) mapping one or more joints of the human host to one or more body parts of the animated virtual character. The motion capture unit 122 enables the human host to perform a motion as a response to the viewer input. The performance involves a movement of the one or more joints to be captured as real-time motion data. The system 100 further includes a rendering module 124 configured to overlay, in response to receiving the viewer input, the captured motion data on to the animated virtual character in real-time to dynamically update the interactive content stream. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the motion data is captured as a response to the viewer input from the selected participant. For example, if the selected participant may provide a viewer input in the form of a voice based answer to a question, the host may perform an action as a response to the participant’s answer, such as a joyous response if the provided answer is correct or a sad response if the provided answer is incorrect, which in turn may be captured as motion data and is further rendered on to the animated character. The techniques for capturing and overlaying the motion data on to a virtual character are well known in the art and thus have not been described in detail herein for the brevity of the disclosure.
[0035] The interactive program may be customized according to demographic characteristics of the one or more viewers participating therein. For instance, in one example, the interactive program may include a game element as part of the interactive content stream, when the primary demographic of the one or more viewers are children or young adults. In alternate examples, the interactive segment of the interactive program may include choosing an action, the action selected from a group consisting of voting on a media segment, voting on the interactive segment, or selecting an option from a multiple-choice question, so as to leverage the group wisdom of the audience, when the targeted viewers are adults or seniors.
[0036] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the interactive content stream may include one or more game objects to be displayed live to the one or more viewers. The game can be selected from a group consisting of a running game, a target shooting game, a ball throwing game, a fighting game, a racing game, or the like. In general, the game may be an adventure game to meet a goal, complete the game, accumulate points, etc. The objective of the game may be to go as far as the participant can go as a character in the game relying on their talent, skills and intelligence, and to get the most points, money, etc. The participant may play in the first person, encounter and overcome obstacles, gain victories, make decisions, laugh and enjoy the game. In some examples, the host of the interactive program may provide continual motivation to keep the participant’s interest and/or encourage the participant. The games may also include humour (e.g., videos of cartoon characters) to keep the participant’s interest and make the game enjoyable.
[0037] In the present examples, the game may include a running game which involves the avatar “Arjun” to avoid obstacles and win points on the way. In such case, the provided viewer input may include the selected participant to press one or more dial buttons on respective telephone unit 118 for controlling the one or more game objects. For example, the selected participant may control the avatar “Arjun” via the telephone unit 118 by pressing keys “2”, “4”, “6” and “8” of a touch-tone telephone unit, so that “Arjun” is moved up when the key “2” is pressed, moved to the left when the key “4” is pressed, moved to the right when the key “6” is pressed, and moved down when the key “8” is pressed. Generally, the participant manipulates “Arjun” through a series of obstacles, and his/her success in manipulating “Arjun” is measured in comparison with other participants that are selected during the show. A winner is declared as the participant who was most successful in manipulating “Arjun” throughout the course of the game. It may be understood that the engagement channel 116 may implement DTMF (dual tone multi frequency) or PRI (primary rate interface) standards for receiving viewer input via the telephone unit 118. Alternatively, the input from the participant may be received via one peripheral selected from a group consisting of a game controller, a camera, an infrared remote control, a blue tooth device, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, or a floor pad without any limitations.
[0038] The interactive program in the form of such game show is broadcast to a plurality of viewers that view the game on respective television for further engagement of the viewers and to motivate other viewers to participate in the present interactive program. It is desired to have active and live participation of the viewers from among the audience. For this purpose, the participating viewer’s voice is put on the air by feeding the voice signal from the telephone unit 118 into the broadcasting system. In some instances, when a photograph of the participating viewer is available, this photograph is captured and broadcasted as a static picture in the video component of the interactive content stream. In some examples, the participants may be able to win awards (e.g., cash, prizes, scholarships, opportunity to be a future program show participant, etc.). This may further motivate the other viewers to actively participate in the present interactive program and thus help to increase the ratings of the interactive program.
[0039] In one embodiment, multiple viewers can participate in the present interactive program by dialling the call-back number displayed on their respective TV set 110. The calling viewers may answer the one or more questions being displayed on the TV set 110 by using the dial-buttons to select the appropriate option. In some examples, the participant selection module 120 may be configured to put different questions to the calling viewers using IVR. The participant selection module 120 may then retain the calling viewers who provide correct answer(s) to the provided questions and other calling viewers may be disconnected. This way, the participant selection module 120 may filter down to a limited number of calling viewers who may be selected as participants for each episode of the interactive program, say 5 participants for each episode of the interactive program. These participants may then play the game or compete against each other in some other manner, such that one or more winners may be selected per episode. In some examples, multiple participants or winners from different episodes may be brought together via the same engagement channels 116 to compete against each other. For example, each winner from different episodes in a week may be made to compete against each other in a final episode of the week. The winner of the final episode may then be chosen as “grand winner” and provided with prizes, like scholarship and/or other goodies.
[0040] This section describes operations associated with some embodiments. In the discussion below, some flow diagrams are described with reference to block diagrams presented herein. However, in some embodiments, the operations can be performed by logic not described in the block diagrams. In certain embodiments, the operations can be performed by executing instructions residing on machine-readable storage media (e.g., software), while in other embodiments, the operations can be performed by hardware and/or other logic (e.g., firmware). In some embodiments, the operations can be performed in series, while in other embodiments, one or more of the operations can be performed in parallel. Moreover, some embodiments can perform more or less than all the operations shown in the appended flow diagram.
[0041] The present disclosure further provides a method 200 for providing an interactive program for one or more viewers, depicted in the form of a flowchart in FIG. 2. In step 202, the method 200 includes generating, via the content server 114, an interactive content stream having an animated virtual character to be displayed live to the one or more viewers. In step 204, the method 200 includes providing one or more engagement channels 116 to allow the one or more viewers to provide viewer input for participating with the interactive content stream. In step 206, the method 200 includes capturing motion data, via the motion capture unit 122, from a performance of a human host as a response to the viewer input. In step 208, the method 200 includes overlaying the captured motion data in real-time on to the animated virtual character to dynamically update the interactive content stream.
[0042] The present interactive program is primarily targeted towards kids as the viewers, and as such provides an opportunity to the kids to interact with their beloved cartoon characters while playing an interesting game via TV without the need of Internet connection. The present interactive program also allows the kids to challenge other kids to compete or participate in the program. A number of kids can participate in a short format (usually 22 minutes or so) quiz program and win gifts by providing correct answering. The present interactive program provides a live motion capture of a human host which is projected on to a cartoon character, which in turn makes the avatar to act as if the avatar is talking to the participating viewer over the phone call. This creates a great impact on TV viewers especially kids, and thus increasing the ratings of the TV show.
[0043] The existing system needs to go through a very long process of getting motion capture data, cleaning up the data, adding simulation, and then rendering etc. to achieve real-time rendering. However, the present system 100 employs plugins which helps to achieve the overlaying of the captured motion data on to a virtual character in real-time, thus enhancing the overall experience for the viewers. The present system 100, and the corresponding method 200, further provides the viewers the option to play games by controlling the actions of the avatar inside the game and that to be watched by all others viewers across the globe which provides them with a sense of happiness and excitement. In addition to the applications described above, the present system 100 can also be implemented as a voting survey for interactive news for news channels or the like. For instance, in one example, the interactive news may include questions about current issues, general concerns, or the like. In such interactive program, the virtual animated character may ask the one or more viewers to select one or more topics for discussion for a current episode. The provided topics could be about the current issues or the general concern to the one or more viewers, including children, adults or senior citizens. Further, the highly voted current issues, general concern, or the like, can be selected as a topic for debate. Furthermore, the viewers can participate in the debate by providing answers to displayed questions, e.g. by selecting the appropriate options using dial buttons on the telephone unit 118. The debate can also be conducted by the host and/or the virtual character for the news channels over a phone call. It may be contemplated that the present system 100 may work for new TV shows and reruns of older TV shows, as well as other events.
[0044] The present interactive program allows the television viewers to participate therein through the use of the telephone media without requiring dedicated Internet connection. All the members of the television-viewing audience can be eligible winners as the winners are determined solely by chance. There is no fee or charge to the viewers for participating in the interactive program. In some examples, the studio participant game players and the television studio audience can also interactively play the interactive program. In some examples, several viewers may participate together in a single interactive program, where each viewer assumes a different role. The dynamic plot of a such interactive program is thus determined by the combined interactions of the viewers. In some examples, the viewers can be aware of each other's identity, such as where a viewer may invite a friend to participate in the interactive program. Further, in some examples, the system 100 may record the history of a viewer’s participation. For instance, while the game is being played, the participant’s actions, responses, etc. are recorded and analysed. This information enables the system 100 to respond in the future based on the viewer’s previous behaviour. The history may also serve as the basis for market research, targeted advertising, and future interactive programs.
[0045] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.