HK1169766A

HK1169766A - Method and system for providing users interaction related to the objects in television programs

Info

Publication number: HK1169766A
Application number: HK12110350.9A
Authority: HK
Inventors: 吉汉.卡若古; 纳拜瑞简．塞亚爵
Original assignee: 美国博通公司
Priority date: 2011-03-11
Filing date: 2012-10-18
Publication date: 2013-02-01

Description

Method and system for providing user interaction related to objects in television program

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method and system for use in a television system for providing user interaction in relation to objects in an ongoing television program.

Background

Current television systems generally cannot provide user specifications for operations (actions) related to objects presented in a television program. Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

Disclosure of Invention

A method and/or system for providing user interaction in connection with an ongoing television program in a television system, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully described in the following description and drawings.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing user interaction relating to objects in a presented television program, the method comprising:

in a television system:

providing a user interface through which a user may indicate a behavior to be performed in relation to an object in a presented television program;

receiving, using the provided user interface, a user input indication of a user-specified action to be performed in relation to an object in a presented television program;

determining a behavior related to an object in a presented television program to perform based at least in part on the received user input indication of user-specified behavior;

performing the determined action.

Preferably, the behavior to be performed in relation to the objects in the presented television program comprises any one or more of:

presenting information to a user related to an object in the presented television program;

conducting a commercial transaction relating to an object in the presented television program; and

a communication is initiated with an entity related to an object in the presented television program.

Preferably, the object is an inanimate object.

Preferably, the object is one or both of a person and/or a group of persons.

Preferably, the behavior to be performed in relation to an object in the presented television program comprises presenting information specifically related to the object presented in the television program.

Preferably, the providing a user interface comprises providing a user selection of the behaviour relating to the object to be performed in only a part of the presented television program, through which user interface the user can indicate the behaviour relating to the object in the presented television program to be performed.

Preferably, said providing user selection of an action to be performed in relation to said object generally only occurs when said object appears in a presented television program.

Preferably, the user selection of the action to be performed in relation to the subject generally occurs only in a portion of the presented commercial enterprise-sponsored television program in relation to the subject.

Preferably, the action to be performed in relation to the object in the presented television program comprises performing a commercial transaction in relation to the object in the presented television program.

Preferably, the performing a commercial transaction related to an object in the presented television program comprises ordering a product related to the object.

Preferably, the action to be performed in relation to the object in the presented television program comprises establishing a communication session with a commercial enterprise associated with the object.

Preferably, said establishing a communication session with a business enterprise associated with said subject comprises establishing a communication session with an internet web site associated with said subject.

Preferably, the providing of the user interface comprises presenting to the user a list of behaviors related to the object, the user selecting a behavior to be performed from the list of behaviors, and the user indicating a behavior to be performed related to the object in the presented television program through the user interface.

Preferably, said list of actions presented to the user in relation to said object comprises a plurality of nested lists of actions presented to the user, through which lists the user can browse to select an action to be performed, from which list the user selects an action to be performed.

Preferably, the presented list of behaviors includes a list of entities that can be used to establish a communication session.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for providing user interaction relating to objects in a presented television program, the system comprising:

at least one module for performing at least the following acts:

determining a behavior related to an object in a presented television program to perform based at least in part on the received user input indication of user-specified behavior; and

performing the determined action.

Preferably, the actions to be performed in relation to the objects in the presented television program include any one or more of:

communication is initiated with an entity related to an object in the presented television program.

Preferably, the object is an inanimate object.

Preferably, the object is one or both of a person and/or a group of persons.

Preferably, the at least one module is operable to provide, at least in part, a user selection of an object-related action to be performed in only a portion of the presented television program in a behavioural manner, the at least one module being operable to provide a user interface by which a user can indicate the object-related action to be performed in the presented television program.

Preferably, the at least one module is adapted to provide user selection of an action to be performed in relation to the object, typically only when the object appears in the presented television program.

Preferably, the at least one module is operable to provide user selection of an action to be performed in relation to the subject, typically only in a portion of a commercial enterprise sponsored presented television program in relation to the subject.

Preferably, the at least one module is operable to provide a user interface by which a user can indicate a behaviour to be performed in relation to the object in the presented television program, by, at least in part, operatively presenting to the user a list of behaviours in relation to the object from which the user can select a behaviour to be performed.

Preferably, the at least one module is operable to present to the user a list of behaviors associated with the object from which the user may select a behavior to be performed, at least in part, by operatively presenting to the user a plurality of nested lists of behaviors that are browsable by the user to select a behavior to be performed.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary television system in accordance with various aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method of providing user interaction with respect to an ongoing television program in accordance with various aspects of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method of providing user interaction in connection with an ongoing television program in accordance with various aspects of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary television set in accordance with various aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary television receiver in accordance with various aspects of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary television controller in accordance with various aspects of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a block diagram of exemplary modules and/or sub-modules of a television system in accordance with various aspects of the invention.

Detailed Description

The following discussion will refer to various communication modules, components, or circuits. Such modules, components, or circuits typically include hardware and/or a combination of hardware and software (e.g., firmware). Such modules may also, for example, include computer-readable media (e.g., non-transitory media) including instructions (e.g., software instructions) that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform various functional features of the present invention. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, the scope of various aspects of the present invention is not limited to a particular hardware or software implemented feature of a module, component, or circuit. For example, and without limitation, various aspects of the invention may be implemented by one or more processors (e.g., microprocessors, digital signal processors, baseband processors, microcontrollers, etc.) executing software instructions (e.g., stored in volatile and/or non-volatile memory). Also for example, various aspects of the invention may be implemented by application specific integrated circuits ("ASICs") and/or other hardware components.

Further, the following discussion will refer to various television system modules (e.g., television set modules, television receiver modules, television controller modules, modules of a user's local television system, modules of a geographically distributed television system, etc.). It should be noted that the following discussion of such various modules is divided into such modules for clarity of illustration. However, in actual implementation, the boundaries between the various modules may be fuzzy. For example, some or all of the functional modules discussed herein may share various hardware and/or software components. For example, some or all of the functional modules discussed herein may be implemented in whole or in part by a shared processor executing software instructions. In addition, various software sub-modules executed by one or more processors may be shared among the various software modules. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, the various aspects of the present invention are not limited by any of the boundaries between the various hardware and or software components.

The following discussion also relates to communication networks and various aspects thereof. In the discussion that follows, a communication network is generally a communication infrastructure through which communication devices (e.g., portable communication devices, televisions, television control devices, television providers, television program providers, television receivers, video recording devices, etc.) may communicate with other systems. By way of example, and not limitation, communication networks include cable and/or satellite television communication networks, cellular communication networks, Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMANs), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs), any home or building communication network, and the like. A particular communication network may, for example, generally have a corresponding communication protocol according to which the communication device may communicate with the communication network. Unless so stated, the scope of various aspects of the present invention is not limited by the particular type of feature of the communication network.

Furthermore, the following discussion will sometimes refer to television programs. Such television programs typically include various types of television programs (e.g., television programs, news programs, sports programs, music television, movies, television series and/or related advertisements, educational programs, live or recorded television programs, broadcast/multicast/unicast television programs, etc.). Such television programming may, for example, include real-time television broadcasts (or multicast or unicast television programs) and/or user-stored television programs stored on user equipment (e.g., VCRs, PVRs, etc.). Such television program video content is differentiated from other non-program video content displayed on the television screen (e.g., electronic program guides, user interface menus, television setup menus, exemplary web pages, documents, graphical video games, etc.). Aspects of the invention may, for example, in a television system, include receiving a television program, presenting such received television program to a user, determining one or more objects in the television program for which various behaviors may be performed, determining one or more behaviors to be performed with respect to the objects in the television program based on user input, and performing such determined one or more behaviors.

As such, the following discussion will sometimes refer to objects in a television program. Such objects include animate (i.e., living) and inanimate (i.e., non-living) objects, stationary and moving objects. Such objects may, for example, include characteristics of any of a variety of objects presented in a television program. Such objects may, for example, include, but are not limited to, non-living objects, such as consumer objects (e.g., consumer products in general, apparel, automobiles or other vehicles, shoes, jewelry, furniture, restaurants, food, beverages, appliances, electronic components, toys, artwork, cosmetics, recreational vehicles, sporting equipment, safety equipment, computer equipment, communication devices, books, home improvement products, pharmaceuticals, and the like), consumer service objects (e.g., objects related to healthcare services, fitness centers, rehabilitation centers, restaurant services, food services, entertainment services, maintenance services, insurance services, financial services, security services, transportation services, shopping services, delivery services, educational services, communication services, vacation services, rental services, information services, legal services, and the like (e.g., signs, slogans, leaflets, buildings, etc.) Vehicles, etc.)), house-ground objects (e.g., places of business, stores, hotels, signs, windows, buildings, scenic spots, historical monuments, entertainment venues, hospitals, government buildings, etc.), objects related to general services (e.g., objects related to free transportation, objects related to emergency services, objects related to general government services, objects related to free entertainment services, etc.), objects related to location (e.g., parks, scenic spots, streets, signs, road boards, etc.), and the like. Such objects may, for example, include animate objects such as people (e.g., actors/actresses, athletes, musicians, salesmen, reviewers, journalists, analysts, compendiums/etiquette sisters, entertainers, etc.), animals (e.g., pigs, zoo animals, wildlife, etc.), and plants (e.g., flowers, trees, shrubs, fruits, vegetables, cactus, etc.).

Referring first to fig. 1, a non-limiting exemplary television system 100 is illustrated in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The exemplary system 100 includes a television provider 110. The television providers 110 may include, for example, television network companies, cable television companies, movie providers, news companies, educational institutions, and the like. The television provider 110 may be, for example, the original source of the television program (or related information). Also for example, the television provider 110 may be a communications company (e.g., a cable company, a satellite television company, a telecommunications company, a data network provider, etc.) that provides program distribution services. The television provider 110 may provide, for example, television programming and non-program information and/or video content. The television provider 110 may provide, for example, information related to the television program (e.g., information descriptions or other information related to objects in the television program, business information related to consumer goods and/or services, etc.). The television provider 110 may provide, for example, some or all of the types of information discussed herein. The television provider 110 may, for example, operate (including "operate when enabled") to perform any or all of the functions discussed herein (e.g., in cooperation with other entities in the exemplary television system 100).

The exemplary television system 100 also includes a third party program information and/or service provider 120. Such service providers may provide, for example, information and/or services related to television programming. Such information includes, for example, information describing objects in the program, information provided to the user upon requesting respective information for objects in the program, information related to operations (e.g., business transaction activities, communication activities, etc.) performed (e.g., by a network entity remote from the user's local television system) upon the user selecting activities related to objects in the television program, business and trade information related to consumer goods and/or services related to objects in the television, guide information, etc. The third party program information and/or service provider 120 may provide, for example, some or all of the types of information and/or services discussed herein. The third party program information and/or service provider 120 may, for example, operate (including "operate when enabled") to perform any or all of the functions discussed herein (e.g., in cooperation with other entities in the exemplary television system 100).

In various exemplary system aspects, the third party program information and/or service provider 120 may, for example, correspond to a source of a consumer good and/or service (e.g., a business enterprise, manufacturer, supplier, distributor, retailer, business enterprise, internet business, physical store, etc.). Such third party program information and/or service providers 120 may correspond to commercial enterprise web sites, for example. Also for example, such third party program information and/or service providers 120 may correspond to a central repository of information and/or user conversations for a plurality of such commercial enterprises (e.g., commercial enterprises, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, retailers, business enterprises, consumer goods and/or service rating companies, blog services, consumer rights protection services, etc.).

The exemplary television system 100 includes one or more communication networks (e.g., communication network 130). Exemplary communication network 130 includes features of any of various types of communication networks over which television programs and/or information related to television programs (e.g., information identifying and/or describing and/or relating to objects in television programs), information related to commercial transactions relating to objects in television programs, and the like may be transmitted. For example, but not limiting of, the communication network 130 includes any one or more of the following features: a cable television network, a satellite television network, a telecommunications network, a data network in general, the internet, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Personal Area Network (PAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), any of a variety of different types of home networks, and so forth.

The exemplary television system 100 includes a first television 140. Such a first television 140 may, for example, include networking capabilities that enable television 140 to communicate directly with communication network 130. For example, the first television 140 includes one or more embedded television receivers or transmitters (e.g., cable television receivers, satellite television transceivers, internet modems, etc.). For example, the first television 140 includes one or more recording devices (e.g., for recording or playing back video content, television programs, etc.). First television 140 may, for example, operate (including "operate when enabled") to perform some or all of the functions discussed herein. Such functions may include, for example and without limitation, user interface functions, performing actions related to objects in the television program (e.g., providing information, facilitating business transactions, establishing communication links, etc.).

The exemplary television system 100 includes a first television controller 160. Such a first television controller 160 may, for example, operate (including "operate when enabled") to control the operation of the first television 140. The first television controller 160 includes features of any of a variety of television control devices. For example, and without limitation, the first television controller 160 includes features of a dedicated television control device, a universal remote control, a mobile telephone or personal computer device with television control functionality, any personal electronic device with television control functionality, and the like. The first television controller 160 may, for example, operate (including "operate when enabled") to perform some or all of the functions discussed herein. In one non-limiting exemplary configuration, the first television controller 160 includes an in-vehicle display screen that may be used as a television screen (e.g., a primary, secondary, and/or parallel television screen) through which the first television controller 160 may present television programs and/or user interfaces with respect to objects in the television programs (e.g., objects, people, etc. that represent consumer goods and/or services).

The first television controller 160 (or television control device) may, for example, send signals directly to the first television 140 to control the operation of the first television 140. The first television controller 160 may also, for example, be used to send signals (e.g., over the communications network 130) to the television provider 110 to control television programming (or related information) provided to the first television 140, or to conduct other transactions (e.g., commercial transactions, general communications transactions, etc.).

As will be discussed in detail later, first television controller 160 may be used to communicate with first television 140 and/or other devices to transmit user interface information. In addition, as will be discussed in detail later, various aspects of the present invention include user selection of user-selectable objects in a program and/or user-selectable behaviors related to such objects. Such selection may be accomplished, for example, by the user pointing to a location on the television screen (e.g., to a animate or inanimate object presented in the television program), utilizing cursor movement and/or list/menu movement capabilities, and so forth. In an exemplary scenario, the user can perform such pointing, cursor movement, and/or list/menu movement in various ways. Some of such exemplary ways include pointing at and/or utilizing other movement features provided by such television control devices. The first television controller 160 provides a non-limiting example of a device that may be used by a user to perform such user interface operations.

Throughout the following discussion, it will be noted that various aspects of the present invention are implemented by one or more devices, components, and/or modules of a user's local television system. First television 140 and first television controller 160 provide a non-limiting example of a user's local television system. For example, such a user local television system generally refers to television-related equipment that is local to the television system currently being used by the user. For example, when a user is using a television system located in the user's home, the user's local television system generally refers to the television-related devices that make up the user's home television system. Also for example, when a user is using a television system located at one of the premises (e.g., at another home, at a hotel, at an office, etc.) that is remote from the user's home, the user's local television system generally refers to the television-related devices that make up the premises television system. Such a subscriber local television system does not include, for example, television network infrastructure equipment that is typically outside of the subscriber's current premises (e.g., cable and/or satellite headends, cable and/or satellite communication intermediate communication network nodes), equipment that is typically associated with commercial establishments outside of the subscriber's current premises, and/or program source equipment that is typically present outside of the subscriber's home and that is typically managed by the television enterprise. Such an entity, which may be communicatively coupled to the user's local television system, may be considered to be an entity (or "remote entity") that is remote from the user's local television system.

The exemplary television system 100 also includes a television receiver 151. The television receiver 151 may, for example, operate (including "operate when enabled") to provide a communication link between a television and/or television controller and a communication network and/or information/service provider. For example, the television receiver 151 may be used to provide a communication link between the second television 141 and the communication network 130, or between the second television 141 and the television provider 110 (and/or the third party program information and/or service provider 120) via the communication network 130.

The television receiver 151 includes the features of any of various types of television receivers. For example, but not limiting of, the television receiver 151 includes features of a cable television receiver, a satellite television receiver, and the like. Also for example, the television receiver 151 includes a data communication network modem for data network communication (e.g., using the Internet, a LAN, a PAN, a MAN, a telecommunications network, etc.). The television receiver 151 also includes, for example, a recording function (e.g., program recording and playing, etc.). The television receiver 151 may, for example, be a stand-alone component (e.g., a set-top box) or may incorporate any of a variety of other television system components (e.g., a television, a video recorder, a gaming station, etc.). The television receiver 151 may, for example, operate (including "operate when enabled") to perform any or all of the functions discussed herein.

The exemplary television system 100 includes a second television controller 161. Such a second television controller 161 may, for example, operate (including "operate when enabled") to control the operation of the second television 141 and the television receiver 151. The second television controller 161 includes any of the features of the various television control devices. For example, and without limitation, the second television controller 161 may include features of a dedicated television control device, a dedicated television reception control device, a universal remote control, a mobile telephone or personal computer device with television control functionality, any personal electronic device with television control functionality, and the like.

The second television controller 161 may be used, for example, to send signals directly to the second television 141 to control the operation of the second television 141. The second television controller 161 may be used, for example, to send signals directly to the television receiver 151 to control the operation of the television receiver 151. In addition, the second television controller 161 may be used, for example, to send signals (e.g., via the television receiver 151 and the communication network 130) to the television provider 110 to control television programming (or related information) provided to the television receiver 151, or to conduct other transactions (e.g., commercial transactions, etc.). The second television controller 161 may further be used to receive signals from, for example, the second television 141 and/or the television receiver 151. Such signals include, for example, signals conveying the television program, information identifying and/or describing the user-selectable object in the television program and/or associated behavior, and/or any of a variety of other information to second television controller 161. By way of non-limiting example, the second television controller 161 includes an in-vehicle display screen that can be a television (e.g., a primary television, a secondary television, a parallel television (presenting the same television program on the in-vehicle display screen as the second television 141), etc.). In such a configuration, the second television controller 161 may be used, for example, to implement any or all of the functions discussed herein.

As will be discussed in detail later, aspects of the present invention include user selection of user-selectable objects (e.g., objects related to consumer goods and/or services) in a program and/or user-selectable actions related to such objects. Such selections include, for example, the user pointing to a location on the television screen (e.g., to a animate or inanimate object presented in the television program), utilizing cursor movement and/or list/menu movement capabilities, and so forth. In such an arrangement, the user can perform such pointing, cursor movement, and/or list/menu movement in various ways. Some of such exemplary ways include pointing at and/or utilizing other movement features provided by such television control devices. The second television controller 161 provides a non-limiting example of a device that may be used by a user to point to a screen location. Further, in one aspect, the second television controller 161 comprises a touch screen, the location of which may be touched by a user to enable such user interface operations.

As will be mentioned throughout the following discussion and as mentioned above in the discussion of first television 140 and television controller 160, various aspects of the invention may be implemented by one or more devices, components, and/or modules of a user's local television system. The second television 141, the television receiver 151, and the second television controller 161 provide non-limiting examples of a user's local television system.

The exemplary television system 100 provides a non-limiting illustrative basis for discussing various aspects of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention is not limited by any of the features of the exemplary television system 100, unless expressly stated otherwise.

Fig. 2 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method 200 of providing user interaction relating to (e.g., to objects in) an ongoing television program in accordance with various aspects of the invention. Any or all aspects of exemplary method 200 may be implemented, for example, in one or more devices (or components or modules) of a user's local television system (e.g., in any one or more of first television 140 and/or second television 141, television receiver 151, first television controller 160 and/or second television controller 161, etc., as shown in fig. 1 and discussed previously herein). For further example, various aspects of the invention may also be performed at one or more system entities remote from the user's local television system (e.g., through third-party program information and/or service provider 120, through television program provider 110, through infrastructure components of communication network 130, etc.).

The following discussion will sometimes refer to various actions performed in relation to objects in a television program presented to a user (e.g., presented at a normal play rate, a reduced rate, a pause state, etc.). Various non-limiting exemplary features of such objects in television programs have been provided above. Such behavior related to objects in a television program includes various features. Non-limiting examples of such behavior are now provided.

For example, and without limitation, exemplary behaviors include behaviors that obtain information related to one or more objects in a television program and/or present such information to a user. Such information includes, for example, general information about a particular object and/or describing an event in a television program. For example, such information includes general information regarding information (e.g., team identity, team leaderboard and/or statistics, etc.) of one or more teams in a sporting event shown in a television show. Also for example, such information includes general information about a music band or other entertainment organization related to a television program. As another example, such information includes general information about news organizations related to stories in a television program. By way of further example, such information includes general information about a political party associated with the television program or a portion thereof. By way of yet further example, such information includes general information about the environmental organization associated with the television program.

Also for example, such information includes specific information about a specific object in a television program. As described above, such objects include animate objects (e.g., characters, actors, musicians, entertainers, athletes, coaches, officers, politicians, journalists, animals, reviewers, analysts, etc.). In an exemplary scenario regarding animate objects, such object-specific information includes information that has a specific association with such animate objects. For example, in the case where the object is an actor, such specific object information includes actor background information, genre information, personal information, fan club information, personal site information, social site information, and the like. For example, in the case where the object is a politician, the specific object information includes party assignment information, voting history information, information describing the position of the politician in a specific question, contact information, and the like. For further example, in one exemplary scenario, a person (or organization) object is an object of a news story, and such object-specific information includes information about the person (or organization). Still further, for example, in the case where the object is an athlete, such specific object information includes sports statistics for the athlete, contact information for the athlete and/or related teams, information regarding obtaining merchandise related to the athlete and/or related teams, information regarding the individual and/or professional history of the athlete, information regarding obtaining a ticket to watch the performance of the athlete and/or team of the athlete, contact information, sponsor information, agent information, management information, and the like.

As also noted above, such objects may include inanimate objects (e.g., consumer goods, buildings, landmarks, venues, parks, machinery, signs, vehicles, clothing, food, etc.). In such an arrangement, such specific object information includes information that has a specific association with such inanimate object. For example, in an exemplary scenario involving scenic spot objects, park objects, museum objects, club objects, etc., such specific object information includes address and/or direction information, operating times, contact information, entry rates, subscription information, and/or other access information. In an exemplary scenario involving objects of historical significance (e.g., famous landmarks, historic buildings or locations, etc.), such specific object information includes historical information of such objects, access information of such objects, merchandise sales information of such objects, and the like. In yet another exemplary scenario involving consumer goods objects in a television program, the specific object information includes information describing such consumer goods, information identifying the source of such consumer goods, information describing the manner in which a person acquires such consumer goods, price information for such consumer goods, and the like. In yet another exemplary scenario involving consumer service objects (e.g., buildings, signs, vehicles, uniforms, signs, etc. associated with consumer services), the object-specific information includes information descriptive of such consumer services, information indicative of the source of such consumer services, information indicative of pricing and/or availability of such consumer services, information descriptive of the manner in which a person obtains such consumer services, etc.

It should be noted that in various exemplary scenarios, the specific information may be mixed with general information about the television program (e.g., information that is not explicitly associated with the specific objects shown in the television program). For example, such general information includes information about the producer of a television program, information about the sponsor of a television program, information about the broadcasting company of a television program, information about the content provider of a television program, information describing a television program, and the like.

Other non-limiting exemplary behaviors related to objects in a television program may include behaviors related to performing commercial transactions with respect to objects in a television program. Various non-limiting examples of such business transaction activities are now provided.

For example, such commercial transaction activities include ordering products (or consumer products) related to objects in a television program. In an exemplary scenario involving a consumer goods object, such an action includes ordering (or purchasing) a consumer good. In an exemplary scenario involving an object (e.g., a building object, a signage object, a brand pattern, a representative, a delivery truck object, etc.) associated with a producer and/or a supplier of a commercial product, such actions include interacting with the producer and/or the supplier to purchase a consumer product. In another exemplary scenario involving travel-related objects (e.g., landmarks, venues, parks, etc.), such actions include interacting with an organization regarding such travel-related objects to purchase mementos, purchase tickets, appointments, and the like. In yet another exemplary scenario involving playing player objects and/or team objects in a television program of a sporting event, such actions include ordering merchandise from players and/or teams. In an exemplary scenario involving musicians and/or orchestra objects shown in television programming, such behavior may provide for ordering music provided by such musicians and/or orchestras.

As another example, such commercial transaction activities include ordering (or purchasing) services related to objects in a television program. Such services may include, for example, but are not limited to, mobile services, delivery services, shipping services, transportation services, lodging services, legal services, entertainment services, dining services, and the like. For example, in an exemplary scenario involving playing players and/or team objects in a television program of a sporting event, such actions include ordering tickets to sporting events involving the same players, teams and/or arenas and/or future sporting events. Also for example, in an exemplary scenario involving a hotel object shown in a television program, such behavior includes a reservation for the hotel. As another example, in an exemplary scenario involving a transportation object (e.g., an airplane, train, automobile, etc.), such actions include purchasing and/or subscribing to a transportation service.

As another example, such actions include determining product and/or service availability. For example, in an exemplary scenario involving objects in a television program corresponding to a consumer product, such actions include searching for the source of such consumer product and providing product availability information (e.g., source, price, delivery time, etc.) to the user (e.g., on a television screen, on a personal computing device communicatively connected to the television system, via email, etc.). Also for example, such actions further include searching for one or more preferred sources of such consumer products (e.g., based on user-defined priority criteria such as lowest price, fastest delivery time, closest source, etc.).

As another example, such behavior includes searching for review (or evaluation) information. For example, in one exemplary scenario involving objects in a television program related to consumer goods and/or services, such behavior includes searching various consumer goods and/or services ratings databases for review information that is then provided to the user (e.g., on a television screen, on a personal computing device in communicative connection with the television system, via email, etc.).

Other non-limiting exemplary behaviors related to objects in a television program include behaviors related to performing communications (e.g., network communications) with respect to objects in a television program. Various non-limiting examples of such communication behavior are now provided.

Such communication activities include, for example, performing commercial transaction communications. Such actions include, for example, initiating communication with an entity (e.g., a business enterprise) associated with an object in the presented television program. For example, such actions include establishing a communication session with a provider of consumer goods and/or services related to the object (e.g., over a data network, over a telecommunications network, over a television network, etc.). In such an exemplary scenario, such actions include establishing a communication session with an Internet web site associated with the object and/or person.

Also for example, such communication behavior includes establishing a communication session with one or more network information databases that include information for one or both of consumer goods and/or services related to the subject. Such information databases may include, for example, consumer goods and/or services evaluation websites, websites of commercial enterprises that produce and/or supply consumer goods and/or services related to the subject, government regulatory websites related to particular consumer goods and/or services, websites of consumer protection groups, and the like.

As another example, such communication behavior includes establishing a communication session with a website and/or social networking site for a person corresponding to the object. For example, such activities include establishing an internet connection with the actor's social networking site, the musician's website, the team's website, the venue's ticketing agency, and the like.

As another example, such communication activities may also include establishing communication sessions with people and/or automated systems associated with entertainers in television programs, television program sources, television program sponsors, television distribution network providers, and the like.

Such communication activities may include, for example, performing one-way (e.g., email, posting, etc.) and/or two-way (e.g., online chat, voice call, video call, etc.) communications. Further, such communication behavior may include, for example, performing communication over various media (e.g., wired and/or wireless media, defined and/or non-defined optical media, etc.). As described above, such communication activities include communicating with persons (e.g., performance persons, technical support persons, order support persons, general customer support persons, etc.) and/or communicating with automated systems.

The exemplary behavior described above is related to objects in a television program, and is merely exemplary and non-limiting. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the invention is not limited by such characteristics of the exemplary acts, unless expressly stated otherwise.

As will be discussed below, various behaviors related to objects in a television program are available throughout the television program, and may also be available only in a portion of the television program. Furthermore, behaviors related to different respective objects in the television program may be available in different respective portions of the television program. (e.g., such different portions may be the same, distinct, or partially overlapping).

For example, one or more behaviors relating to an object in a program may be executable only when the object appears in a presented television program. As a non-limiting example, the act of obtaining information about an actor may only be available in the scene in which the actor appears. Also for example, the act of including descriptive information that provides a consumer item object in a television program may only be available when the object is being displayed in a television program. As another example, activities associated with athletes participating in a sporting event may only be available when such athletes are performing and/or on a screen.

As another example, behavior related to consumer and/or service objects in a television show may only be available in a portion (e.g., a time window, a segment, etc.) of the television show sponsored by a business enterprise (e.g., a manufacturer, retailer or other source, importer, etc.) associated with the object. For example, in an exemplary scenario in which a business enterprise sponsors a first half of a television program, behavior relating to a particular subject about the business enterprise may only be effective in such first half.

In another exemplary scenario, one or more behaviors related to consumer and/or service objects depicted in a commercial may only be available during the playback of the commercial. Such availability may be, for example, strict (e.g., strictly available only during the broadcast of the commercial, with no other exceptions) or general (e.g., available during the broadcast of the commercial, and possibly also available within a relatively small buffer time around the commercial, with at least some degree of flexibility). In such an arrangement, the available behavior may be limited to behavior that is typically associated with such commercials during their broadcast, and behavior associated with objects that appear in non-commercial portions of the television program may not be available during the broadcast of the commercial. For example, the act of providing including information about actors in a television program may not be available during the play of a sponsored television commercial.

As described above, some behaviors may be available only in a portion of a television program, while other behaviors related to objects in a television program may be available throughout the entire television program. Also for example, activities related to organizations related to television programs (e.g., sports teams, television networks, movie companies, manufacturers, etc.) may be available for the entire airtime of a television program.

As described above, some behaviors may be available only in a portion of a television program, while other behaviors may be available for the entire airtime of the television program. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the invention is not limited by characteristics of the availability of such activities, unless expressly stated otherwise.

For example, the exemplary method 200 begins execution at step 205. Exemplary method 100 may begin execution in response to various causes and/or conditions, non-limiting examples of which are now provided. For example, in response to a user command, the exemplary method 200 begins execution, in response to any user input indicating that a user wishes to perform a behavior with respect to a currently playing television program and/or an object shown in a television program (e.g., an object related to a consumer good and/or service), reset or power on based on the television and/or television receiver and/or television controller, in response to user input indicating that it is desired to provide an object and/or behavior selection function to the user, in response to confirmation by the user or user equipment to which the object and/or behavior selection function is to be provided, in response to receipt and/or playing of a television program including user-selectable objects and/or behaviors, in response to payment by the user of a fee, and/or the like.

In a non-limiting exemplary scenario, execution of method 200 is caused by user input, which may include, for example, pressing a button on a remote control, touching or pressing a button of a personal electronic device communicatively connected to the television system, a user touching a particular location on a display screen, a user touching any location of a display screen (e.g., a display screen of a television, television receiver, television controller, etc.), and so forth.

The exemplary method 200 includes, for example, in step 220, providing a user interface through which a user may indicate an action to be performed in relation to an object in a played television program. Step 220 includes providing such a user interface in a variety of ways, non-limiting examples of which are now provided. For example, such user interfaces include Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) that are presented to a user on a display screen (e.g., a television display screen, a television receiver display screen, a television controller display screen, a display screen of a personal computing device, etc.). Note that step 220 includes presenting such a user interface on the same display screen as that on which the television program is presented, or presenting such a user interface on a different display screen (e.g., on the display screen of the television control device while the television program is presented on the display screen of the television).

Step 220 includes, for example, presenting the user with a list of objects in the television program and/or a list of related behaviors that the user may select. Such a list of rendered objects and/or behaviors can be, for example, nested. For example, step 220 first includes presenting the user with a list of objects in the television program from which the user may select an object of interest. In response to such a selection, step 220 further includes presenting a list of available behaviors to the user, such available behaviors relating to the user-selected object may be performed. Similarly, the list of objects and/or behaviors may themselves be nested. With such a user interface, the user may browse the list to select a desired action to be performed.

Also for example, step 220 includes presenting such a list of objects and respective corresponding behaviors on a single screen (e.g., in a matrix format). As another example, step 220 includes presenting such a list of objects and/or respective behaviors in a GUI menu structure.

The user interface described at step 220 includes presenting a list including any of the above-described object and/or behavior information. For example, and without limitation, in an arrangement that includes communication behavior related to objects in a television program, step 220 includes presenting a list of entities to a user with which a communication session related to respective objects in the television program can be established. Step 220 may include, for example, presenting information of any of the communication options described above. The user may then, for example, select a desired communication action to be performed. Step 220 also includes, for example, presenting communication options from which the user may select that are generally related to the television program and/or that are generally related to a related organization of the television program (e.g., sponsor, ticket provider, charity, producer, contestant team, tournament, etc.).

For example, in an arrangement that includes providing information related to objects in a television program, step 220 includes presenting a list of types of available information related to respective objects in the television program to the user. In addition, step 220 includes submitting a list of types of information available to a particular organization and/or business related to the television program to the user. Step 220 may include, for example, submitting information for any of the information providing options described above. The user may then, for example, select the desired information for submission to the user. Step 220 may also include, for example, submitting information provision options from which the user may select that are generally related to the television program and/or that are generally related to an organization (e.g., sponsor, ticket provider, charity, producer, contestant team, tournament, etc.) related to the television program.

As another example, in an arrangement that includes performing a commercial transaction, step 220 includes submitting a list of commercial transaction related activities to the user, such commercial transaction related activities associated with respective objects in the television program being available for execution. Step 220 may include, for example, submitting information for any of the commercial transaction options described above. The user may then, for example, select a desired commercial transaction to be performed. Step 220 may also include, for example, submitting commercial transaction options that the user may select from generally related to the television program and/or generally related to an organization (e.g., sponsor, ticket provider, charity organization, producer, contestant team, tournament, etc.) related to the television program.

The user interface may provide for user interaction in a variety of ways. For example, a user may interact with a user interface using a dedicated television controller, a personal electronic device with functionality (e.g., necessary software applications and/or hardware) to interact with such a user interface, and so on. For example, a user may interact with such a user interface using a television and/or other display screen that is different from the primary television display screen (e.g., a touchscreen of a television controller or other personal electronic device, a touchscreen of a secondary display screen, a touchscreen of a laptop or notebook computer, etc.). Also for example, a user may interact with such a user interface using a pointing device (e.g., a directional beam, a light pen, etc.) and/or various movement control functions of the user interface device (e.g., a mouse, a trackball, arrow buttons, etc.).

As described above, a particular behavior related to an object in a television program may be available only in a portion of the television program (e.g., only when the object appears in the presented television program, only in a portion of a commercial enterprise-sponsored television program related to the object, etc.). In such a scenario, step 220 may include, for example, presenting such objects and/or related behaviors for selection by the user only when such behaviors are available. Also for example, step 220 includes emphasizing currently available objects and/or related behaviors while still displaying (e.g., in a muted, grayed-out, de-emphasized manner, etc.) currently unavailable objects and/or related behaviors that may be available at some point in the future.

Also, as described above, certain behaviors may be available throughout a television program. In such a case, step 220 includes providing a user selection of such behavior through the user interface throughout the entire television program.

Note that as discussed with respect to step 205, step 220 includes providing a user interface in response to user input indicating that a user wishes to interact with related objects in a television program and/or various actions related to such objects. Such user input includes, for example, pressing a control button dedicated to initiating such interaction. Such user input also includes, for example, receiving user input through a menu structure through which a user may navigate to select to initiate such user interaction. Such user input includes various features (e.g., touch display screen, voice commands, movement-based commands, etc.).

Typically, step 220 includes providing a user interface by which a user may indicate an action to be performed in relation to the presented television program. Various non-limiting aspects of such U/I provisioning have been described above. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the invention is not limited by features of any of the previously described examples, unless expressly stated otherwise.

The exemplary method 220 includes, for example, at step 225, receiving (e.g., using the user interface provided at step 220) user input that may indicate a user-specified action to be performed in connection with the presented television program. Step 225 includes receiving such user input in various ways, non-limiting examples of which are now provided.

For example, step 225 includes receiving a user input selection of a list and/or menu options presented to the user at a display screen (e.g., a display screen of a television receiver, a display screen of a television controller, a display screen of a personal computing device, etc.). Such input selections include various features. For example, and without limitation, receiving such user input selections includes receiving user input directed to a location on a display screen corresponding to list options, menu options, and/or graphical options presented to the user for selection. Also for example, receiving such user input selections includes receiving user input to move lists or menus (using various movement specification mechanisms, such as up/down arrows, next buttons, trackballs, mice, etc.) and to select desired options. As another example, receiving such user input selections includes receiving user input to toggle between graphical options representing objects and/or behaviors associated therewith in a television program, and finally selecting a desired object and/or behavior. As another example, receiving such user input includes receiving touch screen input resulting from a user touching a desired list option, menu option, and/or graphical option. For further example, receiving such user input includes receiving voice input generated by a user using voice commands to move selectable options and ultimately select a desired option.

Generally, step 225 includes receiving (e.g., using the user interface provided at step 220) user input that may indicate a user-specified action to be performed in connection with an object in the television program. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, the scope of various aspects of the present invention is not limited to the features of the particular manner in which such user input is received.

At step 230, the exemplary method 200 includes determining (e.g., based at least in part on the user input received at step 225) an action to be performed with respect to an object in the television program. Step 230 includes performing such a determination in various ways, non-limiting examples of which are now presented.

For example, and without limitation, the user interface provided at step 220 may provide user input options (e.g., list options, menu options, graphical options, etc.) that have a one-to-one relationship with the behavior associated with the object to be performed. In such an implementation, step 230 may simply include an act of mapping the user input to a corresponding user input.

For example, in yet another exemplary arrangement, the user interface provided at step 220 includes a user input providing a selection of a particular object in the television program and a further user input providing a selection of a particular action to be performed in relation to such selected object. In such an exemplary scenario, step 230 includes combining information of the user-selected object and information of the user-selected behavior to define the behavior to be performed.

As another example, step 230 includes verifying that an action previously known to be available for execution is still available. In such a scenario, for example, one behavior is no longer available, the user interface may be refreshed, and the flow proceeds back to step 220 for further interaction (e.g., informing the user that the user specified behavior is no longer available and soliciting another input from the user).

In general, step 230 includes determining (e.g., based at least in part on the user input received at step 225) an action to be performed with respect to an object in the television program. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, the scope of various aspects of the present invention is not limited to features determining any particular manner of such acts to be performed.

At step 240, the exemplary method 200 includes performing the determined behavior (e.g., the behavior determined at step 230). Step 240 includes performing the determined behavior in various ways, non-limiting examples of which are now presented.

For example, in one exemplary scenario that includes obtaining information about objects in a presented television program and/or providing the information to a user, step 240 includes obtaining such information in various ways. For example, step 240 includes searching a local memory for such information (e.g., in an exemplary scenario, information for objects in a television program is downloaded to a local system before a user expresses a need for such information and/or before the television program is played). Also for example, step 240 includes requesting the desired information from one or more remote devices (e.g., over a communications network). In such an arrangement, step 240 includes establishing the necessary communication links to perform such requests and receiving return information in response to such requests. As noted above, such sources of subject information include sources of information related to sources of consumer goods and/or services, sources of information related to particular persons and/or organizations, sources of information related to event venues, and the like.

In such an example, step 240 further includes providing the obtained information to the user. Such provision may be implemented, for example, on the same display screen as the display screen on which the television program is being played (e.g., in an overlaid or mixed manner, in place of the television program, etc.) and/or on a different display screen (e.g., a display screen of a television controller and/or a personal computing device).

Also for example, in one exemplary scenario involving conducting a commercial transaction involving an object in a presented television program, step 240 involves establishing the necessary communication link between the television system (or any component therein) and the commercial entity that generated the commercial transaction. For example, step 240 includes retrieving network address and protocol information about the business enterprise associated with the user-selected business transaction, and then utilizing such network address and/or protocol information to initiate communication with the target business enterprise system. Step 240 may further include utilizing the user interface to interact with the user regarding the user requested commercial transaction (e.g., to obtain shipping information, financial information, etc.).

As another example, in one exemplary scenario involving initiating communication with an entity related to an object in a presented television program, step 240 involves initiating the desired communication. For example, step 240 includes retrieving network address and protocol information related to the user-selected behavior and then utilizing such address and/or protocol information to initiate communication with a target destination system.

Note that in various exemplary scenarios (e.g., those described above), step 240 includes soliciting other information from the user. Such information includes, for example, user input information, shipping address information, financial information, contact information, security information, etc. for additionally defining information provided to the user.

Step 240 includes performing the determined behavior in various ways. For example, and without limitation, user-selected objects and/or behaviors may be mapped to particular software routines that are executed at step 240 based on the determination of the user-specified behavior at step 230. In an exemplary implementation, the user interface provided at step 220 includes a logical link to a software routine, and when the user specifies a particular action to be performed in relation to an object in the television program, step 240 includes executing the link to the routine. Such software routines include, for example, web browser applications, email and/or social networking applications, specific interface applications related to particular activities (e.g., provided by business enterprises related to such activities), and so forth.

In such a software implementation, step 240 includes utilizing software routines that are always located on the local television system implementing method 200. In addition, such software routines may be delivered to a system implementing the method 200 along with television programming information. In such an arrangement, the system may store the relevant software routines during the broadcast of the television program (if requested by the user), and discard such routines upon completion of the broadcast of the television program. In such a manner, for example, a business enterprise providing consumer goods objects in a television program may provide software routines to a system implementing method 200 (e.g., in advance of and/or in conjunction with the television program), and such a system may execute method 200 in response to a user expressing a desire to effect a business transaction associated with the consumer goods object.

Further, in such a software implementation, the routines may reside at a remote central location (e.g., the location of a television provider). In such an arrangement, step 240 includes requesting execution of the identified remote routine based on user selection of the particular action.

In another exemplary implementation, step 240 includes providing information of the determined user-specified behavior (or user input) to a central location (e.g., a television program provider), and one or more services of such central location performing the user-specified behavior (e.g., remotely interacting with a user located on the user's local television system).

Note that during execution of the determined action, step 240 includes pausing playback of the television program. Alternatively, step 240 may include performing the determined action while the television program is being played in a normal manner.

In general, step 240 comprises performing said determined behavior with respect to objects in the television program. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, the scope of various aspects of the present invention is not limited to any particular manner of carrying out such acts.

In step 295, the exemplary method 200 includes performing the continued operation. Such continued operation includes features of various different types of continued operation, non-limiting examples of which are described below.

For example, step 295 includes looping through the flow of exemplary method 200 by returning to step 220 for continued user interaction, behavior determination, and behavior execution. Also for example, step 295 includes performing additional user interactions to further refine the user-selected behavior determined at step 230 and/or performed at step 240, and step 295 includes interfacing with the user to determine the behavior to perform and/or determine how to perform such behavior. As another example, step 295 includes resuming normal play of the television program after completing the one or more activities performed at step 240 (e.g., in a scenario in which the television program is paused during the performance of such activities).

As another example, step 295 includes determining a completion time for the action performed at step 240. Step 295 includes, for example, making such a determination in various ways. For example, and without limitation, step 295 includes determining that the performance of the action is based at least in part on an explicit user command (a user command indicating that the user no longer wishes to perform such action). Also for example, step 295 includes determining that the behavior is complete based at least in part on the user dismissing the provided information related to the user-selected behavior (e.g., closing an information window and/or other GUI mechanisms related to the user-selected behavior). As another example, step 295 includes determining that the performance is complete is based in part on a timer (e.g., determining a predetermined amount of time after information and/or GUI interfaces are provided to the user, after the user last interacted with the system regarding an object selected by the user, etc.). For further example, step 295 includes determining that the performance is complete based on user commands for performing other performance (e.g., user commands for resuming normal television programming, if stopped, for playing the television program in fast forward mode until it catches up with real-time, for skipping played television programs to real-time, etc.). For yet a further example, step 295 includes determining that performance of the action is complete based on receiving information (e.g., relating to a business enterprise participating in the business transaction) from a remote server that completed the operation.

Generally, step 295 includes performing the continued operation. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the invention is not limited to any particular type of feature of continued operation unless expressly stated otherwise.

Various aspects of the present invention will now be provided by way of non-limiting exemplary embodiments.

In a first exemplary scenario, a user is watching a hockey game (or other sporting event). The user presses (e.g., at step 220) a button associated with the user's desire to perform an operation associated with the television program (e.g., the hockey game). The system detects the user input and in response, the system provides a list of information and/or other operations available to the user regarding the various objects shown in the hockey game. The list includes entries relating to team statistics, team schedules, ticket orders, and also includes entries relating to each player on ice at a particular point in the television show (note that such a list may be updated in real time, e.g., as the television show plays) and a list of the types of information available to such a player. The user selects a list entry related to the statistics of watching the goalkeeper. The system receives such user input, e.g., at step 225), and determines the operation that the user wishes to perform (e.g., at step 230). The system then adds the goalkeeper's statistics to the picture of the hockey game on the television display (e.g., until the user actively cancels such information).

In a second exemplary scenario, a user is watching a movie. The user presses a button related to the user's desire to perform an operation related to the television program (e.g., the movie). The system detects the user input and in response (e.g., at step 220), the system provides a list of information available to the user about the movie. The list includes entries related to director information, producer information, respective information about a plurality of actors/actresses, information about a landmark where a specific scene of a movie is taken, and the like. Note that such lists may be updated in real-time, e.g., scene-based updates, frame-based updates, scrolling time window-based updates, etc. It should also be noted that presentation of the list and/or subsequent user interaction may cause the television program to pause.

The user may select a listing entry associated with a particular actor. In response, the system provides a list of different types of information and/or other behaviors related to the selected actor on the display screen (e.g., until the user actively cancels such information). The list includes personal information, titles, awards, related charities, fan club information, a list of social network addresses associated with the actor, and the like. The user selects (e.g., at step 225) a social network (e.g., Facebook) with the actor^TM) A list entry associated with one of the pages. The system then proceeds (e.g., at step 240) to the community of the actorThe web page establishes a web page session and continues to interact with the user in a manner that is generally related to such web page sessions.

The user then indicates that a different operation is desired. In response (e.g., returning to step 220), the system again provides the list of actors to the user. This time, the user selects the list entry associated with the actor's title. The system then provides (e.g., at step 240) a list of movies and/or associated awards for the actor on the display screen. The user may then indicate that the user's interaction is complete. In response, the system transitions back (e.g., at step 295) to playback of the movie (e.g., real-time playback and/or playback from the paused location). For example, the portion of the movie that occurred during the user interaction has been recorded for resuming movie playback at the point of interruption.

In a third exemplary scenario, a user is watching a movie. The user selects a menu option associated with the wish to perform an operation related to the television program (e.g., the movie). The system detects the user input and in response (e.g., at step 220), the system provides a list of information available to the user. The list includes respective entries relating to a plurality of consumables in a scene being played by the movie. The user selects (e.g., at step 225) a list entry associated with a particular consumable product. In response (e.g., at step 240), the system displays an information page describing the selected consumer product and provides an internet link over which the user can order the consumer product online. The user selects one of the internet links and the system displays a user interface (e.g., a general web browser, a specific user interface provided by an internet site, etc.) associated with the selected internet link. The system in turn provides a communication link between the user and the business enterprise to generate an order for the selected consumable product. The user may then indicate that the interaction has been completed and, if normal playback of the movie has been interrupted, resume normal playback of the movie (e.g., at step 295).

In a fourth exemplary scenario, a user is watching a sporting event. The user depresses a button on the television controller associated with the user's wishes to perform an operation associated with the sporting event television program. For example, such an operation may include a user wishing to view respective information for all players currently participating in the game (e.g., all players on the field, all players on the court, all players on ice, etc.). In response to such user input, step 220 provides such information to the user, and may also enable the user to perform other operations (e.g., with respect to athletes, participating teams, venues, etc.). With respect to providing such information to the user, step 220 may include, for example, overlaying the player's name and/or other player information on the player displayed on the screen.

The exemplary method 200 can be implemented in any one or more components (or devices) in the user's local television system. For example, method 200 (or a portion thereof) may be performed in a television. For example, the method 200 (or portions thereof) may be implemented in a television receiver (e.g., a stand-alone cable and/or satellite television receiver (or set-top box), a digital video recorder with television receiver functionality, a gaming device with television receiver functionality, etc.). As another example, method 200 (or portions thereof) may be implemented in a television controller (e.g., a dedicated television or entertainment system remote control, a personal electronic device with television control functionality, etc.). As another example, method 200 may be implemented in any combination of the user's local television system components. For example, in one non-limiting exemplary scenario, one or more modules of the television may be used to perform at least steps 220 and 225, one or more modules of the television controller may be used to perform at least step 230, and one or more modules of the television receiver may be used to perform at least step 240. Further, various portions of the above-described method steps (e.g., steps 220, 225, 230, and 240) may be implemented in any one or more components (or devices) of a local television system remote from the user.

Additionally, for example, the steps of the exemplary method 200 (or aspects thereof) may be implemented in real-time. In such an approach, the user may use the functionality related to the behavior selected by the user relatively quickly. Also for example, functionality related to user-selected operations may be provided to the user after a period of time (e.g., after a television program is broadcast, after the user logs into the user's computer system, after the user accesses an email, etc.), in which manner the exemplary method 200 (or aspects thereof) may be implemented offline.

Further, any or all of the steps of exemplary method 200 may be implemented for user selection of behavior related to an object in a television program when the television program is being played in real-time, and/or any or all of the steps of exemplary method 200 may be implemented for user selection of behavior related to an object in a television program when the television program has been recorded on a user (or home) television program recorder (e.g., a Personal Video Recorder (PVR), a Video Cassette Recorder (VCR), etc.) and is being presented to a user in a manner that the television program was recorded for later viewing. For example, a user may record a broadcast television program on a PVR for later viewing, and when viewing such a recorded-to-view television program after a period of time, select a user-selectable action related to an object in such program.

Similarly, any or all of the steps of the exemplary method 200 may be implemented for user selection of objects in a television program provided to (or stored by) a user on a physical storage medium (e.g., a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), a video cassette recorder tape, a non-volatile storage device, etc.). For example, a user may purchase a set of DVDs that includes all episodes of a season of television series, view each of these episodes at the user's convenience, and select user-selectable behavior related to objects in such programs when viewing these episodes. Such a DVD may include, for example, any or all of the above-described information (e.g., memory and/or network addressing of entities remote from the user's local television system, general information corresponding to user-selectable objects and/or associated behaviors (or associated consumer goods and/or services), user interface information corresponding to user-selectable objects and/or associated behaviors, executable software corresponding to user-selectable objects and/or associated behaviors, etc.).

Turning to fig. 3, fig. 3 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method 300 of providing user interaction in connection with an ongoing television program in accordance with various aspects of the invention. The exemplary method 300 may share any or all of the features with the exemplary method 200 shown in fig. 2 and discussed previously herein.

As with the exemplary method 200 described above, any or all aspects of the exemplary method 300 may be implemented, for example, in one or more devices of a user's local television system (e.g., any or all of the first television 140 and/or the second television 141, the television receiver 151, the first television controller 160 and/or the second television controller 161, etc., shown in fig. 1 and discussed previously). Moreover, as with the exemplary method 200 described above, various aspects of the invention may also be implemented in one or more system entities of a local television system remote from the user.

For example, the exemplary method 300 begins execution at step 305. The exemplary method 300 begins execution in response to various causes and conditions. Step 305 may, for example, share any or all of the features with step 205 of the exemplary method 200 shown in fig. 2 and discussed previously herein.

Exemplary method 300 may include, for example, providing a television program to a user, wherein the television program includes objects in the program, such objects being associated with respective behaviors selected by the user. Step 310 includes providing such television programming to the user in various ways, a non-limiting example of step 310 is now presented.

For example, step 310 includes receiving a television program. Many non-limiting examples of such television programs have been provided above. Step 310 includes receiving television programming from various sources. For example, and without limitation, step 310 includes receiving television programming from a television broadcaster, from a movie & television company (movie & television company), from a user (or consumer) video recorder and/or playback device (e.g., internal and/or external to a television), from an internet television programming provider, from a gaming device that includes television programming functionality, from a DVD player, and so forth.

Step 310 also includes receiving television programming over various types of communications networks. Such networks may include, for example, wireless television networks (e.g., terrestrial and/or satellite) and/or cable television networks. Such networks may include, for example, various general data communication networks (e.g., the internet, local area networks, personal area networks, metropolitan area networks, etc.).

Step 310 also includes, for example, providing the received television program to the user. Step 310 may include, for example, providing the received television programming (e.g., television programming received from local or non-local television programming sources) to the user in various ways. For example, step 310 includes presenting the television program on one or more of a television screen, a television controller with a screen, a television receiver with a screen, a personal computer system, a handheld computer, and the like.

The presented television program includes, for example, user-selectable objects (e.g., objects related to consumer goods and/or services), and user-selectable behaviors related to such objects. Many non-limiting examples of such user-selectable objects and/or related behaviors are provided above.

In general, step 310 includes providing a television program to a user, where the program includes user-selectable objects (e.g., objects related to consumer goods and/or services) and corresponding user-selectable behaviors in the program. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, the scope of various aspects of the present invention are not limited to features of any particular manner of receiving television programming and/or providing such television programming to a user.

At step 320, the exemplary method 300 includes providing a user interface through which a user may indicate a behavior to be performed with respect to an object in a played television program. Such objects in the played television program may, for example, correspond to consumer goods and/or services. Such actions may correspond to, for example and without limitation, information acquisition and/or provision actions, business transaction related actions, communication session related actions, and the like. Step 320 may share any or all of the features with step 220 of the exemplary method 200 shown in fig. 2 and discussed previously herein.

For example, and without limitation, step 320 includes (e.g., at sub-step 322) determining objects in the television program that are relevant to the behavior available to the user. For example, even a single picture of a television program may include a large number of objects, only a portion of which have corresponding operations available to the user. Also for example, step 320 includes (e.g., at sub-step 324) providing information of the determined objects and their respective behaviors to the user for selection by the user.

Exemplary method 300 includes, for example, at step 325, receiving (e.g., using the user interface provided at step 320) user input that may indicate a user-specified operation to be performed with respect to an object in the presented television program. Step 325 may share any or all of the features with step 225 of the exemplary method 200 shown in fig. 2 and discussed previously herein.

The exemplary method 300 includes, at step 330, determining (e.g., based in part on the user input received at step 325) an operation to be performed with respect to an object in the television program. Step 330 may, for example, share any or all of the features with step 230 of the exemplary method 200 shown in FIG. 2 and discussed previously herein.

For example, and without limitation, step 330 (e.g., at sub-step 332) includes determining user-specified information provision behaviors related to objects in the presented television program to perform. Also for example, step 330 (e.g., at sub-step 334) includes determining a user-specified commercial transaction related action to be performed in relation to the object in the presented television program. As another example, step 330 (e.g., at sub-step 336) includes determining user-specified communication activities to be performed in relation to objects in the presented television program.

The exemplary method 300 includes, at step 340, performing one or more of the actions determined at step 330. Step 340 may, for example, share any or all of the features with step 240 of the exemplary method 200 shown in fig. 2 and discussed previously herein.

For example, and without limitation, step 340 (e.g., at sub-step 342) includes performing the determined information providing act. Also for example, step 340 (e.g., at sub-step 344) includes performing the determined commercial transaction. As another example, step 340 (e.g., at sub-step 346) includes performing the determined communication action.

The exemplary method 300 may, for example, at step 395, include performing the act of continuing. Step 395 may, for example, share any or all of the features with step 295 of the exemplary method 200 shown in fig. 2 and discussed previously herein.

As previously mentioned, any or all of the portions of the exemplary methods 200 and 300 may be implemented in one or more components (or devices) of the user's local television system. Various non-limiting examples of such implementations are now described with reference to fig. 4-7. Note that as previously mentioned, at least a portion of the foregoing steps may also be performed in a component of the local television system remote from the user. In such implementations, any or all of the components shown in fig. 4-7 may be used in such remote components to implement the respective aspects of the present invention. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, the scope of various aspects of the present invention are not limited by the entities of the user's local television system as discussed below.

Turning to fig. 4, a block diagram of an exemplary television 400 in accordance with various aspects of the invention is shown. The exemplary television 400 may, for example, share any or all of the features with one or more of the exemplary televisions 140 and 141 shown in fig. 1 and discussed previously herein. Further, the exemplary television 400 (e.g., various modules therein) may be used to perform any or all of the functions previously discussed with respect to the exemplary methods 200 and 300 shown in fig. 2-3.

The exemplary television 400 includes a first communication interface module 410. The first communication interface module 410 may be used, for example, to communicate over various communication media and utilizing various communication protocols. For example, although the first interface module 410 is shown in fig. 4 as being connected to a wireless RF antenna through a wireless port 412, the wireless medium is merely illustrative and non-limiting. The first communication interface module 410 may be used, for example, to communicate with one or more communication networks (e.g., a cable television network, a satellite television network, a telecommunications network, the internet, a local area network, a personal area network, a metropolitan area network, etc.) over which television video content (e.g., television programming) and/or other data (e.g., commercial information) may be transmitted. Also for example, the first communication interface module 410 may be used to communicate with a local source of television video content (e.g., a video recorder, receiver, gaming device, etc.). Further, for example, the first communication interface module 410 may be used to communicate with a television controller and/or a television receiver located external to the television 400 (e.g., in a direct manner or via one or more intermediate communication networks).

The exemplary television 400 includes a second communication interface module 420. The second communication interface module 420 may be used, for example, to communicate over various communication media and utilizing various communication protocols. For example, the second communication interface module 420 may communicate through a wireless RF communication port 422 and an antenna, or through a non-tethered optical communication port 424 (e.g., using a laser diode, a photodiode, etc.). Also for example, the second communication interface module 420 may communicate through a tethered optical communication port 426 (e.g., using optical cables), or through a wired communication port 428 (e.g., using coaxial cables, twisted pair wires, HDMI wires, ethernet cables, various wired components and/or composite video connections, etc.). The second communication interface module 420 may be used, for example, to communicate with one or more communication networks (e.g., a cable television network, a satellite television network, a telecommunications network, the internet, a local area network, a personal area network, a metropolitan area network, etc.) over which television video content (e.g., television programming) and/or other data may be transmitted. Also for example, the second communication interface module 420 can be used to communicate with a local source of television video content (e.g., a video recorder, receiver, gaming device, etc.). Further, for example, the second communication interface module 420 can be used to communicate with a television controller (e.g., in a direct manner or via one or more intermediate communication networks).

The exemplary television 400 also includes other communication interface modules that are not shown in the figure. Such other communication interface modules may share any or all of the features with the first 410 and second 420 communication interface modules previously described.

The exemplary television 400 also includes a communication module 430. The communication module 430 may be used, for example, to control and/or coordinate the operation of the first communication interface module 410 and the second communication interface module 420 (and/or to also control and/or coordinate the operation of the other communication interface modules, as desired). The communication module 430 may, for example, provide a convenient communication interface through which other components of the television 400 may utilize the first 410 and second 420 communication interface modules. Further, for example, in the exemplary scenario, where multiple communication interface modules share a medium and/or network, communication module 430 may coordinate communications to reduce collisions and/or other interference between the communication interface modules.

The exemplary television 400 also includes one or more user interface modules 440. User interface module 440 may generally be used to provide user interface functionality to a user of television 400. For example, and without limitation, user interface module 440 may be used to provide user control of any one or all of the standard television commands (e.g., channel control, volume control, on/off, screen settings, input selections, etc.). For example, the user interface module 440 may operate and/or respond to user commands using user interface features (e.g., buttons, etc.) configured with the television, and may also communicate with a television controller (e.g., a dedicated television remote control, a universal remote control, a cellular telephone, a personal computing device, a game controller, etc.) using the communication module 430 (and/or the first 410 and second 420 communication interface modules).

User interface module 440 also includes one or more sensor modules for interfacing with and/or controlling the operation of various sensors that may determine on-screen locations. The location may be used, for example, to determine a user-selected behavior.

In addition, user interface module 440 may perform various video output functions (e.g., provide television programming to a user, provide visual feedback to the user regarding certain user-selected objects in the presented television programming, etc.). User interface module 440 may, for example, be used to perform any or all of the user interface functions discussed herein (e.g., with respect to method 200 shown in fig. 2 (e.g., steps 220, 225, etc.), with respect to method 300 shown in fig. 3 (e.g., steps 320, 325, etc.).

The exemplary television 400 includes one or more processors 450. Processor 450 includes, for example, a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific processor, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, or the like. For example, the processor 450 operates according to software (or firmware) instructions. As noted above, any or all of the functions discussed herein (in part or in whole) may be implemented by a processor executing instructions. For example, although various modules are shown in fig. 4 as separate blocks or modules, such illustrative modules, or portions thereof, may be implemented by the processor 450.

The exemplary television 400 includes one or more memories 460. As described above, various aspects of the invention may be implemented by one or more processors executing instructions. Such instructions are stored, for example, in one or more processors 460. The memory 460 may, for example, include features of various types of memory. For example, but not limited to, memory 460 includes one or more memory chips (e.g., ROM, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash, one-time programmable OTP memory, etc.), hard disk memory, CD memory, DVD memory, and the like.

As also described above, various information (e.g., descriptive information describing consumer goods and/or services, people, groups, places, communications information, information regarding acquisition of consumer goods and/or services, user interaction information, user control information, information related to user-selectable objects and related consumer goods and/or services and describing interactions with local and/or remote devices, information related to objects in a television program, communication session destination information (communication session destination information), network addressing information, etc.) corresponding to user-selectable objects (e.g., objects, people, etc.) in a television program may be stored in memory. Memory 460 provides a non-limiting example of a memory that stores such information. Note that the memory 460 (or a portion thereof) may also be located outside of and communicatively coupled to the television 400.

Exemplary television 400 includes one or more modules (not explicitly shown in fig. 4) for receiving and presenting television programs to a user. For example, such one or more modules may be used to provide television programming on display screen 470 using one or more user interface modules. For example, such one or more modules may be utilized to perform step 310 of the aforementioned exemplary method 300.

The exemplary television 400 includes one or more user-selectable objects and/or user-selectable behavior availability determination modules 454 for determining the availability of user-selectable behaviors related to objects in a television program presented to a user. For example, module 454 may be configured to perform at least a portion of step 220 of exemplary method 200 described above and/or at least a portion of step 320 (e.g., sub-step 322) of exemplary method 300 described above.

For example, in an exemplary scenario, television 400 may locally determine the identity of user-selectable behaviors related to objects in a television program, and module 454 may be used to implement such functionality (e.g., by analyzing information received with the television program). Information of such determined user-selectable behavior is then submitted to the user for selection thereof, e.g., by user interface module 440. Further, for example, module 454 may be used to communicate with external systems regarding user-selectable behavior (related to objects in a television program) using communication module 430 (and communication interface modules 410 and 420).

For example also, in another exemplary scenario in which television 400 is used to receive information from a source external to television 400 regarding the identity of user-selectable behaviors related to objects in a television program, module 454 may be used to communicate with such an external source using communication module 430 (and communication interface modules 410 and 420).

Exemplary television 400 also includes, for example, one or more user-selectable objects and/or behavior determination modules 456 for determining (e.g., based in part on user input information received via user interface module 440) one or more behaviors engaged in by entities of or within the local television system remote from the user, such behaviors being related to objects in the television program. For example, the module 456 may be used to perform step 230 of the aforementioned exemplary method 200 and/or step 330 of the aforementioned exemplary method 300.

For example, in one non-limiting aspect, such behavior determination includes analyzing tables or other data that map (or link) objects and/or behavior determinations to particular user inputs, while module 456 is used to permit such tables and/or other data structures stored in memory 460. As another example, in another exemplary scenario, such behavior determination includes interacting with the user to further specify a behavior to be performed with respect to an object in the television program, and module 456 is operable to perform such user interaction with user interface module 440.

The exemplary television 400 additionally includes one or more behavior execution modules 458 for executing one or more behaviors determined by the behavior determination module 456. For example, the behavior execution module 458 is configured to perform the aforementioned step 240 of the exemplary method 200 and/or the aforementioned step 340 of the exemplary method 300.

For example, in one non-limiting exemplary scenario, the determined behavior includes retrieving information related to an object in the television program from a memory of an entity of the local television system remote from the user (e.g., a memory of a business entity related to a particular consumer product and/or service), and module 458 may be used to communicate with such memory of a remote entity (e.g., directly (e.g., using DMA) and/or indirectly (using an interface of the remote entity)). For example, the module 458 may be used to communicate with such remote entities using the communication module 430 (and the first communication interface module 410 and/or the second communication interface module 420). Such remote entities may include, for example, communication infrastructure components of a television system, television server components, cable and/or satellite head end stations, network information servers, remote computers communicatively coupled to a television, web servers, or databases of a business enterprise, among others.

Also for example, in one non-limiting aspect, the determined behavior includes searching for information related to objects in the television program, and the module 458 may be operable to perform a search for such information. In such an arrangement, module 458 may be employed, for example, to perform such a search (e.g., directly with direct memory access and/or with a search interface provided by a remote entity) in storage of other television system components and/or other network entities (e.g., a web server or a database of a business enterprise) of the local television system remote from the user. For example, module 458 may be used to perform such a search in such remote entities using communication module 430 (and first communication interface module 410 and/or second communication interface module 420) to communicate with such remote entities. For example, such remote entities may provide interfaces particularly suited for requesting and/or searching for information stored in and/or readily retrieved by such remote entities. In such an arrangement, the module 458 may operate in accordance with such an interface.

In an exemplary scenario, the remote entity may operate in accordance with a protocol in which a requestor requests (over a communication network) information relating to a particular user-selected object (or related consumer goods and/or services, associate, etc.), and the remote entity responds to such request by transmitting the requested information to the requestor. In such an arrangement, module 458 would operate in accordance with such a protocol when interacting with remote entities over a communications network.

As another example, in one non-limiting aspect, the determined behavior includes further interfacing with a user of television 400, module 458 being operable to provide the user interface with user interface module 440.

For example, in an exemplary scenario, the determined behavior includes providing object information (e.g., business information for consumer goods and/or services) and/or different views (views) of the object to the user, and module 458 may be used to perform such output (e.g., on display 470 of television 400) using user interface module 440. Also for example, the module 458 may be operable to communicate with one or more other local television system components using the communication module 430 (and the first communication interface module 410 and/or the second communication interface module 420) to provide such information to such one or more other local television system components to present such information on respective output displays of such one or more other local television system components.

As another example, in one non-limiting aspect, the determined behavior includes establishing and/or managing a communication session between the user and another system (e.g., a television system and/or a non-television system entity remote from the user's local television system), and module 458 may be used to utilize user interface module 440 to provide a user interface and communication module 430 (and first communication interface module 410 and/or second communication interface module 420) to communicate to enable establishment and management of a communication link. Such a communication session may be, for example, a communication session related to the acquired information, a communication session in which a commercial transaction is performed, a corresponding communication session between persons, and so forth.

Also for example, in one non-limiting aspect, the determined behavior includes notifying one or more other television systems and/or other network entities (e.g., manufacturing businesses, distribution businesses, ratings companies, advertising agencies, etc.) of the user's selection of a particular behavior related to the object in the television, and the module 458 may be operable to perform such notification using the communication module 430 (and the first communication interface module 410 and/or the second communication interface module 420).

Although not shown in the figure, exemplary television 400 may include, for example, one or more modules that perform any or all of the processing described above with respect to steps 295 of exemplary method 200 and 395 of exemplary method 300. Such modules (e.g., as with one or more of modules 454, 456, and 458) may be implemented by processor 450 executing instructions stored in memory 460.

Turning to fig. 5, a block diagram of an exemplary television receiver 500 is shown in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The exemplary television receiver 500 may, for example, share any or all of the features with the television receiver 151 shown in fig. 1 and discussed previously herein. Also, the exemplary television receiver 500 may, for example, share any or all of the features with the exemplary television 400 shown in fig. 4 and discussed previously herein. For example, the exemplary television 400 (e.g., various modules therein) may be used to perform any or all of the functions previously discussed with respect to the exemplary methods 200 and 300 shown in fig. 2-3.

The exemplary television receiver 500 includes a first communication interface module 510. The first communication interface module 510 may be used, for example, to communicate over various communication media and using various communication protocols. For example, although as shown in FIG. 5, the first communication interface module 510 is connected to a wireless RF antenna through a wireless port 512, the wireless medium is merely illustrative and non-limiting. The first communication interface module 510 may be used, for example, to communicate with one or more communication networks (e.g., a cable television network, a satellite television network, a telecommunications network, the internet, a local area network, a personal area network, a metropolitan area network, etc.) over which television video content (e.g., television programming) and/or other data (e.g., commercial information) may be transmitted. Also for example, the first communication interface module 510 can be used to communicate with a local source of television video content (e.g., a video recorder, receiver, gaming device, etc.). Further, for example, the first communication interface module 510 may be used to communicate with a television controller and/or a television (e.g., in a direct manner or via one or more intermediate communication networks).

The exemplary television receiver 500 includes a second communication interface module 520. The second communication interface module 520 may be used, for example, to communicate over various communication media and utilizing various communication protocols. For example, the second communication interface module 520 may communicate through a wireless RF communication port 522 and an antenna, or through a non-tethered optical communication port 524 (e.g., using a laser diode, a photodiode, etc.). Also for example, the second communication interface module 520 can communicate through a tethered optical communication port 526 (e.g., utilizing an optical cable), or through a wired communication port 528 (e.g., utilizing a coaxial cable, twisted pair, HDMI cable, ethernet cable, various wired components, and/or composite video connections, etc.). The second communication interface module 520 may be used, for example, to communicate with one or more communication networks (e.g., a cable television network, a satellite television network, a telecommunications network, the internet, a local area network, a personal area network, a metropolitan area network, etc.) over which television video content (e.g., television programming) and/or other data may be transmitted. Also for example, the second communication interface module 520 may be used to communicate with a local source of television video content (e.g., a video recorder, receiver, gaming device, etc.). Further, for example, the second communication interface module 520 may be used to communicate with a television controller and/or a television located external to the television receiver 500 (e.g., in a direct manner or via one or more intermediate communication networks). The second communication interface module 520 may be used, for example, to transmit video and/or graphical information to a television and/or television receiver (e.g., using any of the previous interfaces mentioned above).

The exemplary television receiver 500 also includes other communication interface modules that are not shown in the figure. Such other communication interface modules may share any or all of the features with the aforementioned first and second communication interface modules 510, 520.

The exemplary television receiver 500 also includes a communication module 530. The communication module 530 may be used, for example, to control and/or coordinate the operation of the first communication interface module 510 and the second communication interface module 520 (and/or to also control and/or coordinate the operation of the other communication interface modules, as desired). The communication module 530 may, for example, provide a convenient communication interface through which other components of the television 500 may utilize the first and second communication interface modules 510, 520. Further, for example, in an exemplary scenario in which multiple communication interface modules share media and/or networks, the communication module 530 may coordinate communications to reduce collisions and/or other interference between the communication interface modules.

The exemplary television receiver 500 also includes one or more television interface modules 535 for providing an interface between the television receiver 500 and a television (e.g., a television external to the television receiver 500 or having a television receiver disposed therein). For example, the television interface module 535 may be used to provide video, graphical, and/or textual information to the television (e.g., via the communication module 530, the first communication interface module 510, and/or the second communication interface module 520).

The exemplary television receiver 500 also includes one or more user interface modules 540. User interface module 440 may generally be used to provide user interface functionality to a user of television 500. For example, and without limitation, user interface module 540 may be used to provide user control (e.g., channel control, volume control, on/off, screen settings, input selections, etc.) of any one or all of the standard television commands. For example, the user interface module 540 may operate and/or respond to user commands using user interface features (e.g., buttons, etc.) configured with the television receiver 500, and may also communicate with a television controller (e.g., a dedicated television remote control, a universal remote control, a mobile phone, a personal computing device, a game controller, etc.) using the communication module 530 (and/or the first 510 and second 520 communication interface modules).

The user interface module 540 also includes one or more sensor modules for interfacing with and/or controlling the operation of various sensors that may determine on-screen locations. The location may be used, for example, to determine a user selected interface.

In addition, the user interface module 540 may perform various video output functions (e.g., provide television programming to the user, provide visual feedback to the user regarding certain user-selected objects in the presented television programming, etc.). The user interface module 540 may, for example, be used to perform any or all of the user interface functions discussed herein (e.g., with respect to the method 200 shown in fig. 2 (e.g., steps 220, 225, etc.), with respect to the method 300 shown in fig. 3 (e.g., steps 320, 325, etc.).

The exemplary television receiver 500 includes one or more processors 550. Processor 550 includes, for example, a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific processor, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, or the like. For example, the processor 550 operates according to software (or firmware) instructions. As noted above, any or all of the functions discussed herein may be implemented by a processor executing instructions. For example, although various modules are shown in fig. 5 as separate blocks or modules, such illustrative modules, or portions thereof, may be implemented by the processor 550.

The exemplary television receiver 500 includes one or more memories 560. As described above, various aspects of the invention may be implemented by one or more processors executing instructions. Such instructions are stored, for example, in the one or more processors 560. The memory 560 may, for example, include features of various types of memory. For example, but not limited to, memory 560 includes one or more memory chips (e.g., ROM, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash, one-time programmable OTP memory, etc.), hard disk memory, CD memory, DVD memory, and the like.

As also described above, various information (e.g., descriptive information describing consumer goods and/or services, people, groups, places, communications information, information regarding acquisition of consumer goods and/or services, user interaction information, user control information, information related to user-selectable objects and related consumer goods and/or services and describing interactions with local and/or remote entities, information related to objects in a television program, communication session destination information (communication session destination information), network addressing information, etc.) corresponding to user-selectable objects (e.g., objects, people, etc.) in a television program may be stored in memory. Memory 560 provides a non-limiting example of a memory that stores such information. Note that the memory 560 (or a portion thereof) may also be located outside of and communicatively coupled to the television receiver 500.

The exemplary television receiver 500 includes one or more modules (not explicitly shown in fig. 5) for receiving television programs and providing them to users. For example, such one or more modules may be used to provide television programming on an optional display screen 570 of receiver 500 (if present) and/or a display screen communicatively coupled to receiver 500 using one or more user interface modules 540. For example, such one or more modules may be utilized to perform step 310 of the aforementioned exemplary method 300.

The exemplary television receiver 500 includes one or more user-selectable objects and/or user-selectable behavior availability determination modules 554 for determining the availability of user-selectable interfaces related to objects in a television program presented to a user. For example, module 554 may be used to perform at least a portion of step 220 of exemplary method 200 described above and/or at least a portion of step 320 (e.g., sub-step 322) of exemplary method 300 described above.

For example, in an exemplary scenario, television receiver 500 may locally determine the identity of a user-selectable interface related to an object in a television program, and module 554 may be used to implement such functionality (e.g., by analyzing information received with the television program). Information of such determined user-selectable behavior is then submitted to the user for selection thereof, e.g., by user interface module 540. Further, for example, module 554 may be used to communicate with external systems regarding user selectable behavior (related to objects in a television program) using communication module 530 (and communication interface modules 510 and 520).

For example also, in another exemplary scenario, where television receiver 500 is configured to receive information regarding the identity of a user-selectable interface associated with an object in a television program from a source external to television receiver 500, module 554 may be configured to communicate with such external source using communication module 530 (and communication interface modules 510 and 520).

Exemplary television receiver 500 also includes, for example, one or more user-selectable object and/or behavior determination modules 556 for determining (e.g., based in part on user input information received via user interface module 540) one or more behaviors engaged in by entities of or within the local television system remote from the user, such behaviors being related to objects in the television program. For example, module 556 may be configured to perform step 230 of exemplary method 200 described above and/or step 330 of exemplary method 300 described above.

For example, in one non-limiting aspect, such behavior determination includes analyzing tables or other data that map (or link) objects and/or behavior determinations to particular user inputs, while module 556 is operable to permit such tables and/or other data structures stored in memory 560. As another example, in another exemplary scenario, such behavior determination includes interacting with the user to further specify a behavior to be performed with respect to an object in the television program, and module 556 is operable to perform such user interaction with user interface module 540.

The exemplary television receiver 500 additionally includes one or more behavior execution modules 558 for executing one or more behaviors determined by the behavior determination module 556. For example, the behavior execution module 558 is configured to perform the step 240 of the aforementioned exemplary method 200 and/or the step 340 of the aforementioned exemplary method 300.

For example, in one non-limiting exemplary scenario, the determined behavior includes retrieving information related to an object in the television program from a memory of an entity of the local television system remote from the user (e.g., a memory of a business entity related to a particular consumer product and/or service), and module 558 may be used to communicate with such a memory of the remote entity (e.g., directly (e.g., using DMA) and/or indirectly (using an interface of the remote entity)). For example, the module 558 may be used to communicate with such remote entities using the communication module 530 (and the first communication interface module 510 and/or the second communication interface module 520). Such remote entities may include, for example, communication infrastructure components of a television system, television server components, cable and/or satellite head end stations, network information servers, remote computers communicatively coupled to a television, web servers, or databases of a business enterprise, among others.

Also for example, in one non-limiting aspect, the determined behavior includes searching for information related to objects in the television program, and module 558 can be used to perform a search for such information. In such an arrangement, module 558 may be used, for example, to perform such a search (e.g., directly using direct memory access and/or using a search interface provided by a remote entity) in memory of other television system components and/or other network entities (e.g., a web server or a database of a business enterprise) of the local television system remote from the user. For example, module 558 may be used to perform such a search in such a remote entity using communication module 530 (and first communication interface module 510 and/or second communication interface module 520) to communicate with such a remote entity. For example, such remote entities may provide interfaces particularly suited for requesting and/or searching for information stored in and/or readily retrieved by such remote entities. In such an arrangement, the module 558 may operate in accordance with such an interface.

In an exemplary scenario, the remote entity may operate in accordance with a protocol in which a requestor requests (via a communication network) information relating to a particular user-selected object (or related consumer goods and/or services, related persons, etc.), and the remote entity responds to such request by transmitting the requested information to the requestor. In such an arrangement, module 558 would operate in accordance with such a protocol when interacting with a remote entity over a communications network.

As another example, in one non-limiting aspect, the determined action includes further interfacing with a user of television receiver 500, module 558 may be used to provide the user interface using user interface module 540.

For example, in an exemplary scenario, the determined behavior includes providing object information (e.g., business information for consumer goods and/or services) and/or different views (views) of the object to the user, and module 558 may be used to perform such output using user interface module 540 (e.g., at optional display screen 570 of television receiver 500 if display screen 570 is included). Also for example, module 558 may be used to communicate with one or more other local television system components (e.g., a television controller, a personal computing device or system, etc. connected to television receiver 500) using communication module 530 (and first communication interface module 510 and/or second communication interface module 520) to provide such information to such one or more other local television system components to present such information on respective output displays of such one or more other local television system components.

As another example, in one non-limiting aspect, the determined behavior includes establishing and/or managing a communication session between the user and other system entities, and the module 558 may be used to utilize the user interface module 540 to provide a user interface and the communication module 530 (and the first communication interface module 510 and/or the second communication interface module 520) to enable establishment and management of the transit link. Such a communication session may be, for example, a communication session related to the acquired information, a communication session in which a commercial transaction is performed, a corresponding communication session between persons, and so forth.

For another example, in one non-limiting aspect, the determined behavior includes notifying one or more other television systems and/or other network entities (e.g., production businesses, distribution businesses, ratings companies, advertising agencies, etc.) of the user's selection of a particular behavior related to the object in the television program, and the module 558 can be used to perform such notification using the communication module 530 (and the first communication interface module 510 and/or the second communication interface module 520).

Although not shown in the figures, exemplary television system 500 may include, for example, one or more modules that perform any or all of the processing described above with respect to steps 295 of exemplary method 200 and 395 of exemplary method 300. Such modules (e.g., as with one or more of modules 554, 556, and 558) may be implemented by processor 550 executing instructions stored in memory 560.

Turning to fig. 6, a block diagram of an exemplary television controller 600 in accordance with various aspects of the invention is shown. The exemplary television receiver 600 may, for example, share any or all of the features with the exemplary television controllers 160 and 161 shown in fig. 1 and discussed previously herein. Also, the exemplary television controller 600 may, for example, share any or all of the features with the exemplary television 400 shown in fig. 4 and discussed previously herein and/or the exemplary television receiver 500 shown in fig. 5 and discussed previously herein. For example, the exemplary television 600 (e.g., various modules therein) may be used to perform any or all of the functions previously discussed with respect to the exemplary methods 200 and 300 shown in fig. 2-3.

The exemplary television receiver 600 includes a first communication interface module 610. The first communication interface module 610 may be used, for example, to communicate over various communication media and utilizing various communication protocols. For example, although the first communication interface module 610 is shown in FIG. 6 as being coupled to a wireless RF antenna through a wireless port 612, the wireless medium is merely illustrative and non-limiting. The first communication interface module 610 may be used, for example, to communicate with one or more communication networks (e.g., a cable television network, a satellite television network, a telecommunications network, the internet, a local area network, a personal area network, a metropolitan area network, etc.) over which television video content (e.g., television programming) and/or other data (e.g., commercial information) may be transmitted. Also for example, the first communication interface module 610 may be used to communicate with a local source of television video content (e.g., a video recorder, receiver, gaming device, etc.). Further, for example, the first communication interface module 610 may be used to communicate with a television controller and/or a television (e.g., in a direct manner or via one or more intermediate communication networks).

The exemplary television controller 600 includes a second communication interface module 620. The second communication interface module 620 may be used, for example, to communicate over various communication media and utilizing various communication protocols. For example, the second communication interface module 620 may communicate through a wireless RF communication port 622 and an antenna, or through a non-tethered optical communication port 624 (e.g., using a laser diode, a photodiode, etc.). Also for example, the second communication interface module 620 can communicate through a tethered optical communication port 626 (e.g., utilizing an optical cable), or through a wired communication port 628 (e.g., utilizing a coaxial cable, twisted pair, HDMI cable, ethernet cable, various wired components, and/or composite video connections, etc.). The second communication interface module 620 may be used, for example, to communicate with one or more communication networks (e.g., a cable television network, a satellite television network, a telecommunications network, the internet, a local area network, a personal area network, a metropolitan area network, etc.) over which television video content (e.g., television programming) and/or other data may be transmitted. Also for example, the second communication interface module 620 may be used to communicate with a local source of television video content (e.g., a video recorder, receiver, gaming device, etc.). Further, for example, the second communication interface module 620 may be used to communicate with a television controller and/or a television located external to the television receiver 500 (e.g., in a direct manner or via one or more intermediate communication networks). The second communication interface module 620 may be used, for example, to transmit video and/or graphical information to a television and/or television receiver (e.g., using any of the previous interfaces mentioned above).

The exemplary television controller 600 also includes other communication interface modules that are not shown in the figure. Such other communication interface modules may share any or all of the features with the previously described first and second communication interface modules 610, 620.

The exemplary television controller 600 also includes a communication module 630. The communication module 630 may be used, for example, to control and/or coordinate the operation of the first communication interface module 610 and the second communication interface module 620 (and/or other communication interface modules as needed). The communication module 630 may, for example, provide a convenient communication interface through which other components of the television controller 600 may utilize the first 610 and second 620 communication interface modules. Further, for example, in an exemplary scenario in which multiple communication interface modules share media and/or networks, communication module 630 may coordinate communications to reduce collisions and/or other interference between communication interface modules.

Exemplary television controller 600 also includes one or more television interface modules 635 for providing an interface between television controller 600 and a television (e.g., a television located external to television controller 600). For example, the television interface module 635 may be used to provide video, graphical, and/or textual information to a television and/or television receiver (e.g., via the communication module 630, the first communication interface module 610, and/or the second communication interface module 620).

The exemplary television receiver 600 also includes one or more user interface modules 640. User interface module 640 is generally operable to provide user interface functionality to a user of television controller 600. For example, and without limitation, user interface module 640 may be used to provide user control of any or all standard television commands (e.g., channel control, volume control, on/off, screen settings, input selections, etc.). For example, the user interface module 640 may operate and/or respond to user commands using user interface features (e.g., buttons, etc.) configured with the television controller, and may also communicate with the television and/or television receiver using the communication module 630 (and/or the first 610 and second 620 communication interface modules).

User interface module 640 also includes one or more sensor modules for interfacing with and/or controlling the operation of various sensors that may determine location on the screen. The location may be used, for example, to determine a user-selected behavior.

In addition, user interface module 640 may perform various video output functions (e.g., providing television programming to a user, providing visual feedback to the user regarding certain user-selected objects in the presented television programming, etc.). User interface module 640 may, for example, be used to perform any or all of the user interface functions discussed herein (e.g., with respect to method 200 shown in fig. 2 (e.g., steps 220, 225, etc.), with respect to method 300 shown in fig. 3 (e.g., steps 320, 325, etc.).

The exemplary television controller 600 includes one or more processors 650. Processor 650 includes, for example, a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific processor, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, or the like. For example, the processor 650 acts according to software (or firmware) instructions. As noted above, any or all of the functions discussed herein may be implemented by a processor executing instructions. For example, although various modules are shown in fig. 6 as separate blocks or modules, such illustrative modules, or portions thereof, may be implemented by the processor 650.

The exemplary television controller 600 includes one or more memories 660. As described above, various aspects of the invention may be implemented by one or more processors executing instructions. Such instructions are stored, for example, in one or more processors 660. Memory 660 may, for example, include features of various types of memory. For example, and without limitation, memory 660 includes one or more memory chips (e.g., ROM, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash, one-time programmable OTP memory, etc.), hard disk memory, CD memory, DVD memory, and the like.

As also described above, various information corresponding to user-selectable objects (e.g., objects related to consumer goods and/or services) in a television program (e.g., descriptive information describing consumer goods and/or services, people, groups, places, communications information, information regarding acquisition of consumer goods and/or services, user interaction information, user control information, information related to user-selectable objects and related consumer goods and/or services and describing interactions with local and/or remote entities, information related to objects in a television program, communication session destination information (communication session destination information), network addressing information, etc.) may be stored in memory. Memory 660 provides a non-limiting example of a memory that stores such information. Note that the memory 660 (or a portion thereof) may also be located outside of and communicatively coupled to the television receiver 600.

Exemplary television controller 600 includes one or more modules (not explicitly shown in fig. 6) for receiving television programs and providing them to users. For example, such one or more modules may be used to provide television programming on an optional display screen 670 (if television controller 600 is provided with and/or communicatively coupled to a display screen) using one or more user interface modules 640. For example, such one or more modules may be utilized to perform step 310 of the aforementioned exemplary method 300.

The exemplary television controller 600 includes one or more user-selectable objects and/or user-selectable behavior availability determination modules 654 for determining the availability of user-selectable behaviors related to objects in a television program presented to a user. For example, module 654 may be used to perform at least a portion of step 220 of exemplary method 200 described above and/or at least a portion of step 320 (e.g., sub-step 322) of exemplary method 300 described above.

For example, in an exemplary scenario, television controller 600 may locally determine the identity of a user-selectable action related to an object in a television program, and module 654 may be used to implement such functionality (e.g., by analyzing information received with the television program). Information of such determined user-selectable behavior is then submitted to the user for selection thereof, e.g., by user interface module 640. Further, for example, module 654 may be used to communicate with an external system regarding user-selectable behavior (related to objects in a television program) using communication module 630 (and communication interface modules 610 and 620).

For example also, in another exemplary scenario, where television controller 600 is configured to receive information regarding the identity of a user-selectable behavior related to an object in a television program from a source external to television controller 600, module 654 may be configured to communicate with such external source using communication module 630 (and communication interface modules 610 and 620).

The exemplary television controller 600 also includes, for example, one or more user-selectable objects and/or behavior determination modules 656 for determining (e.g., based in part on user input information received via the user interface module 640) one or more behaviors engaged in by entities of or within the local television system remote from the user, such behaviors relating to objects in the television program. For example, module 656 may be configured to perform step 230 of exemplary method 200, described above, and/or step 330 of exemplary method 300, described above.

For example, in one non-limiting aspect, such behavior determination includes analyzing tables or other data mapped (or linked) to particular user inputs and/or behavior determination, while module 656 is operable to analyze such tables and/or other data structures stored in memory 660. For another example, in another exemplary scenario, such behavior determination includes interacting with the user to further specify a behavior to be performed with respect to an object in the television program, and module 656 is operable to perform such user interaction with user interface module 640.

The exemplary television controller 600 additionally includes one or more behavior execution modules 658 for executing one or more of the behaviors determined by the behavior determination module 656. For example, the behavior execution module 658 is configured to perform step 240 of the aforementioned exemplary method 200 and/or step 340 of the aforementioned exemplary method 300.

For example, in one non-limiting exemplary scenario, the determined behavior includes retrieving information related to an object in the television program from a memory of an entity of the local television system remote from the user (e.g., a memory of a business entity related to a particular consumer product and/or service), and module 658 is operable to communicate (e.g., directly (e.g., using DMA) and/or indirectly (using an interface of the remote entity)) with such a memory of the remote entity. For example, module 658 may be used to communicate with such remote entities using communication module 630 (and first communication interface module 610 and/or second communication interface module 620). Such remote entities may include, for example, communication infrastructure components of a television system, television server components, cable and/or satellite head end stations, network information servers, remote computers communicatively connected to a television, web servers, or databases of a business enterprise, among others.

Also for example, in one non-limiting aspect, the determined behavior includes searching for information related to objects in a television program, and module 658 is operable to perform a search for such information. In such an arrangement, module 658 may be used, for example, to perform such searches in memory of other television system components and/or other network entities (e.g., web servers or databases of business enterprises) of the local television system remote from the user (e.g., directly using direct memory access and/or using search interfaces provided by remote entities). For example, module 658 may be used to perform such searches in such remote entities using communication module 630 (and first communication interface module 610 and/or second communication interface module 620) to communicate with such remote entities. For example, such remote entities may provide interfaces particularly suited for requesting and/or searching for information stored in and/or readily retrieved by such remote entities. In such an arrangement, the module 658 may operate in accordance with such an interface.

In an exemplary scenario, the remote entity may operate in accordance with a protocol in which a requestor requests (over a communication network) information relating to a particular user-selected object (or related consumer goods and/or services, associate, etc.), and the remote entity responds to such request by transmitting the requested information to the requestor. In such an arrangement, the module 658 will operate in accordance with such a protocol when interacting with remote entities over a communications network.

As another example, in one non-limiting aspect, the determined action includes further interfacing with a user of the television controller 600, and the module 658 is operable to provide the user interface using the user interface module 640.

For example, in an exemplary scenario, the determined behavior includes providing object information (e.g., business information for consumer goods and/or services) and/or different views (views) of the object to the user, and module 658 is operable to perform such output using user interface module 640, for example, on optional display 670 (if present) of television controller 600. Also for example, module 658 may be used to communicate with one or more other local television system components (e.g., a television controller, a personal computing device or system, etc. connected to television controller 600) using communication module 630 (and first communication interface module 610 and/or second communication interface module 620) to provide such information to such one or more other local television system components to present such information on respective output displays of such one or more other local television system components.

As another example, in a non-limiting aspect, the determined behavior includes establishing and/or managing a communication session between the user and other system entities, and the module 658 is operable to utilize the user interface module 640 to provide a user interface and the communication module 630 (and the first communication interface module 610 and/or the second communication interface module 620) to communicate to effect establishment and management of the transit link. Such a communication session may be, for example, a communication session related to the acquired information, a communication session in which a commercial transaction is performed, a corresponding communication session between persons, and so forth.

For another example, in a non-limiting aspect, the determined behavior includes notifying one or more other television systems and/or other network entities (e.g., production businesses, distribution businesses, ratings companies, advertising agencies, etc.) of the user's selection of a particular behavior related to the object in the television, and the module 658 is operable to perform such notification using the communication module 630 (and the first communication interface module 610 and/or the second communication interface module 620).

Although not shown in the figures, the exemplary television controller 600 may include, for example, one or more modules that perform any or all of the processing described above with respect to the continuation of step 295 of exemplary method 200 and step 395 of exemplary method 300. Such modules (e.g., as with one or more of modules 654, 656, and 658) may be implemented by processor 650 executing instructions stored in memory 660.

While the foregoing discussion of fig. 4-6 provides various exemplary modules of the television 400, television receiver 500, and television controller 600, as previously described, various aspects of the invention may be implemented in a distributed system (e.g., by multiple components of a user's local television system). Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, the scope of various aspects of the present invention are not limited to implementation by a single television system component (or apparatus).

Turning to fig. 7, a block diagram of exemplary modules and/or sub-modules of a local television system is shown in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The exemplary local television system 700 may share any or all of the features with any of the televisions 400, television receivers 500, and/or television controllers 600 shown in fig. 4-6 and discussed above. The exemplary local television system 700 may, for example, share any or all of the features with one or more of the exemplary televisions 140 and 141, television controllers 160 and 161, television receivers 151, television providers 110, and/or third party program information providers shown in fig. 1 and discussed previously. Further, the exemplary local television system 700 (e.g., various modules therein) may be used to perform any or all of the functions described above with respect to the exemplary methods 200 and 300 illustrated in fig. 2-3. The components of exemplary local television system 700 may be disposed in a single television system component (e.g., a single television receiver, a single television controller, etc.) or dispersed among multiple television system components (e.g., multiple components of a user's local television system, a combination of components including one or more components of the user's local television system and one or more components of the local television system remote from the user, etc.).

For example, local television system 700 includes a processor 730. Processor 730 may, for example, share any or all of the features with processors 450, 550, and 650 described in fig. 4-6. Also for example, the local television system includes memory 740. Memory 740 may, for example, share any or all of the features with memories 460, 560, and 660 described in fig. 4-6.

Also for example, the local television system 700 includes various user interface modules 750. The user interface module 750 may, for example, share any or all of the features with the user interface modules 440, 540, and 640 previously described with reference to fig. 4-6. For example, but not limiting of, the user interface module 750 includes: a display device, a camera (for capturing still or moving images), a speaker, headphones (e.g., wired or wireless), a microphone, a video screen (e.g., a touch screen), a vibrating mechanism, a keyboard, and/or various other user interface devices (e.g., a mouse, a trackball, a touch pad, a touch screen, a light pen, a game control device, etc.).

Exemplary local television system 700 also includes, for example, various communication modules (705, 706, and 710). Such a communication module may, for example, share any or all of the features with the communication interface modules 410, 420, 510, 610, and 620 previously discussed with respect to fig. 4-6. For example, but not limiting of, the communication interface module 710 includes: a Bluetooth interface module; IEEE802.11, 802.15, 802.16, and/or 802.20 modules; various cellular communication interface modules (e.g., GSM/GPRS/EDGE, CDMA/CDMA2000/1x-EV-DO, WCDMA/HSDPA/HSUPA, TDMA/PDC, WiMAX, etc.); various location-related communication interface modules (e.g., GPS, A-GPS, etc.); various wired/tethered communication interface modules (e.g., USB, firewire, RS-232, HDMI, Ethernet, wireline and/or cable modems, etc.); various communication interface modules for communicating with an external storage device; and the like. The exemplary local television system 700 also illustrates that various wired 706 and/or wireless 705 front end modules can be included in and/or utilized by, for example, the communication interface module, including and/or wireless 705 front end modules.

The exemplary local television system 700 also includes various signal processing modules 790. The signal processing module 790 may share any or all of the features with the modules of the exemplary television 400, television receiver 500, and/or television controller 600 that perform signal processing. For example, the signal processing module 790 may be used to assist in processing the various types of information previously described (e.g., with respect to sensor processing, position determination, video processing, image processing, audio processing, general user interface information data processing, etc.). For example, but not limiting of, the signal processing module 790 includes: video/graphics processing modules (e.g., MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.263, H.264, JPEG, TIFF, 3-D, 2-D, MDDI, etc.); an audio processing module (e.g., MP3, AAC, MIDI, QCELP, AMR, CMX, etc.); and/or a haptic processing module (e.g., keyboard I/O, touch screen processing, motor control, etc.).

In general, aspects of the invention provide a system and method for providing user interaction related to a television program being presented for use in a television system. While the invention has been described with reference to certain aspects and embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of providing user interaction relating to objects in a television program, the method comprising:

in a television system:

providing a user interface through which a user may indicate operations to be performed in relation to a presented television program;

receiving, using the provided user interface, a user input indication of a user-specified operation to be performed in relation to the presented television program;

performing the determined action.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the behavior to be performed in relation to objects in the presented television program comprises any one or more of:

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the action to be performed in relation to an object in the presented television program comprises presenting information specifically related to the object presented in the television program.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the user selection of the behavior related to the object to be performed is provided in only a portion of the presented television program, and wherein the user can indicate, via the user interface, the behavior related to the object in the presented television program to be performed.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the providing the user selection of the behavior related to the object to be performed generally occurs only when the object appears in a presented television program.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the user selection of the behavior related to the subject to be performed generally occurs only in a portion of a commercial enterprise-sponsored television program related to the subject that is presented.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the action to be performed in relation to the object in the presented television program comprises performing a commercial transaction in relation to the object in the presented television program.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the action to be performed in relation to the object in the presented television program comprises establishing a communication session with a business enterprise associated with the object.

9. A system for providing user interaction related to objects in a television program, the system comprising:

at least one module for performing at least the following acts:

performing the determined action.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the behavior to be performed in relation to the objects in the presented television program comprises any one or more of: