GB2524972A

GB2524972A - A system for simultaneously displaying locally-targeted content and regionally-targeted broadcast content on a television monitor

Info

Publication number: GB2524972A
Application number: GB1406240.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Willie Hughes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-04-07
Filing date: 2014-04-07
Publication date: 2015-10-14
Also published as: GB201406240D0

Abstract

A system, method and device for simultaneously displaying locally-targeted content and broadcast content on a television monitor. The system comprises a television monitor, 3, a broadcast content distribution point and an intermediary hardware device connected there between. The intermediary device has a processor and an accessible memory on which there is stored locally-targeted content for display on the television monitor. The intermediary device partitions the television screen into a plurality of distinct, non-overlapping zones, 51, 53, 55, 57, including a locally-targeted content zone, 53, and a regionally-targeted broadcast content zone, 51, and reduces the display size of the regionally-targeted broadcast content and displays it in the regionally-targeted broadcast content zone. The locally-targeted content is displayed in the locally-targeted content zone. In this way locally-targeted information may be simultaneously displayed on a TV monitor showing regionally-targeted broadcast content.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GB1406240.0 RTIVI Date:15 October 2014 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: 1-IDMI Wi-Fi Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.govuk "A system for simultaneously displaying locally-targeted content and regionally-targeted broadcast content on a television monitor"

Introduction

This invention relates to a system and method for simultaneously displaying locally-targeted content and regionally-targeted broadcast content on a television monitor.

Television is one of the most popular forms of entertainment and an excellent medium for conveying information to viewers. As a consequence, television is commonly used as a form of distraction in waiting areas, such as airport lounges and train stations. The passengers will happily watch a television programme for an extended period of time that might otherwise cause agitation and annoyance if they were waiting for that period of time Mthout the provision of television entertainment.

Although the provision of televisions may result in a more satisfied passenger and fewer complaints, it is less than ideal to provide televisions in such circumstances. Often, the viewers will become engrossed in the programme and they may miss their flight or train, causing greater inconvenience and dissatisfaction. Accordingly, in order to ensure passengers do not miss their flight or train, it is common for the television to be muted or for the screens to go blank while a flight or train announcement is made over a public address (PA) system. Other addresses such as safety messages are often made in the same manner. This is a source of annoyance to those passengers experiencing a long wait as their programme is continuously interrupted and often the message over the PA is disregarded as the passengers attention is focused intently on the television to capture the moment when the sound returns to their programme so that they can catch up where they left off.

Television is also often central to many public social gatherings. For example, it is common for public houses to screen major sporting events such as football matches, rugby matches, horseracing events such as the Grand National, as well as other events such as the Eurovision song contest and televised talent contests, to name but a few.

The publicans do so in an effort to attract more paying customers into their establishments.

Clearly, while the publicans have more patrons in their establishments, it would be advantageous if they could provide those patrons with information that may be to their benefit. For example, it would be highly advantageous from a health and safety point of view if the publicans could communicate the locations of the exits to their patrons in the unlikely event of a fire on the premises requiring a sudden evacuation. Similarly, it would be advantageous if the publicans were able to communicate the goods and services available to the patrons on the premises and/or promotions that were being run at that time on the premises. However, similar problems to those described above arise if a PA is used to announce the information to the patrons during the televised event. Generally speaking, such announcements are considered to be a nuisance and the announcements are largely ignored by the patrons.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method that overcome the problems with the known systems and methods. More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to enable important messages to be conveyed to the television viewers in an effective manner without detracting from their viewing enjoyment.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention there is provided a system for displaying locally-targeted content on a television monitor simultaneously with regionally-targeted broadcast content on the television monitor, the system comprising: a television monitor having a SignalIN port; a broadcast content distribution point having a SignalOUT port; an intermediary hardware device connected between the television monitor and the broadcast content distribution point having a SignalIN port connected to the SignalOUT port of the broadcast content distribution point, and a SignalOUT port connected to the SignalIN port of the television monitor, the intermediary device having a processor and an accessible memory on which there is stored locally-targeted content for display on the television monitor and computer program code having program instructions for carrying out the steps of: (a) partitioning the television screen into a plurality of distinct, non-overlapping zones including a locally-targeted content zone and a regionally-targeted broadcast content zone; (b) reducing the display size of the regionally-targeted broadcast content to fit in the regionally-targeted broadcast content zone and displaying the reduced regionally-targeted broadcast content in the regionally-targeted broadcast content zone; and (c) displaying the locally-targeted content stored in memory in the locally-targeted content zone.

By having such a system, it will be possible to display locally-targeted content and regionally-targeted broadcast content on the same television monitor simultaneously.

Importantly, this is done without any loss of regionally-targeted broadcast content whatsoever as the locally-targeted content is not super-imposed over the regionally-targeted broadcast and the regionally-targeted broadcast is not paused or muted during delivery of the locally-targeted broadcast content. The regionally-targeted broadcast content is reduced in size and placed in a dedicated regionally-targeted broadcast content zone and the locally-targeted content is displayed simultaneously on the same monitor but in the locally-targeted content zone.

By implementing the system as described, a high level of customisation may be achieved as the locally-targeted content is stored locally in the intermediary hardware device. Each intermediary hardware device may be programmed with locally-targeted content specific to the immediate vicinity of the television monitor. Take for example an embodiment in an airport lounge, the regionally-targeted broadcast content may be a news programme and the locally-targeted content may be boarding information of flights departing from the airport or indeed from a gate or gates nearest the television monitor.

Similarly, in a public house, the regionally-targeted broadcast content could be a football match and the locally-targeted content could be information relating to a drinks promotion being run in the public house during the match. It is clear that such a system has many advantages.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a system in which the intermediary hardware device comprises a wireless communications module. This is seen as a preferred embodiment of the present invention. By having a wireless communications module, the intermediary hardware device will be able to communicate with a remote third party controller that will be able to modify or update the locally-targeted content for simultaneous display on the television monitor. This will enable a degree of control over the locally-targeted content. The locally-targeted content can be chosen remotely and updated onto the device and if desired the third party controller can ensure that a common message is delivered to and displayed by a plurality of disparate television monitors.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a system in which the wireless communications module is a Wi-Fi-enabled communications module.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a system in which there is provided a web interface for interaction with the intermediary device. A web interface is seen as a particularly simple way of controlling locally-targeted content delivered through the television monitor and will allow the content to be updated with relative ease, either locally or from a remote location.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a system in which the plurality of distinct zones are containers. Using containers is seen as an effective and efficient way of partitioning the screen and allowing different video content streams to be displayed simultaneously on the television monitor.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a system in which the plurality of distinct zones are panels.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a system in which the SignalIN port and the SignalOUT port of the intermediary hardware device comprise a HDMIin port and a HDMlout port respectively.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a system in which the computer program code has program instructions for carrying out the step of partitioning the television screen into a plurality of distinct zones to include at least one blank zone adjacent to the regionally-targeted broadcast content zone. By having one or more blank zones, the regionally-targeted broadcast content, once reduced in size can maintain the same aspect ratio and can be centred on the television screen to provide a more acceptable viewing screen to the user.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for displaying locally-targeted content on a television monitor simultaneously with regionally-targeted broadcast content on the television monitor, the method comprising the steps of an intermediary device: (al) intercepting the regionally-targeted broadcast content prior to the content being displayed on the television monitor; (a) partitioning the television screen into a plurality of distinct, non-overlapping zones including a locally-targeted content zone and a regionally-targeted broadcast content zone; (b) reducing the display size of the regionally-targeted broadcast content to fit in the regionally-targeted broadcast content zone and displaying the reduced regionally-targeted broadcast content in the regionally-targeted broadcast content zone; and (c) displaying the locally-targeted content stored in memory in the locally-targeted content zone.

By having such a method, both the locally-targeted content and the regionally-targeted broadcast content will be displayed simultaneously on the screen. The locally-targeted content is not superimposed over the regionally-targeted broadcast content and does not disrupt the regionally-targeted broadcast content. In this way, television viewers can be provided with essential information relating to their immediate environment at the same time as the regionally-targeted broadcast content without detracting from their viewing experience. Furthermore, by implementing the method, the locally-targeted content can be customized to a very high degree so that highly relevant locally-targeted content can be delivered to the television viewer.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method in which the method comprises the preliminary step of the intermediary device receiving the locally-targeted content through a wireless communication module.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method comprising the preliminary step of delivering the locally-targeted content to the intermediary device through a web interface.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method in which the step of partitioning the television screen into a plurality of distinct zones comprises creating a plurality of containers for display on the television screen.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method in which the step of partitioning the television screen into a plurality of distinct zones comprises creating a plurality of panels for display on the television screen.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method in which the step of partitioning the television screen into a plurality of distinct zones further comprises including at least one blank zone adjacent to the regionally-targeted broadcast content zone.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method in which the method further comprises the step of displaying the locally-targeted content at the bottom of the television screen. By having the locally-targeted information at the bottom of the television monitor, and by extension the regionally-targeted broadcast content at the top of the television monitor, this will present the most agreeable viewing format for the viewer. The television viewer can cast an eye downwards momentarily while watching the regionally-targeted broadcast content above and will be able to see and absorb the locally-targeted content quickly before returning their attention to the globally-targeted broadcast content.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method in which the method further comprises the step of displaying the locally-targeted content at the side of the television screen.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an intermediary hardware device for connection between a television monitor and a broadcast content distribution point, the intermediary hardware device having a SignaliN port for connection to a SignalOUT port of the broadcast content distribution point to receive regionally-targeted broadcast content, and a SignalOUl port for connection to a SignaliN port of the television monitor, the intermediary device having a processor and an accessible memory for storage of locally-targeted content for display on the television monitor and on which there is stored computer program code having program instructions for carrying out the steps of: (a) partitioning the television screen into a plurality of distinct, non-overlapping zones including a locally-targeted content zone and a regionally-targeted broadcast content zone; (b) reducing the display size of the regionally-targeted broadcast content to fit in the regionally-targeted broadcast content zone and displaying the reduced regionally-targeted broadcast content in the regionally-targeted broadcast content zone; and (c) simultaneously displaying the locally-targeted content stored in memory in the locally-targeted content zone.

By having such a device, it will be possible for operators such as publicans and the like to display messages on their television monitors in their premises that are specific to the premises and relevant to the customers on the premises. Furthermore, if desired, it will be relatively simple for the publicans to update the locally-targeted information themselves or the information can be updated remotely. All that is required is for the publicans to install the intermediary hardware device intermediate the television monitor and the broadcast content distribution point. The intermediary hardware device may have locally-targeted information already saved in memory or this can be added by/for the publican on or subsequent to installation. A simple set-up procedure will typically be all that is required to define the user interface that is preferred and the device can operate thereafter.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an intermediary hardware device comprising a wireless communications module.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an intermediary hardware device in which the wireless communications module is a Wi-Fi-enabled communications module.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an intermediary hardware device in which there is provided a web interface for interaction with the intermediary device.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an intermediary hardware device in which the plurality of distinct zones are containers.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an intermediary hardware device in which the plurality of distinct zones are panels.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an intermediary hardware device in which the SignalIN port and the SignalOUl port of the intermediary hardware device comprise a HDMIin port and a HDMIout pod respectively.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an intermediary hardware device in which the computer program code has program instructions for carrying out the step of partitioning the television screen into a plurality of distinct zones to include at least one blank zone adjacent to the regionally-targeted broadcast content zone.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will now be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a system according to the invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of an intermediary hardware device according to the invention; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the intermediary device in operation in an airport lounge; and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the intermediary device in operation in a public house.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, comprising a television monitor 3, a broadcast content distribution point 5 and an intermediary hardware device 7. The television monitor 3 comprises a SignalIN port 9 and the broadcast content distribution point 5 comprises a SignalOUT port 11. The intermediary hardware device comprises 7 a processor (not shown), an accessible memory (not shown), a wireless communications module 13, a SignalIN port 15 and a SignalOUT pod 17.

The SignalIN port 15 of the intermediary hardware device 7 is connected to the SignalOUT port 11 of the broadcast content distribution point 5 by way of a cable 19 and the SignalOUT port 17 of the intermediary hardware device 7 is connected to the SignalIN port 9 of the television monitor 3 by way of a cable 21. The accessible memory has locally-targeted content for display on the television monitor 3 and computer program code having program instructions thereon for controlling the display layout of the television monitor, as will be described in more detail below. There is further shown a remote computing device 23 which has access to the intermediary hardware device through a communications network, in this instance the internet 25. In the embodiment -10-shown, the broadcast content distribution point 5 is a so-called satellite TV box and the cabling connecting the satellite TV box to the satellite dishlcable connection has been omitted for clarity however this is standard.

In use, the intermediary hardware device 7 is connected up to the television monitor 3 and the broadcast content distribution point 5 in the manner shown. In this way, the signal that is normally delivered from the broadcast content distribution point 5 to the television monitor 3, the regionally-targeted broadcast content, is intercepted in the intermediary hardware device 7. Once intercepted, the intermediary hardware device 7 is able to manipulate the incoming regionally-targeted broadcast content signal and the manner in which the television monitor 3 displays content.

The intermediary hardware device 7 has computer program code stored in accessible memory to carry out the steps of: (a) partitioning the television monitorlscreen 3 into a plurality of distinct, non-overlapping zones including a locally-targeted content zone and a regionally-targeted broadcast content zone; (b) reducing the display size of the regionally-targeted broadcast content to fit in the regionally-targeted broadcast content zone and displaying the reduced regionally-targeted broadcast content in the regionally-targeted broadcast content zone; and (c) displaying the locally-targeted content stored in memory in the locally-targeted content zone.

More specifically, the intermediary hardware device 7 has program code to define at least two containers to be displayed on the television monitor 3. These containers are independent of each other and separate content can be displayed in each of the containers. The intermediary hardware device 7 also has code to reduce the display size of the regionally-targeted broadcast content so that it will fit in the container dedicated for that content and instruct the television monitor to display the content in that container.

Finally, the intermediary hardware device 7 retrieves the locally-targeted content from memory and instructs the television monitor 3 to display that locally-targeted content in the container dedicated for display of the locally-targeted content.

As mentioned above, the locally-targeted content is stored in the intermediary hardware device 7 memory and is entirely separate from the regionally-targeted broadcast content.

The locally-targeted content may be loaded onto the intermediary hardware device 7 -11 -prior to installation or indeed may be loaded into memory subsequent to installation. If desired, the locally-targeted content can be delivered from a remote computing device 23 over the internet using the wireless communications module 13 of the intermediary hardware device 7. This locally-targeted content can be updated on a periodic basis by a trusted third party or by the operator of the establishment in which the television monitor 3 is located.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a diagrammatic representation of the intermediary hardware device 7. The intermediary hardware device 7 comprises a wireless communications module 13, a SignalIN port 15 and a SignalOUT port 17, a processor 31 and an accessible memory 33. The SignalIN port 15 is provided by way of a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) IN Port and the SignalOUT port 17 is provided by way of a HDMlout port, however other inputs and outputs could be provided if desired.

The intermediary hardware device 7 further comprises a graphics module 35, an audio digital signal processor (DSP) 37, a secure boot read-only memory (ROM) 39, an amplifier 41, a power control unit 43 and an input/output interface 45. The accessible memory 33 is a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), in this instance a Double Data Rate type three (DDR3) synchronous DRAM. In the embodiment shown, only one processor 31 and only two memory devices 33, 39 are described, however it will be understood that several processors and one or more memory devices could be provided to suit the application. The processor is a high performance, dual core ARM ® processor. In this embodiment, the intermediary hardware device implements the Android ® operating system however it is envisaged that other operating systems could be used to good effect.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, there are shown some diagrammatic representations of the system and method in operation, as viewed on a television monitor 3. Referring first of all to Figure 3, there is shown a representation of the implementation of the invention in an airport waiting lounge. The television monitor 3 has been divided into four separate zones/containers, 51, 53, 55, 57. Container 51 is the regionally-targeted broadcast content zone and in that container, there is shown a televised news programme. This is a live television feed that has been reduced in size without loss of content before being displayed in the container 51. Container 53 is a locally-targeted content zone and in this case, the locally-targeted content zone contains information relating to flight departures -12 -from Gates 104 and 105, which are the Gates nearest the television monitor 3. It can be seen that in the present embodiment, the locally-targeted content zone 53 is located below the regionally-targeted broadcast content zone 51. The containers 55, 57, shown in patterned fill, are in this case blank and will usually be black or other dark colour so as not to detract from the other content on the television monitor.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a representation of the implementation of the invention in a public house during the screening of a sporting event. For simplicity, like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. Container 51 is the regionally-targeted broadcast content zone and in that container, there is shown a televised horse race. This is a live television feed that has been reduced in size without loss of content before being displayed in the container 51. Container 53 is the locally-targeted content zone and in this case, an advertisement for Carlsberg (Registered Trade Mark, ®) beer, a special offer being promoted by the public house and an information message promoting sensible consumption of alcohol are shown in the locally-targeted content zone 53. The container 55 in this instance also has an advertisement, in this case for Guinness ®, and a special offer being promoted by the public house and/or the brewery. The container 57 is left blank in this instance. As well as having advertisements, promotional messages and health information, information regarding the services and goods available in the public house such as food service, time of last orders, safety exit information and information regarding neighbouring establishments could be displayed in the locally-targeted content zone 53.

The locally targeted content zone illustrated in the foregoing may be static or may be variable in that the information displayed in the locally-targeted content zone 53 may change over time every few seconds or every few minutes. Similarly, the information in the locally-targeted content zone 53 may me animated and move about or may be fixed in place. The intermediary hardware device 7 may be programmed to display each one of a number of information content pieces periodically in the locally-targeted content zone 53 or may be programmed to display the same message for a predetermined period of time. Finally, if the publican wishes to introduce a promotion, they can do so by accessing the intermediary hardware device 7 through a web interface using a computing device 23. Alternatively, a local interface may be possible if desired however control via a web interface is seen as preferred. -13-

It will be understood that various modifications can be made to the embodiments hereinbefore described without departing from the spirit of the invention or indeed the scope of the appended claims. For example, in the embodiments described, the intermediary hardware device 7 and the television monitor 3 have been described as separate devices. Instead, in due course, the intermediary hardware device 7 could be built in to the television monitor 3 and a single device would be provided. Furthermore, in the embodiments described, wired connections are shown however wireless connections are readily envisaged wherever possible. In addition to the foregoing, the broadcast content distribution point 5 has been described as a satellite box or cable connection to a cable television service however other connections such as an aerial connection for an analog television signal are possible and readily envisaged. The television content may indeed be provided by a DVD, Blue Ray® or similar player instead of live content.

It will be understood that the method and the method steps performed by various apparatus according to the present invention will be performed largely in software and therefore the present invention extends also to computer programs, on or in a carrier, comprising program instructions for causing a computer or an intermediary hardware device 7 to carry out steps of the method. The computer program may be in source code format, object code format or a format intermediate source code and object code. The computer program may be stored on or in a carrier, in other words a computer program product, including any computer readable medium, including but not limited to a floppy disc, a CD, a DVD, a memory stick, a tape, a RAM, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM or a hardware circuit. The computer program product may be stored in the memory of a computing device and the present invention is intended to extend to computing devices programmed to implement the method according to the present invention.

It will be further understood that the present invention may be performed on two, three or more machines or components with certain parts of the computer-implemented method being performed by one machine or component and other parts of the computer-implemented method being performed by another machine or component. The devices may be part of a LAN, WLAN or could be connected together over a communications network including but not limited to the internet. One or more of the method steps could -14 -be performed "in the cloud", meaning that remotely located processing power may be utilised to process certain method steps of the present invention.

Accordingly, it will be understood that many of the method steps may be performed remotely, by which it is meant that the method steps could be performed either on a separate machine in the same locality or jurisdiction or indeed on a separate machine or machines in one or several remote jurisdictions. For example, the computing device 23 and the intermediary hardware device 7 may be in one jurisdiction or located in different jurisdictions. The present invention and claims are intended to also cover those instances where the method is performed across two or more machines or pieces of apparatus located in one or more jurisdictions and those situations where the parts of the system are spread out over one or more jurisdictions.

In this specification the terms "include, includes, included and including" and the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising" are all deemed totally interchangeable and should be afforded the widest possible interpretation.

The invention is in no way limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims. -15-