Patent Application
20050175324
All of the material in this patent document, including source code, is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and of other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
Submitted herewith and incorporated herein by reference are source code files comprising a computer program listing appendix that represents a particular embodiment of the present invention. The computer program listing appendix includes source code for a script engine and source code for a compiler for compiling of script. The source code for the script engine is written in ANSI C, and the source code of the compiler is written in Visual Basic. The target hardware for this implementation is a PIC microprocessor, model number 18F8720. Forty-three computer listing files are submitted herewith and itemized in the table below, which computer listing is incorporated herein by reference. All files represent source code of the script engine except for those files as identified in the “readme.txt” file and the “PushPlayScriptingAPI.txt” file.
As of 2002, DVD players continue to grow and all indications suggest that sales will remain strong for years to come. Shipments of DVD players grew by 61% in 2002, reaching a total install base of over 40M US households. With a proliferation rate that makes the device the fastest adopted format in electronics history, most estimates predict an install base of at least 60M households by 2006. The DVD format, introduced in 1997, will likely be ubiquitous within 12 years, less than half the time it took for VCRs to reach that status.
Moreover, due to a growing desire to educate (and occupy) children through television and videos, families with children under four years old are now the highest video purchasing customers with an astonishing average of preschool home video market. Indeed, parents have been recently become particularly interested in educational videos for their youngest children, the infant/toddler segment. However, despite the undeniable appeal to children of videos, many parents in focus groups confessed unease at using videos with their youngest children due to the “passive” nature of the viewing. Unlike educational toys, in which the experience of the infants and toddlers is “hands on,” children may tend to lose interest in educational videos, especially when an educational video is highly repetitive, repeating one basic lesson over and over again with various puppets, cartoons, songs and so on (which most educational videos tend to do).
Accordingly, a need exists for a DVD video system that tends to maintain the attention and interest of children viewing the video.
Briefly described, the present invention relates to controlling a media event.
In a first aspect of the present invention, a host system includes a machine readable medium containing media content and an apparatus for controlling presentation of the media content. The apparatus includes a removable user interface (RUI) and a controller removably coupled together. In this aspect of the present invention, the RUI includes user inputs and machine executable instructions (i.e., software) that are specific to the media content. The controller includes a processor, a program executed by said processor that interprets the machine executable instructions of the RUI, and a library of software instructions accessible to the program for communicating to the host system, in a protocol of the host system, commands relating to presentation of the media content. The program, in response to actuation of a user input, performs the steps of reading and/or interpreting the machine executable instructions of the RUI, accessing the software instructions in the library based on the machine executable instructions read from the RUI, and communicating commands to the host system based on the accessed software instruction of the library.
In a second aspect of the present invention, a media device includes a controller in at least intermittent communication with a media device and an overlay that is removably coupled to the controller. The controller includes a processor for executing software instructions. The overlay includes a plurality of user inputs and a machine readable medium having machine executable instructions comprising commands for controlling media events, whereby an appropriate communication to the media device is determined by the processor of the controller upon actuation of a user input. In accordance with this particular aspect of the present invention, the user inputs are exposed for direct contact by a user in actuation thereof, with the actuation of a user input causing the communication from the controller to the media device; the machine executable instructions of the overlay may or may not be specific to any media content; and the commands may or may not be media device independent.
In yet another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for controlling a DVD player includes a console that communicates with the DVD player and an overlay that is specific to media content of the DVD and that is capable of being removably coupled to the console. The console includes a machine readable medium containing a library of codes for communicating to the DVD player, in a protocol of the DVD player, commands relating to control of the DVD player. Furthermore, the console communicates a command to the DVD player when the overlay is coupled to the console. The communicated command results in the DVD player presenting media content of the DVD to which the overlay is specific. The command may be communicated to the DVD player in response to a user pressing a button presented by the overlay. The command that is communicated to the DVD player also may comprise an infrared (IR) code representing a button press of a remote controller of the DVD player. The overlay may presents buttons configured as shapes, such as numbers, letters, and/or animals. The console may include a switch matrix and, when the overlay is coupled to the console and a button of the overlay presented is pressed, an underside of the overlay may contact the switch matrix of the console.
These and other aspects, as well as features of the present invention, will be more readily understood upon consideration of the attached drawings and of the following detailed description of particular embodiments of the present invention.
Further features and benefits of the present invention will be apparent from detailed descriptions of particular embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein similar elements are referred to with similar reference numbers, and wherein,
As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the present invention has broad utility and application. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.
Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.
Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims rather than the description set forth herein.
Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.
Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple.”
When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at lease one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.”
Turning now to the figures with reference to
The embodiment 100 of
In particular, the pushing of a button (i.e., actuation of a user input) results in the DVD player 122 displaying a particular educational segment on screen 105. Moreover, in this embodiment 100, the button includes graphical indicia pertaining to the media content that is displayed as a result of pushing the button. Thus, the pushing by hand 128 of the button including indicia of a train results in an educational video segment being displayed pertaining to trains. In other words, pressing a button lets a child trigger presentation of media content associated with the subject matter that is indicated by the button. This type of interaction between a user and media presentation is most suitable for children within the age groups of one to three, teaching a child basic motor skills and empowering the child, and is preferably used to instruct a child about basic sets of abstract concepts regarding, for example, colors, shapes, letters, numbers, animals, and instruments.
It should also be noted that greater interactive content media also can be utilized. In this regard, the media content presentation may include a “question and answer” format, wherein the media content displayed directly poses a question that can be answered by pushing a particular button. As an example, a segment of a video may state, “Click on the animal that eats bananas,” and wherein the child then clicks on the button depicting a monkey and triggers the positive response “You∝re right! A monkey eats bananas!” or, alternatively, clicks on a button depicting another animal and triggers the response “Sorry, Please try again!” Alternatively, the media content presentation may include a “choose your own adventure” format, wherein the media content narrative pauses at key points in a storyline in order for the child determine the future direction of the story. As an example, a segment of the video may state, “Should you go take the road going North or the road going South?” and wherein, if the child then clicks on the button indicating “North” the story resumes with that choice as its basis and if the child then clicks on the button indicating “South” the story resumes with that alternative choice as its basis.
As will be appreciated, overlay 102 is not generic to DVD 112 because the overlay 102 provides illustratively labeled button 104 that are correlated to different portions of the media content of DVD 112.
In accordance with the present invention, the overlay 102 of
With regard to the various aspects of the present invention, the multimedia system of
A media package is illustrated in
Other embodiments of media packages (not shown) include a media package for use or study of geographic content regarding the United States or geometric shapes. In the former example, the overlay is arranged as a map with the buttons shaped and arranged as states. Upon pushing of a state shaped button then would result in presentation of educational information on that state, which information is stored on a DVD corresponding to the overlay. In the latter example, the overlay includes buttons of various geometric shapes, such as a circle, triangle, rectangle, and square. Upon pushing of a geometrically shaped button then would result in presentation of educational information on that particular geometric shape of the button, which information is stored on a DVD corresponding to the overlay.
In should be noted that, in the embodiments of
With respect to the attachment of an overlay to a controller,
It should be understood that any desired or suitable n to m correlation of any number (n) inputs to any number (m) of controller switches is within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, though the figures illustrate for convenience spatial alignments of user inputs to correlated controller switches, it should be understood that other alignments or associations facilitated by cantilevers, pads, moving parts, or electrical contacts correlating any one, any number, or any area of inputs to any one, any number, or any area of controller switches are within the scope of the present system.
With reference now to
A similar, but alternative exemplary plan diagram of a RUI and controller is shown, respectively, in
Whether an electronic signal is provided by a switch in the controller 150 of
Upon receiving an electronic signal, ultimately in response to actuation of a user input of a RUI, the processor (in accordance with a program that it runs) responds appropriately such as, for example, by causing an emitter, which is also included in the controller, to transmit an appropriate command to a media device. The emitter can be any wireless transmission device, for example, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, an infrared (IR) emitter, an IRDA device, or a Bluetooth device. Alternatively or in conjunction with a wireless device, the emitter can comprise any conducting wire or fiber optic signal generator. The emitter sends signals to control external devices such as DVD players, CD players, computers, and televisions, just to name a few. The emitter can be coupled to one or more media devices through a parallel port connection, a serial port connection, or a USB port connection. Additionally, when the emitter comprises an IR emitter, the emitter preferably is a multiple angled emitter, which helps insure that transmissions are received despite potential line of sight obstacles.
As will be appreciated, the appropriate response by the processor to an electronic signal will be dependent upon the media package, i.e., the media content being presented and the RUI being utilized. To illustrate this “dependency” point, take for example the base structure 150 of
In order that the processor of the controller is properly instructed how to react when a signal is received, each RUI contains machine executable instructions stored in a machine readable medium, such as software stored in memory of the RUI. In particular embodiments, the software comprises a script that is interpreted by the processor by running a program that is a script engine or script interpreter (hereinafter referred to as “Interpreter”). Furthermore, the script stored in the memory of the RUI preferably is at least partially compiled. The script essentially comprises control or navigational rules by which the Interpreter determines an appropriate response to receipt of a signal upon actuation of a user input. By providing script that is specific to media content associated with a particular overlay, overlays are able to couple to, and function with, similar or identical controllers; the scripts of the overlays provide the specific control or navigational rules appropriate to the media content to which the overlays correspond; in essence, the script provides the logic by which the Interpreter operates.
The script is read by the Interpreter through electrical contacts between the RUI and the controller. Again, with reference to
It will be appreciated that the script of a particular overlay, while dependent upon the media content, is not dependent upon, and thus is independent of, the particular host system, e.g., the particular DVD player that is used for presentation of the media content. Instead, the controller is dependent upon the particular host system in that the controller includes the particular communication protocol and codes of the host system so that appropriate commands controlling the media presentation may be communicated to the host system. Moreover, the controller preferably includes a library of communication protocols or codes for different host systems, whereby the same controller can be used with different host system similar to the multiple use capability of “universal” remotes with various electronic devices of different manufacturers. For example, machine executable medium 155 of the controller of
With additional regard to the library of communication protocols of the controller, the Interpreter may access and read command codes of a particular host system as part of an initialization process when the overlay is coupled to the controller, or the Interpreter may read command codes periodically or upon actuation of a user input. Upon receipt of a signal, the Interpreter first refers to the script for the appropriate response and, then, refers to the particular protocol and command or commands of the host system, as reflected in the protocol for that host system, in order to achieve the appropriate response as identified with reference to the script. The Interpreter then causes the appropriate command or commands to be transmitted to the host system by the emitter. For example, an appropriate response to a signal that is received by the Interpreter may be, pursuant to the current script, to access a particular title and chapter, begin play, and then pause playback until an another signal is received as a result of a subsequent user actuation of a RUI input. To accomplish this response, the Interpreter determines the appropriate commands to communicate to the host system.
With additional regard to the Interpreter, the script language preferably comprises a complete media programming language written in modular fashion that includes features of conditional branches; states maintained; and variable data created, read, and updated. The Interpreter also preferably is backwards compatible for interpreting script written for older versions of the Interpreter, thereby allowing the software language to evolve without requiring hardware upgrades in the field. The script language preferably contains high level verbs that allow users to easily control interactive media, and contains all of the normal programming constructs, such as conditional statements, loops, macros, parameters, variable data, data storage, etc.
Each script preferably is developed utilizing an application programming interface (API) which can be a simple scripting language based upon standard XML protocols. The script language also preferably utilizes standards based and widely accepted XML syntax to provide the mechanism for scriptable media interactivity. Robust conditional logic and an event driven model enable considerable flexibility in the adaptability of instructions, making complex forms of interactivity possible.
An exemplary script for an input comprising a button is shown in
With regard to further detail of the script structure, the syntax is XML elements and attributes. Commands (verbs) are XML elements. Parameters are XML attributes. Using this syntax, the script language is easily created or changed. Commands can be upgraded by modifying the parameters (attributes). New commands can be added, or dropped.
For example, if a command to issue the “Play” command to a DVD is desired, then the command that is utilized is <Play/>. If later the behavior of this command is to be changed, then parameters (attributes) could be added. Thus, the inclusion of a parameter “seconds” could be added. This parameter, if present, would issue the Play command for “n” seconds and then Pause, and the command would look like <Play seconds=“10”/>. Furthermore, such changes take place without modification of a compiler since they adhere to the XML syntax.
Another aspect of XML that is utilized in the script language is the concept of “child elements,” which provide many advantages. The primary use is to group commands to be executed when a particular user input (such as a button) is actuated. For example, a group of commands are issued when the “Monkey” button is pressed in accordance with the script of
As will be apparent from the foregoing, a script in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes is a collection of media device independent commands for controlling media presentation, as illustrated in
An example of a conditional statement in a script is shown in
The exemplary script of
With reference to
With reference to
In accordance with
As demonstrated in
Scripts can be created with any available and suitable text editor. Additionally, scripts can be compiled into a machine independent format suitable for placing in script storage. Compiling a script can greatly reduce its size and allow its maintenance in machine independent format. A “drag and drop” visual editor can aid programming in the overlay software language and enable a producer with little programming skills to create interactivity instructions for a specific overlay. An integrated DVD player can allow editing, playback and testing from a single workstation. More technical users can be provided the option of editing using a more traditional development interface.
A programmer or developer adds commands to a “Table of Commands” in the Interpreter. The developer then provides the address of a software routine that will be called when the script so indicates by reference to the a command of the Table of Commands.
For example, when the “Sleep” command is Interpreted, the referenced program code performs the following,
If it were desired that the command be changed to have parameters for minutes and seconds instead of seconds and milliseconds, then it would be extremely easy to change the program code to support the different parameters. Moreover, no changes in a compiler or the Interpreter would be required. Thus, for a command to be removed, it only need be deleted from the Command Table and the code thereof removed that would otherwise be called in execution of the command. Conversely, to add a command, an entry in the Command Table on need be made with appropriate reference to the code for executing the command.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the script language preferably includes the following commands that relate to DVD players: MENU (stops title playback and displays the top or root menu for the current title of the DVD); TITLE (stops title playback and displays the title menu); RESUME (returns to playback mode from menu mode at the same title position as when the menu was invoked); BACK (returns the display from a submenu to its parent menu); PLAY (causes the DVD to start playing, or resumes play of a paused item); STOP (stops the playing of the DVD); PAUSE (pauses the playing of the chapter); NEXTCHAPTER (seeks and plays the next chapter; will loop); PREVCHAPTER (seeks and plays the previous chapter. Will loop); TITLESEEK (seeks and plays the first chapter in the title; title number is 1 to 99); CHPATERSEEK (seeks and plays the chapter in the current title; chapter number is 1 to 999); TIMESEEK (seeks to a specific time on the DVD; parameters include hour, minute, and second); FASTFORWARD (starts fast forwarding); FASTREVERSE (starts fast reversing); PUSHBUTTON (simulates a button press on a remote control device); and PUSHNUMBERS (simulates pressing the number buttons).
Basic commands that are found in all scripts regardless of the actual implementation of the present invention preferably include: PUSHPLAY (defines a new script; parameters include script type and id); BUTTON (defines commands that will be executed when signal for button is received); TRICKPLAY (defines a macro, whish is a collection of commands that will be executed multiple times; parameters can be passed that modify macro behavior); IF (Conditional command; will execute block of commands if condition is true); SET (sets value of a variable data item); @(FETCH) (returns value of a variable); INCREMENT (increments a variable with a range; when maximum limit is reached, will restart a minimum value); APPEND (appends a string value to a variable); BUTTONSON (enables PushPlay to react to button presses); BUTTONSOFF (disables PushPlay from reacting to button presses); SLEEP (sleeps for time period; awakens upon RUI input actuation); and SLEEPHARD (sleeps for time period; does not wakeup upon RUI input actuation).
Commands and parameters of an embodiment implemented in computer software can be found in the file titled “PushPlayScriptingAPI.txt”, which is submitted herewith and is incorporated by reference herein. An exemplary script facilitating understanding of the present invention also can be found therein.
In a feature of the present invention, the Interpreter also monitors and records historical data regarding session use of a RUI. This collected data then may be utilized to modify future sessions or provide feedback to users. Such data may include the number of times a particular user input is actuated, the performance level of a user in interacting with an interactive media presentation, or the number of “right” answers that are provided by a user in response to certain media content, such as an interactive educational video. Memory in the controller and or the overlay may be utilized in storing such monitored data. Instructions for monitoring and recording the data, if any, preferably are included in the script.
In another feature of the present invention, the controller is a multi mode device and the interpreter maintains the state of the controller, whereby different responses may be provided as a function of the current state of the controller upon receipt of the same signal. For example, when the mode switch is set to position “1,” actuation of a specific user input may initiate the playing of chapter 10; however, when the mode switch is set to position “2,” actuation of the same user input may initiate the playing of the next chapter, or the playing of chapter 36, for example.
With reference to
In this regard, and as shown in
Actuation of one or more of the switches 212 generally results in the console communicating a command to a DVD player by generating a signal via an emitter 214. In the illustrated embodiment, the emitter 214 is an infrared (IR) emitter for communicating IR signals to a DVD player in order to control the presentation of media content of a DVD that has been inserted within the player. A machine readable medium of the console (not shown) contains software and a library of codes for communicating commands to the DVD player in a protocol of the DVD player. The software and library of IR codes is generally the software and library of IR codes that are conventionally found in a universal remote controller for DVD players. Indeed, the library of the console 204 preferably contains a library of IR codes for controlling DVD players of various manufacturers, the DVD players having various configurations and protocols. The software comprises machine executable instructions for accessing the library of IR codes. In this manner, the console 204 includes capabilities similar to those of a universal remote controller for controlling preferably any industry standard consumer DVD player in presenting media content of a DVD by the DVD player.
With further regard to the overlay 208 of
An overlay also may not be specific to any particular media content of a DVD, especially if the overlay represents a basic interface overlay providing standard DVD commands, such as play, stop, next, previous, the numbers 1 through 9, etc.
As will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art, a button may relate to particular media content of the DVD 202 in an absolute or relative navigational sense. That is, with regard to absolute navigation, a particular button may relate to a particular portion of the media content of the DVD that is found at a specific title and chapter of the DVD 202. On the other hand, with regard to relative navigation, a particular button may relate to particular portions of the media content of the DVD, each of which is found at a title and chapter position that is relative to a current title and chapter of the DVD 202 that may be presented. Thus, with respect to relative navigation, selection of a button at a first time of its pressing may result in presentation of certain media content, and selection of the same button at a second time of its pressing may result in presentation of certain other media content, all depending upon the current location of media content of the DVD being presented at these times. For example, three buttons might each first relate to a respective title available for selection within the content of the DVD, and subsequent to the selection of a title, each button might each relate to a respective chapter available within the selected title having media content for presentation.
As further will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art, a button also may relate to a selection of a menu option of a menu of the media content of a DVD, which selection results in navigation of media content. In this regard, one or more available selections of a menu may result in navigation to different media content as determined during DVD authoring of the media content in accordance with standard DVD technologies and production techniques.
Continuing with the detailed description of the overlay 208, the overlay 208 may include an overlay identification 216 that is sensed by the console 204 when the overlay 208 is removably coupled to the console 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the overlay identifier 216 includes finger-like extensions that pass into a slot of the console 204 whereby they are not visible when the overlay 208 is coupled to the console 204. The console 204 senses the finger-like extensions when the overlay 208 is coupled therewith using mechanical switches or IR sensor switches. Alternatively, an overlay may house a magnetic strip containing an identification of the overlay that is read by the console 204. In either case, the overlay identifier 216 may result in configuration of the switch matrix of the console 204 when the overlay 208 is coupled to the consoler 204. Furthermore, a given overlay may include one of many various overlay identifiers for effecting a particular configuration of the switch matrix appropriate for the overlay and its associated media content of a DVD.
A content title 220 is shown in
In view of the foregoing detailed description of particular embodiments of the present invention, it readily will be understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. While various aspects have been described in certain contexts, the aspects may be useful in other contexts as well. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than particular embodiments described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention.
Furthermore, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes described and claimed herein are those considered to be the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. It should also be understood that, although steps of various processes may be shown and described as being in a preferred sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent a specific indication of such to achieve a particular intended result. In most cases, the steps of such processes may be carried out in various different sequences and orders, while still falling within the scope of the present inventions.
Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that this detailed description is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended, nor is to be construed to limit, the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by claims and the equivalents thereof.
For example, with regard to the embodiment 100 of
In addition thereto, the overlay 132 of
Each RUI is specific to the medium content of a particular medium unit, with user input concepts that relate to its purpose and content, and look-and-feel branding based on the brand and/or content of the DVD. A RUI can have any size, shape, and form of user inputs that makes sense for its content and educational purpose. For example, the RUI and/or controller could resemble a book, wherein the turning of the pages of the book triggers a media event related to the content of the current page(s) of the book being viewed. The RUI also could take the form of a mini-piano, wherein certain notes or chords trigger particular video and/or audio presentations. More complex interactivity formats, like the “question-and-answer” format, could be used to teach and test specific notes and chords in learning to play the musical instrument. The RUI could further include a dance mat, wherein certain step combinations would trigger particular video and/or audio presentations. A RUI also could comprise a character or doll, wherein pressing of certain parts of the body would trigger media events for teaching about the body parts, etc. The RUI and/or the controller also could include a voice recognition component, wherein voice commands to trigger media events would be enabled.
Additionally, within the scope of the inventive system, there are various alternatives to storing scripts in a script element of a RUI for access by the Interpreter. Such alternatives include dynamically reading and accessing the script by the Interpreter, either wirelessly (IR, IRDA, radio) or wired (rs232, Ethernet, USB, etc.). This is especially convenient when the script has been compiled, making it easily portable to many different environments. Of course, the script that is accessed by the Interpreter would still need to be dependent upon the RUI that is used with the controller.
It will also be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that the present invention encompasses not only presentation of media content, but control of other media events utilizing a controller and removable RUI. Thus, for instance, a command to record media content can be communicated to a host system in accordance with the present invention, with the RUI being associated with the media content to be recorded.
Finally, while the present invention has been described with regard to particular embodiments directed to children toys and/or child education, the present invention is equally useful in a wide range of applications ranging from educational tools and product demonstrations to healthcare applications.
The present application is a continuation-in-part application of, and claims the benefit of priority to copending U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 10/605,870 of Gravina et al., titled “Controller and Removable User Interface (RUI) for Controlling Media Event,” filed Nov. 2, 2003, which non-provisional patent application is hereby incorporated herein by reference and which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. provisional patent application 60/423,161 of Gravina, titled “SmartToys Multimedia Learning System,” filed Nov. 1, 2002, which provisional patent application hereby is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60423161 | Nov 2002 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10605870 | Nov 2003 | US |
| Child | 11042672 | Jan 2005 | US |
