Buried amongst an unprecedented number of Apple patent applications posted by the US Patent & Trademark Office today, forty-seven to be exact, a unique patent surfaced discussing new Apple TV functionality that is on the way. The new twists that were listed included a new remote control with expanded functionality along with the eventuality of introducing live iChat and broadcast TV programming into Front Row’s line up of available services.

Apple’s Front Row Remote with New Widget Keys

Apple’s patent FIG. 8d, shown below, illustrates an exemplary process for associating widgets with content displayed by a multimedia center application. In this particular patent figure, Apple introduces a yet unreleased version of their Front Row and/or Apple TV Remote which includes a new set of Widget Keys which are illustrated directly below the menu button (826).

Live Telephonic or Cable TV based Widgets
In some implementations, widgets are displayed or become available based on the content currently displayed in the user interface (fig 822). For example, if the content is broadcasted (e.g., a “live” broadcast), then a widget can be downloaded with the broadcast signal from a cable head-end or provided through a separate communication link (e.g., a telephone line), and displayed over the content. This is further discussed below.

The widget could also be downloaded at a different time than the broadcast signal and invoked by information contained in the broadcast signal (e.g., information in the vertical blanking interval), or by some other trigger event (e.g., user interaction with a user interface element). In some implementations, the widget is included with the content on a storage medium (e.g., DVD) and is programmed to launch at a predetermined time or in response to one or more trigger events initiated by the user, the content or both. For example, while the user is viewing a musical performance a ticket widget 824 can be displayed over the content or elsewhere in the user interface 804, which can be accessed by the user to purchase concert tickets or receive other information related to the concert or performer. In the example shown, the widget could be triggered by a marker in the content which corresponds with a portion of the concert where the performer is not performing, or can be based on a period of inactivity (e.g., the DVD player is placed on “pause”). In some implementations, the widget can be displayed as part of a DVD menu system.

To facilitate interaction with the widget 824, the remote control device 808 can include one or more generic controls 826 that can be programmed automatically or manually to interact with the widget 824. The mapping between the controls and various parameters of the widget can automatically change to correspond to the widget currently displayed in the user interface 804. In the example shown, a remote control button assignment map 823 is displayed in the user interface to remind the user of the current functions that are mapped to the generic controls 826. Alternatively, the remote control device 808 can include dedicated controls that provide the same function for each widget displayed in the user interface 804.

In some implementations, a remote control can be programmed to provide various widget or dashboard functions using one or more controls. The functions can be programmed into the remote control device automatically (e.g. through a link with the host device or other source) or programmed by the user through a user interface on the remote control device. An exemplary remote control device that could be programmed to perform a variety of widget functions is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/249,032, for “Intelligent Media Navigation.”

Widgets that are launched in the multimedia center application can invoke other widgets and can communicate with those widgets and other resources, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/403,644, for “Linked Widgets.”

Display of Real-Time Information

Apple’s patent FIG. 8e illustrates an exemplary process for displaying real-time information using a widget in a multimedia center application. In some implementations, a user can view broadcasted content, such as “live” sporting events on the display device (802). This can be accomplished through, for example, a television interface or a set-top box. In such scenarios, the multimedia center application can display a widget in the user interface (804) that is capable of receiving and display information in real-time. An example of a widget that displays real-time information is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/328,493, for “Sports-Related Widgets.”

In the example shown, a sports-related widget (830) displays in real-time the win/loss records of two baseball teams participating in a “live” broadcast of a baseball game in the user interface (804). The widget could be manually or automatically downloaded from the television broadcast or from another communication link (e.g., the Internet, Ethernet, RSS feed, wireless link). The widget (830) could also be updated with information on a scheduled basis or in response to a trigger event (e.g., during commercials, half time, between innings, etc.).

Introducing Live iChat Session Widgets

Apple’s patent FIG. 8f (below) illustrates an exemplary process for providing “live” chat sessions using widgets in a multimedia center application. In some scenarios, it may be desirable to discuss with others the content displayed in the user interface (804) in real-time using one or more widgets, as represented in Apple’s illustration as windows marked 832.

Though not discussed in this patent directly, the context described above pertaining to “it being desirable to discuss with others the content displayed on the display,” could be seen as a door opening for online gaming interactivity. Video games, such as Socom 3 and Call of Duty use USB headsets to accommodate online communication with friends playing the same game. That would be a very cool addition for Apple TV. Yet for now, this feature has to go into the logical yet speculative column of hopeful future features.
In some implementations, the user can use the remote control device 808 or other input device to start a video and/or audio conferencing application using widgets. An example of a video conferencing application is iChat which is distributed as part of Apple’s Mac OS.

Text Messaging Widgets and More

Other video, audio or web conferencing technologies can also be used. For example, in some applications dialog windows can be opened in a multimedia center application for receiving instant messaging text with or without video feeds of the participants.

In some implementations, the widgets (832) include drawers (834) which can be pulled open to reveal various controls for adjusting video or audio. Also included is a list of individuals currently online. Other controls for widgets 832 are possible, such as links to web sites and other resources that include information that may be of interest to the participants.

Apple’s patent FIG. 8g (above) illustrates an alternative process for providing live chat sessions using widgets in a multimedia center application. In the example shown, a video display area (836) of a video conferencing widget includes three panels for simultaneously displaying video feeds of the participants and content. Each video display (836) could be an individual widget or part of a single widget.

NOTICE: MacNN presents only a brief summary of patents with associated graphic(s) for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application and/or grant is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent applications and/or grants should be read in its entirety for further details.

Written and researched by Neo.