Apple Patent Application Seek to Turn iOS Devices into Second Screen For Apple TV
- Staff
- September 27, 2012
With the rumourS of an Apple TV high, Apple has filed for a patent that will turn iOS devices into a second screen such a device. The invention described in the patent will allow users to consume more information about the media their are viewing an Apple TV on another device e.g. an iPad. the patent was filed in March 24, 2001 and has been made public today.
20120246240
Providing Context Information Relating To Media Content That Is Being Presented
The Patent – 20120246240 Background
There exist today many electronic devices that are used for entertainment and information gathering purposes. These electronic devices include media devices that obtain media content via cable, satellite, the Internet, etc., and stream the media content to a presentation device for presentation to a user. Examples of media devices include set top boxes, digital video recorders, and video streaming devices (e.g. Apple TV, Roku, some gaming consoles, etc.). Electronic devices that are used for entertainment and information gathering purposes also include a variety of other devices, such as for example, laptop and desktop computers, tablets, notebooks, and smart phones. These devices are often used to watch streaming videos, listen to music, chat with friends, engage in social networking, shop, and generally surf the Internet.
Many users often use several of these devices concurrently. For example, while watching a movie streamed by a video streaming device, a user may use a tablet or smart phone to text a friend, surf the web, check email, online chat, etc. A user may also use one type of device to enhance the experience of the other type of device. For example, while watching a show streamed by a video streaming device, a user may find a topic discussed in the show to be of particular interest. Using a computer, notebook, or tablet, the user may perform an online search on that topic, and then navigate to a site that has additional information on the topic. Thus, by using multiple devices concurrently, a user can enhance the overall entertainment and learning experience.
Currently, in order to obtain additional information pertaining to something being presented in a set of media content, a user has to exert a significant amount of effort. In the above example of obtaining more information on a particular topic, the user has to: (1) navigate to a search site; (2) formulate and type in some search terms; (3) review a set of search results; and (4) navigate to a site where more information on the topic is located. If the selected site does not have the information desired by the user, the user has to review the search results again and navigate to another site. The user may have to repeat this process several times before finding the precise information he/she desires. As can be seen, this process can be tedious and inconvenient. Even if the user is able to eventually find the information for which he/she is searching, the overall experience is not as pleasant or as convenient as it could be.
Description Of The Invention
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an approach is provided for enabling a user to easily and conveniently obtain additional information pertaining to a set of media content that is currently being presented to the user. According to this approach, a media access device accesses a set of media content as well as some context information pertaining to the media content. For purposes of the present invention, the media content may be any type of content that can be presented to a user, including but not limited to video-only content (e.g. pictures, slideshows, graphics, text, etc.), audio-only content (e.g. music, speech, etc.), audio/visual content, generally referred to as video content (e.g. movies, shows, live events, etc.), etc. The context information may be any information relating to the media content. For example, the context information may include some basic information about the media content (e.g. title, author/creator, director, actors(s), synopsis, etc.) as well as some other information (e.g. an address to a site at which additional information about the media content can be obtained). The context information may pertain to the set of media content as a whole or just to a particular portion or aspect of the media content.
Upon accessing the media content, the media access device provides the media content to a presentation device for presentation to a user. The presentation device may, for example, be a television, a stereo system, etc. While the media content is being presented to the user, the media access device generates a context message based upon the context information. The media access device then sends the context message to a receiving device being used by the user that is capable of consuming the context message. Examples of a receiving device include but are not limited to a tablet, a smartphone, a laptop or desktop computer, a notebook, etc. Using the information in the context message, the receiving device provides the user with additional information relevant to the media content being presented. This additional information is provided to the user while the user is experiencing the media content on the presentation device. Thus, the additional information helps to enhance the user’s enjoyment of the media content. By sending the context message to the receiving device, the media access device is in effect bridging the user’s experience of the media content on the presentation device with the user’s use of the receiving device to provide an overall integrated experience. By providing this bridge, the media access device makes it much easier and more convenient for the user to access additional information relevant to the media content.
Apple has also filed for an interesting patent covering syncing and charging functionality of devices placed on a dock.
Device Orientation Based Docking Functions – 20120246374
The Background of the Invention
A user device such as a smart phone, digital camera, or personal media player may be docked to a docking device, which may allow for charging and data transmittal. Some docking devices may provide induction charging to charge a user device, when the user device is placed on a charging surface. The user device may include circuitry which may respond to a magnetic field provided by the charging surface. Data may be transmitted between a user device and a docking device, or a host device, when the user device is docked.
Description of the Invention
Systems and method are provided for selecting one or more docking functions based on a physical orientation of a user device coupled to a docking device. The docking device may include a surface upon which the user device may be placed. Docking functions such as charging, data transfer, data synchronization, diagnostic checking, or other functions may be selected, performed, or both, based on the physical orientation of the user device on the surface.
Another patent application file in June 2012, seeks to bring more functionality to Siri.
Intelligent Automated Assistant 20120245944
Patent Background
Today’s electronic devices are able to access a large, growing, and diverse quantity of functions, services, and information, both via the Internet and from other sources. Functionality for such devices is increasing rapidly, as many consumer devices, smartphones, tablet computers, and the like, are able to run software applications to perform various tasks and provide different types of information. Often, each application, function, website, or feature has its own user interface and its own operational paradigms, many of which can be burdensome to learn or overwhelming for users. In addition, many users may have difficulty even discovering what functionality and/or information is available on their electronic devices or on various websites; thus, such users may become frustrated or overwhelmed, or may simply be unable to use the resources available to them in an effective manner.
In particular, novice users, or individuals who are impaired or disabled in some manner, and/or are elderly, busy, distracted, and/or operating a vehicle may have difficulty interfacing with their electronic devices effectively, and/or engaging online services effectively. Such users are particularly likely to have difficulty with the large number of diverse and inconsistent functions, applications, and websites that may be available for their use. Accordingly, existing systems are often difficult to use and to navigate, and often present users with inconsistent and overwhelming interfaces that often prevent the users from making effective use of the technology.
The Invention
The intelligent automated assistant system engages with the user in an integrated, conversational manner using natural language dialog, and invokes external services when appropriate to obtain information or perform various actions. The system can be implemented using any of a number of different platforms, such as the web, email, smartphone, and the like, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the system is based on sets of interrelated domains and tasks, and employs additional functionally powered by external services with which the system can interact.
Source: USPTO
