System And Method In A Television Controller For Providing User-Selection Of Objects In A Television Program

Abstract

A system and method in a television controller for providing user-selection of objects in a television program, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for identifying a user-selected object in video displayed on a screen of a display device, the method comprising:
 in a hand held controller:
 receiving an emission from the display device that is presenting the video on the screen of the display device, where the emission corresponds to the user-selectable object in the video; 
 analyzing the emission to determine the identity of the user-selectable object; and 
 generating a signal indicating the identity. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 in the hand held controller:
 determining an on-screen pointing location pointed to by the hand held controller; and 
 outputting the on-screen pointing location. 
   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the emission communicates information identifying the user-selectable object. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the emission communicates information concerning one or more actions, associated with the user-selectable object, that are available for selection. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the emission communicates textual information associated with the user-selectable object. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the emission communicates a coded pattern associated with the user-selectable object. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the emission communicates one or more graphical features associated with the user-selectable object. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal is adapted to cause the display device to output information of the user-selectable object on the screen of the display device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal is adapted to cause the hand held controller to output information of the user-selectable object on a screen of the hand held controller. 
     
     
         10 . A hand held controller in communication with a display device that is presenting video on a screen of the display device, the hand held controller comprising:
 at least one processor operable to, at least:
 receive an emission from the display device, where the emission corresponds to a user-selectable object in the video; 
 analyze the emission to determine an identity of the user-selectable object; and 
 generate a signal indicating the identity. 
   
     
     
         11 . The hand held controller of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one processor is operable to:
 determine an on-screen pointing location pointed to by the hand held controller; and   output the on-screen pointing location.   
     
     
         12 . The hand held controller of  claim 11 , wherein the emission communicates information identifying the user-selectable object. 
     
     
         13 . The hand held controller of  claim 11 , wherein the emission communicates information concerning one or more actions, associated with the user-selectable object, that are available for selection. 
     
     
         14 . The hand held controller of  claim 11 , wherein the emission communicates textual information associated with the user-selectable object. 
     
     
         15 . The hand held controller of  claim 11 , wherein the emission communicates a coded pattern associated with the user-selectable object. 
     
     
         16 . The hand held controller of  claim 11 , wherein the emission communicates one or more graphical features associated with the user-selectable object. 
     
     
         17 . The hand held controller of  claim 11 , wherein the signal is adapted to cause the display device to output information of the user-selectable object on the screen of the display device. 
     
     
         18 . The hand held controller of  claim 11 , wherein the signal is adapted to cause the hand held controller to output information of the user-selectable object on a screen of the hand held controller. 
     
     
         19 . A hand held controller in communication with a display device that is presenting video on a screen, the hand held controller comprising:
 at least one processor operable to, at least:
 receive an emission being displayed on the screen the display device, where the emission corresponds to a user-selectable object in the video; 
 analyze the emission to determine an identity of the user-selectable object; and 
 output information of the user-selectable object on a display of the hand held controller. 
   
     
     
         20 . The hand held controller of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one processor is operable to:
 determine an on-screen pointing location pointed to by the hand held controller; and   output a signal indicating the on-screen pointing location, where the information of the user-selectable object is output in response to the on-screen pointing location.