Remote control device, method and program for providing advanced remote control

Abstract

[0003] Systems, methods, and media for providing an advanced remote control are provided. In some implementations, a method for using an advanced remote control is provided. The method includes detecting a user's fingerprint at the remote control using a fingerprint sensor on the remote control, identifying the user from a plurality of users based on the fingerprint, and authenticating a user account corresponding to the identified user without user input, the user account being associated with a media content service that hosts media content items and provides the media content items to a media device paired with the remote control. The method further includes causing a plurality of displays of available media content items to be presented on the media device based on the authenticated user account, receiving a selection of a display of the available media content items via the remote control, initiating presentation of the selected media content item on the media device paired with the remote control, and causing content related to the media content item to be presented on a display area of ​​the remote control concurrently with presenting the media content item on the media device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 034,209, filed September 28, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Technical Field The disclosed subject matter relates to systems, methods and mediums for providing advanced remote control. [Background technology]

[0003] background Users frequently watch various types of video content on televisions, such as streamed content, broadcast content, and user-generated content. However, it may be difficult to navigate the various types of content. In addition, different users may access different user accounts on the same television. For example, there may be multiple users in a household, each of whom may have a different account with a particular video content service. Continuing with this example, a video content service may provide personalized recommendations for each user account. However, it may be difficult to switch between user accounts associated with different video content services.

[0004] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a system, method and medium for providing advanced remote control. Summary of the Invention

[0005] overview In accordance with various implementations of the disclosed subject matter, systems, methods, and mediums are provided for providing advanced remote control.

[0006] In accordance with some implementations of the disclosed subject matter, advanced remote Control Device A method is provided for using a remote Control Device In the remote Control Device detecting a fingerprint of a user using a fingerprint sensor on the remote device; identifying the user from a plurality of users based on the fingerprint; and authenticating, without user input, a user account corresponding to the identified user, the user account being configured to host a media content item and to access the remote device. Control Device and a media content service for providing the media content items to a media device paired with the remote user account, the method further comprising: causing a plurality of representations of available media content items to be presented on the media device based on the authenticated user account; and selecting a representation of the available media content items from the media content service based on the authenticated user account. Control Device and transmitting the selected media content item via the remote Control Device and simultaneously presenting the media content item on the media device, transmitting content related to the media content item to the remote device. Control Device and presenting the image on a display area of ​​the image.

[0007] In some implementations, the method further includes automatically selecting a user profile from the user account associated with multiple user profiles based on the fingerprint.

[0008] In some implementations, the method further comprises causing the plurality of representations of available media content items to be presented on the media device and simultaneously causing the plurality of representations to be presented on the media device. Control Device The method includes a step of presenting the image on the display area.

[0009] In some implementations, the method further comprises: transmitting the selected media content item to the remote Control Device and simultaneously initiating presentation on the media device paired with the remote and a second control for controlling playback of the selected media content item. Control Device The method includes a step of presenting the image on the display area.

[0010] In some implementations, the multiple views of available media content items are personalized recommendations identified based on the authenticated user account.

[0011] In some implementations, the multiple representations are received from a server associated with a media content service that hosts the media content item and provides the media content item to the media device.

[0012] In some implementations, the representations are received from the media device. In some implementations, the method further includes authenticating, without user input, a second user account corresponding to the identified user, the second user account hosting the media content item and the remote Control Device and a second media content service that provides the media content items to the media device paired with the remote, the method further comprising: receiving an input from the remote to switch to viewing media content items available via the second media content service. Control Device and causing a second plurality of representations of media content items available via the second media content service to be presented on the media device based on the authenticated second user account.

[0013] In some implementations, the method further comprises: Control Device The method includes measuring a physiological parameter of the user using a sensor.

[0014] In some implementations, the fingerprint sensor is Control Device The display area is placed behind the remote Control Device is placed in front of the

[0015] In accordance with some implementations of the disclosed subject matter, a remote control device providing advanced remote control is provided, the remote control device including a fingerprint sensor, a display area, and a hardware processor coupled to the fingerprint sensor and the display area, the hardware processor detects a fingerprint of a user using the fingerprint sensor on the remote control device, identifies the user from a plurality of users based on the fingerprint, and authenticates, without user input, a user account corresponding to the identified user, the user account being associated with a media content service that hosts media content items and provides the media content items to a media device paired with the remote control device, the hardware processor further causes a plurality of representations of available media content items to be presented on the media device based on the authenticated user account, receives a selection of a representation of available media content items via the remote control device, and initiates presenting the selected media content item on the media device paired with the remote control device, and simultaneously with presenting the media content item on the media device, transmits content related to the media content item to the remote control device. Control Device The display area is displayed on the display screen.

[0016] In accordance with some implementations of the disclosed subject matter, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided that includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause a hardware processor to provide an advanced remote control, the method comprising: Control Devicedetecting a fingerprint of a user using a fingerprint sensor on the remote device; identifying the user from a plurality of users based on the fingerprint; and authenticating, without user input, a user account corresponding to the identified user, the user account being configured to host a media content item and to access the remote device. Control Device and a media content service for providing the media content items to a media device paired with the remote user account, the media content service further comprising: causing a plurality of representations of available media content items to be presented on the media device based on the authenticated user account; and selecting a representation of the available media content items from the media content service based on the authenticated user account. Control Device and transmitting the selected media content item via the remote Control Device and simultaneously presenting the media content item on the media device, transmitting content related to the media content item to the remote device. Control Device and presenting the image on a display area of ​​the image.

[0017] In accordance with some implementations of the disclosed subject matter, a system for providing advanced remote control is provided, the system including a remote control that includes: Control Device means for detecting a fingerprint of a user using the fingerprint sensor on the remote device; means for identifying the user from a plurality of users based on the fingerprint; and means for authenticating a user account corresponding to the identified user without user input, the user account being connected to the remote device and hosting the media content items. Control Device and a media content service for providing the media content items to a media device paired with the remote user account, the system further comprising means for causing a plurality of representations of available media content items to be presented on the media device based on the authenticated user account, and means for controlling a selection of a representation of the available media content items by the remote user account. Control Deviceand means for receiving the selected media content item via the remote Control Device and means for initiating presentation of the media content item on the media device paired with the remote device and, simultaneously with presenting the media content item on the media device, transmitting content related to the media content item to the remote device. Control Device and means for presenting the image on a display area of ​​the image.

[0018] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed subject matter may be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of the disclosed subject matter when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an illustration showing a schematic diagram of a system including an advanced remote control in accordance with some implementations of the disclosed subject matter. [Figure 2A] An example showing a top view of a remote control device incorporating the mechanisms described herein, according to some implementations of the disclosed subject matter. [Figure 2B] 1 is an illustration showing a rear view of a remote control device incorporating the mechanisms described herein, according to some implementations of the disclosed subject matter. [Diagram 3] 1 is an illustration showing a process for using an advanced remote control according to some implementations of the disclosed subject matter. [Figure 4A] 1 is an illustration showing a user interface that may be presented on an advanced remote control according to some implementations of the disclosed subject matter. [Figure 4B] 1 is an illustration showing a user interface that may be presented on an advanced remote control according to some implementations of the disclosed subject matter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Detailed Description According to various implementations, mechanisms are provided for providing advanced remote control.

[0021] In some implementations, the mechanisms described herein may include a remote control that can be used to browse and select available media content items, cause presentation of a selected media content item on a paired media device, control playback of a media content item on the paired media device, and / or present content on the remote control device based on the media content item being presented on the paired media device.

[0022] In some implementations, the remote control may allow a user of the remote control to be authenticated to the user's user account (e.g., a user account associated with a particular media content streaming service, and / or any other suitable user account) without input by the user. For example, in some implementations, the remote control may allow a user of the remote control to be authenticated to a user's user account (e.g., a user account associated with a particular media content streaming service, and / or any other suitable user account) without input by the user. Control Device Continuing with this example, in some implementations, the remote may include a fingerprint sensor capable of detecting a fingerprint of a user holding the remote and identifying the user based on the detected fingerprint. Control Devicecan then retrieve user credentials for one or more user accounts associated with the user that the user previously stored (e.g., user credentials corresponding to multiple media content providers) and use the user credentials to authenticate the user to the one or more user accounts. In some implementations, by authenticating a user to a user account associated with a particular media content service, the mechanisms described herein may enable a user to view personalized content recommendations without requiring the user to enter a password, select a logged-in user from multiple user accounts, or provide other account information to access the user account.

[0023] In some implementations, the fingerprint sensor is Control Device For example, the remote Control Device The shape can be adjusted to fit the shape of the user's hand, allowing the remote to be held in the user's hand. Control Device When you place the remote Control Device A fingerprint sensor can be positioned on the back of the device in an area that coincides with the placement of a user's index finger.

[0024] It should be noted that fingerprint sensors are generally referred to as remote sensors in this specification. Control Device Note that while the fingerprint sensor is described as being located on the back of the device, this is by way of example only. In some implementations, the fingerprint sensor may be located on a remote Control Device For example, the remote Control Device The remote control may have a shape that fits the shape of the user's hand. Control Device When held in the palm of a user's hand, Control Device The fingerprint sensor may have a shape that orients the user's thumb to be placed over a fingerprint sensor positioned on the front of the device. Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, the fingerprint sensor may be remotely connected (e.g., to receive fingerprint readings from a user's left or right thumb). Control DeviceAdditionally or alternatively, in some implementations, the remote Control Device may include a loop structure, in which case the fingerprint sensor is positioned within the loop structure to read a fingerprint of a finger placed within the loop structure.

[0025] In some implementations, the remote Control Device may include a display area that can be used to present any suitable content. For example, in some implementations, Control Device The display area of ​​the display may be used to present soft buttons (e.g., graphical user interface buttons) that can be used to control the paired media device. In some implementations, the display area of ​​the display may be used to present soft buttons (e.g., graphical user interface buttons) that can be used to control the paired media device. Control Device The display area of ​​the remote Control Device It should be noted that any suitable physical button may be substituted for the above (e.g., a physical pause button, a physical play button, physical volume control buttons, and / or any other suitable physical button). Control Device The soft buttons presented on the display area of ​​the paired media device may be dynamically presented based on the content being presented on the paired media device. For example, at a first time, the paired media device may Control Device Continuing with this example, at a first point in time, a remote Control Device The display area of ​​the may present soft buttons that can be used to navigate the display of available media content items, such as a directional pad, a select button, and / or any other suitable navigation button. Continuing with this example, at a second time, the paired media device (e.g., a remote Control Device At a second time, the presentation of the particular media content item may begin in response to the selection of the particular media content item via the remote Control DeviceThe display area of ​​the may be switched to present soft buttons that can be used to manipulate the playback of the media content item, such as a pause button, a volume adjustment control and / or any other suitable playback button.

[0026] As another example, in some implementations, the display area can be used to present supplemental content related to the media content item being presented on the paired media device. As a more detailed example, if the media content item is a sports-related media item, the remote Control Device The display area of ​​the may present player statistics, team statistics, and / or any other suitable supplemental content related to the sports-related media item. As another more detailed example, if the media content item is a television program or movie, the remote Control Device The display area of ​​the media content item may present information about one or more actors appearing at the current time in the media content item. Control Device It should be noted that the content presented on the display area of ​​may be updated at any suitable time as the presentation of media content items on the paired media device progresses.

[0027] In some implementations, the remote Control Device It should be noted that in instances where the display area presents both soft buttons for interacting with a paired media device and supplemental content, the display area may be partitioned in any suitable manner. For example, in some implementations, an upper portion of the display area may be used to present dynamically generated soft buttons for interacting with the media device, and a lower portion of the display area may be used to present supplemental content related to the media content item.

[0028] In some implementations, the remote control may include any suitable sensor that may be used to detect and / or measure any suitable physiological parameter of the user. Control Devicemay include one or more light sources and light sensors that can be used to measure any suitable physiological parameter (e.g., heart rate, oxygen saturation level, carbon dioxide level, and / or any other suitable metric). As another example, in some implementations, the remote Control Device The device may include an infrared sensor that can be used to measure the user's current temperature. In some implementations, any sensor used to measure the user's physiological parameters may be configured to be remotely controlled by the user. Control Device The device is held in place (e.g., remotely) so that physiological parameters can be measured while the device is held comfortably in place. Control Device and / or any other suitable location).

[0029] It should be noted that in some implementations, the fingerprint sensor and the sensor for detecting and / or measuring one or more physiological parameters of the user may be a single sensor. Alternatively, in some implementations, the fingerprint sensor and the sensor for detecting and / or measuring one or more physiological parameters of the user may be a single sensor. Control Device For example, the remote Control Device The remote control may have a shape that conforms to the shape of the user's hand, in which case the remote control may be placed in the user's hand. Control Device When the user is placed on the device, the fingerprint sensor and a sensor for detecting and / or measuring one or more physiological parameters of the user are connected to the remote device. Control Device Continuing with this example, the remote can be positioned on the back of the device in an area that corresponds to the placement of the user's index finger. Control Device When held, the fingerprint of the user's index finger can be detected and one or more physiological parameters of the user can be detected and / or measured.

[0030] These and other features of the advanced remote control are described in conjunction with Figures 1-4B.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, a media device and an advanced remote control according to some implementations of the disclosed subject matter. Control Device 1 shows an example of a generalized schematic diagram of a system 100 including a server and a

[0032] As shown, system 100 includes an advanced remote control that can be used to control one or more media devices, such as media device 120. Control Device 102. Advanced Remote Control Device 102 may be connected by a communication link 130 to a communication network 135, which may be linked to the media device 120 via a communication link 140. Control Device The server 150 may be connected to the communications network 135 by a communications link 160 so that the server 150 and / or the media device 120 may communicate with the server 150 .

[0033] A more detailed example is shown in Figure 1, where an advanced remote Control Device 102 may include a touch sensor 106, a directional pad 108 (referred to herein as a “d-pad”) or any other suitable directional input area, a processor 110, one or more input devices 112, a fingerprint sensor 114, and a transceiver 116, which may be interconnected.

[0034] In some implementations, advanced remote Control Device 102 may include memory and / or storage (not shown) for storing computer programs for controlling the processor 110. For example, the computer programs may be stored in a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, or the like.

[0035] The processor 110 uses a computer program to convert the signals into advanced remote Control Device 102 via communications link 130 and communications network 135 to media device 120 by communications link 140. These signals may be transmitted using transceiver 116, which may include one or more transmitters, receivers, antennas, transceivers, etc. Transceiver 116 may transmit and / or receive signals using any suitable technology and / or frequency. For example, transceiver 116 may transmit and / or receive radio signals, infrared signals, near infrared signals, ultrasonic signals, etc.

[0036] The communication links 130, 140, and 160 are Control Device 102, media device 120, and / or server 150, such as a radio frequency link, an infrared link, a near infrared link, a wireless link, a network link, any other suitable communication link, or any suitable combination of such links. In some implementations, communication links 130, 140, and 160 may be the same communication link or different communication links. For example, wireless signals may be transmitted over communication network 135 (e.g., a remote Control Device 102 and the media device 120) Control Device 102 and may be received at media device 120. In such an example, communication link 130 and communication link 140 are the same.

[0037] Another example is a wireless signal Control Device 102 and received by a converter (not shown) that converts the wireless signal to a near-infrared signal. In such an example, the converter can transmit a near-infrared signal, which can then be received by media device 120. In this example, communication link 130 is a wireless signal, communication link 140 is a near-infrared signal, and the converter is part of communication network 135.

[0038] Remote Control Device If we refer back to 102, the remote Control Device 102 may include a touch sensor 106. Touch sensor 106 may include one or more touch sensors configured to detect when its surface is touched by an object, such as a user's thumb. In such implementations, each of the one or more touch sensors may be a capacitance-based touch sensor, a resistance-based touch sensor, a pressure-based touch sensor, an optical-based sensor, etc. In more detailed implementations, touch sensor 106 may detect when its surface is touched by a conductive object, such as a person's skin.

[0039] The processor 110 can receive an output signal from the touch sensor 106 to detect whether the touch sensor 106 is activated. In some implementations, the output from the touch sensor can be a binary indication of whether a contact is registered by the touch sensor 106. Additionally, in some implementations, the direction and / or speed of movement of an object contacting the touch sensor 106 can be detected based on the output from the touch sensor 106. For example, the output from multiple touch sensors that make up the touch sensor 106 can be detected, and the pattern of the output can be interpreted to determine the direction and / or speed of movement. In a more detailed example, if a user moves their thumb from left to right on the touch sensor 106, the sensor located to the left of the touch sensor 106 can be activated before the touch sensor located to the right of the touch sensor 106. In this example, the movement can be detected by determining the pattern in which the touch sensors are activated.

[0040] In some implementations, the touch sensor 106 may also correspond to a selectable button. Control Device If the display associated with 102 presents an OK button, then touch sensor 106 may correspond to the OK button.

[0041] In some implementations, the touch sensor 106 is Control DeviceIt may also correspond to a touch pad that detects alphanumeric characters entered by a user of 102. For example, in some implementations, the touch sensor 106 may use character recognition technology to recognize remote Control Device A user's finger at 102 may be used to detect alphanumeric characters drawn on the surface of touch sensor 106. In a more detailed example, when a user desires to enter search terms, website addresses, user credentials for a user account, and / or any other suitable information, the remote Control Device Alphanumeric characters may be entered in response to character recognition technology detecting alphanumeric characters drawn on the surface of touch sensor 106 with a user's finger at 102. Note that in some implementations, character recognition technology may be provided on a trackpad or touch sensor separate from touch sensor 106.

[0042] In some implementations, the remote Control Device 102 may include a directional pad 108. The directional pad 108 may include a number of switches that, when activated, indicate a directional input. For example, the directional pad 108 may include a button that a user can press to indicate a direction. The button may activate one or more of the switches, and a signal from the one or more switches may be correlated by the processor 110 with the direction indicated by pressing the button.

[0043] According to some implementations, the directional pad 108 and the processor 110 may be configured to accept any suitable number of inputs in various directions. For example, the processor 110 may be configured to detect inputs in four directions (e.g., up, down, left, and right) from the directional pad 108. In another example, the processor 110 may be configured to detect inputs in eight directions (e.g., up, down, left, right, and intermediate directions, such as diagonally up-right, diagonally up-left, diagonally down-right, and diagonally down-left) from the directional pad 108. In yet another example, the processor 110 may be configured to detect inputs in any direction from the directional pad 108. In such an example, the directional pad 108 may include a touch sensor that can be used to detect any position of the input to the directional pad 108.

[0044] In some implementations, the remote Control Device 102 may include a fingerprint sensor 114, or any other suitable component capable of detecting a user's fingerprint. In some implementations, the fingerprint sensor 114 may be a capacitive fingerprint sensor, an optical fingerprint sensor, and / or any other suitable type of sensor. In some implementations, the processor 110 may be configured to receive a fingerprint detected using the fingerprint sensor 114 and perform any suitable operation based on the received fingerprint. For example, as described in more detail below in connection with FIG. 3, in some implementations, the processor 110 may identify a particular user whose stored fingerprint corresponds to the received fingerprint. Continuing with this example, in some implementations, the processor 110 may then cause an account associated with the particular user (e.g., a user account associated with a particular video content streaming service, and / or any other suitable user account) to be authenticated with the stored user credentials. In a more detailed example, a remote Control DeviceWhen 102 is placed on a user's hand, processor 110 can receive the user's fingerprint using fingerprint sensor 114 and automatically authenticate multiple user accounts associated with the user corresponding to the received fingerprint (e.g., log the user into multiple user accounts each associated with a content provider and select a corresponding user profile corresponding to the received fingerprint).

[0045] In some implementations, the processor 110 can be configured to detect motion (e.g., rotational motion, linear motion, and / or orientation) based on signals from any suitable motion sensor and using any suitable technique. Control Device When you move the 102, the motion sensor detects the Control Device 102 may transmit motion and / or orientation information to the processor 110. For example, Control Device The rotational movement of the 102 is Control Device The rotational motion of the remote control 102 can be detected by the processor 110 using signals from one or more gyroscopes that can detect the rotational motion of the remote control 102. Control Device The linear motion and / or linear orientation of 102 may be controlled by a remote Control Device 10 2 The linear motion and / or linear orientation of the remote control may be detected by the processor 110 using signals from one or more accelerometers that can detect the linear motion and / or linear orientation of the remote control. Control Device The movement and / or orientation of 102 is determined by the remote Control Device 10 2 The motion and / or orientation of the remote control may be detected by the processor 110 using signals from one or more magnetometers that can detect the motion and / or orientation of the remote control. Control Device The rotational and linear motion / orientation of 102 may be detected by the processor 110 using a combination of one or more gyroscopes, one or more accelerometers, and / or one or more magnetometers.

[0046] In some implementations, the remote Control Device 102 can detect certain gestures made by a user. For example, a remote control that includes a motion sensor Control Device 102 is the user's remote Control Device 102, the processor 110 may transmit information indicating that the user is shaking the remote control 102, and the processor 110 may transmit information indicating that the user is shaking the remote control 102, ... Control Device 102 can be switched from one operating mode to another.

[0047] In some implementations, advanced remote Control Device It should be noted that 102 may include any other suitable input devices 112. Input devices 112 may include other suitable input features, such as an alphanumeric keypad, a power button, an enter button, channel buttons, volume buttons, mute buttons, directional buttons, media playback buttons (e.g., rewind, pause, play, fast forward buttons), dedicated buttons for accessing downloadable applications for use by the media device, a microphone or other suitable audio input, a camera, etc. For example, in some implementations, a remote Control Device 102 may include a microphone that can be used for any suitable purpose. As a more detailed example, in some implementations, the microphone can be used to receive voice queries (e.g., to initiate playback of a particular media content item, to perform a search query, and / or to perform any other suitable voice query), which can be used by a remote Control Device 102 or remotely for processing. Control Device 102 to another device (e.g., to media device 120, server 150, and / or any other suitable device). As another more detailed example, in some implementations, a microphone may be used (e.g., a remote Control Device by generating an audible tone or beep on the Control DeviceThe input device 112 may be used to detect any suitable audible sound (e.g., clapping, etc.) that may be used as a trigger for causing an indication of the position of 102 to be presented. In some implementations, the input device 112 may include hardware and / or software buttons (e.g., programmable buttons). In some implementations, the input device 112 may also include other inputs, such as a computer keyboard, cursor controller, dials, switch banks, levers, touch screens, and / or any other suitable input devices.

[0048] For a more detailed example, Control Device 102 may include a speaker for emitting audible sounds. Control Device When using the network controller built into the 102, Control Device The media device paired with the 102 can be Control Device Send a signal to the 102 speakers to produce an audible tone. Control Device 102, which Control Device Remote location of 102 Control Device In another example, the remote Control Device With the network controller built into 102, applications running on the computing device can communicate with remote Control Device The server remotely issues a command to generate an audible sound on 102 speakers. Control Device 102 (or remote Control Device 102) to the media device that is paired with the remote Control Device Remote location of 102 Control Device It can be shown to 102 users.

[0049] System 100 may include one or more media devices 120, such as a media device for browsing listings of media content and / or a media device for obtaining and presenting content items from various sources (e.g., broadcast content, on-demand content, locally stored content, Internet content, streamed content, live streamed content, etc.). For example, media device 120 may be embodied as a television, a smart television, a set-top box, a streaming media device, a digital media receiver, a computer, a gaming console, an optical media player, etc. Advanced remote Control Device 102 and the media device 120 may be local to each other or remote from each other. Control Device 102 and the media device 120 may be located in the same room.

[0050] More specifically, the media device 120 may include a display / input device 122, a processor 124, a memory 126, and one or more transmitters, receivers, and / or transceivers 128, which may be interconnected.

[0051] In some implementations, media device 120 may include a storage device, such as a hard drive, a digital video recorder, a solid-state storage device, a removable storage device, or any other suitable device for storing guidance information and / or remote control instructions. In a more detailed example, the storage device may include a processor 124 for controlling (e.g., an advanced remote control) in media device 120. Control Device 102).

[0052] The processor 124 can use a computer program to present content on the display / input device 122 and control an interface that allows a user to interact with the content and to send and receive data via the communication link 140 using the transceiver 128. In some implementations, the transceiver 128 can send and / or receive radio signals, infrared signals, near-infrared signals, ultrasonic signals, and the like. If the transceiver 116 and the transceiver 128 operate with different types of signals, a converter (not shown) can be used to convert instructions sent with one type of signal (e.g., radio signals) to another type of signal (e.g., near-infrared signals). It should be noted that data received via the communication link 140 or any other communication link can be received from any suitable source. It should also be noted that the transceiver 116 and the transceiver 128 can operate with any suitable type of signal or combination thereof, including digital signals, analog signals, and the like.

[0053] Display / input device 122 may include an input device such as a computer keyboard, a cursor controller, one or more buttons, dials, a switch bank, a lever, a touch screen, and / or any other suitable input device.

[0054] In some implementations, the remote Control Device The commands issued by 102 may be formatted based on the model and / or brand of the media device 120 being controlled. Control Device 102 can be programmed with a variety of codes and is a universal remote for controlling a variety of types of media devices. Control Device In some implementations, the formatting can function as a remote Control Device This may be accomplished by a converter (not shown) that converts the signal transmitted by 102 to a signal that is used by a particular media device 120 .

[0055] For a more detailed example, Control Device The media device 120 may be a general-purpose device such as a computer or a remote device. Control Device , a dedicated device such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, a set-top box, a smart TV, a game console, a digital media receiver, a server, or any suitable combination of such devices. Any of these general purpose or dedicated devices may include any suitable components, such as a hardware processor (which may be a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, a controller, etc.), memory, communications interfaces, display controllers, input devices, etc. For example, media device 120 may be embodied as a set-top box, a digital media receiver, a smart TV, a television, a laptop computer, a personal computer, a server, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a game console, etc.

[0056] In some implementations, the remote Control Device 102 and the media device 120 are remote Control Device It should be noted that instructions may be sent and received through instances of applications executing on each of media device 102 and media device 120. In some implementations, the applications may perform any suitable functions, such as formatting instructions based on the model and / or brand of media device 120 being controlled, querying server 150, initiating a particular media content service, managing storage of user credentials for different users and different media content services, and / or performing any other suitable functions.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 2A, in accordance with some implementations of the disclosed subject matter, the remote Control Device Remote that embodies 102 Control Device 200. In some implementations, the remote Control Device200 may include various buttons, such as buttons 202-230, which may include a selectable touch-sensitive button 202 and a directional pad 204. In some implementations, any of the buttons 202-230 may be omitted, and in some such implementations, the functionality described herein with respect to buttons 202-230 may be controlled by a remote, as described below. Control Device Note that the buttons may be dynamically generated on the display area 250 of 200 for viewing more details.

[0058] In some implementations, the selectable touch-sensitive button 202 may include a touch sensor, such as touch sensor 106 of FIG. 1, that may detect contact with a surface of the selectable touch-sensitive button 202. Additionally, a processor, such as processor 110 of FIG. 1, may detect a press of the touch-sensitive button 202 as a separate operation of the touch-sensitive button 202. For example, pressing the selectable touch-sensitive button 202 may terminate (or stop) a circuit, which may be detected by the processor 110. Any other suitable technique may be used to indicate that a user has pressed the touch-sensitive button 202. For example, pressing the touch-sensitive button 202 may change the capacitance of a circuit, activate a piezoelectric transducer, or generate a sound.

[0059] As yet another example, a combination of signals may be required to indicate a press of a selectable touch-sensitive button 202. In a detailed example, the processor 110 may require both a touch to be sensed at the touch-sensitive button 202 and a press of the touch-sensitive button 202 to be sensed before responding to a button press of the touch-sensitive button 202. In some cases, this may prevent an accidental press of the touch-sensitive button 202 (e.g., a remote Control Device In this way, it is possible to prevent a button press by the processor 110 (eg, a button being pressed down by an inanimate object, such as a book, placed on the keyboard 200) from being interpreted by the processor 110 as a button press by the user.

[0060] Remote Control Device 200 may also include a directional pad 204 that can be pressed to indicate a directional input. For example, pressing down on the directional pad 204 at a particular point can terminate (or inhibit) one or more circuits, and the termination of the one or more circuits can be detected by the processor 110. The processor 110 can then determine which direction was indicated based on which circuits are terminated. For example, pressing down on the right side of the directional pad (as shown in FIG. 2A ) can terminate a circuit that indicates to the processor 110 that the right side of the directional pad has been pressed. In another example, the directional pad 204 can include one or more touch sensors that detect a directional input from a user (e.g., the user's thumb sliding from the touch-sensitive button 202 to the right portion of the directional pad 204).

[0061] In some implementations, the remote Control Device 200 is also a remote Control Device 200 rotary and / or linear motion, and / or remote Control Device A motion sensor (not shown) may be included to sense the orientation of the device 200. For example, a user may have a remote that includes a motion sensor (e.g., a gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, etc.). Control Device When you move the 200, the motion sensor detects the Control Device 200 to the processor 110. As described herein, the processor 110 may use a motion sensor to detect motion and / or orientation information about the remote Control Device 200 motion signals and remote Control Device orientation (e.g. remote Control Device The device may detect signals indicative of a particular part of the display 200 facing up, or may detect signals indicative of a particular gesture (e.g., shaking, waving, etc.).

[0062] In some implementations, the remote Control DeviceIn addition to touch-sensitive buttons 202 and directional pad 204, 200 may include other suitable input buttons.

[0063] In some implementations, the remote Control Device 200 may include a power button 206 for controlling the power state of a media device, such as media device 120. For example, when power button 206 is pressed, processor 110 may send a signal to media device 120 to power it on (e.g., from an off or sleep state). Additionally, in some implementations, a selector (not shown) may be included that can be used to select from multiple devices which device to power on by pressing power button 206. Such a selector may be, for example, a sliding switch, buttons respectively corresponding to various media devices, etc. In some implementations, a remote Control Device 200 may include an indicator that shows the user which media device is currently selected.

[0064] In some implementations, the remote Control Device 200 may include input buttons 208 for controlling selected inputs of media device 120. For example, if media device 120 is a television, it may have one or more High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) inputs, one or more coaxial inputs, one or more component video inputs, one or more DisplayPort inputs, one or more fiber optic inputs, etc. Pressing the input button 208 signals the processor 110 to select The input may be selected using any suitable technique. For example, in some implementations, after pressing input button 208, a list of selectable inputs may be displayed on a display connected to media device 120, and the user may select a desired input by pressing and / or repeatedly pressing input button 208, or by using directional pad 204 to navigate to a particular input and pressing touch sensor 202 to select the particular input.

[0065] In some implementations, the remote Control Device 200 may include a picture-in-picture (PiP) button 210. For example, when a user presses the PiP button 210, the processor 110 may send an instruction to the media device 120 to display content from a second source (e.g., a second channel) over the currently displayed content from a first source (e.g., a first channel). In such an example, the content from the second source may be displayed, for example, in a corner of a display connected to the media device 120.

[0066] In some implementations, the remote Control Device The device 200 may include a mute button 214 for muting the sound output from the media device 120 .

[0067] In some implementations, the remote Control Device The remote 200 may include a home button 216 for returning to a home screen of the media device 120 and / or for exiting the current screen and returning to the main input. Control Device If the media device 120 being controlled using 200 is a digital media receiver running an operating system that has a home screen, instructions sent in response to pressing the home button 216 may transition the digital media receiver to the home screen. Control DeviceIf the media device 120 being controlled using 200 is a set-top box from a cable television provider, the command sent in response to pressing the home button 216 may cause the set-top box to exit the currently displayed screen and return to the last channel tuned by the set-top box.

[0068] In some implementations, if media device 120 is running an application, pressing home button 216 can cause media device 120 to display the application's home screen. Additionally, in such implementations, pressing and holding home button 216 can cause media device 120 to go to the media device 120 home screen.

[0069] In some implementations, the remote Control Device 200 may include volume buttons 218 and channel buttons 220 that may be used to control the volume and channel output, respectively, of media device 120. These buttons may be located on either side of directional pad 204, allowing a user to operate the remote with their thumbs resting near touch-sensitive buttons 202 and directional pad 204. Control Device It may allow the user to reach the volume buttons 218 and channel buttons 220 when 200 is held in the hand.

[0070] In some implementations, the remote Control Device200 may include a voice command button 222 for initiating a voice command feature on the media device 120. After pressing the voice command button 222, the user may be prompted to speak a voice command to cause the media device 120 to perform some function. Any suitable technique may be used to prompt the user for a voice command, such as a sound, image, etc. Alternatively, the user may not be prompted to speak a voice command, and may instruct the media device 120 to prepare to receive a voice command by pressing a button. The media device 120 and / or the remote Control Device The remote 200 may be configured to recognize any suitable voice command. Control Device The audiovisual device 200 may recognize commands that replicate actions caused by pressing a button on the audiovisual device 200. As another example, a user may initiate a search using a voice command. As yet another example, a user may tune to a particular channel by number and / or name (e.g., channel 451, channel 2, "CBA," "Food channel," etc.).

[0071] In some implementations, a microphone for receiving voice commands can be included in media device 120. Additionally or alternatively, a microphone for receiving voice commands can be included in a remote Control Device 200. The microphone can be remote Control Device If included in 200, the voice command can be translated by the processor 110 and / or sent to the media device 120 for translation. Additionally, in some implementations, the microphone can be used to detect a trigger sound (e.g., clapping, and / or any other suitable trigger sound). In some implementations, in response to detecting the trigger sound, the remote Control Device The 200 may, for example, notify the remote by emitting a particular tone, beep, or other audible sound. Control Device It can be programmed to display 200 positions.

[0072] In some implementations, the remote Control Device Media device 120 may include a guide button 224 that may initiate a programming guide of available media content. For example, such a guide may be an electronic programming guide that displays programs available to a user and may be organized based on time, channel, category, etc. As another example, such a guide may include a listing of over-the-top content, such as television programs and / or movies, that are available for searching and viewing by media device 120.

[0073] In some implementations, the remote Control Device 200 may include a back button 226 for navigating back to a previously displayed screen. For example, if a user is navigating a menu on media device 120, pressing back button 226 may return the media device to the level prior to the currently selected level of the menu. As another example, if a user switches the channel tuned by media device 120 from a first channel to a second channel, pressing back may return media device 120 to the first channel. As yet another example, if media device 120 is running an application, back button 226 may have a function assigned by the application, which may include a back function.

[0074] In some implementations, the remote Control Device 200 may include a menu button 228 for invoking a menu on media device 120. For example, pressing menu button 228 may cause media device 120 to open a menu. As another example, if media device 120 is running an application, pressing menu button 228 may cause the user to be presented with a menu of additional options and / or related to the application.

[0075] In some implementations, the remote Control Device200 may include media buttons 230 for controlling the playback of media by media device 120. For example, media buttons 230 may include a play button, a pause button, a fast forward button, a rewind button, a skip forward button, any other suitable media buttons, and / or any suitable combination thereof. As shown in FIG. 2A, buttons that a user may use more commonly (e.g., play and pause buttons) may be positioned centrally and elevated as compared to less commonly used buttons (e.g., rewind and fast forward). Additionally or alternatively, the various media buttons may have different shapes to distinguish them from one another. These features may be used to facilitate better understanding of the user's line of sight and the buttons as they are positioned toward the remote. Control Device This may facilitate the user to press the correct buttons while not pointed at 200 but, for example, at a display connected to media device 120 .

[0076] In some implementations, some buttons may have embossed letters and / or symbols (e.g., the "+" and "-" on channel button 220) and / or the buttons themselves may be located in an elevated position (e.g., buttons 214, 216, 226, and 228) to allow a user to easily select the buttons on the remote. Control Device This may make these buttons easier to identify without looking at 200.

[0077] In some implementations, the remote Control Device The remote display 200 may have a display area 250 in which any suitable content may be presented. Control Device Although display area 250 is shown in addition to other buttons at 200, in some implementations, the remote Control DeviceIt should be noted that the display area 250 may dynamically generate soft buttons to be presented on the display area 250 in place of any of the physical buttons shown in FIG. 2A and described above. For example, in some implementations, a soft button representing a directional pad may be presented on the display area 250. As another example, in some implementations, soft buttons for controlling the playback of media content (e.g., buttons for rewinding or fast forwarding, pausing playback, resuming playback, changing the volume of audio content, and / or any other suitable button for controlling playback) may be presented on the display area 250. Continuing with this example, such soft buttons for controlling the playback of media content may be presented on the display area 250 in place of providing a media button 230. In some implementations, the content presented on the display area 250 may be contextually determined based on the content presented on the media device 120, as described below in connection with FIG. 3. In some implementations, the display area 250 may be configured to display a menu that includes a menu for selecting a menu item, such as a menu item, a menu item, or a menu item. Control Device Note that the display area 250 may span any suitable portion of 200. For example, in some implementations, the display area 250 may span a remote Control Device It could be anywhere from 200 to a large extent.

[0078] In some implementations, the remote Control Device 200 is remote Control Device The remote may include a trackpad for receiving alphanumeric characters from the 200 user. For example, in some implementations, the trackpad may include any suitable keys corresponding to any suitable letters, numbers, or other special characters that a user can use to enter search terms, website addresses, user credentials for a user account, and / or any other suitable information. Control Device 200 and / or remote Control Device The media device with which 200 is paired may use any suitable text completion technique to automatically complete text as the user types. For example, if the user is typing the title of a television program, the remote Control Device200 and / or the remote Control Device The media device with which 200 is paired can use any suitable auto-fill or text prediction algorithm to update the suggestion list as the user types characters.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 2B, a remote control according to some implementations of the disclosed subject matter. Control Device An example of a rear view 260 of the remote control 200 is shown. Control Device The back side of 200 may include a fingerprint sensor 262. In some implementations, the fingerprint sensor 262 allows a user to Control Device The remote control 200 is configured so that the user's index finger can be positioned against the fingerprint sensor 262 when holding the remote control 200. Control Device 200. As described above in connection with FIG. 1, in some implementations, fingerprint sensor 262 may be a capacitive fingerprint sensor, an optical fingerprint sensor, and / or any other suitable type of fingerprint sensor.

[0080] In some implementations, the remote Control Device It should be noted that 200 may include any other suitable sensors for calculating one or more physiological indicators. For example, in some implementations, a remote Control Device 200 may include a light source and a light sensor that detects and measures reflected light. In some implementations, the light source may emit any suitable wavelength of light, such as optical light, infrared light, and / or any other suitable wavelength. In some implementations, the light source and light sensor may be used to calculate any suitable physiological indicator, such as the user's heart rate, the user's oxygen saturation value, the user's carbon dioxide saturation level, and / or any other suitable physiological indicator. Note that in some implementations, the same light source and light sensor may be used to calculate multiple physiological indicators, such as a heart rate value and an oxygen saturation value. Additionally, in some implementations, a remote Control DeviceIt should be noted that 200 may include a first light source and light sensor pair operating with optical light that is used to calculate a first physiological indicator (e.g., heart rate) and a second light source and light sensor pair operating with infrared light that is used to calculate a second physiological indicator (e.g., carbon dioxide level). As another example, in some implementations, a remote Control Device 200 may include a temperature sensor (eg, an infrared sensor) capable of measuring the user's body temperature.

[0081] It should be noted that in some implementations, the above-mentioned fingerprint sensor 262 and the sensor for detecting and / or measuring one or more physiological parameters of the user may be a single sensor. Alternatively, in some implementations, the above-mentioned fingerprint sensor 262 and the sensor for detecting and / or measuring one or more physiological parameters of the user may be a single sensor. Control Device For example, a remote Control Device The 200 may have a shape that conforms to the shape of a user's hand, in which case the remote is placed in the user's hand. Control Device Once 200 is in place, the fingerprint sensor 262 and a sensor for detecting and / or measuring one or more physiological parameters of the user may be remotely connected to the device. Control Device 200 in an area corresponding to the placement of the user's index finger. Continuing with this example, Control Device When holding 200, the fingerprint of the user's index finger can be detected and one or more physiological parameters of the user can be detected and / or measured.

[0082] In some implementations, the calculated physiological indicators may be presented and / or stored in any suitable manner. For example, in some implementations, the measured physiological indicators (e.g., the user's current heart rate, the user's current temperature, the user's current oxygen saturation, the user's current carbon dioxide level, the user's current blood pressure, and / or any other suitable physiological indicators) may be remotely transmitted to the user. Control DeviceAs another example, in some implementations, the measured physiological indicators can be presented on a display 250 of the device 200. Control Device 200. As a more detailed example, Control Device If 200 authenticates a particular user to a user account (e.g., using fingerprint sensor 262 as shown in FIG. 2B and described below in connection with FIG. 3), the remote Control Device 200 may store the measured physiological indicators in a health data area associated with a user account. Continuing with this detailed example, in some implementations, the stored health data may be stored in association with a date or time of measurement. In some such implementations, the health data may be accessed by logging into the user account from any suitable user device (e.g., a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wearable computer, a desktop computer, and / or any other suitable user device).

[0083] Referring to FIG. 3, an example process 300 for using a remote control device is shown in accordance with some implementations of the disclosed subject matter.

[0084] Process 300 may begin at 302 by detecting a fingerprint on a fingerprint sensor of a remote control device paired with a media device. In some implementations, the media device may be any suitable type of media device, such as a television, a smart television, a streaming media device connected to a television, a speaker, a projector, and / or any other suitable type of media device. As shown and described above in connection with Figures 1 and 2B, the fingerprint sensor may be any suitable type of fingerprint sensor, such as a capacitive fingerprint sensor, an optical fingerprint sensor, and / or any other suitable type of fingerprint sensor.

[0085] 2B and described above, the fingerprint sensor may be positioned anywhere on the remote control device, such as on a top portion of the back of the remote control device, such that a user's finger is comfortably positioned on the fingerprint sensor when the user is holding the remote control device. In a more detailed example, the remote control device may have a shape that generally conforms to the shape of a user's hand, where the remote control device fits snugly in the user's hand. Control Device can be positioned on the back of the remote control device in an area corresponding to placement of a user's index finger. In another more detailed example, the remote control device can have a loop structure formed on the back of the remote control device, where the fingerprint sensor is integrated into the loop structure such that a fingerprint can be detected when a finger is placed on the fingerprint sensor within the loop structure.

[0086] It should be noted that while the fingerprint sensor is generally described herein as being located on the back of the remote control device, this is merely exemplary. In some implementations, the fingerprint sensor may be positioned on the front of the remote control device. For example, the remote control device may have a shape that conforms to the shape of a user's hand and orients the thumb of a user's hand so that it rests on a fingerprint sensor positioned on the front of the remote control device when the remote control device is held in the palm of the user's hand. Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, the fingerprint sensor may be positioned on one or both sides of the remote control device (e.g., to receive fingerprint readings from the user's left or right thumb).

[0087] In some implementations, the fingerprint sensor may detect any suitable information corresponding to a fingerprint, such as the location of a fingerprint's ridges and valleys, and / or any other suitable information.

[0088] At 304, process 300 may identify a user associated with the fingerprint. In some implementations, process 300 may identify a user in any suitable manner. For example, in some implementations, process 300 may compare any suitable characteristics or features of the fingerprint (e.g., the location of ridges and / or valleys in the detected fingerprint, and / or any other suitable characteristics or features) to characteristics or features for stored fingerprints of known users of the remote control device. As a more detailed example, in some implementations, the remote control device may receive and store fingerprints of a group of users (e.g., during an initial setup or configuration of the remote control device), and process 300 may identify users within the group of users whose stored fingerprints (or characteristics of stored fingerprints) match the detected fingerprint (or match characteristics of the detected fingerprint). Note that in some implementations, the group of users may include any suitable number of users (e.g., 1, 2, 5, 10, and / or any other suitable number). In some implementations, a user's fingerprints may be added and stored at any suitable time. Additionally, it should be noted that in some implementations, the stored fingerprints may be stored in any suitable location, such as in the memory of the remote control device, in the memory of the paired media device, on a server that the remote control device can query, and / or in any other suitable location.

[0089] At 306, process 300 can authenticate a user account associated with the identified user on the media device. In some cases, the user account can be a user account associated with a particular media content service, such as a particular media content streaming service. Note that in some cases, process 300 can authenticate multiple user accounts associated with the identified user, where each user account corresponds to a separate media content service. For example, in some implementations, process 300 can authenticate a first user account associated with the identified user that corresponds to a first media content streaming service and can authenticate a second user account associated with the identified user that corresponds to a second media content streaming service.

[0090] In some implementations, process 300 may authenticate a user account in any suitable manner and using any suitable technique. For example, in some implementations, process 300 may log into a user account using user credentials associated with the user account that have been previously entered by the user and stored for future use. In some such implementations, the user credentials may be stored in any suitable location, such as in a memory of the remote control device, in a memory of the media device, on a server with which the remote control device is in communication, and / or in any other suitable location.

[0091] In a more detailed example, during configuration of the media device and / or remote control device, a user may be prompted to provide user account information (e.g., username and password) for one or more media content streaming services, content provider services, payment services, etc. Such user account information, or portions of the user account information, may be associated with the provided fingerprint (e.g., if the user account information is stored on the media device, on the remote control device, or at a remote network location). For example, a user whose fingerprint is stored may be associated with specific user account information (e.g., preferred payment services, two preferred media content providers, etc.) for authentication purposes.

[0092] In response to receiving a fingerprint with a fingerprint sensor of the remote control device and identifying a user associated with the received fingerprint, the remote control device can cause a user account associated with the identified user to be authenticated on the media device and the remote control device. The user of the remote control device can then be provided with content recommendations and available content items from a service corresponding to the authenticated user account, for example.

[0093] Continuing with this example, note that each user account can be associated with multiple user profiles (e.g., parent and child profiles). In some implementations, a default user profile can be associated with an identifier user (e.g., a parent user profile). In some implementations, when initially entering user account information, a user of the remote control device can be prompted to select a user profile for the user account to associate with the identifier user and fingerprint information.

[0094] At 308, the process 300 may cause a display of available content to be presented on the media device based on the authenticated user account. For example, if the authenticated user account is a user account of a user corresponding to a particular media content streaming service, the process 300 may cause a display of available content through the particular media content service to be presented based on the authenticated user account. Continuing with this example, the process 300 may cause a display of available content recommended to the user based on a previous browsing history associated with the user account. In some implementations, the process 300 may cause the display to be presented in any suitable manner. For example, in some implementations, the process 300 may present the display of available content in a column of rows, with each row corresponding to different genres of content and / or different types of recommendations personalized based on the user account. As a more detailed example, in some implementations, the process 300 may present a first row of available content indicating media content items that the user previously started watching but did not finish (e.g., the next episode in a television series, an episode or movie that the user previously started watching but did not finish, etc.). As another more detailed example, in some implementations, process 300 may present a second row of available content recommended to the user based on previous browsing history, such as content items related to the topic of previously viewed content items, content items that include actors appearing in previously viewed content items, and / or any other suitable personalized recommendations. As yet another more detailed example, in some implementations, process 300 may present a third row of available content that includes recommendations based on any other suitable criteria or factors, such as, for example, popularity with other users, popularity with users with similar demographics to the user associated with the authenticated user account, and / or any other suitable criteria or factors.

[0095] It should be noted that in some implementations, in instances where multiple media content services (e.g., multiple media content streaming services) are available, the remote control device may enable the user to switch between media content services. In some such implementations, a user account corresponding to each media content service may be authenticated, thereby allowing the user to view a personalized view of available content within each media content service without having to separately log into each user account. In some such implementations, the user may switch from a first media content service being viewed to a second media content service in any suitable manner, for example, by pressing a particular key or a particular series of keys on the remote control device.

[0096] Additionally, in some implementations, in response to causing a representation of the available content items to be presented on the media device, the process 300 may include controlling any suitable soft buttons or user interface controls on the remote to navigate the available content items. Control Device Note that in some implementations, the process 300 may be presented within a display area of ​​a remote Control Device Hold the directional pad over the display area of ​​the remote Control Device and / or any other suitable user interface. Control Device can be presented.

[0097] At 310, process 300 may receive a selection of an available content item via a remote control device. In some implementations, process 300 may receive the selection in any suitable manner. For example, in some implementations, process 300 may receive the selection by determining that the highlighted available content item has been selected due to the remote control device receiving a button press. It should be noted that in instances where the selection of the available content item is received via a button press, the button may be a physical button on the remote control device or may be a soft button presented on a display area of ​​the remote control device.

[0098] At 312, process 300 can initiate the presentation of the selected content item on the paired media device. In some implementations, process 300 can initiate the presentation of the selected content item in any suitable manner and using any suitable technique. For example, in some implementations, process 300 can send an identifier of the selected content item to a server hosting the selected content item. Continuing with the example, in some implementations, the server can then begin streaming the selected content item to the media device. In another example, in some implementations, process 300 can launch an application associated with a media content service that provides the selected content item on the media device, automatically authenticate a corresponding user account of the media content service, automatically select a profile associated with the user account of the media content service based on the identified user associated with the received fingerprint, and further send instructions to an application executing on the media device to retrieve the selected content item from the media content service and cause the media device to begin playing the selected content item.

[0099] At 314, process 300 can update the content displayed on the remote control device based on the presentation of the content item on the paired media device. In some implementations, process 300 can update the content displayed on any suitable portion of the remote control device (e.g., a display area of ​​the remote control device, etc.) as shown in and described above in connection with FIG. 2A.

[0100] In some implementations, the process 300 may update the content displayed on the remote control device in any suitable manner. For example, in some implementations, the process 300 may cause controls to be presented on the remote control device that correspond to the content being presented on the media device. As a more detailed example, in some implementations, the process 300 may cause controls to be presented on the remote control device for manipulating the playback of the media content item. As a detailed example, during playback of the media content item, the process 300 may cause a pause button to be presented on the remote control device. Continuing with this detailed example, when playback of the media content item is paused, the process 300 may replace the pause button with a play button on the remote control device.

[0101] As another example, in some implementations, the process 300 may cause supplemental content related to the media content item being presented on the media device to be presented on a remote control device. As a more detailed example, in some implementations, if the media content item is a sports game, the process 300 may cause information about the game and / or the teams participating in the game to be presented, such as statistics of the teams participating in the game, statistics of the players participating in the game, statistics of other teams in the same league not participating in the game, and / or any other suitable information. As another more detailed example, in some implementations, if the media content item is a television episode or movie, the process 300 may cause information related to actors appearing in the media content item to be presented, such as the actor's name, other shows or movies in which the actor has appeared, and / or any other suitable actor information. As yet another more detailed example, in some implementations, if the media content item includes background music, the process 300 may cause an identifier of the music to be presented on a remote control device.

[0102] With reference to FIG. 4A, an example user interface 400 that may be presented on a remote control device is shown in accordance with some implementations of the disclosed subject matter. For example, if the content item being presented is a sports game, the remote control device may present a group of selectable inputs (e.g., buttons 402 and 404) labeled "player statistics," "team statistics," and the like. Continuing with this example, in some implementations, selecting a particular button may cause content corresponding to the selected button to be presented. With reference to FIG. 4B, an example user interface 450 that may be presented in response to a selectable input for "player statistics" is shown in accordance with some implementations of the disclosed subject matter. As shown in FIG. 4B, the user interface 450 may include content items 452 and 454 that correspond to statistics regarding individual players. Continuing with this example, in some implementations, the user may then use the back button 456 to navigate back to the group of selectable inputs (e.g., the user interface 400 of FIG. 4A). It should be noted that the user interfaces shown in Figures 4A and 4B are merely examples, and in some implementations, any suitable user interface may be presented that includes any suitable content related to the content item being presented on the media device.

[0103] In some implementations, process 300 may cause content to be presented on a display area of ​​a remote control device using any suitable technique. For example, in some implementations, the remote control device may receive a representation of the content to be presented from any suitable source.

[0104] As a more detailed example, in some implementations, the media device can receive content to be presented on the remote control device from a server associated with the presented media content item (e.g., a server hosting the media content item and / or any other suitable server), and the media device can transmit the content to be presented to the remote control device. Continuing with this example, an application running on the media device and associated with the presented media content item can receive content for presentation on the remote control device (e.g., in user interface 450). The media device can transmit the received content to the remote control device (e.g., via a Bluetooth Low Energy connection between the remote control device and the media device). In response, the remote control device can cause the received content (e.g., content items 452 and 454 of user interface 450 of FIG. 4B) to be displayed on a display area of ​​the remote control device.

[0105] As another more detailed example, in some implementations, the remote control device may receive a representation of the content directly from a server associated with the media content item being presented (e.g., a server hosting the media content item and / or any other suitable server). It should be noted that in some implementations, the representation of the content to be presented on the remote control device may include any suitable information or instructions, such as, for example, instructions to present particular graphical content, instructions to present particular user interface controls for navigation, instructions to present text, images or icons associated with particular supplemental content, and / or any other suitable information or instructions. For example, the server associated with the media content item being presented may send a representation of the content directly to the remote control device (e.g., via a wireless link between the server and the remote control device) in response to a particular media content item being presented on the media device. In response, the remote control device may cause a representation of the received content (e.g., content items 452 and 454 of user interface 450 of FIG. 4B) to be presented on a display area of ​​the remote control device.

[0106] The process 300 may then return to 312 to continue presenting the content item on the media device. The process 300 may then proceed to 314 to further update the content presented on the remote control device based on the content presented on the media device. For example, if a first actor previously appeared in a first scene shown in the content item, the remote control device may have previously presented information about the first actor (e.g., biographical details about the first actor, titles of other television shows or movies in which the first actor has appeared, and / or any other suitable information). Continuing with this example, if the content item includes a second scene including a second actor, the remote control device may be updated to present information about the second actor (e.g., biographical details about the second actor, titles of other television shows or movies in which the second actor has appeared, and / or any other suitable information). It should be noted that in some implementations, the process 300 may cause the content presented on the remote control device to be updated at any suitable time and at any suitable frequency. For example, in some implementations, a remote control device may be pushed (e.g., from a server, a media device, and / or any other suitable source) with updates about the content at times corresponding to changes in the content of the media content item. As another example, in some implementations, a remote control device may be pushed (e.g., from a server, a media device, and / or any other suitable source) with updates about the content at any suitable regular frequency (e.g., once per minute, once per five minutes, and / or any other suitable frequency).

[0107] In situations where the systems described herein collect or utilize personal information about a user, the user may be provided with an opportunity to control whether the program or feature collects user information (e.g., information about the user's social network, social behavior or activities, occupation, user preferences, or the user's current location). In addition, certain data may be processed in one or more ways to eliminate personal information before it is stored or used. For example, the user's personal information may be processed such that information that is personally identifiable to the user cannot be determined, or the user's geographic location (e.g., city, ZIP code, or state level, etc.) when obtaining location information may be generalized such that the user's specific location cannot be determined. Thus, the user may control how information about the user is collected and used by the content server.

[0108] Thus, a system, method, and medium for providing advanced remote is provided.

[0109] In some implementations, any suitable computer-readable medium can be used to store instructions for carrying out the processes described herein. For example, in some implementations, the computer-readable medium can be transitory or non-transient. For example, a non-transient computer-readable medium can include media such as magnetic media (hard disks, floppy disks, etc.), optical media (compact disks, digital video disks, Blu-ray disks, etc.), semiconductor media (flash memory, EPROM (electrically programmable read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), etc.), any suitable media that is not transitory or does not lose a permanent aspect during transmission, and / or any suitable tangible media. As another example, a transitory computer-readable medium can include signals, wires, conductors, optical fibers, circuits on a network, any suitable media that is transitory or does not lose a permanent aspect during transmission, and / or any suitable intangible media.

[0110] It should be understood that the above-described steps of the process described in connection with Figure 3 may be performed or executed in any order or sequence, including but not limited to the order and sequence shown and described in the figures. Also, some of the above-described steps of the process of Figure 3 may be performed or executed substantially simultaneously or in parallel, as desired, to reduce latency and processing time.

[0111] It should also be noted that the term mechanism as used herein may encompass hardware, software, firmware, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0112] While the present invention has been described and illustrated in the above exemplary implementations, it will be understood that the disclosure is made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the details of the implementations of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the appended claims. The features of the disclosed implementations can be combined and rearranged in various ways.

Claims

1. 1. A method for using an advanced remote control, comprising: detecting, by a remote control device, a fingerprint of a user using a fingerprint sensor on said remote control device; identifying, by the remote control device, the user from a plurality of users based on the fingerprint; and selecting, by the remote control device, without user input, a user profile corresponding to the identified user, and authenticating a user account by communicating with a server associated with a media content service using account information corresponding to the user profile, the user account being associated with the media content service that hosts media content items and provides the media content items to a media device paired with the remote control device, the method further comprising: presenting, by the media device, a plurality of views of available media content items hosted by a server associated with the media content service based on the authenticated user account; receiving, by the remote control device, a user selection of a display of available media content items via an input interface of the remote control device; presenting, by the media device paired with the remote control device, the selected media content item on the media device; and in response to presentation of the media content item on the media device by the remote control device, presenting by the remote control device content transmitted from a server associated with the media content service and related to the media content item on a display area of ​​the remote control device.

2. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, in response to a plurality of representations of the available media content items being presented on the media device, presenting, by the remote control device, a first control on the display area of ​​the remote control device for navigating the plurality of representations.

3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a step of simultaneously presenting, by the remote control device, a second control on the display area of ​​the remote control device for controlling playback of the selected media content item in response to the step of presenting the selected media content item on the media device paired with the remote control device.

4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of representations of available media content items are personalized recommendations identified based on the authenticated user account.

5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the representations are transmitted to the media device from other media devices.

6. The method further includes the step of selecting, by the remote control device, without user input, a second user profile corresponding to the identified user, and authenticating a second user account by communicating with a second server associated with a second media content service using second account information corresponding to the second user profile, the second user account being associated with the second media content service that hosts media content items and provides the media content items to the media device paired with the remote control device, and further comprising: receiving, by the remote control device, an input via an input interface of the remote control device to switch to viewing media content items available via the second media content service; and presenting, by the media device, a second plurality of representations of media content items available via the second media content service on the media device based on the authenticated second user account.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a step of measuring a physiological parameter of the user by the remote control device using a sensor of the remote control device.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fingerprint sensor is located on a rear surface of the remote control device and the display area is located on a front surface of the remote control device.

9. A remote control device for providing advanced remote control, comprising: A fingerprint sensor; A display area; a hardware processor connected to the fingerprint sensor and the display area, the hardware processor comprising: Detecting a user's fingerprint using the fingerprint sensor on the remote control device; identifying the user from a plurality of users based on the fingerprint; and selecting, without user input, a user profile corresponding to the identified user, and authenticating a user account by communicating with a server associated with a media content service using account information corresponding to the user profile, the user account being associated with a media content service that hosts media content items and provides the media content items to a media device paired with the remote control device, the hardware processor further comprising: causing a plurality of representations of available media content items to be presented on the media device based on the authenticated user account; receiving, via an input interface of the remote control device, a selection of a display of available media content items; causing the media device paired with the remote control device to present the selected media content item on the media device; A remote control device that, in response to presentation of the media content item on the media device, presents content related to the media content item on the display area of ​​the remote control device.

10. The remote control device of claim 9 , wherein the hardware processor is further configured to automatically select a user profile from the user account associated with multiple user profiles based on the fingerprint.

11. The remote control device of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the hardware processor is further configured to present a first control on the display area of ​​the remote control device for navigating a plurality of representations of the available media content items in response to causing the plurality of representations to be presented on the media device.

12. A remote control device as described in any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the hardware processor is further configured to present a second control on the display area of ​​the remote control device for controlling playback of the selected media content item in response to causing the selected media content item to be presented on the media device paired with the remote control device.

13. A remote control device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the plurality of representations of available media content items are personalized recommendations identified based on the authenticated user account.

14. A remote control device according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the multiple representations are received from a server associated with the media content service that hosts the media content items and provides the media content items to the media device.

15. A remote control device according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the plurality of representations are received from the media device.

16. The hardware processor further comprises: and selecting, without user input, a second user profile corresponding to the identified user, and authenticating a second user account by communicating with a second server of a second media content service using second account information corresponding to the second user profile, the second user account being associated with the second media content service that hosts media content items and provides the media content items to the media device paired with the remote control device, the hardware processor further comprising: receiving an input to switch to viewing media content items available via the second media content service; A remote control device as described in any one of claims 9 to 15, configured to cause a second plurality of representations of media content items available via the second media content service to be presented on the media device based on the authenticated second user account.

17. The remote control device of any one of claims 9 to 16, wherein the hardware processor is further configured to measure physiological parameters of the user using a sensor of the remote control device.

18. A remote control device according to any one of claims 9 to 16, wherein the fingerprint sensor is arranged on a rear surface of the remote control device and the display area is arranged on a front surface of the remote control device.

19. A program comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed by a hardware processor, cause the hardware processor to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 8.

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