Notifying Users of Interactive Functions

Abstract

A method and apparatus for notifying a user of an interactive event using a remote control device. In one embodiment, a remote control device contains either a display or a bright light, or both, which can create a visual alert to let a user know that an interactive function is available. The nature of the function may be displayed on a screen attached to the remote control device.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a display device;   a processor; and   memory operatively coupled to the processor and storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the apparatus to:
 receive a signal from a control unit indicating a beginning of an interactive application during display of a selected video content program on a display separate from the apparatus; and 
 in response to the received signal, provide a visual indication of an availability of the interactive application through the display device, 
 receive user input corresponding to a request to deactivate visual indications on the display separate from the apparatus; and 
 selectively deactivate the visual indications on the display separate from the apparatus independently of whether the visual indications are displayed on the display device of the apparatus. 
   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein providing the visual indication of the availability of the interactive application includes displaying an indicator on the display device of the apparatus. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein providing the visual indication of the availability of the interactive application includes changing one or more background colors of the display device of the apparatus. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein providing the visual indication of the availability of the interactive application includes flashing at least one button of the apparatus. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a mobile handheld device. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the mobile handheld device is a web phone. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, further cause the apparatus to provide an additional indication of the availability of the interactive application including a sound generated by the apparatus. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein providing the visual indication of the availability of the interactive application includes illuminating a portion of the apparatus other than the display device of the apparatus. 
   
   
       9 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a mobile device, a signal from a control unit indicating a beginning of an interactive application during display of a selected video content program on a display separate from the mobile device; and   in response to the received signal, providing a visual indication of an availability of the interactive application through a display of the mobile device;   receiving user input corresponding to a request to deactivate visual indications on the display separate from the mobile device; and   selectively deactivating the visual indications on the display separate from the mobile device independently of whether visual indications are displayed on the display of the mobile device.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising receiving user interaction at the mobile device, the interaction including user comments. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the signal is received after a start of the selected video content program. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the interactive application is not available prior to a beginning of the selected video content program. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the mobile device comprises a remote control associated with the separate display. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least one input device;   a display;   a processor; and   memory operatively coupled to the processor and storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the apparatus to:
 receive user input through the at least one input device, the user input corresponding to a request to deactivate visual indications on a display separate from the apparatus, wherein the visual indications indicate an availability of an interactive application during display of a video content program; and 
 selectively deactivate the visual indications on the display separate from the apparatus independently of whether the visual indications are displayed on the display of the apparatus. 
   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein providing the visual indication of the availability of the interactive application includes displaying an indicator on the display of the apparatus. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein providing the visual indication of the availability of the interactive application includes changing one or more background colors of the display of the apparatus. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein providing the visual indication of the availability of the interactive application includes flashing at least one button of the apparatus. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the user input is received after a start of the video content program. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the interactive application is not available prior to a beginning of the video content program. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a mobile device.