CA2278496C - Interactivity with audiovisual programming - Google Patents

Interactivity with audiovisual programming Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2278496C
CA2278496C CA002278496A CA2278496A CA2278496C CA 2278496 C CA2278496 C CA 2278496C CA 002278496 A CA002278496 A CA 002278496A CA 2278496 A CA2278496 A CA 2278496A CA 2278496 C CA2278496 C CA 2278496C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
user
programming
data
response
user selection
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
CA002278496A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2278496A1 (en
Inventor
George Gerba
Robert E. Lambert
Howard Meiseles
Mike Nichols
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Disney Enterprises Inc
Original Assignee
Disney Enterprises Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Disney Enterprises Inc filed Critical Disney Enterprises Inc
Priority to CA002499285A priority Critical patent/CA2499285C/en
Publication of CA2278496A1 publication Critical patent/CA2278496A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2278496C publication Critical patent/CA2278496C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
    • H04N21/4312—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/4302—Content synchronisation processes, e.g. decoder synchronisation
    • H04N21/4307—Synchronising the rendering of multiple content streams or additional data on devices, e.g. synchronisation of audio on a mobile phone with the video output on the TV screen
    • H04N21/43074—Synchronising the rendering of multiple content streams or additional data on devices, e.g. synchronisation of audio on a mobile phone with the video output on the TV screen of additional data with content streams on the same device, e.g. of EPG data or interactive icon with a TV program
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
    • H04N21/4312—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
    • H04N21/4314—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
    • H04N21/4312—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
    • H04N21/4316—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/462—Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
    • H04N21/4622—Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/472—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content
    • H04N21/4722—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content for requesting additional data associated with the content
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/4782—Web browsing, e.g. WebTV
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/61—Network physical structure; Signal processing
    • H04N21/6156—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the upstream path of the transmission network
    • H04N21/6175—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the upstream path of the transmission network involving transmission via Internet
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
    • H04N21/8126—Monomedia components thereof involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts
    • H04N21/8133—Monomedia components thereof involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts specifically related to the content, e.g. biography of the actors in a movie, detailed information about an article seen in a video program
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/85—Assembly of content; Generation of multimedia applications
    • H04N21/858—Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/44—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards
    • H04N5/445—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards for displaying additional information
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H04N7/17309—Transmission or handling of upstream communications
    • H04N7/17318—Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/472—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S707/00—Data processing: database and file management or data structures
    • Y10S707/99941—Database schema or data structure
    • Y10S707/99944—Object-oriented database structure
    • Y10S707/99945—Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for linking real-time data with audiovisual content to enable a user to make selections, manipulate data, and to execute functions interactively through an audiovisual display unit based upon audiovisual content being displayed at the time. Audiovisual content is synchronized with the available interactive functions so that the user has the ability to interact with and perform functions related to the audiovisual content being shown at the time. In a preferred embodiment, actionable events in audiovisual programs are synchronized with associated overlay functions and interface data. A method is provided to make overlay functions available to the user through an audiovisual display during the actionable events that occur in a program being viewed by the user. A
user interface for each overlay function that may be performed, which user interface may or may not be visible to the user, is overlaid on and synchronized with the program being shown. Interaction with selections may be made using any of several known methods such as a screen menu or a cursor controlled by a remote control device.

Description

INTERACTIVITY WITH AUDIOVISUAL PROGRAMMING
Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to the field of interactive audiovisual systems.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for linking real-time data with audiovisual content to enahie a user to make selections, manipulate data.
and to execute functions by interacting with the audiovisual content facing shown at the time.
2. Art Background:
With the development of computer technology, interactive systems are possihle that allow users to retrieve data and transact husiness through various means.
Through the telephone, without speaking to a live operator, users can retrieve various types of information, order pay-per-view cahle programs, activate credit cards, obtain customer support for products, order movie tickets and listen to and huy musical selections. Using the Internet and commercial online services, users are ahle to read news reports, view photographs and vide« clips, listen to sound tiles, send electronic mail, converse and videoconference in real time with users in remote locations, view sports statistics, buy products, generate maps, and retrieve archived data.
Often a user may decide to use the telephone or an online service to perform such functions based upon programming viewed cy television. For example, a user may view a music video on television and then decide to use an automated telephone service or the Internet to order an alhum by the artist shown. While viewing a foothall game, a user might he prompted to use the Internet t« retrieve statistics for a certain player or team. Users desire to have the ahility tc~ Perform these functions and new functions using the television instead of having to use a different device such as a computer or telephone.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) The advances in digitization and digital compression of data, improvements in transmission media such as fiber optics, and the combination of computer technology with television and audiovisual systems has fostered the development of interactive audiovisual systems. In interactive audiovisual systems, broad bandwidth permits two-way communication, or "interactivity," between the user and a source provider.
Such systems allow the user, utilizing a remote control device in conjunction with a set-top box coupled to a cable television, satellite direct broadcast or other communication system, to select a desired movie or program to he viewed, request services and perform other functions such as those that may he performed today using telephones and computer networks. Such systems generally require the user to access such functions by using channels separate from channels on which programming is shown and/or by using menus to access such functicms.
Often a cursor system is used to allow the user to perform functions using a remote control.
While such systems enable selection of programs and other functions through the television, the selection is nW enabled as a function of the content appearing on the television screen. The user must enter a certain mode or otherwise enable a function which is always available to the user upon request. The present invention provides a method tier enabling functions only at specified times haled upon the content of audiovisual programming being shown to the user at the time. Furthermore, the functions enabled can he made to depend upon the content of the present audiovisual programming, so that the functions can he tailored to specific moments or events in an audiovisual presentation. The present invention presents the user with the ability to interact with the programming by selecting items appearing in the programming shown on the screen with a cursor, by making selections when prompted verbally by an on-screen host, or by other means. It will he understcood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be used for a variety of purposes, some of which are described in detail herein.
Summary gf the Invention The present invention provides a method and apparatus for enabling a user of an interactive audiovisual system to perform functions in real time based upon the content «f audiovisual programming being shown to the user at the time ("overlay functions").

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98!28916 PCT/US97/23751 The present invention provides a method and apparatus for linking real-time data with audiovisual content to enable a user to make selections, manipulate data, and to execute functions interactively through an audiovisual display unit based upon audiovisual content being displayed at the current time. Put another way, audiovisual content is presented in synchronization with selected overlay functions so that the user has the ability to interact with the audiovisual content by perti~rming said overlay functions associated with selected events that occur in the programming ("actionable events").
A method and apparatus are provided tcs make overlay functions available to the user through the audiovisual display during the actionable events that occur in programming being viewed by the user. A user interface for each overlay function that may he performed. which user interface may or may non he visible to the user, is overlaid on and synchrcmized with the programming being shown. Interaction with selections may be made using any of several known methods such as a screen menu or a cursor controlled by a remote control device.
For example. while viewing a movie starring a famous celebrity, the set of overlay functions IS may include the ability to retrieve in an c>verlay window a list of recent movies starring the celebrity by selecting the celebrity's name during the opening credits of the movie, or whenever the celebrity appears on the audiovisual display. In some instances, a visible cue may exist to indicate that a function may he performed, such as a visible graphical outline appearing on the audicwisual display around an item that may he selected. As another example, during a fcu~thall program, a user may be able to retrieve a team roster by selecting the name of a team when shown, or the career statistics of a player by selecting that player.
As another example, while viewing a television program which reviews current movies, a user would have the ability tc~ access an Internet World Wide Web site for a given movie by making a selection while that movie is being reviewed. As another example, the present invention may he used to implement an audiovisual program guide that allows a user to select programming being shown at the time by giving the user the ability to select one of several areas on the user's television screen, with each of the several areas displaying a different program that is available to the user at the time.
In the present invention, a set of ewerlay functions ("overlay ftmction set") is associated with each program to he shown to users. The overlay functions could include a variety of retrievable information and interactive functions that will be available to the user SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) while the user is viewing the program. Each program may have unique overlay function sets since the overlay functions made available are based upon the unique content of each program. For each actionable event in a program, the operator will determine the overlay function set that will be made available to the user, and the characteristics of the interface that will both present the availability of the overlay functions to the user and allow the user to access the overlay function:>. Overlay function sets and interface data for a plurality of programs are stored in memory. When a program having overlay function sets and interface data associated with it is sent by the source provider to a user (whether requested or demand, shown at a pre-determined time, or otherwise), the overlay function sets and interface data for the program, which may also be sent by the source provider, are synchronized with the program and loaded into the; set-top box. The processor in the set-top box reads the overlay function set and interface data and then both implements the interface and enables the overlay functions in real time and in synchronization with the associated actionable event in the programming. As the user interacts with the program through the synchronized interface, the set-top box implements the relevant overlay functions selected by the user.
Alternatively, the set-top box may communicate with the source provider as necessary to implement certain overlay functions selected by the user.
Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention resides in a method of distributing audiovisual programming, comprising the steps of displaying live programming to a human operator located at the head end of a distribution system while distributing for display the live programming at substantially the same time to a plurality of remotely located users;
automatically detectiing one of a plurality of pre-selected visual objects present within the live programming as an actionable event, during which a user selection may be accepted;
adding data for distriibution with the live programming in response to the detection of the visual object and in response to an operator selection of another actionable event made by the human operator;
adding synchronization data for distribution with the live programming, delineating a time period within the live programming display during which a user selection may be accepted;
adding overlay function data for distribution with the live programming, controlling the distribution of alternate programming to be displayed in response to an individual user making a user selection in reaponse to the actionable event;
adding interface data for distribution with the live programming, providing indication to each of the plurality of users of the opportunity to make a user selection;
recognizing a user selection by one of the plurality of users in response to the actionable event; and distributing the user selected alternate programming for display to the user.
In another aspect the present invention resides in a system for distributing audiovisual programming, comprising:
a signal source providing live programming, displayed to a human operator located at the head end of a distribution system while distributed at substantially the same time to a plurality of remotely located users;
a processing unit located at the head end, coupled to the signal source, which is programmed to:
i) detect one of a plurality of pre-selected visual objects present within the live programming as an actiionable event, during which a user selection may be accepted; and ii) add data for distribution with the live programming in response to the detection of the visual object and in response to an operator selection of another actionable event made by the human operator, the added data including a) synchronization data delineating a time period within the live programming display during which a user selection may be accepted, b) overlay function data controlling the distribution of alternate programming to be displayed in response to an individual user making a user selection in response to the actionable event, and c) interface data providing indication to each of the plurality of users of the opportunity to make a user selection, transmission equiprr~ent distributing the live programming for display to the plurality of users;
a set-top box recognizing a user selection in response to the selected actionable event;
and a transaction process>or distributing the alternate programming to the user in response to the user selection.
In a further aspect the present invention resides in a method of distributing audiovisual programming, comprising the steps of:
S

displaying live programming to a human operator located at the head end of a distribution system while distributing for display the live programming at substantially the same time to a plurality of remotely located users;
adding data for distribution with the live programming in response to an operator selection of an actionable event, during which a user selection of alternate programming may be accepted, made by the human operator;
recognizing a user selection by one of the plurality of users in response to the actionable event; and distributing the user selected alternate programming for display to the user.
In a still further aspect, the present invention resides in a method of providing alternate program content, comprising:
selectively identifying user interaction points in primary program content distributed to a plurality of users from a first source; and selecting a second source of program content for distribution to a specific user, during distribution of said primary program content from said first source, in response to interaction by said specific user with one of said user interaction points.
In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a system for distributing program content comprising:
a signal source for delivering existing user program content for distribution to a plurality of remotely located users;
means for adding program specific iconization to existing user program content during distribution;
means for delivering program related content to users synchronized with the existing user program content; and Sa means for responding to user selection during user program display by altering the display to the user.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of distributing audiovisual programming, comprising the steps of: displaying live programming to a human operator located at the head end of° a distribution system while distributing for display the live programming at substantially the same time to a plurality of remotely located users; automatically detecting one of a plurality of pre-selected visual objects present within the live programming as an actionable event, during which a user selection may be accepted; adding data for distribution with the live programming in response to the detection of the visual object and in response to an operator selection of another actionable event made by the human operator; adding synchronization data for distxibution with the live programming, delineating a time period within the live programming display during which a user selection may be accepted; adding overlay ftmction data for distribution with the live programming, controlling the distribution of arlternate programming to be displayed in response to an individual 'user making a user selection in response to the actionable event; adding interface data for distribt.rtion with the live programming, providing indication to each of the plurality of users of the opportunity to make a user selection; recognizing a user selection by one of the plurality of users in response to the actionable event; and distributing the user selected alternate programming for display to the user.
In a still further aspect, the present invention lorovides a system for distributing audiovisual programming, comprising: a signal source providing live programming, displayed to a human operator located at the head end of a distribution system while distributed at substantially the same time to a plurality of remotely located users; a processing unit located at the head end, coupled to the signal source, which is programmed to: i) detect tine of a plurality of pre-selected visual objects present within the live programming as an actionable event, during which a user selection may be accepted; and ii) <~dd data for distribution with the Sb live programming in response to the detection of the visual object and in response to an operator selection of~another actionable event made by the human operator, the added data including a) synchronization data delineating a time period within the live programming display during which a user selection may be accepted, b) overlay function data controlling the distribution of alternate programming to be displayed in response to an individual user making a user selection in response to the actionable event, and c) interface data providing indication to each of the plurality of users of the opportunity to make a user selection; transmission equipment distributing the live programming for display to the plurality of users;
a set-top box recognizing a user selection in response to the selected actionable event; and a transaction processor distributing the alternate programming to the user in response to the user selection.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a functional block diagram crf a head end of an interactive television system utilizing the teachings of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of a remote user location of an interactive audiovisual system utilizing the teachings of the present invention.
Figure 3 shows om possible implementation of synchronization data.
Figure 4 is a flowchart of the detailed process performed by the processing unit in the head end of an interactive audiovisual system in one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a flowchart of the detailed process performed by the processing unit in the set-top box in one embodiment of the present invention.
Sc Detailed Description of the Invention 1. General Considerations In the present case, the operations descrihed herein are machine operations performed automatically or in conjunction with a human operator. Useful machines for performing the operations of the present inventions include general purpose digital computers. digitally controlled displays, or other similar devices such as set-top hox control systems, video on demand servers and the like. The present invention relates to method steps fc~r operating an interactive audiovisual system and prcwessing electrical or other physical signals to generate onher desired physical signals.
IO The present invention alse~ relates to apparatus for performing these uperatic~ns. This apparatus may he specially constructed fr~r the required purposes or it may comprise general purpose computers selectively activated or recontigured by computer prcygrams stored in the computers. The method steps presented herein are nut inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. In particular, various general purpose machines may he used l5 with programs in accordance with the teae;hings herein, or it may prove more u~nvenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required steps.
Additicmally, no particular programming language has been indicated fur carrying out the various methods descrihed herein. Each designer of a particular computer, interactive multimedia system, ur other display apparatus will he aware of a language which is most 20 suitable for his or her immediate purposes. Because the computers, servers, processing units, set-top boxes and other devices which may he used in practicing the present invention consists of many diverse elements, no detailed program listing has been provided. It is considered that the operations and other procedures descrihed herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are sufticiently disclosed to enahle one of ordinary skill to practice 25 the present invention.
In a typical interactive audiovisual system, a head-end is coupled to a wire or wireless, analog or digital. communication medium such as cahle, satellite.
microwave, terrestrial wave car optical tiher, which is in turn coupled to a plurality of users. At the SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 28) location of each user, a set-top box is coupled to the communication medium fr~r receiving programming and data from the head end. In some systems it may he necessary for the set-top box to send data hack to the head end via the same communication medium or a different communication medium. F«r example, a satellite signal could he used to transmit S programming and data from the head end to the set-top box, while a wire telephony system may be used to send data from the set-top box back to the head end. The set-top box is also coupled to a television or other audiovisual display unit to enable the presentation of programming and data sent from the head end. The set-top box may include a processing unit coupled to a memory and other electronic modules such as decoders, decotnpressors and audiovisual generators. Computer programming and data tiles are stored within the memory and accessible by the processing unit. The processing unit generates and displays a graphical user interface on the user's audiovisual display unit, and controls any interactive communication between the user and the head end. Typically the user's system will include a user input device, such as a remcne control device, for use in conjunction with the set-top box to enable the user to make selections, vhange channels and settings, and perform other functions.
2. General System Cc~ntigurati~m One embodiment of the present invention may he described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure I iv a functional block diagram of a head end of an interactive television system utilizing the teachings «f the present invention. Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of a remote user location of an interactive audiovisual system utilizing the teachings of the present invention. In operation, as one of the first tasks in implementing this embodiment of the present invention, the entire length of each program with which users will he able to interact is indexed with sequential code data, which sequential code data may correspond to the elapsed time c~f each acid program during its presentation.
For example, the SMPTE time code and the Sc~ny RC time code are well-known in the art as forms of sequential wde data. Once the program has peen sequentially coded, any actionable event in a program can he uniquely identified by the beginning and ending sequential clldes during which the event occurs. It is tc~ he noted that data other than time may he used to index the program sequentially, such as, fcw example, the number of digital hytec read, the number of film frames elapsed, or some other nan-time-based means for counting.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/28916 PCTIiJS97123751 As a next step in implementing the system illustrated in Fig. l, the program may he viewed by a human operator, hetore the program is to he transmitted to users, so that the operator may determine and record the sequential codes for the actionahle events. For example, in a certain program it may he determined that "silver spaceship appears at sequential codes 1:13:43 through I :14:17" or, in a hosted program guide, that "the on-screen host discusses Westerns at sequential codes 2:42:02 through 2:48:25." At this point there exists a set of data containing unique indicators for each actionahle event in the programming in the form of sequential cede data associated with each of those actionahle events.
After the actionahle events in a given program have heen identified using the associated sequential code data. the overlay functions that will he made availahle to the user and the interface thrcmgh which the availahility of the overlay functions will he presented to the user and through which the user will access the overlay functions, can he created for the program. Instructions to he used by the set-top hox to allow the user to select overlay functions will he included as part of the interface data. As one example of the 1S implementation of interface data, user input can be determined by defining a screen area of the user's audiovisual display unit which may be actively selected by a user.
and implementing the corresponding overlay function if the user selects the defined screen area using a cursor c>r some other means for indicating the selection of a certain screen area. For example, the twa-dimensional (X, Y) screen coordinates defining a selectahle area of the screen may he sent tc~ the set-top hox as part of the interface data.
Alternatively, the interface data defining a selectahle screen area might include the two-dimensional ccmrdinates of a single point on the screen and the radius of a circle centered at the single point. The set-top box may he programmed to generate the areas defined by the interface data.
In addition to defining the selectahle screen areas, the interface data may also include visual indicators, or overlays, which will appear over the program shown to the viewer during the actionahle event to indicate where the selectable screen areas are located. For example, a certain object appearing on the screen may he highlighted in a certain transparent color to indicate to the user that the oh,ject may he selected with a cursor to perform an cwerlay fimctiun while the object is highlighted. As another example, the interface data may include a graphical, animated or live-action icon that will appear at a certain area on the screen while the actionable event is occurring. In this example, the location of the icon would c«incide with a selectable screen area so that the user may implement an associated cwerlay iimction by SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) selecting the icon. As another example, the interface data may be used to implement an audiovisual program guide that allows a user to select programming being shown at the time.
The user's screen may separated into two or more screen areas, with each of the areas displaying a different program, or an icon or other representation of a different program, that is available to the user at the time. As described above, the interface data may include the two-dimensional (X,Y) coordinates of each screen area, as well as a visual indicator, or overlay, which will appear over the selectable screen area coinciding with the position of the user's cursor at the time. When the user moves the cursor to another selectable screen area, the visual indicator would appear over the new selectable screen area, which may then he selected by the user with the cursor to access the programming represented in that selectable screen area.
As another example of the implementation of interface data, the user might perform a function by pressing a special button on a remote control device when a text message generated by the set-top box appears at the bottom of the screen. in such a case, the interface data could include the text message to he displayed, or the interface data may include instructions to the set-top box to generate the text message.
It is to he understood that the interface need not include a graphical overlay to indicate an actionable event. Users may he prompted by other means to perform overlay functions during actionable events. For example, a program may include a speaking host (who may or may nc~t appear on screen) that tells the user which overlay functu~ns may he performed at the time as well as how the user may perform the functions.
Alternatively, the interface data may include audio data which is to he heard by the user when overlay functions are enabled.
After the operator has created the interface data and overlay function set that will he made available to the user for a given actionable event, it will he necessary to uniquely associate the interface data and overlay function set with the related actionable event. The interface data and overlay function set tier a given actionable event may he uniquely associated with the actionable event by using the same sequential code data to identify the actionable event, the related overlay function set and the related interface data. This may be accomplished by assigning the sequential code data for the actionable event to the related SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) interface data and overlay function set. By assigning sequential code data tc~
the interface data and overlay function set that matches the sequential code data of the related actionahle event, the interface data and overlay function set can he retrieved from memory at the proper time and synchronized with the related actionahle event by comparing the sequential code data assigned to the interface data and overlay function set with the current sequential code data during the presentation of the program to the user. Accordingly, it is understood that for each sequentially coded program, synchronization data is created by a human operator which data contains the sequential code data for the actionable events in the programming and the location in memory of interface data and overlay function set to he retrieved and presented to the user when the sequential code data for each actionahle event is encountered.
Those skilled in the art will understand that the synchronization data may take the form of a look-up table.
Figure 3 shows one way in which synchronization data to he accessed by the processing unit (12) may he structured. In Figure 3, the synchronization data is depicted as a tahle of addresses of the calls tier the overlay function set and interface data associated with each actionahle event in a program. It should he understood that additional attrihutes may he included in the synchronization data shown in Figure 3, such as a suhset of user set-top hox addresses for which a given actionahle event will or will not he actionahle.
Fear example, if a certain group of users are n«t authorized to select overlay functions tier a given event, the synchronization data may contain the set-top hc~x addresses for those unauthorized users so that the processing unit can he instructed nut to send the overlay function set and interface data for the actionahle event to the unauthorized users.
Referring now to head end (2) shown in Figure I, the first emhodiment of the present invention uses sequentially coded programming received at the head end (2) by various means including transmission via satellite (4) from a remote location, or such sequentially coded programming may he stored in signal storage (6) at the head end. It is to he understood that sequentially ceded programming may he stored in a variety of formats, including hut nc>t limited to MPEG ti~rmat, DVD, videotape, or other formats. A switcher (8) is provided which switches hetween the pr«gramming sources depending upon which is desired to he transmitted to the user. It is understood by these skilled in the art that the switcher may take many forms. The switcher transmits the sequentially coded program to a signal cc~mhiner SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) (l0). It is understood that the signal comhiner is well-known in the art and may he a multiplexer, a line inserter or ether component.
The sequentially coded program is also transmitted to a processing unit {(2), which may include components such as random access memory, processors, cc~-processors, and interface drivers. Figure 4 illustrates the detailed process performed by the processing unit ( l2) in the present embodiment. At block (60), the processing unit ( 12) retrieves the synchronization data for the program from memory (14). The synchronization data is predetermined and may be stored in memory (14) by a human operator or downloaded to memory automatically from the source of the sequentially coded program with which the synchronization data is associated, prior to the transmission of the program.
At block (62), the processing unit (12) reads the sequential code data associated with the sequentially coded program. At block (64), the processing unit (12) references the sequential crude data tc> the synchronization data. At block (6G), the processing unit (12) determines whether an overlay function set and interface data exist fc>r the current sequential code data (i.e., whether there is an actionable event occurring in the programming). At block (68), if an overlay function set and interface data exist tbr the sequential code data read by the processing unit (12), the processing unit (I2) retrieves the interface data from memory (16) and the overlay function set from memory (18). If an overlay function set and interface data do not exist for the sequential code data being read, the processing unit prepares itself to read the next sequential code data. The overlay function set and interface data is predetermined and may he stored in memories (16 and 18) by a human operator or downloaded to memory automatically from the source of the sequentially coded program with which the synchronization data is associated, prior to the transmission of the program. At block (70), after retrieving the interface data and the overlay function set from memory, the processing unit (12) sends the overlay function set and interface data to the signal comhiner (10), which combines the overlay function set and interface data with the sequentially coded program so that the combined signal output by the signal cumhiner (10) contains the interface data and the cwerlay function set synchronized with the actionable event identified by the sequential code data read by the processing unit (12). The signal mmhiner (10) sends the combined signal to the head end transmission equipment (22) tier transmission to one or more remote user locations (as shown in Figure 2) via communication medium (30). It is understood that head end transmission equipment may take various forms and is well-known in the art. It shcauld further he SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) understood that, in this embodiment. the synchronization of the interface data and the overlay function set with the associated actionable event occurs in the head end (2).
Alternatively, such synchronization may occur at a remote location from which the synchronized interface data, overlay function set and program may he transmitted to the head end (2) or a plurality of head ends for ultimate transmission to users as further described herein.
It is to he understood that a number of unique protocols may he designed to implement the synchronization of overlay function sets and interface data with actionable events as disclosed in the present invention. Figures 6, 6a, 6h and 6c illustrate basic protocol fields, to be employed in a transport layer, that may he used to facilitate the synchronization process. The signal comhiner structures the combined signal as shown in Figure 6. The sequential code data tier a given actionable event may he sent first, fc~llc~wecl by the overlay function set for the a~tionahle event, followed by the interface data for the actionable event.
As shown in Figure 6a, the seduential code data for the actionable event may wnsist of the start and end codes tar the actic~nahle event. As shown in Figure 6h, the overlay function set may consist of the calls to he made by processing units to implement each available overlay function. As shown in Figure 6c, the interface data may consists c~f screen indicator attributes such as polygon shape, location, format, style and transitions.
The apparatus of the remote user location is shown in detail in Figure 2. The combined signal containing the program, overlay function set and interface data is received at a receiving unit, which may he a set-top box (34) as shown in Figure 2, by a network interface (36) which sends the combined signal to a decoder (38) which separates the program tram the overlay function set and interface data sent from the head end (2).
The decoder sends the program tc~ a signal comhiner (50) which sends the program to the audiovisual display unit (52) for presentati<m to the user. Simultaneously, the dec;~~der sends the synchronized interface data and overlay function set to a processing unit (40), Figure 5 illustrates the detailed process performed by the processing unit (40) in the present embodiment. At black (72), the processing unit (40) receives the interface data and overlay function set. At hlcwk (74), the processing unit (40) reads and fi~rmats the interface data. At black (76), the processing unit (40) implements the user interface in acu~rdance with the instructions contained within the interface data, including sending visual, audible, textual, and other material to the signal camhiner (50) for presentation to the user in synchronization with SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98128916 PC'TIUS97123751 the actionable event being cent to the audiovisual display unit (52). At block (78), the processing unit (40) simultaneously reads the overlay function set and enables overlay functions in synchronization with the actionable event being sent to the audiovisual display unit (52) so that the user is able to implement the various overlay functions.
The user may implement those functions by making selections using a remote control device (48) which transmits input signals to a control interface (46) coupled to the processing unit (40). At block {80), the prcscessing unit (40) determines whether the user has selected an overlay function. At block (82), if the user has selected an overlay function, the pr«cessing unit (40) causes the selected overlay function to he pertt>rmed. One or more of the cwerlay functions l0 selected by the user may he performed in the set-top box (34) by the processing unit (40), which may include components such as interface drivers, processors, and co-processors and may include random access memory (42) capable of running applications that may he accessible as part of the overlay functions available to the user. Such applications may he pre-loaded in the set-top box yr downloaded from the head end as needed.
Alternatively, one or more of the overlay functions selected by the user may he performed at the head end (2) or other remote location. Signals received from the user at the control interface (46) by the processing unit (40) may he sent through the network interface (36) via communication medium (32) to a transaction processor (24) located at the head end (2), which causes the implementation of the overlay functions. It should he understood at this point that communication medium (32) and communication medium (30) may he the same medium or they me he different. For example, communication medium (30) may he a satellite signal, while communication medium (32) may he electrical wire, or alternatively, a two-way optical fiber may he used as the sole communicaticm medium between the head end (2) and a plurality of remote user locations. The transaction processor may he cempled tv Internet servers (28), databases (26), computer networks and other components to facilitate the implementation of the various cwerlay functions selected by users. For example, if an overlay ftcnctic>n allows the user to connect to a world-wide web site containing information related to an acticmahle event in the programming being presented, the transaction processor may he connected to an Internet server to allow the user to access the m>rld-wide web site.
As another example, if an c>verlay function allows the user to request tc~ he reminded when a future program is ah«ut to begin, the transaction processor may he connected tc~ a computer system set up to store unique user addresses and program reminder intivrmatie~n to he sent to such addresses. At block (84), if the user did not select an overlay tunctic~n, the processing SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) unit (40) determines whether the current actionable event has ended. If the actionable event has not ended, the processing unit (40) continues to determine whether the user has selected an overlay function. If the acticmahle event has ended, the processing unit (40) resets and awaits the next actionable event.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, the synchronization c~f the interface data and the overlay function set with the associated actionable event occurs in the set-top box (34) instead of in the head end (2). In such an embodiment, referring again tc~ Figure 1, the processing unit (12) may determine from data received prior to receiving the sequentially coded program whether overlay fimction sets and interface data are available for the program (i.e., whether there are one car more actionable events occurring in the programming). If overlay function sets and interface data are available, the processing unit ( 12) retrieves them from memory (16 and 18) and sends them to the set-top box (34) at some time prior to the transmission of the program to the set-top box (34). The processing unit ( 12) also retrieves synchronization data from memory ( 14) which, as further described hele~w.
will allow the set-t5 top box (34) to synchronize overlay function sets and interface data with actionable events haled upon sequential code data. It is to he understood that the synchronization data, overlay function sets and interface data may he stored with the associated program (in signal storage (6) or in storage at the iwatiun from which satellite transmitted programs are transmitted) and transmitted immediately prior to the transmission of the program to the switcher (8) and subsequently to the pr<wessing unit (12) and on to the set-top box (34).
The synchronization data, overlay function set and interface data, and the sequentially coded program, are received at the set-top box (34) by network interface (36) u~upled to decoder (38). The decoder (38) sends the synchronization data, interface data and overlay function data to a processing unit (40) which stores them in memory (44). The pre>cessing unit (40) performs the same process detailed in Figure 4 as described with respect tc~ the first embodiment, whereby the processing unit (40) is programmed to read the seduential code data associated with the program and reference it to the synchronization data stored in memory (44) to determine whether overlay function sets and interface data exist for the sequential code data read by the processing unit (40) i.e., whether there are actionable events occurring in the programming). If averlay function sets and interface data exist t«r the sequential code data read by the processing unit (40), the processing unit retrieves the overlay SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) function sets and interface data from memory (44). The processing unit (40) reads the interface data and implements the user interface in accordance with the instructions contained within the interface data, including sending visual, audible, textual, and other material to the signal comhiner (SO) for presentation to the user in synchronization with the actionable event being sent to the audiovisual display unit (S2). The processing unit (40) also reads the overlay function set and enables overlay functions in synchronization with the actionable event being sent to the audiovisual display unit (S2) so that the user is able to implement the various overlay functions.
In a third embodiment e~f the present invention, it should he appreciated that a program and related interface data and overlay function sets may he stored in transportable media such that actionable events in the programming are synchronized with associated interface data and overlay function sets prior to presentation to a user. In such an embodiment, the synchrcmizaticm process described in the first embodiment and shown in Figure 1 as occurring in the head end (2) may he performed as described, except that the combined signal which is output by the signal comhiner (10) may he stored in storage (20) for later transmission from the head end (2) as already described for the first embodiment, or for transfer to copies of transp«rtahle media, such as videotape, compact disc, DVD or other formats. Alternatively, the cc~mhined signal which is output by the signal comhiner (10) may he transmitted to the remote user location, as described in the first embodiment, and then stored in transpc~rtahle media by an appropriate recording/playhack device (S4) coupled to decoder (38) through external device interface (S6). As shown in Figure 2, during playback from transportable media by rec;c~rdinglplayhack device (S4}, the combined signal is transmitted through external device interface (S6) to decoder (38) and is processed as described in the first embodiment presented herein. Although the transmission of the program would originate in the user's home or other remote location from the recording/playhack device (S4), it would still he possible for one or mare of the overlay functions selected by the user to he performed at the head end (2) or other remote location instead of in the set-tc>p box (34). Signals received from the user at the contrc>I interface (46) by the processing unit may he sent through the network interface (36) via communication medium (32) to a transacticw processor (24) located at the head end (2) car other remote location, which would implement the overlay functions.
IS
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) In yet another embodiment c~f the present invention, actionable events fcor a program may he selected, and interface data and overlay function sets may he created or selected for those actionable events and made available to users, during the transmission of the program.
In this embodiment, a human operator using a general purpose computer located at a head end location (2) may select overlay hmctions and create an interface, or select a pre-existing interface, for a given event that the operator wishes to make actionable tier users. After selecting the overlay functions and the interface tier the current event which the operator wishes to make actionable, the operator instructs the processing unit (12) in the head end to immediately send the overlay function set and interface data to the signal comhiner (30) to be l0 synchronized with the event being transmitted to users at the time. In this emhc~diment, it is not necessary for the program to he sequentially coded in advance of transmissicm since the «perator determines when the overlay function sets and interface data should he sent to users.
Upon receipt at the set-top hux (34), the program, the interface data and the overlay function sets are handled in the same fashion as the first embodiment described herein, whereby the overlay function sets and interface data are processed by the processing unit (40) and presented to users immediately.
There has been described newel methods and apparatus for linking real-time data with audiovisual content to enable a user to make selections, manipulate data, and to execute functions by interacting with the audiovisual content being shown at the time.
It is evident that those skilled in the art may now make numerous uses and modifications e~f and departures from the specific embodiments described herein without departing from the inventive concepts. Consequently, the invention is to he construed as embracing each and every novel feature and novel combination crf features present in car possessed by the apparatus and methods herein disclosed and limited solely by the spirit and snipe of the appended claims.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims (9)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A method of distributing audiovisual programming, comprising the steps of:
displaying live programming to a human operator located at the head end of a distribution system while distributing for display the live programming at substantially the same time to a plurality of remotely located users;
automatically detecting one of a plurality of pre-selected visual objects present within the live programming as an actionable event, during which a user selection may be accepted;
adding data for distribution with the live programming in response to the detection of the visual object and in response to an operator selection of another actionable event made by the human operator;
adding synchronization data for distribution with the live programming, delineating a time period within the live programming display during which a user selection may be accepted;
adding overlay function data for distribution with the live programming, controlling the distribution of alternate programming to be displayed in response to an individual user making a user selection in response to the actionable event;
adding interface data for distribution with the live programming, providing indication to each of the plurality of users of the opportunity to make a user selection;
recognizing a user selection by one of the plurality of users in response to the actionable event; and distributing the user selected alternate programming for display to the user.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of adding data further comprises the step of:

adding interface data for visually indicating to the user the opportunity to make a user selection.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of adding data further comprises the step of:
adding interface data for visually indicating with an animated icon the opportunity to make a user selection.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of adding data further comprises the step of:
adding interface data for indicating to the user with audio prompting the opportunity to make a user selection.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of adding data further comprises the step of:
adding interface data for visually indicating with two or more selectable screen areas the opportunity to make a user selection.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of adding data further comprises the step of:
adding data for visually distinguishing the automatically detected visual object in the live programming being displayed to the plurality of users.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of distributing alternate programming is performed without storing information indicating which programming said user was viewing prior to making said user selection.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
displaying said alternate programming to a second human operator;
adding second data to said alternate programming in response to a second operator selection of a second actionable event;

recognizing a second user selection made by said user in response to the second actionable event; and distributing second alternate programming for display to said user.
9. A system for distributing audiovisual programming, comprising:
a signal source providing live programming, displayed to a human operator located at the head end of a distribution system while distributed at substantially the same time to a plurality of remotely located users;
a processing unit located at the head end, coupled to the signal source, which is programmed to:
i) detect one of a plurality of pre-selected visual objects present within the live programming as an actionable event, during which a user selection may be accepted; and ii) add data for distribution with the live programming in response to the detection of the visual object and in response to an operator selection of another actionable event made by the human operator, the added data including a) synchronization data delineating a time period within the live programming display during which a user selection may be accepted, b) overlay function data controlling the distribution of alternate programming to be displayed in response to an individual user making a user selection in response to the actionable event, and c) interface data providing indication to each of the plurality of users of the opportunity to make a user selection;
transmission equipment distributing the live programming for display to the plurality of users;
a set-top box recognizing a user selection in response to the selected actionable event; and a transaction processor distributing the alternate programming to the user in response to the user selection.
CA002278496A 1996-12-23 1997-12-22 Interactivity with audiovisual programming Expired - Lifetime CA2278496C (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002499285A CA2499285C (en) 1996-12-23 1997-12-22 Interactivity with audiovisual programming

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/773,263 US5931908A (en) 1996-12-23 1996-12-23 Visual object present within live programming as an actionable event for user selection of alternate programming wherein the actionable event is selected by human operator at a head end for distributed data and programming
US08/773,263 1996-12-23
PCT/US1997/023751 WO1998028916A1 (en) 1996-12-23 1997-12-22 Interactivity with audiovisual programming

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002499285A Division CA2499285C (en) 1996-12-23 1997-12-22 Interactivity with audiovisual programming

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2278496A1 CA2278496A1 (en) 1998-07-02
CA2278496C true CA2278496C (en) 2005-06-21

Family

ID=25097694

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002499285A Expired - Lifetime CA2499285C (en) 1996-12-23 1997-12-22 Interactivity with audiovisual programming
CA002278496A Expired - Lifetime CA2278496C (en) 1996-12-23 1997-12-22 Interactivity with audiovisual programming

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002499285A Expired - Lifetime CA2499285C (en) 1996-12-23 1997-12-22 Interactivity with audiovisual programming

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US5931908A (en)
EP (2) EP0945018B1 (en)
JP (1) JP4346688B2 (en)
AU (1) AU739891B2 (en)
CA (2) CA2499285C (en)
DE (1) DE69731549T2 (en)
WO (1) WO1998028916A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (233)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0786121B1 (en) 1994-10-12 2000-01-12 Touchtunes Music Corporation Intelligent digital audiovisual playback system
US7188352B2 (en) 1995-07-11 2007-03-06 Touchtunes Music Corporation Intelligent digital audiovisual playback system
US7424731B1 (en) 1994-10-12 2008-09-09 Touchtunes Music Corporation Home digital audiovisual information recording and playback system
US8661477B2 (en) 1994-10-12 2014-02-25 Touchtunes Music Corporation System for distributing and selecting audio and video information and method implemented by said system
US5818438A (en) 1995-04-25 1998-10-06 Bellsouth Corporation System and method for providing television services
US5905865A (en) 1995-10-30 1999-05-18 Web Pager, Inc. Apparatus and method of automatically accessing on-line services in response to broadcast of on-line addresses
CN1655595A (en) * 1996-09-11 2005-08-17 松下电器产业株式会社 Apparatus for transmitting data
FR2753868A1 (en) 1996-09-25 1998-03-27 Technical Maintenance Corp METHOD FOR SELECTING A RECORDING ON AN AUDIOVISUAL DIGITAL REPRODUCTION SYSTEM AND SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD
US6256785B1 (en) 1996-12-23 2001-07-03 Corporate Media Patners Method and system for providing interactive look-and-feel in a digital broadcast via an X-Y protocol
US8640160B2 (en) 1997-01-06 2014-01-28 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Method and system for providing targeted advertisements
US7587323B2 (en) 2001-12-14 2009-09-08 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. System and method for developing tailored content
US8677384B2 (en) 2003-12-12 2014-03-18 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Methods and systems for network based capture of television viewer generated clickstreams
US6195090B1 (en) 1997-02-28 2001-02-27 Riggins, Iii A. Stephen Interactive sporting-event monitoring system
CN100525443C (en) * 1997-03-17 2009-08-05 松下电器产业株式会社 Method and apparatus for processing, transmitting and receiving dynamic image data
US6209028B1 (en) 1997-03-21 2001-03-27 Walker Digital, Llc System and method for supplying supplemental audio information for broadcast television programs
JP4596495B2 (en) * 1997-07-18 2010-12-08 ソニー株式会社 CONTROL DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD, ELECTRIC DEVICE SYSTEM, ELECTRIC DEVICE SYSTEM CONTROL METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM
JP4045615B2 (en) 1997-07-18 2008-02-13 ソニー株式会社 Receiving device, receiving method, and recording medium
US6802076B1 (en) 1997-07-18 2004-10-05 Sony Corporation Control device, control method, electric apparatus, control method of an electric apparatus, electric apparatus system, control method of an electric apparatus system, and transmission medium
AU8913098A (en) * 1997-09-18 1999-04-05 Prevue International, Inc. Electronic-mail reminder for an internet television program guide
FR2769165B1 (en) 1997-09-26 2002-11-29 Technical Maintenance Corp WIRELESS SYSTEM WITH DIGITAL TRANSMISSION FOR SPEAKERS
US6298482B1 (en) * 1997-11-12 2001-10-02 International Business Machines Corporation System for two-way digital multimedia broadcast and interactive services
US20020080163A1 (en) * 1998-02-23 2002-06-27 Morey Dale D. Information retrieval system
US6538675B2 (en) * 1998-04-17 2003-03-25 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Display control apparatus and display control system for switching control of two position indication marks
US6160570A (en) * 1998-04-20 2000-12-12 U.S. Philips Corporation Digital television system which selects images for display in a video sequence
US8220017B1 (en) * 1998-04-30 2012-07-10 International Business Machines Corporation System and method for programmatic generation of continuous media presentations
US6536041B1 (en) 1998-06-16 2003-03-18 United Video Properties, Inc. Program guide system with real-time data sources
US6215483B1 (en) * 1998-06-17 2001-04-10 Webtv Networks, Inc. Combining real-time and batch mode logical address links
US6400407B1 (en) 1998-06-17 2002-06-04 Webtv Networks, Inc. Communicating logical addresses of resources in a data service channel of a video signal
US7181756B1 (en) 1998-06-17 2007-02-20 Microsoft Corporation Television/internet terminal user interface
FR2781582B1 (en) 1998-07-21 2001-01-12 Technical Maintenance Corp SYSTEM FOR DOWNLOADING OBJECTS OR FILES FOR SOFTWARE UPDATE
FR2781580B1 (en) 1998-07-22 2000-09-22 Technical Maintenance Corp SOUND CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR INTELLIGENT DIGITAL AUDIOVISUAL REPRODUCTION SYSTEM
FR2781591B1 (en) 1998-07-22 2000-09-22 Technical Maintenance Corp AUDIOVISUAL REPRODUCTION SYSTEM
US8028318B2 (en) 1999-07-21 2011-09-27 Touchtunes Music Corporation Remote control unit for activating and deactivating means for payment and for displaying payment status
US9924234B2 (en) * 1998-07-23 2018-03-20 Comcast Ip Holdings I, Llc Data structure and methods for providing an interactive program
US6754905B2 (en) * 1998-07-23 2004-06-22 Diva Systems Corporation Data structure and methods for providing an interactive program guide
US7694319B1 (en) * 1998-11-02 2010-04-06 United Video Properties, Inc. Interactive program guide with continuous data stream and client-server data supplementation
EP1331830A1 (en) * 1998-12-24 2003-07-30 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Recording/reproduction device and method for digital broadcasting
US8726330B2 (en) 1999-02-22 2014-05-13 Touchtunes Music Corporation Intelligent digital audiovisual playback system
WO2000055962A2 (en) 1999-03-15 2000-09-21 Sony Electronics, Inc. Electronic media system, method and device
US6567796B1 (en) * 1999-03-23 2003-05-20 Microstrategy, Incorporated System and method for management of an automatic OLAP report broadcast system
US8321411B2 (en) 1999-03-23 2012-11-27 Microstrategy, Incorporated System and method for management of an automatic OLAP report broadcast system
US7188353B1 (en) * 1999-04-06 2007-03-06 Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. System for presenting synchronized HTML documents in digital television receivers
US6938270B2 (en) 1999-04-07 2005-08-30 Microsoft Corporation Communicating scripts in a data service channel of a video signal
US20010034728A1 (en) * 1999-04-14 2001-10-25 Mcbride Stephen Larry Method and apparatus for automatically synchronizing data to electronic devices across a communications network
US6804689B1 (en) * 1999-04-14 2004-10-12 Iomega Corporation Method and apparatus for automatically synchronizing data to destination media
US6904610B1 (en) 1999-04-15 2005-06-07 Sedna Patent Services, Llc Server-centric customized interactive program guide in an interactive television environment
US6754271B1 (en) 1999-04-15 2004-06-22 Diva Systems Corporation Temporal slice persistence method and apparatus for delivery of interactive program guide
US7096487B1 (en) 1999-10-27 2006-08-22 Sedna Patent Services, Llc Apparatus and method for combining realtime and non-realtime encoded content
US6460180B1 (en) * 1999-04-20 2002-10-01 Webtv Networks, Inc. Enabling and/or disabling selected types of broadcast triggers
US8607138B2 (en) 1999-05-28 2013-12-10 Microstrategy, Incorporated System and method for OLAP report generation with spreadsheet report within the network user interface
US9208213B2 (en) 1999-05-28 2015-12-08 Microstrategy, Incorporated System and method for network user interface OLAP report formatting
JP2000358217A (en) * 1999-06-14 2000-12-26 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Digital broadcasting system and digital video recording and reproducing device
US7222155B1 (en) 1999-06-15 2007-05-22 Wink Communications, Inc. Synchronous updating of dynamic interactive applications
US7634787B1 (en) 1999-06-15 2009-12-15 Wink Communications, Inc. Automatic control of broadcast and execution of interactive applications to maintain synchronous operation with broadcast programs
US7069571B1 (en) 1999-06-15 2006-06-27 Wink Communications, Inc. Automated retirement of interactive applications using retirement instructions for events and program states
US6668378B2 (en) * 1999-06-30 2003-12-23 Webtv Networks, Inc. Interactive television triggers having connected content/disconnected content attribute
US6415438B1 (en) * 1999-10-05 2002-07-02 Webtv Networks, Inc. Trigger having a time attribute
US6988138B1 (en) 1999-06-30 2006-01-17 Blackboard Inc. Internet-based education support system and methods
US7908602B2 (en) 1999-06-30 2011-03-15 Blackboard Inc. Internet-based education support system, method and medium providing security attributes in modular, extensible components
US6341375B1 (en) 1999-07-14 2002-01-22 Lsi Logic Corporation Video on demand DVD system
FR2796482B1 (en) 1999-07-16 2002-09-06 Touchtunes Music Corp REMOTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR AT LEAST ONE AUDIOVISUAL INFORMATION REPRODUCING DEVICE
US7106360B1 (en) 1999-08-10 2006-09-12 U'r There! Entertainment, Ltd. Method for distributing sports entertainment
US7254825B1 (en) * 1999-08-23 2007-08-07 Xperex Corporation Method and device with DVD and HTML control environments
US6229541B1 (en) 1999-09-03 2001-05-08 Isurftv Use of templates for cost-effective secure linking of video stream objects
US7013428B1 (en) 1999-09-03 2006-03-14 Yakov Kamen Use of templates for cost-effective secure linking of video stream objects
US8130918B1 (en) 1999-09-13 2012-03-06 Microstrategy, Incorporated System and method for the creation and automatic deployment of personalized, dynamic and interactive voice services, with closed loop transaction processing
US6587547B1 (en) * 1999-09-13 2003-07-01 Microstrategy, Incorporated System and method for the creation and automatic deployment of personalized, dynamic and interactive voice services, with real-time drilling via telephone
US6964012B1 (en) 1999-09-13 2005-11-08 Microstrategy, Incorporated System and method for the creation and automatic deployment of personalized, dynamic and interactive voice services, including deployment through personalized broadcasts
EP1214842B1 (en) * 1999-09-20 2010-11-17 TiVo, Inc. Closed caption tagging system
JP2001093226A (en) * 1999-09-21 2001-04-06 Sony Corp Information communication system and method, and information communication device and method
EP1222549B1 (en) * 1999-09-28 2013-04-03 Microsoft Corporation Information flow management in real time
US7636752B2 (en) 1999-09-28 2009-12-22 Parlano, Inc. System and method for managing information and collaborating
AU7862300A (en) * 1999-10-07 2001-05-10 World Multicast.Com, Inc. Automated subscriber ip multicast programming
US6628307B1 (en) 1999-11-03 2003-09-30 Ronald J. Fair User interface for internet application
US6675158B1 (en) * 1999-11-30 2004-01-06 Sony Corporation Method and apparatus for organizing data pertaining to audiovisual content
US6674994B1 (en) 1999-12-01 2004-01-06 Panamsat Corporation Pickup and delivery of data files
US6564064B1 (en) * 1999-12-01 2003-05-13 Trimble Navigation Limited Cellular telephone using pseudolites for determining location
US7174562B1 (en) 1999-12-20 2007-02-06 Microsoft Corporation Interactive television triggers having connected content/disconnected content attribute
US7302697B1 (en) * 2000-01-26 2007-11-27 Intel Corporation Broadcast pause and resume for enhanced television
US7631338B2 (en) * 2000-02-02 2009-12-08 Wink Communications, Inc. Interactive content delivery methods and apparatus
US7028327B1 (en) * 2000-02-02 2006-04-11 Wink Communication Using the electronic program guide to synchronize interactivity with broadcast programs
FR2805377B1 (en) 2000-02-23 2003-09-12 Touchtunes Music Corp EARLY ORDERING PROCESS FOR A SELECTION, DIGITAL SYSTEM AND JUKE-BOX FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD
FR2805060B1 (en) 2000-02-16 2005-04-08 Touchtunes Music Corp METHOD FOR RECEIVING FILES DURING DOWNLOAD
FR2805072B1 (en) 2000-02-16 2002-04-05 Touchtunes Music Corp METHOD FOR ADJUSTING THE SOUND VOLUME OF A DIGITAL SOUND RECORDING
JP4501209B2 (en) * 2000-03-08 2010-07-14 ソニー株式会社 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and remote control commander
JP2001326914A (en) * 2000-03-08 2001-11-22 Sony Corp Distribution processing system for contents of electronic information, information distribution device, information processor and distribution processing method for contents of electronic information
US6308327B1 (en) 2000-03-21 2001-10-23 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for integrated real-time interactive content insertion and monitoring in E-commerce enabled interactive digital TV
US7076434B1 (en) 2000-03-22 2006-07-11 Goldpocket Interactive, Inc. Method and system of playing and controlling a contest for a large number of simultaneous contestants
AU4691001A (en) * 2000-04-14 2001-10-30 Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Method, system, and apparatus for acquiring information concerning broadcast information
SE0001616L (en) * 2000-05-03 2001-11-04 Nokia Corp Push modes and systems
US6766524B1 (en) 2000-05-08 2004-07-20 Webtv Networks, Inc. System and method for encouraging viewers to watch television programs
FR2808906B1 (en) 2000-05-10 2005-02-11 Touchtunes Music Corp DEVICE AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY MANAGING A NETWORK OF AUDIOVISUAL INFORMATION REPRODUCTION SYSTEMS
US6795973B1 (en) 2000-05-25 2004-09-21 Intel Corporation Enhanced television recorder and player
US7269837B1 (en) * 2000-05-31 2007-09-11 Your Choice Interactive, Inc. Interactive television advertising method
FR2811175B1 (en) 2000-06-29 2002-12-27 Touchtunes Music Corp AUDIOVISUAL INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION METHOD AND AUDIOVISUAL INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
FR2811114B1 (en) 2000-06-29 2002-12-27 Touchtunes Music Corp DEVICE AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A SYSTEM FOR REPRODUCING AUDIOVISUAL INFORMATION AND AN ELECTRONIC ENTERTAINMENT MACHINE
US6498937B1 (en) 2000-07-14 2002-12-24 Trw Inc. Asymmetric bandwidth wireless communication techniques
AU2001276583A1 (en) * 2000-07-31 2002-02-13 Hypnotizer Method and system for receiving interactive dynamic overlays through a data stream and displaying it over a video content
US6760043B2 (en) 2000-08-21 2004-07-06 Intellocity Usa, Inc. System and method for web based enhanced interactive television content page layout
CA2419409A1 (en) * 2000-08-21 2002-02-28 Intellocity Usa, Inc. System and method for television enhancement
US6791579B2 (en) 2000-08-21 2004-09-14 Intellocity Usa, Inc. Method of enhancing streaming media content
US8205237B2 (en) 2000-09-14 2012-06-19 Cox Ingemar J Identifying works, using a sub-linear time search, such as an approximate nearest neighbor search, for initiating a work-based action, such as an action on the internet
FR2814085B1 (en) 2000-09-15 2005-02-11 Touchtunes Music Corp ENTERTAINMENT METHOD BASED ON MULTIPLE CHOICE COMPETITION GAMES
US6774908B2 (en) * 2000-10-03 2004-08-10 Creative Frontier Inc. System and method for tracking an object in a video and linking information thereto
PT1947858E (en) * 2000-10-11 2014-07-28 United Video Properties Inc Systems and methods for supplementing on-demand media
US6898799B1 (en) * 2000-10-23 2005-05-24 Clearplay, Inc. Multimedia content navigation and playback
US6889383B1 (en) 2000-10-23 2005-05-03 Clearplay, Inc. Delivery of navigation data for playback of audio and video content
US7975021B2 (en) 2000-10-23 2011-07-05 Clearplay, Inc. Method and user interface for downloading audio and video content filters to a media player
US20060031870A1 (en) * 2000-10-23 2006-02-09 Jarman Matthew T Apparatus, system, and method for filtering objectionable portions of a multimedia presentation
US20020126990A1 (en) * 2000-10-24 2002-09-12 Gary Rasmussen Creating on content enhancements
US20020091737A1 (en) * 2000-11-01 2002-07-11 Markel Steven O. System and method for rules based media enhancement
US7069310B1 (en) * 2000-11-10 2006-06-27 Trio Systems, Llc System and method for creating and posting media lists for purposes of subsequent playback
US7661117B2 (en) * 2000-11-27 2010-02-09 Intellocity Usa Inc. Displaying full screen streaming media advertising
US20020129364A1 (en) * 2000-11-27 2002-09-12 O2 Holdings, Llc On-screen display area enabling media convergence useful for viewers and audio/visual programmers
WO2002063877A1 (en) * 2001-02-07 2002-08-15 Digeo, Inc. Processing multiple triggers associated with applications integrated in an interactive television system
US7085842B2 (en) * 2001-02-12 2006-08-01 Open Text Corporation Line navigation conferencing system
US7668928B2 (en) 2001-03-13 2010-02-23 Goldpocket Interactive Inc. System and method for recording and playing back interactive content during a broadcast event
CA2441819A1 (en) * 2001-03-20 2002-09-26 Intellocity Usa, Inc. Video combiner
US20020162117A1 (en) * 2001-04-26 2002-10-31 Martin Pearson System and method for broadcast-synchronized interactive content interrelated to broadcast content
EP1271849B1 (en) * 2001-06-14 2004-04-14 Alcatel Terminal, access server system, method and computer program product allowing at least one user to contact at least one service system.
US8515773B2 (en) 2001-08-01 2013-08-20 Sony Corporation System and method for enabling distribution and brokering of content information
US7450826B2 (en) * 2001-10-09 2008-11-11 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Media program with selectable sub-segments
US7950033B2 (en) 2001-10-10 2011-05-24 Opentv, Inc. Utilization of relational metadata in a television system
US20030098869A1 (en) * 2001-11-09 2003-05-29 Arnold Glenn Christopher Real time interactive video system
CN1618181B (en) * 2001-12-05 2010-04-28 迪斯尼实业公司 System and method of wirelessly triggering portable devices
US20110178877A1 (en) 2001-12-14 2011-07-21 Swix Scott R Advertising and content management systems and methods
US7212979B1 (en) 2001-12-14 2007-05-01 Bellsouth Intellectuall Property Corporation System and method for identifying desirable subscribers
US9967633B1 (en) 2001-12-14 2018-05-08 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. System and method for utilizing television viewing patterns
US7086075B2 (en) * 2001-12-21 2006-08-01 Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation Method and system for managing timed responses to A/V events in television programming
US20030126611A1 (en) * 2001-12-28 2003-07-03 International Business Machines Corporation Methods and apparatus for controlling interactive television information and commerce services
US20040098753A1 (en) * 2002-03-20 2004-05-20 Steven Reynolds Video combiner
JP2005522112A (en) * 2002-04-02 2005-07-21 コーニンクレッカ　フィリップス　エレクトロニクス　エヌ　ヴィ Method and system for providing supplemental information for video programs
US8555313B2 (en) 2002-04-09 2013-10-08 Ericsson Television Inc. System and method for coordinating interactive television programs
US20060064506A1 (en) * 2002-04-09 2006-03-23 Mielke Gregory D Network architecture that supports a dynamic IP addressing protocol across a local exchange bridged network
US20030196206A1 (en) 2002-04-15 2003-10-16 Shusman Chad W. Method and apparatus for internet-based interactive programming
US20040210947A1 (en) 2003-04-15 2004-10-21 Shusman Chad W. Method and apparatus for interactive video on demand
US20040032486A1 (en) 2002-08-16 2004-02-19 Shusman Chad W. Method and apparatus for interactive programming using captioning
US8234165B2 (en) * 2002-08-28 2012-07-31 Funn Holdings LLC Digital tuner regulator platform (DTR)
AU2003268273B2 (en) * 2002-08-30 2007-07-26 Opentv, Inc Carousel proxy
US10373420B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2019-08-06 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital downloading jukebox with enhanced communication features
US8584175B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2013-11-12 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital downloading jukebox system with user-tailored music management, communications, and other tools
US11029823B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2021-06-08 Touchtunes Music Corporation Jukebox with customizable avatar
US8332895B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2012-12-11 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital downloading jukebox system with user-tailored music management, communications, and other tools
US8103589B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2012-01-24 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital downloading jukebox system with central and local music servers
US7822687B2 (en) * 2002-09-16 2010-10-26 Francois Brillon Jukebox with customizable avatar
US8151304B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2012-04-03 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital downloading jukebox system with user-tailored music management, communications, and other tools
US9646339B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2017-05-09 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital downloading jukebox system with central and local music servers
US20040064835A1 (en) * 2002-09-26 2004-04-01 International Business Machines Corporation System and method for content based on-demand video media overlay
US8634030B2 (en) * 2002-10-25 2014-01-21 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Streaming of digital data to a portable device
US7634779B2 (en) * 2002-11-20 2009-12-15 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Interpretation of DVD assembly language programs in Java TV-based interactive digital television environments
FR2849704A1 (en) * 2003-01-02 2004-07-09 Thomson Licensing Sa Conditional decision device for e.g. Internet decoder, has program obtaining module to start downloading if programs are not available, and decision obtaining module to allow or prevent downloading based on information
EP1599998B1 (en) 2003-02-11 2011-04-06 NDS Limited Apparatus and methods for handling interactive applications in broadcast networks
US20040267917A1 (en) * 2003-06-26 2004-12-30 Timo Tokkonen Wireless downloading of theme oriented content
US8418196B2 (en) * 2003-06-30 2013-04-09 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Interactive content with enhanced network operator control
US20040268404A1 (en) * 2003-06-30 2004-12-30 Gray James Harold System and method for message notification
US8635643B2 (en) 2003-06-30 2014-01-21 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. System and method for providing interactive media content over a network
US20040268385A1 (en) * 2003-06-30 2004-12-30 Gray James Harold User originated content notification
EP1664992A4 (en) * 2003-08-15 2010-05-19 Blackboard Inc Content system and associated methods
KR100966668B1 (en) * 2003-10-10 2010-06-29 샤프 가부시키가이샤 Content reproducing apparatus, content recording medium, content reproducing method and recording medium thereof
US8286203B2 (en) 2003-12-19 2012-10-09 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. System and method for enhanced hot key delivery
US8175444B2 (en) * 2004-01-14 2012-05-08 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method of reproducing from storage medium storing interactive graphics stream activated in response to user's command
US7324069B2 (en) * 2004-05-14 2008-01-29 Pixar Animation review methods and apparatus
WO2005116979A2 (en) 2004-05-17 2005-12-08 Visible Path Corporation System and method for enforcing privacy in social networks
US9021529B2 (en) 2004-07-15 2015-04-28 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Content recordation techniques
WO2006015238A2 (en) 2004-07-28 2006-02-09 Visible Path Corporation System and method for using social networks to facilitate business processes
US20060064723A1 (en) * 2004-09-20 2006-03-23 Thomas Poslinski Method for an instant pop-up interface for a set-top box
US20060075441A1 (en) * 2004-10-06 2006-04-06 Sony Corporation Method and system for a personal video recorder comprising multiple removable storage/tuner units
US8768844B2 (en) * 2004-10-06 2014-07-01 Sony Corporation Method and system for content sharing and authentication between multiple devices
US8117282B2 (en) 2004-10-20 2012-02-14 Clearplay, Inc. Media player configured to receive playback filters from alternative storage mediums
US20060141481A1 (en) * 2004-12-27 2006-06-29 Mariani Brian D HSV-1 and HSV-2 primers and probes
US7644103B2 (en) * 2005-01-25 2010-01-05 Microsoft Corporation MediaDescription data structures for carrying descriptive content metadata and content acquisition data in multimedia systems
US8326659B2 (en) * 2005-04-12 2012-12-04 Blackboard Inc. Method and system for assessment within a multi-level organization
US20060236220A1 (en) 2005-04-18 2006-10-19 Clearplay, Inc. Apparatus, System and Method for Associating One or More Filter Files with a Particular Multimedia Presentation
US8317618B2 (en) 2005-12-15 2012-11-27 At&T Intellectual Property I, Lp System, method and computer program for enabling an interactive game
US8161412B2 (en) * 2006-01-13 2012-04-17 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Systems, methods, and computer program products for providing interactive content
US8402503B2 (en) 2006-02-08 2013-03-19 At& T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Interactive program manager and methods for presenting program content
US7913155B2 (en) 2006-02-15 2011-03-22 International Business Machines Corporation Synchronizing method and system
US8065710B2 (en) 2006-03-02 2011-11-22 At& T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Apparatuses and methods for interactive communication concerning multimedia content
US9167208B2 (en) * 2006-04-07 2015-10-20 Your Choice Interactive, Inc. System and method for providing supplementary interactive content
US20070240232A1 (en) * 2006-04-07 2007-10-11 Pino Angelo J Interactive Television System and Method
US20090089838A1 (en) * 2006-04-07 2009-04-02 Pino Jr Angelo J Template Based System, Device and Method for Providing Interactive Content
JP2007304666A (en) * 2006-05-08 2007-11-22 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc Information output system and information output method
US8667540B2 (en) * 2006-07-07 2014-03-04 Apple Partners, Lp Web-based video broadcasting system having multiple channels
KR100772634B1 (en) * 2006-07-31 2007-11-02 삼성전자주식회사 Digital broadcasting system and method thereof
US20080066092A1 (en) * 2006-08-09 2008-03-13 Michael Laude System for interactive images and video
GB2441365B (en) * 2006-09-04 2009-10-07 Nds Ltd Displaying video data
US7614013B2 (en) * 2006-12-12 2009-11-03 Microsoft Corporation Remote media detection and presentation
US20080147497A1 (en) * 2006-12-13 2008-06-19 Tischer Steven N Advertising and content management systems and methods
CN101982982B (en) 2007-01-08 2013-09-25 Sk电信有限公司 System and method for synchronizing broadcast content with supplementary information
US9330529B2 (en) 2007-01-17 2016-05-03 Touchtunes Music Corporation Game terminal configured for interaction with jukebox device systems including same, and/or associated methods
US9171419B2 (en) 2007-01-17 2015-10-27 Touchtunes Music Corporation Coin operated entertainment system
US9953481B2 (en) 2007-03-26 2018-04-24 Touchtunes Music Corporation Jukebox with associated video server
AU2008260048B2 (en) * 2007-05-30 2012-09-13 Creatier Interactive, Llc Method and system for enabling advertising and transaction within user generated video content
US7925423B2 (en) * 2007-08-31 2011-04-12 Embarq Holdings Company, Llc System and method for traffic condition detection
US8418194B2 (en) * 2007-08-31 2013-04-09 Centurylink Intellectual Property Llc System and method for dynamic bandwidth allocation
JP5242105B2 (en) * 2007-09-13 2013-07-24 株式会社東芝 Information processing apparatus and information display method
US10290006B2 (en) 2008-08-15 2019-05-14 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital signage and gaming services to comply with federal and state alcohol and beverage laws and regulations
US8332887B2 (en) 2008-01-10 2012-12-11 Touchtunes Music Corporation System and/or methods for distributing advertisements from a central advertisement network to a peripheral device via a local advertisement server
US8849435B2 (en) 2008-07-09 2014-09-30 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital downloading jukebox with revenue-enhancing features
US8327402B1 (en) 2008-07-15 2012-12-04 United Video Properties, Inc. Methods and devices for presenting an interactive media guidance application
US8126450B2 (en) * 2008-09-24 2012-02-28 Embarq Holdings Company Llc System and method for key free access to a vehicle
US8819182B2 (en) 2008-09-24 2014-08-26 Centurylink Intellectual Property Llc System and method for updating vehicle media content
US8224313B2 (en) 2008-09-24 2012-07-17 Centurylink Intellectual Property Llc System and method for controlling vehicle systems from a cell phone
US20100226526A1 (en) 2008-12-31 2010-09-09 Modro Sierra K Mobile media, devices, and signaling
US20100173275A1 (en) * 2009-01-06 2010-07-08 Richard Mottla Image generation system for displaying primary display data and secondary display data
CN102449658A (en) 2009-03-18 2012-05-09 踏途音乐公司 Entertainment server and associated social networking services
US10564804B2 (en) 2009-03-18 2020-02-18 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital jukebox device with improved user interfaces, and associated methods
US9292166B2 (en) 2009-03-18 2016-03-22 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital jukebox device with improved karaoke-related user interfaces, and associated methods
US10719149B2 (en) 2009-03-18 2020-07-21 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital jukebox device with improved user interfaces, and associated methods
US8438596B2 (en) 2009-04-08 2013-05-07 Tivo Inc. Automatic contact information transmission system
KR101446403B1 (en) 2010-01-26 2014-11-04 터치튠즈 뮤직 코포레이션 Digital jukebox device with improved user interfaces, and associated methods
US8780137B2 (en) 2010-03-31 2014-07-15 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Systems to generate multiple language video output
US10210160B2 (en) 2010-09-07 2019-02-19 Opentv, Inc. Collecting data from different sources
US9699503B2 (en) 2010-09-07 2017-07-04 Opentv, Inc. Smart playlist
US8949871B2 (en) 2010-09-08 2015-02-03 Opentv, Inc. Smart media selection based on viewer user presence
US8810560B2 (en) * 2010-12-13 2014-08-19 Apple Inc. Methods and apparatus for scrambler synchronization
US9154813B2 (en) 2011-06-09 2015-10-06 Comcast Cable Communications, Llc Multiple video content in a composite video stream
BR112014003674A2 (en) * 2011-08-24 2017-03-01 Sony Corp receiving apparatus, reception method for a receiving apparatus, program, and information processing system
GB2522772B (en) 2011-09-18 2016-01-13 Touchtunes Music Corp Digital jukebox device with karaoke and/or photo booth features, and associated methods
US11151224B2 (en) 2012-01-09 2021-10-19 Touchtunes Music Corporation Systems and/or methods for monitoring audio inputs to jukebox devices
US9921717B2 (en) 2013-11-07 2018-03-20 Touchtunes Music Corporation Techniques for generating electronic menu graphical user interface layouts for use in connection with electronic devices
JP6777545B2 (en) 2014-03-25 2020-10-28 タッチチューンズ ミュージック コーポレイションＴｏｕｃｈｔｕｎｅｓ Ｍｕｓｉｃ Ｃｏｒｐｏｒａｔｉｏｎ Digital jukebox devices with an improved user interface and related methods
US10228751B2 (en) 2014-08-06 2019-03-12 Apple Inc. Low power mode
US9647489B2 (en) 2014-08-26 2017-05-09 Apple Inc. Brownout avoidance
US9654844B2 (en) 2014-09-12 2017-05-16 Kiswe Mobile Inc. Methods and apparatus for content interaction
US10708391B1 (en) 2014-09-30 2020-07-07 Apple Inc. Delivery of apps in a media stream
US10231033B1 (en) 2014-09-30 2019-03-12 Apple Inc. Synchronizing out-of-band content with a media stream
US10362265B2 (en) * 2017-04-16 2019-07-23 Facebook, Inc. Systems and methods for presenting content
US10692187B2 (en) 2017-04-16 2020-06-23 Facebook, Inc. Systems and methods for presenting content
CN111629653A (en) 2017-08-23 2020-09-04 神经股份有限公司 Brain-computer interface with high speed eye tracking features
US11363133B1 (en) 2017-12-20 2022-06-14 Apple Inc. Battery health-based power management
US10817307B1 (en) 2017-12-20 2020-10-27 Apple Inc. API behavior modification based on power source health
US10664050B2 (en) 2018-09-21 2020-05-26 Neurable Inc. Human-computer interface using high-speed and accurate tracking of user interactions

Family Cites Families (66)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4381522A (en) * 1980-12-01 1983-04-26 Adams-Russell Co., Inc. Selective viewing
US4694490A (en) * 1981-11-03 1987-09-15 Harvey John C Signal processing apparatus and methods
US4706121B1 (en) * 1985-07-12 1993-12-14 Insight Telecast, Inc. Tv schedule system and process
EP0268270B1 (en) * 1986-11-20 1993-11-03 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Information editing apparatus
US5394521A (en) * 1991-12-09 1995-02-28 Xerox Corporation User interface with multiple workspaces for sharing display system objects
US5220657A (en) * 1987-12-02 1993-06-15 Xerox Corporation Updating local copy of shared data in a collaborative system
US5038211A (en) * 1989-07-05 1991-08-06 The Superguide Corporation Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving television program information
US5353121A (en) * 1989-10-30 1994-10-04 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Television schedule system
US5251324A (en) * 1990-03-20 1993-10-05 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Method and apparatus for generating and collecting viewing statistics for remote terminals in a cable television system
US5351075A (en) * 1990-03-20 1994-09-27 Frederick Herz Home video club television broadcasting system
JP3089479B2 (en) * 1990-09-04 2000-09-18 ソニー株式会社 Television image display
CA2499757C (en) * 1990-09-10 2006-05-02 Starsight Telecast, Inc. User interface for television schedule system
US5168353A (en) * 1990-12-21 1992-12-01 Gte Laboratories Incorporated Video distribution system allowing viewer access to time staggered indentical prerecorded programs
US5196838A (en) * 1990-12-28 1993-03-23 Apple Computer, Inc. Intelligent scrolling
CA2041210C (en) * 1991-04-25 1998-12-29 Michel Dufresne Television audience data gathering
US5202828A (en) * 1991-05-15 1993-04-13 Apple Computer, Inc. User interface system having programmable user interface elements
US5262865A (en) * 1991-06-14 1993-11-16 Sony Electronics Inc. Virtual control apparatus for automating video editing stations
EP0526064B1 (en) * 1991-08-02 1997-09-10 The Grass Valley Group, Inc. Video editing system operator interface for visualization and interactive control of video material
US5317306A (en) * 1991-08-02 1994-05-31 International Business Machines Corporation System and method for dynamic control of horizontal scrolling
US5404393A (en) * 1991-10-03 1995-04-04 Viscorp Method and apparatus for interactive television through use of menu windows
US5371846A (en) * 1991-10-16 1994-12-06 International Business Machines Corporation Non-linear scroll bar
US5416508A (en) * 1991-10-22 1995-05-16 Pioneer Electronic Corporation CATV system with transmission of program schedules, linked program broadcasts, and permissive ordering periods
US5355450A (en) * 1992-04-10 1994-10-11 Avid Technology, Inc. Media composer with adjustable source material compression
US5384909A (en) * 1991-12-19 1995-01-24 International Business Machines Corporation Precision automatic scrolling for an image display system
JP3328951B2 (en) * 1992-02-07 2002-09-30 ソニー株式会社 TV receiver and tuning method
US5684918A (en) * 1992-02-07 1997-11-04 Abecassis; Max System for integrating video and communications
US5223924A (en) * 1992-05-27 1993-06-29 North American Philips Corporation System and method for automatically correlating user preferences with a T.V. program information database
US5375068A (en) * 1992-06-03 1994-12-20 Digital Equipment Corporation Video teleconferencing for networked workstations
US5420975A (en) * 1992-12-28 1995-05-30 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system for automatic alteration of display of menu options
US5423555A (en) * 1993-04-14 1995-06-13 Kidrin; Thom Interactive television and video game system
US5481296A (en) * 1993-08-06 1996-01-02 International Business Machines Corporation Apparatus and method for selectively viewing video information
US5589892A (en) * 1993-09-09 1996-12-31 Knee; Robert A. Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with data feed access
US5410344A (en) * 1993-09-22 1995-04-25 Arrowsmith Technologies, Inc. Apparatus and method of selecting video programs based on viewers' preferences
US5523791A (en) * 1993-10-12 1996-06-04 Berman; John L. Method and apparatus for applying overlay images
US5537141A (en) * 1994-04-15 1996-07-16 Actv, Inc. Distance learning system providing individual television participation, audio responses and memory for every student
WO1995031069A1 (en) * 1994-05-04 1995-11-16 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Television schedule information transmission and utilization system and process
US5812205A (en) * 1994-05-04 1998-09-22 Starsight Telecast Incorporated Automatic time set in a television system
US5635978A (en) * 1994-05-20 1997-06-03 News America Publications, Inc. Electronic television program guide channel system and method
US5635979A (en) * 1994-05-27 1997-06-03 Bell Atlantic Dynamically programmable digital entertainment terminal using downloaded software to control broadband data operations
US5768539A (en) * 1994-05-27 1998-06-16 Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. Downloading applications software through a broadcast channel
US5666293A (en) * 1994-05-27 1997-09-09 Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. Downloading operating system software through a broadcast channel
US5694334A (en) * 1994-09-08 1997-12-02 Starguide Digital Networks, Inc. Method and apparatus for electronic distribution of digital multi-media information
CA2158293A1 (en) * 1994-11-03 1996-05-04 Thomas Calvin Cannon Interactive television system
US5629733A (en) * 1994-11-29 1997-05-13 News America Publications, Inc. Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with display and search of program listings by title
US5758257A (en) * 1994-11-29 1998-05-26 Herz; Frederick System and method for scheduling broadcast of and access to video programs and other data using customer profiles
US5748255A (en) * 1994-12-22 1998-05-05 Philips Electronics North America Corporation Interface system for a television receiver
US5619250A (en) * 1995-02-19 1997-04-08 Microware Systems Corporation Operating system for interactive television system set top box utilizing dynamic system upgrades
US5517257A (en) * 1995-03-28 1996-05-14 Microsoft Corporation Video control user interface for interactive television systems and method for controlling display of a video movie
US5623589A (en) * 1995-03-31 1997-04-22 Intel Corporation Method and apparatus for incrementally browsing levels of stories
US5550576A (en) * 1995-04-17 1996-08-27 Starsight Telecast Incorporated Method and apparatus for merging television program schedule information received from multiple television schedule information sources
US5818438A (en) * 1995-04-25 1998-10-06 Bellsouth Corporation System and method for providing television services
US5666645A (en) * 1995-04-26 1997-09-09 News America Publications, Inc. Data management and distribution system and method for an electronic television program guide
CA2778121C (en) * 1995-05-24 2014-01-28 Bellsouth Corporation Asymmetric data communications system permitting subscriber interaction
US5602597A (en) * 1995-05-31 1997-02-11 International Business Machines Corporation Video receiver display of video overlaying menu
US5745754A (en) * 1995-06-07 1998-04-28 International Business Machines Corporation Sub-agent for fulfilling requests of a web browser using an intelligent agent and providing a report
WO1996041472A1 (en) * 1995-06-07 1996-12-19 Starsight Telecast Incorporated Television system with downloadable features
US5701451A (en) * 1995-06-07 1997-12-23 International Business Machines Corporation Method for fulfilling requests of a web browser
US5751282A (en) * 1995-06-13 1998-05-12 Microsoft Corporation System and method for calling video on demand using an electronic programming guide
US5826166A (en) * 1995-07-06 1998-10-20 Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. Digital entertainment terminal providing dynamic execution in video dial tone networks
US5737552A (en) * 1995-07-28 1998-04-07 Starwave Corporation Machine, method and medium for linear programming with interactive conversational interface
US5717914A (en) * 1995-09-15 1998-02-10 Infonautics Corporation Method for categorizing documents into subjects using relevance normalization for documents retrieved from an information retrieval system in response to a query
US5742816A (en) * 1995-09-15 1998-04-21 Infonautics Corporation Method and apparatus for identifying textual documents and multi-mediafiles corresponding to a search topic
US5694163A (en) * 1995-09-28 1997-12-02 Intel Corporation Method and apparatus for viewing of on-line information service chat data incorporated in a broadcast television program
US5790806A (en) * 1996-04-03 1998-08-04 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Cable data network architecture
US5745909A (en) * 1996-07-09 1998-04-28 Webtv Networks, Inc. Method and apparatus for reducing flicker when displaying HTML images on a television monitor
US6256785B1 (en) * 1996-12-23 2001-07-03 Corporate Media Patners Method and system for providing interactive look-and-feel in a digital broadcast via an X-Y protocol

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69731549T2 (en) 2005-10-27
EP0945018A1 (en) 1999-09-29
EP1528809A1 (en) 2005-05-04
CA2499285A1 (en) 1998-07-02
WO1998028916A1 (en) 1998-07-02
CA2499285C (en) 2007-09-25
EP1528809B1 (en) 2014-09-17
AU5715398A (en) 1998-07-17
AU739891B2 (en) 2001-10-25
DE69731549D1 (en) 2004-12-16
EP0945018B1 (en) 2004-11-10
CA2278496A1 (en) 1998-07-02
US5931908A (en) 1999-08-03
JP4346688B2 (en) 2009-10-21
JP2001507533A (en) 2001-06-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2278496C (en) Interactivity with audiovisual programming
US10587930B2 (en) Interactive user interface for television applications
US8479246B2 (en) System and method for interactive video content programming
EP1297693B1 (en) Method of automatic execution, receiving station
US9451300B1 (en) System and method for providing an interactive, visual complement to an audio program
US20020049978A1 (en) System and method for access and placement of media content information items on a screen display with a remote control device
JP2002501346A (en) Portable communication device for simulating a two-way connection to a one-way data stream
JP2003503911A (en) Interactive TV system using newsgroup
CA2387658A1 (en) Interactive television systems with live customer service
US20050204394A1 (en) Movie distribution system
CN101690209A (en) High-speed programs review
CA2387638A1 (en) Interactive television systems with live customer service
JP3332182B2 (en) Two-way video communication method and its implementation system
WO2001013206A1 (en) Interactive television system and method
EP1212858A1 (en) Virtual hybrid interactive multicasting system and method

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request
MKEX Expiry

Effective date: 20171222

MKEX Expiry

Effective date: 20171222