US20020042813A1 - Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments - Google Patents

Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20020042813A1
US20020042813A1 US10/008,835 US883501A US2002042813A1 US 20020042813 A1 US20020042813 A1 US 20020042813A1 US 883501 A US883501 A US 883501A US 2002042813 A1 US2002042813 A1 US 2002042813A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
program
user
online information
programming signal
video
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/008,835
Inventor
Craig Ullman
Jack Hidary
Nova Spivack
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.)
ACTV Inc
Original Assignee
ACTV 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
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=27493723&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=US20020042813(A1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Priority claimed from US08/615,143 external-priority patent/US5778181A/en
Priority claimed from US09/109,945 external-priority patent/US6018768A/en
Priority claimed from US09/472,385 external-priority patent/US20020038383A1/en
Application filed by ACTV Inc filed Critical ACTV Inc
Priority to US10/008,835 priority Critical patent/US20020042813A1/en
Assigned to ACTV, INC. reassignment ACTV, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ULLMAN, CRAIG, HIDARY, JACK D., SPIVACK, NOVA T.
Publication of US20020042813A1 publication Critical patent/US20020042813A1/en
Priority to US10/299,253 priority patent/US20030065719A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/23Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
    • H04N21/235Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F16/00Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
    • G06F16/70Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor of video data
    • G06F16/74Browsing; Visualisation therefor
    • G06F16/748Hypervideo
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/02Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • G06Q30/0241Advertisements
    • G06Q30/0251Targeted advertisements
    • G06Q30/0269Targeted advertisements based on user profile or attribute
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/02Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • G06Q30/0241Advertisements
    • G06Q30/0277Online advertisement
    • GPHYSICS
    • G11INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11BINFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B27/00Editing; Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Monitoring; Measuring tape travel
    • G11B27/10Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel
    • G11B27/19Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel by using information detectable on the record carrier
    • G11B27/28Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel by using information detectable on the record carrier by using information signals recorded by the same method as the main recording
    • G11B27/32Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel by using information detectable on the record carrier by using information signals recorded by the same method as the main recording on separate auxiliary tracks of the same or an auxiliary record carrier
    • G11B27/322Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel by using information detectable on the record carrier by using information signals recorded by the same method as the main recording on separate auxiliary tracks of the same or an auxiliary record carrier used signal is digitally coded
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/23Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
    • H04N21/239Interfacing the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. prioritizing client content requests
    • H04N21/2393Interfacing the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. prioritizing client content requests involving handling client requests
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/258Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
    • H04N21/25866Management of end-user data
    • H04N21/25891Management of end-user data being end-user preferences
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/262Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43Processing 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
    • H04N21/435Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45Management 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
    • H04N21/462Content 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
    • H04N21/4622Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47End-user applications
    • H04N21/472End-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
    • H04N21/4722End-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
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/85Assembly of content; Generation of multimedia applications
    • H04N21/854Content authoring
    • H04N21/8547Content authoring involving timestamps for synchronizing content
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/85Assembly of content; Generation of multimedia applications
    • H04N21/858Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/85Assembly of content; Generation of multimedia applications
    • H04N21/858Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
    • H04N21/8586Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot by using a URL

Definitions

  • the system of the present invention combines broadcast television programming and/or video programming which appears on a VHS or Beta tape, CD-ROM, DVD or other medium, or video programming at a video server (hereinafter “video programming”) with the massive Internet, creating a new and powerful educational and entertainment medium.
  • video programming a video server
  • the system allows consumers to receive more information in a more efficient manner than either television or the Internet alone. Consumers not only can see a news report on television, but they can also read pertinent information about the report, as well as explore related information about the story.
  • the program becomes the introduction to a particular subject, rather than the entire subject itself. The act of viewing a program has now become a more engaging, enriching experience.
  • the system can also create a more intimate relationship between the viewer and the program.
  • the user might be solving problems or performing virtual experiments on the Internet site that a teacher is discussing in an educational television program.
  • the consumer might be solving problems that the fictional characters in a television program must solve. In both cases, the consumer is an active participant in the process, rather than a passive observer.
  • An additional advantage is that consumers don't have to search through the literally hundreds of millions of pages on the Internet to find appropriate material. The material has already been filtered by the program producers and delivered to the consumer automatically.
  • Another advantage of the system is that it changes the nature of advertising. Since additional information can be given to consumers automatically, advertising can now be more substantive, allowing customers to make more informed choices. Now, the act of purchasing a product seen on television can be streamlined—the consumer can be given the choice of buying the product instantly using the two-way capabilities of the system.
  • users can take advantage of the two-way capabilities of the Internet to respond to polls, to send e-mail or to link to additional sites.
  • a viewer watching a television news program through the system of the invention, can receive a stream of Web pages which provide additional, specific information relating to the news content—whether background on the Presidential primaries or the latest change in interest rates.
  • the video programming and corresponding Internet pages can be viewed on personal computers equipped with a television card, but the open software-based approach enables anyone with a television set and JAVA enables PC to experience the system of the invention.
  • Video producers and Internet site creators can enhance their content to extend their brand identity and differentiate their program offerings to the millions of people who are spending more time navigating through the resources of the World Wide Web rather than watching television; advertisers can speak more directly to consumers by directly sending Web pages to the consumer instead of only displaying Web addresses in their commercials; and consumers can gain a new level of interest and interactivity over a video-based medium.
  • the system will also present educational programmers with a way to more effectively use Internet resources in the classroom.
  • the system of the present invention is a much more flexible, but less complex, system.
  • the present invention supports either analog or digital television broadcasts without broadcasters or end-users having to alter their existing systems, thus enabling broadcasters to reach a wide audience within a short time.
  • the actual Web pages are not forced into the very limited bandwidth of the vertical blanking interval (VBI). Instead, merely eight fields of line 21 of the VBI are used to deliver the relevant Internet Web page addresses to the PC. These addresses are called “uniform resource locators” (URLs).
  • the system then directs the particular Web browser to retrieve the identified Web pages from the Internet.
  • the system Upon receipt of the particular Web page(s), the system syncs the Web page(s) to the video signal, and at the appropriate times, presents the Web pages on one portion of the computer screen with the television video signal, shown in a window on another portion of the screen, and thus, provides the synergistic Internet and television experience.
  • One of the advantages of the system of the present invention is that no specialized chip set need be produced and implemented into the standard PC. Thus, complexity is kept to a minimum.
  • the VBI is not used to transmit the URLs to the user.
  • member broadcasters enter the Internet through a member account, and will be provided with a graphical user interface for pre-scheduling Internet addresses, or URLs, for transmission to users at particular times of day.
  • This interface could also be used to transmit real time live transmissions of URLs to users at the same time as a broadcast.
  • the URLs are stored in a “Link File” for later transmission over the Internet to the user at the broadcasters entered time, which corresponds to the broadcast time of an associated program. The timing of URL's could be determined in advance or can be sent out live.
  • This embodiment eliminates the need to place the URLs in the VBI, and also allows the broadcaster to store more than one Link File for transmission to users in different time zones, for example. Further, more than one broadcaster could access the same master schedule if desired, and add or delete certain URLs to personalize the program for their local audiences. Also, personalization can be taken to the single user, or small group of users, by having the system send a different stream of URLs to each user, depending on a unique user profile, for example. Thus, the personalization feature of the present invention allows each user to receive information uniquely relevant to their interests, demographics, history, etc. This embodiment makes the transmission of URLs to the user even less complex than the first embodiment disclosed herein.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram of the system design, showing the receipt and decoding of video signals at the subscriber location using the method of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an alternative system embodiment to achieve the integration of the Internet information with the video content by decoding the uniform resource locators at a server site and then transmitting the URLs to the subscriber stations via the Internet.
  • FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the basic software design of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another preferred system embodiment to achieve the direct transmission of URLs over the Internet to the user at a broadcaster's entered time without encoding the URLs into the VBI.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram of another preferred embodiment including a digital cable box.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram of another preferred embodiment including a digital T.V.
  • FIG. 8 is a sample display provided to a student of a lesson.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram of the distributed Com Server embodiment.
  • the system of the present invention combines the rich visual capabilities of video with the vast resources of the Internet.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention is a computer based system for receiving a video program along with embedded uniform resource locators (URLs)—which direct the user's computer 16 to address locations, or Web sites, on the Internet 20 to retrieve related Web pages. These Web pages correspond to the video presentation.
  • the particular video programming can be delivered in analog, digital or digitally compressed formats (e.g., MPEG2) via any transmission means, including satellite, cable, wire, television broadcast or sent via the Web.
  • the video programming is preferably created at a centralized location, i.e., content creation 4 as shown in FIG. 1, for distribution to subscribers in their homes, for example.
  • Program creation is accomplished according to any conventional means known in the art.
  • uniform resource locators are embedded, in one preferred embodiment, into the vertical blank interval of the video programming by the URL encoder 8 , shown in FIG. 1.
  • the URLs are encoded onto eight fields of line 21 of the VBI.
  • Line 21 is the line associated with close captioning, among other things.
  • the URLs could also be embedded in other fields of the VBI, in the horizontal portion of the video, as part of the audio channel, in any subcarrier to the video, or if digital, in one of the data fields.
  • FIG. 1 shows the video with URLs over the same transmission line
  • the URLs can be sent down independently of the video program on a data channel.
  • the URLs can be forwarded to the remote sites either prior to initiation or during the program.
  • the URLs have associated time stamps which indicate to the subscriber stations when, during the video program, to display the particular Web pages addressed by the URLs.
  • the user can select when to call the particular Web pages for display with the video program.
  • the particular information in line 21 is not part of the visual part of the program, and thus, is not perceptible to the human eye, thereby making it ideal to send data information to the users. While the bandwidth capacity of line 21 is limited, because the system of the present invention transmits only the uniform resource locators (URLs), and not full Web pages, there is more than enough capacity. Furthermore, no additional hardware is necessary at the PC 16 to implement the elements of the present invention. Thus, the present invention has the additional advantages of being very efficient and takes advantage of conventional hardware.
  • the video program can be transmitted to user sites over any transmission means, including broadcast, cable, satellite, or Internet, and may reside on video servers. Furthermore, the video program, with or without embedded URLs, can be encoded on a VHS or Beta tape, DVD or other medium.
  • each receiver station comprises any Intel x86 machine (preferably a 486 processor, pentium processor, etc.), an Apple Computer, UNIX or any other type of standard computer workstation.
  • the local PC 16 is preferably connected to either a cable and/or broadcast television connection or to a local VCR or other video source.
  • the local personal computer 16 preferably receives the cable transmission by cable connection on the back of the personal computer 16 .
  • the video/audio program can then be processed for display on the computer screen using any conventional PC card capable of displaying NTSC signals on a computer monitor, such as a WinTV card.
  • the Internet 20 connection can be via high-speed line, RF, conventional modem or by way of two-way cable carrying the video programming.
  • the local PC 16 has Internet access via any of the current ASCII software mechanisms.
  • an associated local URL decoder 12 receives the cable video television program, as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the local URL decoder 12 extracts the URLs, preferably embedded in the vertical blanking interval, with the use of any conventional VBI decoder device.
  • the URL decoder 12 may be either a stand-alone unit or a card which is implemented into the personal computer 16 .
  • the uniform resource locators are encoded into the video in the same manner as described above.
  • the URLs are preferably encoded onto eight fields of line 21 of the VBI, but may also be sent independently of the video.
  • the URL decoder 24 is located at the server site, as opposed to the subscriber location. When the decoder 24 receives the video program signal, it strips out the URL codes on line 21 of the VBI and delivers these codes independently to an Internet server 28 . The URL code is then subsequently delivered over the Internet 20 to the user PC 16 . Simultaneously, the video is broadcast over conventional broadcast or cable transmission means 36 to the user's personal computer 16 .
  • FIG. 4 Another preferred embodiment of the system, shown in FIG. 4, does not depend on, or even use, the VBI.
  • the system will run an online service over the Internet 20 .
  • This service will be in the form of an Internet Web site 62 that provides a user-interface to a database 78 and to one or more associated data servers 90 .
  • the service will provide member-accounts to TV broadcasters 66 who sign up to use the system of the invention in conjunction with their broadcasts.
  • Each member broadcaster will enter the service at their computer 70 through Web browser software 74 using their member account by entering various identification and password information.
  • the member will be provided with a graphical user interface for pre-scheduling URLs for transmission to users 118 over a direct Internet connection 94 at particular times of day.
  • the same user interface, or a variation on it, can be used by broadcasters for live transmission 82 of URLs to users at the same time as a broadcast 86 .
  • this interface might be a scheduling calendar (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly) in which the broadcaster 66 may allocate time periods which coincide with their broadcasts 86 , and during which they will send out URLs to their users to link to Web pages. For each time period (for example, a particular hour long period during the day) determined by the broadcaster 66 to be a broadcast period (a period during which they want to transmit URLs that correspond to a television show being broadcast from their TV broadcast facility 110 to the external TV 114 of the user 118 at that time), the broadcaster 66 may then enter a series of URLs into an associated file (“Link File”) for transmission over the Internet 20 at that time.
  • Link File an associated file
  • This Link File might have a user interface such as a spreadsheet, table, or list, or it could be simply a tab-delimited or paragraph-delimited text-file.
  • each of the records in the Link File consists of a data structure which could contain information such as:
  • the above data structure is just one example.
  • the records in the Link File preferably specify the time, Internet address (i.e. URL), label (such as an associated name), and some optional additional information, for each Web page the broadcaster 66 desires to launch during a show.
  • a broadcaster 66 modifies their calendar and/or the Link File associated with any given time period(s) in their calendar, this information is saved into the database 78 that is attached to the site 62 .
  • Each broadcaster 66 may maintain multiple calendars in the database 78 if they broadcast in different time zones, for example.
  • the database 78 provides the Link File records for upcoming time periods to a server 90 , which may be one server or a distributed network of server programs on multiple computers across the network, to be utilized for scaling to large national or global audiences.
  • the server 90 provides the Link File records, including the URLs, to the user's personal computer 16 , which is connected via a network. Examples of possible networks include the public Internet 94 , a direct private network, or even a wireless network.
  • one or more broadcasters 66 may utilize the same schedule in the database 78 for their own broadcasts 86 or during the same broadcast.
  • a network broadcaster may develop a master schedule and various affiliate broadcasters may subscribe to that schedule or copy it (in the database) and add or delete specific URLs in the schedule for their local audiences or unique programming.
  • This scheme enables affiliates to insert URLs for local advertisers or local subjects into a sequence of more general URLs provided by their network broadcaster 66 .
  • the affiliate can add links that ride on the network feed and then redistribute it to their local audiences.
  • the above embodiment can also enable personalization in the form of unique series of URLs specific to each user's unique profile, which is directly sent over the Internet 20 to each user's specific client software 106 . This can be achieved from the broadcaster 66 to each individual user 118 , or to particular collections of users. To accomplish personalization, the service may send a different stream of URLs to each user's client software program 106 .
  • the stream of URLs sent would depend on a user profile stored in the database 78 or the client software program 106 , a user profile which is built on demand or over time for each user 118 based on criteria such as the location of the user, choices the user makes while using a client software program 106 , or choices the broadcaster 66 makes during a broadcast 86 , or automatic choices made by an algorithm (such as a filter) residing on the service 62 .
  • personalization enables each user to receive URLs which are uniquely relevant to their interests, demographics, history, or behavior in the system.
  • a JAVA enabled browser 98 as well as specialized software 106 for performing part of the method of the present invention are installed on the computer 16 .
  • the JAVA enabled browser 98 allows the computer 16 to retrieve the Web pages 102 and is preferred software, since it is platform independent, and thus, enables efficient and flexible transfer of programs, images, etc., over the Internet 20 .
  • the specialized interface software 106 (hereinafter, “client software”), attached as Appendix A, acts as an interface between the video programming and the Internet functions of the present invention.
  • the client software 106 retrieves URLs from the video program (embodiment of FIG. 1) or directly from the Internet connection (embodiments of FIGS.
  • the URLs are encoded and embedded into the video signal by inserting them into the vertical blanking interval (VBI), as mentioned above.
  • VBI vertical blanking interval
  • the URLs are entered by member TV broadcasters 66 along with specified times for transmitting the URLs to the user. At the appropriate times, the URLs are sent directly over the Internet to the user's PC 16 via the client software 106 over a direct point-to-point or multicasting connection.
  • One method of the present invention has the capability to detect identical URLs sent directly after one another which causes the browser not to fetch URLs in these particular cases.
  • the client software 106 first interprets the URL and determines in step 42 whether the particular URL has been received previously. If it has already been received, the next received URL is interpreted for determination of prior receipt. If the particular URL has not been detected before, the software checks for misspelling in step 46 and any other errors, and if errors exist, corrects these particular errors. Once again, it is determined whether the URL has been previously detected. If it has, the next URL is accessed in step 38 . If the URL has not been detected, the specific URL is added to the URL list in step 54 .
  • the specific URL is then sent to the Web browser, preferably a JAVA enabled browser 98 .
  • the browser 98 Upon receipt of the URL, the browser 98 , in step 58 , will access the Web site address 122 (FIG. 4) indicated by the URL and retrieve the cited Web page(s) 102 via the Internet.
  • Viewers can view the integrated presentation in the following manner.
  • the video signal is processed and displayed on a video window on the PC screen using a WinTV card, for example.
  • the corresponding audio is forwarded to the audio card and sent to the PC speakers.
  • the actual retrieved Web pages 102 are optionally time stamped to be displayed on the computer screen when predetermined related video content is displayed in the video window, thus, enlightening and enhancing the video presentation by providing in-depth information related to the video content thereto.
  • Another section on the screen is also preferably used to represent an operational control panel.
  • This control panel provides a list of the URLs that have been broadcast and correspondingly received by the computer 16 .
  • This control panel is updated to add a URL code each time a new URL code is received by the PC 16 .
  • This list gives the subscriber the flexibility to go back and retrieve particularly informative or interesting Web pages that have already been displayed earlier in the program, or alternatively, to print them out for future reference.
  • the list could include URLs referring to Web pages not displayed with the broadcast program, but that provide further information on a certain topic of interest to the viewer.
  • the present invention can best be understood with reference to an example.
  • a viewer can begin watching a musical video featuring a new band, for example.
  • URLs are either being received with the video signal or are being received directly via the Internet 20 or another data channel, and are being interpreted by the client software 106 .
  • the JAVA enabled browser 98 retrieves particular Web pages 102 from Internet 20 Web sites identified in the URLs. These Web pages 102 will then be displayed on the video screen at particular times.
  • biographical information on the band can also be displayed adjacently to the video window.
  • Web pages 102 could also include an upcoming concert schedule, or even audio clips of the band's music may be downloaded from the Internet 20 .
  • a user could be watching a program relating to financial news. While the narrator is shown discussing high tech stocks, Web pages corresponding to detailed financial performance information on high tech stocks, environment and characteristics can be displayed with the video on the computer screen. If the personalization features are included, Web pages associated with a particular user's stock can be fetched and displayed on the computer screen with the video program. When the program narrator switches to a discussion on the weekly performance of the Dow Jones, Web pages presenting related financial performance information can be simultaneously displayed. Thus, it is evident that the present invention profoundly enriches the viewing and learning experience.
  • the user can view the interactive program using a television set 114 or other display monitor in conjunction with the display screen of the personal computer 16 .
  • the relevant Web pages are shown on the personal computer 16 while the video program is displayed on the television monitor 114 .
  • a cable set top box receives the television program from the multichannel cable.
  • the personal computer 16 also receives the video program from the multi-channel cable and extracts the URLs, embedded in the vertical blanking interval of the video signal or directly transmitted 94 over the Internet 20 .
  • the client software 106 extracts the URLs and retrieves the particular Web pages as described above.
  • the Web pages are then synchronized with the particular video frames and presented to the user.
  • a hyperlink may exist on the Web site that will allow the user to automatically load the client software and call up the specific television channel referenced in the Web site. For example, someone browsing the Internet 20 may come upon a major television network's Web site. They scroll to an interesting story then click on an hyperlink to turn on the software which tunes the TV window to the network to enhance the information residing at the Web site.
  • the video program can be addressed directly from the user site if the video program, with or without embedded URLs, is stored on a VHS, Beta, DVD or other medium.
  • the user PC 16 and/or television 114 are connected to a VCR, DVD player or other appropriate device.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 show two alternative embodiments for use with the present invention.
  • the user can view the interactive program using a television set 18 or other display monitor in conjunction with a digital cable box 140 , as shown in FIG. 5.
  • the digital cable box 140 performs the functions of the personal computer 16 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 .
  • the client software is stored in memory in the digital cable box 140 .
  • the digital cable box 140 includes two tuners, thus allowing both the Web Page and the Video program to be simultaneously viewed on the same screen. If Video and Webstream, however, are carried on one channel, then only one timer is necessary.
  • the client software retrieves URLs from the received video program, directly from the Internet connection 20 or via a separate data channel, interprets these URLs and directs the Web enabled browser to retrieve the particular relevant Web pages, and synchronizes the retrieved Web pages to the video content for display on the television 18 , as shown in FIG. 5 .
  • the relevant Web pages are shown in one frame of the television 18 while the video program is displayed in another frame.
  • the digital cable set top box 140 receives the television program from the multichannel cable.
  • the URLs can be encoded into the digital program channel using MPEG 1, MPEG2, MPEG4, MPEG7 or any other compression video scheme.
  • the URLs can be transmitted to the digital cable boxes 140 from an Internet server 148 .
  • the digital cable box 140 decodes the URLs from the digital video signal or directly transmitted over the Internet 20 .
  • the client software decodes the URLs and retrieves the particular Web pages as described above. The Web pages are then preferably synchronized with the particular video frames and presented to the user.
  • the video program can be addressed directly from a local video source 144 if the video program, with or without embedded URLs, is stored on a VHS, Beta, DVD or other medium.
  • the digital cable box 140 is connected to a VCR, DVD player or other appropriate device.
  • FIG. 6 discloses an embodiment where a digital TV 152 is the remote reception unit.
  • the digital TV 152 performs the functions of the personal computer, shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 , and the digital cable box 140 shown in FIG. 5.
  • a processor means and memory are incorporated into the digital TV 152 .
  • the client software and Web browser software are implemented into memory in the digital TV 152 . All of the functions described above with reference to the other embodiments are performed in a similar manner by the digital TV 152 embodiment.
  • the user can view the video and web content on one screen (in two windows), or with the video on one display screen and the Web content on a separate display monitor. Alternatively, the user can access the video or web content separately. Thus, the user can branch from video to web content and vice versa.
  • the present invention is well-suited to the education environment.
  • students and teachers access one or more Web servers.
  • the software components include instructor and student user software, authoring software and database assessment software.
  • an instructor uses content creation software on a personal computer to easily integrate into their curriculum current information published on the Web, through an easy to use interface 156 such as that shown in FIG. 7.
  • the instructor creates a playlist (i.e. linkfile) 160 , the playlist 160 comprising a listing of Web pages, text notes and questions.
  • the Web sites and questions are set forth in a predetermined order and can be assigned times.
  • the URLs identifying the Web site and time stamps are sent automatically to the desktop of each student in the virtual community, either during playback of a pre-recorded program or during a live event.
  • the program is directed by the playlist 160 .
  • the playlist 160 provides the structure for the program.
  • the browser will go fetch and display a Web page in a frame on the computer screen. Because program events can be set up in this manner at predetermined times, the entire program and playlist can be prerecorded and stored in a Web database for later access by students.
  • a significant advantage of the present invention for educational applications is that the students and the instructor can be located anywhere, as long as they are all connected to the Web. Because a server is essentially controlling the program, the instructor output comes from the server and the student workstations get automatically updated by the Web server.
  • This educational embodiment integrates Web content and other media with collaborative groupware functionality to create an interactive environment for students and teachers.
  • the student can receive a traditional video lesson through a frame in his or her Web browser, or from a television.
  • the present invention provides separate frames, an example of which is shown in FIG. 8, in the browser displaying: (1) Web pages 176 automatically delivered to each student's desktop with information or exercises that complement the video presentation; (2) a chat dialogue frame 168 for conversing with the instructor and/or other students online; and (3), an interactive playlist 164 of Web pages and questions comprising the lesson.
  • each student can perform a virtual experiment during a physics lesson to learn about gravity, for example. Further, the students are conversing with one another and the instructor in the chat dialogue frame 168 . They may also send Web pages to one another and provide answers to questions from the teacher via the chat dialogue frame 168 of the student interface 176 . With the chat feature, students may break into subgroups for collaborative learning. Whenever a student in the group sends a message, the message is sent to the Internet server 20 and every other student in the subgroup receives and views the message in their Chat dialogue frame 168 .
  • the instructor may retain control over the chat feature. For example, the instructor can terminate the chat feature or web pushing to terminate unruly on-line conversations or the sending of Web pages by students.
  • the present invention is more powerful by allowing the instructor to freely and conveniently exercise almost any time of testing strategy.
  • the instructor can test students using a combination of the Chat dialogue feature and Web pages. For example, multiple choice questions and short answer questions can appear in the Chat window 168 . Essay questions, requiring longer answers, become Web pages.
  • students can perform virtual experiments on-line.
  • student scoring can be presented to the instructor in any format including tables, charts, diagrams, bar graphs, etc. The instructor, thus, can analyze the results and has the capability of providing real-time feedback to the students.
  • Students can also receive individualized feedback via branched interactive audio, video and/or graphics responses.
  • the workstation may branch to a particular audio response, preferably prerecorded in the instructor's own voice, based on the student response to a multiple choice question.
  • a plurality of potential audio responses are made available at the student's workstation according to any one of the methodologies set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,141, entitled DISTANCE LEARNING SYSTEM, herein incorporated by reference.
  • personalized video, audio and graphics segments can be delivered and displayed to the student based on a student answer or personal profile in the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,091, entitled COMPRESSED DIGITAL DATA INTERACTIVE PROGRAM SYSTEM, herein incorporated by reference.
  • the memory feature is an algorithm that selects an interactive response to the user based not only on the student's current answer selection, but also his or her previous responses, as discussed in the aforementioned applications.
  • the algorithm preferably stored in memory at each student's workstation and under processor control, merely selects an output interactive response based on student responses. As another example, if a student gets three answers in sequence right, he or she receives a more difficult question. If, however, the student misses one or more of the three questions, he or she receives an easier question.
  • a system capable of handling the education requirements of several schools in an efficiently designed network.
  • the system shown in FIG. 9 solves the problems inherent in attempting to service large numbers of users, the most obvious obstacles being the issues of load and performance.
  • communications servers 180 distribute and route messages across a LAN, WAN and the Internet.
  • the Group Database server Surrounding the database server are several Corn Servers 180 , each serving an area 192 . Surrounding each Corn Server 180 are squares representing user stations 188 .
  • the Communication Servers 180 are organized in node relationships with one another.
  • Each node is responsible for serving an Area 192 .
  • An Area 192 is defined as a Virtual location serviced by a single Communications Server 180 (or “Corn Server”).
  • An Area 192 may be a single school, an office, or may consist of several actual physical locations.
  • the defining characteristic of an Area 192 is that messages sent from one member of an Area 192 to another need not be routed outside of the servicing Corn Server 180 .
  • An Area member is analogous to the frequently used term “user.”
  • a “user” may be a student in the educational embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.
  • the Distributed Communication System of FIG. 9 shall permit the dynamic addition of Communication Servers 180 within a group with little or no administrative tasks as well as the addition of groups within an overall communications network.
  • a Communication Server group consists of several defined Virtual Areas 192 (preferably, consisting of no more the 250 members each), each area 192 serviced by a single Corn Server 180 . This system shall allow members of one Area 192 , or group to easily communicate with members of another Area 192 or group without any configuration changes.
  • the Distributed Communication System of the present invention allows the same, relatively inexpensive machines to serve an ever-increasing user base.
  • the technique by which this will be accomplished will be through the routing of messages from one server to another when necessary.
  • the method essentially follows the same core pattern as IP routing and DNS lookups. If a message is for a member not belonging to the current Area 192 or group, the message shall be routed through the Distributed Communication System until its destination, or someone who knows the destination and can deliver the message, is found.
  • the destination will be cached so subsequent messages for that member or group may be more efficiently delivered.
  • New Areas 192 can be added on the fly. When a new Corn server 188 is added to the network, it registers itself with the database application. Henceforth, any message destined for the new Area 192 can be routed properly without altering the other Area Servers 180 .
  • This method and system works for global messages or for user to user messages. Furthermore, new Groups may also be dynamically added. Once added, each new Group Database Server 184 registers itself with the existing database servers 184 . This distribution of load permits nearly unlimited expansion with existing software and hardware. Each server manages a finite number of members, cumulatively serving a growing community.
  • the system of the present invention creates a synergistic experience combining the vast resources of the Internet with the presentation capabilities of television.

Abstract

A system for integrating video programming with the vast information resources of the Internet. A computer-based system receives a video program with embedded uniform resource locators (URLs). The URLs, the effective addresses of locations or Web sites on the Internet, are interpreted by the system and direct the system to the Web site locations to retrieve related Web pages. Upon receipt of the Web pages by the system, the Web pages are synchronized to the video content for display. The video program signal can be displayed on a video window on a conventional personal computer screen. The actual retrieved Web pages are time stamped to also be displayed, on another portion of the display screen, when predetermined related video content is displayed in the video window. As an alternative, the computer-based system receives the URLs directly through an Internet connection, at times specified by TV broadcasters in advance. The system interprets the URLs and retrieves the appropriate Web pages. The Web pages are synchronized to the video content for display in conjunction with a television program being broadcast to the user at that time. This alternative system allows the URLs to be entered for live transmission to the user.

Description

    CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
  • This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/633,350 filed Aug. 4, 2000, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/472,385 filed Dec. 23, 1999, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/109,945 filed Jul. 6, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,768, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/615,143 filed Mar. 14, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,181, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Serial No. [0001] 08/613,144 filed Mar. 8, 1996, abandoned, and is related to U.S. application Serial No. 08/622,474 filed Mar. 25, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,664, which is herein incorporated by reference.
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Today, the capabilities of computers to provide massive amounts of educational and entertainment information has exploded with the Internet. The Internet has the power to transform society through unprecedented levels of information flow between members. Currently, on-line systems offer a variety of different services to users, including news feeds, electronic databases (either searchable by the user directly on the on-line system, or downloadable to the user's own computer), private message services, electronic newsletters, real time games for play by several users at the same time, and job placement services, to name a few. However, today, most on-line communications occur merely through text. This currently stands in great contrast to the audio/visual presentation of the alternative electronic medium, television. However, it is expected that as multi-media's incessant growth continues, audio/visual programs will proliferate and text will become less and less dominant in the on-line environment. Even though these programs will be introduced, the Internet, will remain essentially user unfriendly due to its very massiveness, organization, and randomness. Simply stated, there is no order or direction in the Internet. Specific pieces of information are many times hard to find, and harder yet, is the ability to put that piece of information into a meaningful context. [0002]
  • Television, on the other hand, has been criticized for being a passive medium “chewing gum for the eyes,” as Fred Allen once observed. Television has always been something you watched, not something you do. Many social critics believe that the passivity television depends on has seeped into our entire culture, turning a nation of citizens into a nation of viewers. While interactive television systems have increased the level of user interaction, and thus, provided greater learning and entertainment opportunities, vast information resources such as databases are inaccessible from such a medium. [0003]
  • What is needed is a means to close the gap between video programming and the information superhighway of the Internet. What is needed is a wider, richer experience integrating audio/visual and textual database elements into an organized unique interactive, educational, entertainment experience. Currently, the Internet is a repository of information on virtually any subject. However, what is needed is a mechanism for combining the user-friendly visual experience of television with the vast information resources of the Internet. [0004]
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The system of the present invention combines broadcast television programming and/or video programming which appears on a VHS or Beta tape, CD-ROM, DVD or other medium, or video programming at a video server (hereinafter “video programming”) with the massive Internet, creating a new and powerful educational and entertainment medium. The system allows consumers to receive more information in a more efficient manner than either television or the Internet alone. Consumers not only can see a news report on television, but they can also read pertinent information about the report, as well as explore related information about the story. The program becomes the introduction to a particular subject, rather than the entire subject itself. The act of viewing a program has now become a more engaging, enriching experience. [0005]
  • The system can also create a more intimate relationship between the viewer and the program. The user might be solving problems or performing virtual experiments on the Internet site that a teacher is discussing in an educational television program. Similarly, the consumer might be solving problems that the fictional characters in a television program must solve. In both cases, the consumer is an active participant in the process, rather than a passive observer. [0006]
  • Instead of an undirected and unfocused exploration of Internet sites, by synching specific Internet pages to the video signal, the system puts the Internet in context. The television program producers now can decide what additional information to offer their audience. This material can now be seen in the context of the television program. [0007]
  • An additional advantage is that consumers don't have to search through the literally hundreds of millions of pages on the Internet to find appropriate material. The material has already been filtered by the program producers and delivered to the consumer automatically. [0008]
  • Another advantage of the system is that it changes the nature of advertising. Since additional information can be given to consumers automatically, advertising can now be more substantive, allowing customers to make more informed choices. Now, the act of purchasing a product seen on television can be streamlined—the consumer can be given the choice of buying the product instantly using the two-way capabilities of the system. [0009]
  • In addition, users can take advantage of the two-way capabilities of the Internet to respond to polls, to send e-mail or to link to additional sites. For example, a viewer watching a television news program, through the system of the invention, can receive a stream of Web pages which provide additional, specific information relating to the news content—whether background on the Presidential primaries or the latest change in interest rates. [0010]
  • The video programming and corresponding Internet pages can be viewed on personal computers equipped with a television card, but the open software-based approach enables anyone with a television set and JAVA enables PC to experience the system of the invention. [0011]
  • By marrying the appeal of video with the two-way data transfer capabilities of the Internet, the system creates a powerful new medium: Video producers and Internet site creators can enhance their content to extend their brand identity and differentiate their program offerings to the millions of people who are spending more time navigating through the resources of the World Wide Web rather than watching television; advertisers can speak more directly to consumers by directly sending Web pages to the consumer instead of only displaying Web addresses in their commercials; and consumers can gain a new level of interest and interactivity over a video-based medium. In addition to providing significant and immediate benefits to broadcasters and advertisers, the system will also present educational programmers with a way to more effectively use Internet resources in the classroom. [0012]
  • Recently, several media companies have joined to create a system for linking the Internet and television on the personal computer, called “Intercast.” In this system, content will be provided simultaneously with the TV video signal. This system, however, requires that stripped down Web pages be sent in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of the video signal, using up to three scan lines limiting effective bandwidth to approximately 28.8 kbps. This approach, however, requires specialized hardware to both insert the Web pages into the VBI and extract these codes at each PC since it takes up to three scan lines of the VBI. Thus, the complexity and cost of the PC is increased. Because the Web pages are transmitted with the video signal, the Intercast system is not a true “two-way” system, but merely a one-way “piggyback” system. In addition, the Intercast is an analog video product, and thus, cannot handle digital video data. [0013]
  • The system of the present invention, on the other hand, is a much more flexible, but less complex, system. The present invention supports either analog or digital television broadcasts without broadcasters or end-users having to alter their existing systems, thus enabling broadcasters to reach a wide audience within a short time. [0014]
  • In a first embodiment, the actual Web pages are not forced into the very limited bandwidth of the vertical blanking interval (VBI). Instead, merely eight fields of line [0015] 21 of the VBI are used to deliver the relevant Internet Web page addresses to the PC. These addresses are called “uniform resource locators” (URLs). The system then directs the particular Web browser to retrieve the identified Web pages from the Internet. Upon receipt of the particular Web page(s), the system syncs the Web page(s) to the video signal, and at the appropriate times, presents the Web pages on one portion of the computer screen with the television video signal, shown in a window on another portion of the screen, and thus, provides the synergistic Internet and television experience. One of the advantages of the system of the present invention is that no specialized chip set need be produced and implemented into the standard PC. Thus, complexity is kept to a minimum.
  • In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the VBI is not used to transmit the URLs to the user. In this alternative embodiment, member broadcasters enter the Internet through a member account, and will be provided with a graphical user interface for pre-scheduling Internet addresses, or URLs, for transmission to users at particular times of day. This interface could also be used to transmit real time live transmissions of URLs to users at the same time as a broadcast. The URLs are stored in a “Link File” for later transmission over the Internet to the user at the broadcasters entered time, which corresponds to the broadcast time of an associated program. The timing of URL's could be determined in advance or can be sent out live. This embodiment eliminates the need to place the URLs in the VBI, and also allows the broadcaster to store more than one Link File for transmission to users in different time zones, for example. Further, more than one broadcaster could access the same master schedule if desired, and add or delete certain URLs to personalize the program for their local audiences. Also, personalization can be taken to the single user, or small group of users, by having the system send a different stream of URLs to each user, depending on a unique user profile, for example. Thus, the personalization feature of the present invention allows each user to receive information uniquely relevant to their interests, demographics, history, etc. This embodiment makes the transmission of URLs to the user even less complex than the first embodiment disclosed herein. [0016]
  • Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide order and direction to the Internet by using television signals to place, orient and control such information in a meaningful context. [0017]
  • It is an object of the present invention to create a more intimate relationship between the viewer and the program by enriching the learning experience through the provision of more in-depth information.[0018]
  • DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram of the system design, showing the receipt and decoding of video signals at the subscriber location using the method of the present invention. [0019]
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an alternative system embodiment to achieve the integration of the Internet information with the video content by decoding the uniform resource locators at a server site and then transmitting the URLs to the subscriber stations via the Internet. [0020]
  • FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the basic software design of the present invention. [0021]
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another preferred system embodiment to achieve the direct transmission of URLs over the Internet to the user at a broadcaster's entered time without encoding the URLs into the VBI. [0022]
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram of another preferred embodiment including a digital cable box. [0023]
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram of another preferred embodiment including a digital T.V. [0024]
  • FIG. 8 is a sample display provided to a student of a lesson. [0025]
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram of the distributed Com Server embodiment.[0026]
  • PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • The system of the present invention combines the rich visual capabilities of video with the vast resources of the Internet. As shown in FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the invention is a computer based system for receiving a video program along with embedded uniform resource locators (URLs)—which direct the user's [0027] computer 16 to address locations, or Web sites, on the Internet 20 to retrieve related Web pages. These Web pages correspond to the video presentation. The particular video programming can be delivered in analog, digital or digitally compressed formats (e.g., MPEG2) via any transmission means, including satellite, cable, wire, television broadcast or sent via the Web.
  • The video programming is preferably created at a centralized location, i.e., [0028] content creation 4 as shown in FIG. 1, for distribution to subscribers in their homes, for example. Program creation is accomplished according to any conventional means known in the art. After a video program is created, uniform resource locators are embedded, in one preferred embodiment, into the vertical blank interval of the video programming by the URL encoder 8, shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the URLs are encoded onto eight fields of line 21 of the VBI. Line 21 is the line associated with close captioning, among other things. However, the URLs could also be embedded in other fields of the VBI, in the horizontal portion of the video, as part of the audio channel, in any subcarrier to the video, or if digital, in one of the data fields.
  • Although FIG. 1 shows the video with URLs over the same transmission line, the URLs can be sent down independently of the video program on a data channel. In this embodiment, the URLs can be forwarded to the remote sites either prior to initiation or during the program. Preferably, the URLs have associated time stamps which indicate to the subscriber stations when, during the video program, to display the particular Web pages addressed by the URLs. Alternatively, the user can select when to call the particular Web pages for display with the video program. [0029]
  • The particular information in line [0030] 21 is not part of the visual part of the program, and thus, is not perceptible to the human eye, thereby making it ideal to send data information to the users. While the bandwidth capacity of line 21 is limited, because the system of the present invention transmits only the uniform resource locators (URLs), and not full Web pages, there is more than enough capacity. Furthermore, no additional hardware is necessary at the PC 16 to implement the elements of the present invention. Thus, the present invention has the additional advantages of being very efficient and takes advantage of conventional hardware.
  • Once the video program is created, it can be transmitted to user sites over any transmission means, including broadcast, cable, satellite, or Internet, and may reside on video servers. Furthermore, the video program, with or without embedded URLs, can be encoded on a VHS or Beta tape, DVD or other medium. [0031]
  • Preferably, each receiver station comprises any Intel x86 machine (preferably a 486 processor, pentium processor, etc.), an Apple Computer, UNIX or any other type of standard computer workstation. The [0032] local PC 16 is preferably connected to either a cable and/or broadcast television connection or to a local VCR or other video source. At each subscriber site, the local personal computer 16 preferably receives the cable transmission by cable connection on the back of the personal computer 16. The video/audio program can then be processed for display on the computer screen using any conventional PC card capable of displaying NTSC signals on a computer monitor, such as a WinTV card. In addition to the cable connection, however, in the present invention there is also an Internet 20 connection created concurrently with the cable connection.
  • The [0033] Internet 20 connection can be via high-speed line, RF, conventional modem or by way of two-way cable carrying the video programming. The local PC 16 has Internet access via any of the current ASCII software mechanisms. In a preferred embodiment, at each subscriber home, an associated local URL decoder 12 receives the cable video television program, as shown in FIG. 1. The local URL decoder 12 extracts the URLs, preferably embedded in the vertical blanking interval, with the use of any conventional VBI decoder device. The URL decoder 12 may be either a stand-alone unit or a card which is implemented into the personal computer 16.
  • In another preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the uniform resource locators (URLs) are encoded into the video in the same manner as described above. Again, the URLs are preferably encoded onto eight fields of line [0034] 21 of the VBI, but may also be sent independently of the video. In this embodiment, the URL decoder 24 is located at the server site, as opposed to the subscriber location. When the decoder 24 receives the video program signal, it strips out the URL codes on line 21 of the VBI and delivers these codes independently to an Internet server 28. The URL code is then subsequently delivered over the Internet 20 to the user PC 16. Simultaneously, the video is broadcast over conventional broadcast or cable transmission means 36 to the user's personal computer 16.
  • Another preferred embodiment of the system, shown in FIG. 4, does not depend on, or even use, the VBI. In this preferred embodiment, the system will run an online service over the [0035] Internet 20. This service will be in the form of an Internet Web site 62 that provides a user-interface to a database 78 and to one or more associated data servers 90. The service will provide member-accounts to TV broadcasters 66 who sign up to use the system of the invention in conjunction with their broadcasts. Each member broadcaster will enter the service at their computer 70 through Web browser software 74 using their member account by entering various identification and password information. Once within their account, the member will be provided with a graphical user interface for pre-scheduling URLs for transmission to users 118 over a direct Internet connection 94 at particular times of day. The same user interface, or a variation on it, can be used by broadcasters for live transmission 82 of URLs to users at the same time as a broadcast 86.
  • For example, one example of this interface might be a scheduling calendar (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly) in which the [0036] broadcaster 66 may allocate time periods which coincide with their broadcasts 86, and during which they will send out URLs to their users to link to Web pages. For each time period (for example, a particular hour long period during the day) determined by the broadcaster 66 to be a broadcast period (a period during which they want to transmit URLs that correspond to a television show being broadcast from their TV broadcast facility 110 to the external TV 114 of the user 118 at that time), the broadcaster 66 may then enter a series of URLs into an associated file (“Link File”) for transmission over the Internet 20 at that time. This Link File might have a user interface such as a spreadsheet, table, or list, or it could be simply a tab-delimited or paragraph-delimited text-file. As an example, each of the records in the Link File consists of a data structure which could contain information such as:
  • (<timecode>,<URL>,<label or title>,<additional information>,<additional information>, . . . ) [0037]
  • The above data structure is just one example. The records in the Link File preferably specify the time, Internet address (i.e. URL), label (such as an associated name), and some optional additional information, for each Web page the [0038] broadcaster 66 desires to launch during a show.
  • When a [0039] broadcaster 66 modifies their calendar and/or the Link File associated with any given time period(s) in their calendar, this information is saved into the database 78 that is attached to the site 62. Each broadcaster 66 may maintain multiple calendars in the database 78 if they broadcast in different time zones, for example.
  • The [0040] database 78 provides the Link File records for upcoming time periods to a server 90, which may be one server or a distributed network of server programs on multiple computers across the network, to be utilized for scaling to large national or global audiences. The server 90 provides the Link File records, including the URLs, to the user's personal computer 16, which is connected via a network. Examples of possible networks include the public Internet 94, a direct private network, or even a wireless network.
  • One feature of the above embodiment is that one or [0041] more broadcasters 66 may utilize the same schedule in the database 78 for their own broadcasts 86 or during the same broadcast. For example, a network broadcaster may develop a master schedule and various affiliate broadcasters may subscribe to that schedule or copy it (in the database) and add or delete specific URLs in the schedule for their local audiences or unique programming. This scheme enables affiliates to insert URLs for local advertisers or local subjects into a sequence of more general URLs provided by their network broadcaster 66. In other words, the affiliate can add links that ride on the network feed and then redistribute it to their local audiences.
  • The above embodiment can also enable personalization in the form of unique series of URLs specific to each user's unique profile, which is directly sent over the [0042] Internet 20 to each user's specific client software 106. This can be achieved from the broadcaster 66 to each individual user 118, or to particular collections of users. To accomplish personalization, the service may send a different stream of URLs to each user's client software program 106. The stream of URLs sent would depend on a user profile stored in the database 78 or the client software program 106, a user profile which is built on demand or over time for each user 118 based on criteria such as the location of the user, choices the user makes while using a client software program 106, or choices the broadcaster 66 makes during a broadcast 86, or automatic choices made by an algorithm (such as a filter) residing on the service 62. Personalization enables each user to receive URLs which are uniquely relevant to their interests, demographics, history, or behavior in the system.
  • System Operation [0043]
  • Once the URLs have reached the [0044] personal computer 16, system operation is similar for all of the embodiments diagramed in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4.
  • In a preferred embodiment, a JAVA enabled [0045] browser 98 as well as specialized software 106 for performing part of the method of the present invention are installed on the computer 16. The JAVA enabled browser 98 allows the computer 16 to retrieve the Web pages 102 and is preferred software, since it is platform independent, and thus, enables efficient and flexible transfer of programs, images, etc., over the Internet 20. The specialized interface software 106 (hereinafter, “client software”), attached as Appendix A, acts as an interface between the video programming and the Internet functions of the present invention. The client software 106 retrieves URLs from the video program (embodiment of FIG. 1) or directly from the Internet connection (embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 4), interprets these URLs and directs the JAVA enabled browser 98 to retrieve the particular relevant Web pages 102, and synchronizes the retrieved Web pages to the video content for display on the user's computer 16, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and explained in more detail below.
  • In a preferred method, the URLs are encoded and embedded into the video signal by inserting them into the vertical blanking interval (VBI), as mentioned above. [0046]
  • In another preferred embodiment, the URLs are entered by [0047] member TV broadcasters 66 along with specified times for transmitting the URLs to the user. At the appropriate times, the URLs are sent directly over the Internet to the user's PC 16 via the client software 106 over a direct point-to-point or multicasting connection.
  • One method of the present invention has the capability to detect identical URLs sent directly after one another which causes the browser not to fetch URLs in these particular cases. As shown in FIG. 3, once the URL code is received at the computer, the [0048] client software 106 first interprets the URL and determines in step 42 whether the particular URL has been received previously. If it has already been received, the next received URL is interpreted for determination of prior receipt. If the particular URL has not been detected before, the software checks for misspelling in step 46 and any other errors, and if errors exist, corrects these particular errors. Once again, it is determined whether the URL has been previously detected. If it has, the next URL is accessed in step 38. If the URL has not been detected, the specific URL is added to the URL list in step 54. The specific URL is then sent to the Web browser, preferably a JAVA enabled browser 98. Upon receipt of the URL, the browser 98, in step 58, will access the Web site address 122 (FIG. 4) indicated by the URL and retrieve the cited Web page(s) 102 via the Internet.
  • Viewers can view the integrated presentation in the following manner. As mentioned above, the video signal is processed and displayed on a video window on the PC screen using a WinTV card, for example. The corresponding audio is forwarded to the audio card and sent to the PC speakers. [0049]
  • The actual retrieved [0050] Web pages 102, referenced by the URL, are optionally time stamped to be displayed on the computer screen when predetermined related video content is displayed in the video window, thus, enlightening and enhancing the video presentation by providing in-depth information related to the video content thereto. Another section on the screen is also preferably used to represent an operational control panel. This control panel provides a list of the URLs that have been broadcast and correspondingly received by the computer 16. This control panel is updated to add a URL code each time a new URL code is received by the PC 16. This list gives the subscriber the flexibility to go back and retrieve particularly informative or interesting Web pages that have already been displayed earlier in the program, or alternatively, to print them out for future reference. Furthermore, the list could include URLs referring to Web pages not displayed with the broadcast program, but that provide further information on a certain topic of interest to the viewer.
  • The present invention can best be understood with reference to an example. A viewer can begin watching a musical video featuring a new band, for example. As the video is received by the [0051] PC 16, URLs are either being received with the video signal or are being received directly via the Internet 20 or another data channel, and are being interpreted by the client software 106. Upon direction and command, the JAVA enabled browser 98 retrieves particular Web pages 102 from Internet 20 Web sites identified in the URLs. These Web pages 102 will then be displayed on the video screen at particular times. Thus, for example, while the viewer is watching the music video, biographical information on the band can also be displayed adjacently to the video window. Web pages 102 could also include an upcoming concert schedule, or even audio clips of the band's music may be downloaded from the Internet 20. As another example, a user could be watching a program relating to financial news. While the narrator is shown discussing high tech stocks, Web pages corresponding to detailed financial performance information on high tech stocks, environment and characteristics can be displayed with the video on the computer screen. If the personalization features are included, Web pages associated with a particular user's stock can be fetched and displayed on the computer screen with the video program. When the program narrator switches to a discussion on the weekly performance of the Dow Jones, Web pages presenting related financial performance information can be simultaneously displayed. Thus, it is evident that the present invention profoundly enriches the viewing and learning experience.
  • It is understood that there can exist alternative embodiments for use with the present invention. For example, the user can view the interactive program using a [0052] television set 114 or other display monitor in conjunction with the display screen of the personal computer 16. In this embodiment, the relevant Web pages are shown on the personal computer 16 while the video program is displayed on the television monitor 114. In this alternative embodiment, a cable set top box receives the television program from the multichannel cable. The personal computer 16 also receives the video program from the multi-channel cable and extracts the URLs, embedded in the vertical blanking interval of the video signal or directly transmitted 94 over the Internet 20. The client software 106 extracts the URLs and retrieves the particular Web pages as described above. The Web pages are then synchronized with the particular video frames and presented to the user. It is understood that a hyperlink may exist on the Web site that will allow the user to automatically load the client software and call up the specific television channel referenced in the Web site. For example, someone browsing the Internet 20 may come upon a major television network's Web site. They scroll to an interesting story then click on an hyperlink to turn on the software which tunes the TV window to the network to enhance the information residing at the Web site.
  • Furthermore, instead of receiving the video program from a transmission means, the video program can be addressed directly from the user site if the video program, with or without embedded URLs, is stored on a VHS, Beta, DVD or other medium. In this embodiment, the [0053] user PC 16 and/or television 114 are connected to a VCR, DVD player or other appropriate device.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 show two alternative embodiments for use with the present invention. For example, the user can view the interactive program using a [0054] television set 18 or other display monitor in conjunction with a digital cable box 140, as shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the digital cable box 140 performs the functions of the personal computer 16 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the client software is stored in memory in the digital cable box 140. In the preferred embodiment, the digital cable box 140 includes two tuners, thus allowing both the Web Page and the Video program to be simultaneously viewed on the same screen. If Video and Webstream, however, are carried on one channel, then only one timer is necessary.
  • The client software retrieves URLs from the received video program, directly from the [0055] Internet connection 20 or via a separate data channel, interprets these URLs and directs the Web enabled browser to retrieve the particular relevant Web pages, and synchronizes the retrieved Web pages to the video content for display on the television 18, as shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the relevant Web pages are shown in one frame of the television 18 while the video program is displayed in another frame.
  • In this alternative embodiment, the digital cable set [0056] top box 140 receives the television program from the multichannel cable. The URLs can be encoded into the digital program channel using MPEG 1, MPEG2, MPEG4, MPEG7 or any other compression video scheme. Alternatively, the URLs can be transmitted to the digital cable boxes 140 from an Internet server 148. The digital cable box 140 decodes the URLs from the digital video signal or directly transmitted over the Internet 20. The client software decodes the URLs and retrieves the particular Web pages as described above. The Web pages are then preferably synchronized with the particular video frames and presented to the user.
  • As with all the embodiments described above, instead of receiving the video program from a transmission means, the video program can be addressed directly from a [0057] local video source 144 if the video program, with or without embedded URLs, is stored on a VHS, Beta, DVD or other medium. In this embodiment, the digital cable box 140 is connected to a VCR, DVD player or other appropriate device.
  • FIG. 6 discloses an embodiment where a [0058] digital TV 152 is the remote reception unit. In this embodiment, the digital TV 152 performs the functions of the personal computer, shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, and the digital cable box 140 shown in FIG. 5. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a processor means and memory are incorporated into the digital TV 152. Further, the client software and Web browser software are implemented into memory in the digital TV 152. All of the functions described above with reference to the other embodiments are performed in a similar manner by the digital TV 152 embodiment.
  • Although the digital cable box/[0059] TV 140, 18 and digital TV 152, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, are incorporated into the embodiment of FIG. 1, in substitution for the PC 16, they also could be substituted for the PC 16 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.
  • The user can view the video and web content on one screen (in two windows), or with the video on one display screen and the Web content on a separate display monitor. Alternatively, the user can access the video or web content separately. Thus, the user can branch from video to web content and vice versa. [0060]
  • The present invention is well-suited to the education environment. In this embodiment, students and teachers access one or more Web servers. The software components include instructor and student user software, authoring software and database assessment software. In one such embodiment, an instructor uses content creation software on a personal computer to easily integrate into their curriculum current information published on the Web, through an easy to use [0061] interface 156 such as that shown in FIG. 7. The instructor creates a playlist (i.e. linkfile) 160, the playlist 160 comprising a listing of Web pages, text notes and questions. The Web sites and questions are set forth in a predetermined order and can be assigned times. Preferably, the URLs identifying the Web site and time stamps are sent automatically to the desktop of each student in the virtual community, either during playback of a pre-recorded program or during a live event.
  • At each of the student workstations, the program is directed by the [0062] playlist 160. In other words, the playlist 160 provides the structure for the program. At predetermined times as dictated by the playlist 160, the browser will go fetch and display a Web page in a frame on the computer screen. Because program events can be set up in this manner at predetermined times, the entire program and playlist can be prerecorded and stored in a Web database for later access by students.
  • A significant advantage of the present invention for educational applications is that the students and the instructor can be located anywhere, as long as they are all connected to the Web. Because a server is essentially controlling the program, the instructor output comes from the server and the student workstations get automatically updated by the Web server. [0063]
  • This educational embodiment integrates Web content and other media with collaborative groupware functionality to create an interactive environment for students and teachers. In this embodiment, the student can receive a traditional video lesson through a frame in his or her Web browser, or from a television. Simultaneously, the present invention provides separate frames, an example of which is shown in FIG. 8, in the browser displaying: (1) [0064] Web pages 176 automatically delivered to each student's desktop with information or exercises that complement the video presentation; (2) a chat dialogue frame 168 for conversing with the instructor and/or other students online; and (3), an interactive playlist 164 of Web pages and questions comprising the lesson.
  • In the student interface of FIG. 8, each student can perform a virtual experiment during a physics lesson to learn about gravity, for example. Further, the students are conversing with one another and the instructor in the [0065] chat dialogue frame 168. They may also send Web pages to one another and provide answers to questions from the teacher via the chat dialogue frame 168 of the student interface 176. With the chat feature, students may break into subgroups for collaborative learning. Whenever a student in the group sends a message, the message is sent to the Internet server 20 and every other student in the subgroup receives and views the message in their Chat dialogue frame 168.
  • The instructor, however, may retain control over the chat feature. For example, the instructor can terminate the chat feature or web pushing to terminate unruly on-line conversations or the sending of Web pages by students. [0066]
  • Unlike conventional distance learning systems, the present invention is more powerful by allowing the instructor to freely and conveniently exercise almost any time of testing strategy. The instructor can test students using a combination of the Chat dialogue feature and Web pages. For example, multiple choice questions and short answer questions can appear in the [0067] Chat window 168. Essay questions, requiring longer answers, become Web pages. As mentioned above, students can perform virtual experiments on-line. Once the instructor's personal computer receives student answers, student scoring can be presented to the instructor in any format including tables, charts, diagrams, bar graphs, etc. The instructor, thus, can analyze the results and has the capability of providing real-time feedback to the students.
  • Students can also receive individualized feedback via branched interactive audio, video and/or graphics responses. For example, the workstation may branch to a particular audio response, preferably prerecorded in the instructor's own voice, based on the student response to a multiple choice question. In this embodiment, a plurality of potential audio responses are made available at the student's workstation according to any one of the methodologies set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,141, entitled DISTANCE LEARNING SYSTEM, herein incorporated by reference. Alternatively, personalized video, audio and graphics segments can be delivered and displayed to the student based on a student answer or personal profile in the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,091, entitled COMPRESSED DIGITAL DATA INTERACTIVE PROGRAM SYSTEM, herein incorporated by reference. [0068]
  • Responses to student answers can be more substantive based on the memory feature of the present invention. The memory feature is an algorithm that selects an interactive response to the user based not only on the student's current answer selection, but also his or her previous responses, as discussed in the aforementioned applications. The algorithm, preferably stored in memory at each student's workstation and under processor control, merely selects an output interactive response based on student responses. As another example, if a student gets three answers in sequence right, he or she receives a more difficult question. If, however, the student misses one or more of the three questions, he or she receives an easier question. [0069]
  • In another embodiment of the present invention, a system is described capable of handling the education requirements of several schools in an efficiently designed network. The system shown in FIG. 9 solves the problems inherent in attempting to service large numbers of users, the most obvious obstacles being the issues of load and performance. In this embodiment shown in FIG. 9, [0070] communications servers 180 distribute and route messages across a LAN, WAN and the Internet. Referring to FIG. 9, in the center of the diagram is the Group Database server. Surrounding the database server are several Corn Servers 180, each serving an area 192. Surrounding each Corn Server 180 are squares representing user stations 188. The Communication Servers 180 are organized in node relationships with one another.
  • Each node is responsible for serving an [0071] Area 192. An Area 192 is defined as a Virtual location serviced by a single Communications Server 180 (or “Corn Server”). An Area 192 may be a single school, an office, or may consist of several actual physical locations. The defining characteristic of an Area 192 is that messages sent from one member of an Area 192 to another need not be routed outside of the servicing Corn Server 180.
  • An Area member is analogous to the frequently used term “user.” For example, a “user” may be a student in the educational embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. [0072]
  • The Distributed Communication System of FIG. 9 shall permit the dynamic addition of [0073] Communication Servers 180 within a group with little or no administrative tasks as well as the addition of groups within an overall communications network. A Communication Server group consists of several defined Virtual Areas 192 (preferably, consisting of no more the 250 members each), each area 192 serviced by a single Corn Server 180. This system shall allow members of one Area 192, or group to easily communicate with members of another Area 192 or group without any configuration changes.
  • Generally, service of very large numbers of users has required large expensive servers and networks. As the user base increases, performance suffers and hardware must be upgraded to service the demand. [0074]
  • The Distributed Communication System of the present invention allows the same, relatively inexpensive machines to serve an ever-increasing user base. The technique by which this will be accomplished will be through the routing of messages from one server to another when necessary. [0075]
  • The method essentially follows the same core pattern as IP routing and DNS lookups. If a message is for a member not belonging to the [0076] current Area 192 or group, the message shall be routed through the Distributed Communication System until its destination, or someone who knows the destination and can deliver the message, is found.
  • The destination will be cached so subsequent messages for that member or group may be more efficiently delivered. [0077]
  • Referring again to FIG. 9, if a message is posted by member “A” and is intended only for the members of [0078] group 1 the message shall never leave Area 1 Com Server. However, if the message is intended for members of Area 1 and the members of Area 2, the Area 1 Com server forwards the message to the group database server 184. The message shall be broadcast to the members of Area 1 and tagged in the database 184 as belonging to Area 2. The message is then routed to Area 2 and broadcast to Area 2 members. With this technique any member can potentially send a message to any other member. If the Area Com server 180 does not recognize the destination, the message is forwarded up the line. Each Com server 180 does not need to know about any other server 180. Messages are routed until they delivered. If undeliverable, the original sender is notified.
  • [0079] New Areas 192 can be added on the fly. When a new Corn server 188 is added to the network, it registers itself with the database application. Henceforth, any message destined for the new Area 192 can be routed properly without altering the other Area Servers 180.
  • This method and system works for global messages or for user to user messages. Furthermore, new Groups may also be dynamically added. Once added, each new [0080] Group Database Server 184 registers itself with the existing database servers 184. This distribution of load permits nearly unlimited expansion with existing software and hardware. Each server manages a finite number of members, cumulatively serving a growing community.
  • Users need not be informed as to the [0081] particular Com Server 180 they should connect to. Members are directed to a single URL. The selection of the server for user connection is determined by load balancing software. In this manner, the network may appear to be a global network of Servers or simply a local classroom.
  • The unique aspects of this architecture, using database servers as routing gateways, using techniques resembling IP routing and DNS lookup, enables this system to serve with minimum administration and configuration and with lower end, cost-effective hardware. [0082]
  • Using the foregoing embodiments, methods and processes, the system of the present invention creates a synergistic experience combining the vast resources of the Internet with the presentation capabilities of television. [0083]

Claims (64)

We claim:
1. A system for presenting a programming signal and at least one corresponding related online information segment obtained from an online information source, the system comprising:
a first receiver which receives the programming signal;
a second receiver which receives an address identifying the online information source providing the online information segment related to the programming signal;
a processor, connected to the second receiver, which establishes a communications link with the online information source identified by the address and receives the online information segment associated with the programming signal;
a first display monitor, connected to the first receiver, for displaying the programming signal; and
a second display monitor, connected to the processor, for displaying the online information segment.
2. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the programming signal is received via a transmission medium selected from the group consisting of: the Internet, an intranet, radio frequency broadcast, a wireless connection, satellite broadcast, cable, telephone circuit, fiber optics, a public network, and a private network.
3. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the programming signal comprises at least one of a form selected from the group consisting of: a video signal, a combined audio and video signal, an audio signal, data, video stills, animations, text, graphics, multimedia, slow frame video, and a sequence of individual frames.
4. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the programming signal includes a news program and the online information segment contains additional information related to the news program.
5. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the programming signal includes an advertisement and the online information segment contains additional information related to the advertisement.
6. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the programming signal includes a sports program and the online information segment contains additional information related to the sports program.
7. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the programming signal includes an entertainment program and the online information segment contains additional information related to the entertainment program.
8. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the programming signal includes a music video and the online information segment contains additional information related to the music video.
9. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the processor and the second receiver are components of a device selected from the group consisting of: a personal computer, a television, a cable box, a satellite receiver, a hand-held computer, and a VCR.
10. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the processor and the second receiver are components of a wired device.
11. A system as described in claim, wherein the processor and the second receiver are components of a wireless device.
12. A system as described in claim 1, further comprising a chat interface which facilitates interactive communications between a user and at least one selected from the group consisting of: the online information source and a second user.
13. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the address is received via a transmission medium selected from the group consisting of: the Internet, an intranet, radio frequency broadcast, telephone circuit, a wired connection, a wireless connection, satellite broadcast, cable, fiber optics, a public network, and a private network.
14. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the programming signal includes music and the online information segment contains additional information related to the music.
15. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the online information segment relates to a sports program.
16. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the online information segment relates to an advertisement.
17. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the online information segment relates to a game show program.
18. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the online information segment relates to a motion picture program.
19. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the online information segment relates to a video program.
20. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the online information segment relates to a live program.
21. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the online information segment relates to an audio program.
22. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the online information segment relates to a music video program.
23. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the online information segment relates to a pre-recorded program.
24. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the online information segment relates to a news program.
25. A system as described in claim 1, further comprising a data management storage device, wherein information about a user is stored in the data management storage device.
26. A system as described in claim 25, wherein the user information contains information on clicks made by the user on a user interface while using an online service source.
27. A system as described in claim 25, wherein information on a plurality of users is stored in the data management storage device.
28. A system as described in claim 25, wherein the programming signal is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.
29. A system as described in claim 25, wherein the online information segment is selected, at least in part, based on user information.
30. A system as described in claim 25, wherein the address is selected, at least in part, based on user information.
31. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the online information segment relates to at least one selected from the group consisting of: a sports program, an advertisement, a motion picture program, a game show program, a video program, a live program, an audio program, a music video program, a pre-recorded program, a sitcom program, a non-commercial program, and a news program.
32. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the online information segment relates to a polling question.
33. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the address is a Internet URL, the URL identifying the online information source.
34. A system as described in claim 25, wherein the user information contains information selected from the group consisting of: the geographic location of the user, clicks made by the user on a user interface while using an on line service source, user viewing habits, and demographics of the user.
35. A system as described in claim 25, wherein the data management storage device is located at a location selected from the group consisting of: a user station, a personal computer, a cable head-end, a cable box, a satellite receiver, an intranet site, a public network, a private network, and an Internet site.
36. A system as described in claim 25, wherein the programming signal contains a predetermined advertisement and wherein selection of the predetermined advertisement is based, at least in part, on the user information.
37. A system as described in claim 25, wherein at least one online information segment contains an advertisement and wherein the advertisement is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.
38. A system as described in claim 25, wherein the programming signal contains a graphics segment and wherein the graphics segment is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.
39. A method for receiving online information related to a received programming signal comprising:
receiving an address identifying an online information source providing the online information related to the programming signal;
establishing automatically a communications link with the online information source;
communicating a request for the online information to the online information source; and
receiving the online information from the online information source.
40. A method as described in claim 39, wherein the programming signal is received from a source selected from the group consisting of: a cable head-end, an Internet content server, a broadcaster, a telephone circuit, a wireless service source, a public network, a private network, and a satellite broadcast operations center.
41. A method as described in claim 39, wherein the address is received via a transmission medium selected from the group consisting of: the Internet, an intranet, terrestrial broadcast, satellite broadcast, a telephone circuit, cable, fiber optics, a wireless connection, a public network, and a private network.
42. A method as described in claim 39, wherein the programming signal includes a presentation of a live event.
43. A method as described in claim 39, wherein the programming signal includes a pre-recorded program.
44. A method as described in claim 39, wherein the programming signal includes an advertisement.
45. A method as described in claim 39, wherein the programming signal includes an audio program.
46. A method as described in claim 39, wherein the programming signal includes a game show program.
47. A method as described in claim 39, wherein the programming signal includes a sports program.
48. A method as described in claim 39, wherein the programming signal includes a motion picture program.
49. A method as described in claim 39, wherein the programming signal includes a music video program.
50. A method as described in claim 39, wherein the programming signal includes a news program.
51. A method as described in claim 39, wherein the online information relates to at least one selected from the group consisting of: a sports program, an advertisement, a motion picture program, a game show program, a video program, a live program, an audio program, a music video program, a pre-recorded program, a sitcom program, a non5 commercial program, and a news program.
52. A method as described in claim 39, wherein the online information relates to a polling question.
53. A method as described in claim 39, wherein the address is an Internet URL, the URL identifying the online information source.
54. A method as described in claim 39, further comprising storing information about a user in a data management device.
55. A method as described in claim 54, further comprising analyzing the user information.
56. A method as described in claim 54, wherein the user information contains user clicks made by the user on a user interface while using an online service source.
57. A method as described in claim 54, wherein the user information contains information selected from the group consisting of: the geographic location of the user, clicks made by the user on a user interface while using an on line service source, user viewing habits, and demographics of the user.
58. A method as described in claim 54, wherein the data management storage device is located at a location selected from the group consisting of: a user station, a personal computer, a cable box, a satellite receiver, cable head-end, an intranet site, a public network, a private network, and an Internet site.
59. A method as described in claim 54, wherein the programming signal is received, at least in part, based on a user profile.
60. A method as described in claim 54, wherein the online content is requested, at least in part, based on a user profile.
61. A method as described in claim 54, wherein the address is received, at least in part, based on a user profile.
62. A method as described in claim 54, wherein the programming signal contains a predetermined advertisement and wherein selection of the predetermined advertisement is based, at least in part, on the user information.
63. A method as described in claim 54, wherein the online information contains an advertisement and wherein the advertisement is selected, at least in part, based on the user profile.
64. A method as described in claim 54, wherein the programming signal contains a graphics segment and wherein the graphics segment is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.
US10/008,835 1996-03-08 2001-12-06 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments Abandoned US20020042813A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/008,835 US20020042813A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2001-12-06 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US10/299,253 US20030065719A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2002-11-18 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US61314496A 1996-03-08 1996-03-08
US08/615,143 US5778181A (en) 1996-03-08 1996-03-14 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US09/109,945 US6018768A (en) 1996-03-08 1998-07-06 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US09/472,385 US20020038383A1 (en) 1999-12-23 1999-12-23 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US63335000A 2000-08-04 2000-08-04
US10/008,835 US20020042813A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2001-12-06 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US63335000A Continuation 1996-03-08 2000-08-04

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/299,253 Continuation US20030065719A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2002-11-18 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20020042813A1 true US20020042813A1 (en) 2002-04-11

Family

ID=27493723

Family Applications (14)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/004,912 Abandoned US20020049832A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2001-11-02 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US09/998,587 Abandoned US20020035615A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2001-11-16 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US09/998,588 Abandoned US20020035600A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2001-11-16 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US09/998,592 Abandoned US20020035601A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2001-11-16 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US09/998,590 Abandoned US20020038344A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2001-11-16 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US09/998,572 Abandoned US20020035614A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2001-11-16 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US10/008,835 Abandoned US20020042813A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2001-12-06 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US10/294,119 Abandoned US20030088674A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2002-11-13 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US10/294,068 Abandoned US20030101232A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2002-11-13 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US10/294,092 Abandoned US20030167300A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2002-11-13 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US10/299,253 Abandoned US20030065719A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2002-11-18 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US10/299,335 Expired - Fee Related US7409437B2 (en) 1996-03-08 2002-11-18 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated Internet information segments
US10/761,351 Expired - Fee Related US7243139B2 (en) 1996-03-08 2004-01-22 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated Internet information segments
US10/779,646 Abandoned US20040205822A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2004-02-18 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved intergrated Internet information segments

Family Applications Before (6)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/004,912 Abandoned US20020049832A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2001-11-02 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US09/998,587 Abandoned US20020035615A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2001-11-16 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US09/998,588 Abandoned US20020035600A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2001-11-16 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US09/998,592 Abandoned US20020035601A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2001-11-16 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US09/998,590 Abandoned US20020038344A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2001-11-16 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US09/998,572 Abandoned US20020035614A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2001-11-16 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments

Family Applications After (7)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/294,119 Abandoned US20030088674A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2002-11-13 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US10/294,068 Abandoned US20030101232A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2002-11-13 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US10/294,092 Abandoned US20030167300A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2002-11-13 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US10/299,253 Abandoned US20030065719A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2002-11-18 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US10/299,335 Expired - Fee Related US7409437B2 (en) 1996-03-08 2002-11-18 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated Internet information segments
US10/761,351 Expired - Fee Related US7243139B2 (en) 1996-03-08 2004-01-22 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated Internet information segments
US10/779,646 Abandoned US20040205822A1 (en) 1996-03-08 2004-02-18 Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved intergrated Internet information segments

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (14) US20020049832A1 (en)

Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030084444A1 (en) * 1996-03-08 2003-05-01 Actv, Inc. Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US20030142237A1 (en) * 2000-01-18 2003-07-31 Van Gils Marinus Hendrikus Petrus Cornelis Video signal provided with advertising
US20030182393A1 (en) * 2002-03-25 2003-09-25 Sony Corporation System and method for retrieving uniform resource locators from television content
US6711552B1 (en) * 1999-08-27 2004-03-23 Matthew W. Kay Apparatus and method for saving commerce related information in a broadcast programming network
WO2004036897A2 (en) * 2002-10-18 2004-04-29 Intellocity Usa, Inc. Triggered video system
US20040261100A1 (en) * 2002-10-18 2004-12-23 Thomas Huber iChoose video advertising
US20060195878A1 (en) * 2000-04-12 2006-08-31 Lg Electronics Inc. Apparatus and method for providing and obtaining product information through a broadcast signal
US7149776B1 (en) * 2001-08-31 2006-12-12 Oracle International Corp. System and method for real-time co-browsing
US20070100904A1 (en) * 2005-10-31 2007-05-03 Qwest Communications International Inc. Creation and transmission of rich content media
US7234155B1 (en) * 1999-08-27 2007-06-19 Kay Matthew W Automating commerce on a broadcast programming distribution network
US20070261079A1 (en) * 2000-04-12 2007-11-08 Lg Electronics Inc. Method and video device for accessing information
US20080276174A1 (en) * 2005-01-14 2008-11-06 International Business Machines Corporation Providing an Interactive Presentation Environment
CN100446549C (en) * 2005-05-11 2008-12-24 海尔集团公司 Television and image displaying method thereof
US20090138195A1 (en) * 2004-06-23 2009-05-28 Garmin Ltd. System and method utilizing non-gps satellite content in real-time navigation
AU2008201189B2 (en) * 2002-10-18 2011-05-12 Opentv, Inc. Triggered video system
US20110179010A1 (en) * 2010-01-15 2011-07-21 Hulu Llc Method and apparatus for providing supplemental video content for third party websites
US20110179357A1 (en) * 2010-01-15 2011-07-21 Hulu Llc Method and apparatus for providing supplemental video content for third party websites
US20120216228A1 (en) * 2011-02-17 2012-08-23 Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc. Program guide including online channels
US20120316934A1 (en) * 2010-02-16 2012-12-13 Axel Springer Digital Tv Guide Gmbh Adaptive placement of auxiliary media in recommender systems
US8782726B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2014-07-15 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Method for taking action based on a request related to an electronic media work
US20160328891A1 (en) * 2014-10-09 2016-11-10 The Boeing Company Methods and apparatus for operating flight control systems of aircrafts
CN106461410A (en) * 2014-06-27 2017-02-22 谷歌公司 Generating turn-by-turn direction previews
US10643385B1 (en) 2014-04-24 2020-05-05 Google Llc Automatically generating panorama tours

Families Citing this family (218)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6769128B1 (en) 1995-06-07 2004-07-27 United Video Properties, Inc. Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with data feed access
US8850477B2 (en) * 1995-10-02 2014-09-30 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Systems and methods for linking television viewers with advertisers and broadcasters
US7035914B1 (en) * 1996-01-26 2006-04-25 Simpleair Holdings, Inc. System and method for transmission of data
US6025837A (en) 1996-03-29 2000-02-15 Micrsoft Corporation Electronic program guide with hyperlinks to target resources
US6240555B1 (en) * 1996-03-29 2001-05-29 Microsoft Corporation Interactive entertainment system for presenting supplemental interactive content together with continuous video programs
US6469753B1 (en) 1996-05-03 2002-10-22 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Information system
US20070055582A1 (en) 1996-11-12 2007-03-08 Hahn-Carlson Dean W Transaction processing with core and distributor processor implementations
US8392285B2 (en) 1996-11-12 2013-03-05 Syncada Llc Multi-supplier transaction and payment programmed processing approach with at least one supplier
US20080172314A1 (en) 1996-11-12 2008-07-17 Hahn-Carlson Dean W Financial institution-based transaction processing system and approach
US8396811B1 (en) 1999-02-26 2013-03-12 Syncada Llc Validation approach for auditing a vendor-based transaction
US7607147B1 (en) * 1996-12-11 2009-10-20 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Interactive service device metering systems
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
US8640160B2 (en) * 1997-01-06 2014-01-28 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Method and system for providing targeted advertisements
US6983478B1 (en) * 2000-02-01 2006-01-03 Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation Method and system for tracking network use
ATE355662T1 (en) * 1997-01-06 2006-03-15 Bellsouth Intellect Pty Corp METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR NETWORK USAGE COLLECTION
US7802276B2 (en) * 1997-01-06 2010-09-21 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Systems, methods and products for assessing subscriber content access
US7617508B2 (en) * 2003-12-12 2009-11-10 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Methods and systems for collaborative capture of television viewer generated clickstreams
US20050283401A1 (en) * 1997-01-06 2005-12-22 Swix Scott R Method and system for targeting incentives
US7587323B2 (en) 2001-12-14 2009-09-08 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. System and method for developing tailored content
US6128653A (en) * 1997-03-17 2000-10-03 Microsoft Corporation Method and apparatus for communication media commands and media data using the HTTP protocol
GB2325537B8 (en) 1997-03-31 2000-01-31 Microsoft Corp Query-based electronic program guide
US5907831A (en) * 1997-04-04 1999-05-25 Lotvin; Mikhail Computer apparatus and methods supporting different categories of users
US6381748B1 (en) * 1997-05-02 2002-04-30 Gte Main Street Incorporated Apparatus and methods for network access using a set top box and television
ES2475242T3 (en) 1997-07-21 2014-07-10 Gemstar Development Corporation Systems and methods for displaying and recording control interfaces
US7437313B1 (en) 1998-03-11 2008-10-14 West Direct, Llc Methods, computer-readable media, and apparatus for offering users a plurality of scenarios under which to conduct at least one primary transaction
US7364068B1 (en) 1998-03-11 2008-04-29 West Corporation Methods and apparatus for intelligent selection of goods and services offered to conferees
US7181756B1 (en) * 1998-06-17 2007-02-20 Microsoft Corporation Television/internet terminal user interface
CN1867068A (en) 1998-07-14 2006-11-22 联合视频制品公司 Client-server based interactive television program guide system with remote server recording
US6898762B2 (en) 1998-08-21 2005-05-24 United Video Properties, Inc. Client-server electronic program guide
US6453420B1 (en) 1999-04-21 2002-09-17 Research Investment Network, Inc. System, method and article of manufacture for authorizing the use of electronic content utilizing a laser-centric medium
US6529949B1 (en) 2000-02-07 2003-03-04 Interactual Technologies, Inc. System, method and article of manufacture for remote unlocking of local content located on a client device
US6769130B1 (en) * 2000-01-20 2004-07-27 Interactual Technologies, Inc. System, method and article of manufacture for late synchronization during the execution of a multimedia event on a plurality of client computers
KR100323685B1 (en) * 1999-11-12 2002-02-07 구자홍 Method for receiving data contents and method for the same
US6993245B1 (en) 1999-11-18 2006-01-31 Vulcan Patents Llc Iterative, maximally probable, batch-mode commercial detection for audiovisual content
US7028071B1 (en) * 2000-01-28 2006-04-11 Bycast Inc. Content distribution system for generating content streams to suit different users and facilitating e-commerce transactions using broadcast content metadata
US6757707B1 (en) * 2000-02-01 2004-06-29 America Online, Inc. Displayed complementary content sources in a web-based TV system
US7661116B2 (en) * 2000-02-25 2010-02-09 Vulcan Patents Llc Auction for targeted content
AU2001249994A1 (en) 2000-02-25 2001-09-03 Interval Research Corporation Method and system for selecting advertisements
US8910199B2 (en) 2000-02-25 2014-12-09 Interval Licensing Llc Targeted television content display
US7299289B1 (en) * 2000-04-28 2007-11-20 Accordent Technologies, Inc. Method, system, and article of manufacture for integrating streaming content and a real time interactive dynamic user interface over a network
US6643650B1 (en) * 2000-05-09 2003-11-04 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Mechanism and apparatus for using messages to look up documents stored in spaces in a distributed computing environment
US8135796B1 (en) 2000-05-09 2012-03-13 Oracle America, Inc. Mechanism and apparatus for accessing and addressing services in a distributed computing environment
US20020057297A1 (en) * 2000-06-12 2002-05-16 Tom Grimes Personalized content management
US7096489B2 (en) * 2000-08-28 2006-08-22 Sony Corporation System and method for interactive television
US7689510B2 (en) * 2000-09-07 2010-03-30 Sonic Solutions Methods and system for use in network management of content
MXPA03003138A (en) 2000-10-11 2003-07-14 United Video Properties Inc Systems and methods for providing storage of data on servers in an on-demand media delivery system.
US7197708B1 (en) * 2000-12-20 2007-03-27 Cisco Technology, Inc. Set top to internet device communication and use
US20030167465A1 (en) * 2001-01-17 2003-09-04 Davis T. Ron Method and system for supplementing television programming with e-mailed magazines
US20030167470A1 (en) * 2001-01-17 2003-09-04 Davis T. Ron Method and system for supplementing television programming with e-mailed magazines
US20020154887A1 (en) * 2001-04-23 2002-10-24 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. System and method for storing digital broadcast data
ATE264580T1 (en) * 2001-06-14 2004-04-15 Cit Alcatel TERMINAL, NETWORK ACCESS SERVER SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT ALLOWING AT LEAST ONE USER TO CONTACT AT LEAST ONE SERVICE SYSTEM
US20030018583A1 (en) * 2001-07-20 2003-01-23 Ratzenberger John D. Method for attracting a user to a site on a computer network
US20030052999A1 (en) * 2001-09-14 2003-03-20 Weber Matthew Alan Method and apparatus for a news and music video feed
US8413205B2 (en) 2001-09-19 2013-04-02 Tvworks, Llc System and method for construction, delivery and display of iTV content
US8042132B2 (en) 2002-03-15 2011-10-18 Tvworks, Llc System and method for construction, delivery and display of iTV content
US11388451B2 (en) 2001-11-27 2022-07-12 Comcast Cable Communications Management, Llc Method and system for enabling data-rich interactive television using broadcast database
US8365230B2 (en) * 2001-09-19 2013-01-29 Tvworks, Llc Interactive user interface for television applications
US20030093806A1 (en) * 2001-11-14 2003-05-15 Vincent Dureau Remote re-creation of data in a television system
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
US20070266413A1 (en) * 2001-12-20 2007-11-15 I-Requestv, Inc. Method and system for supplementing television programming with e-mailed magazines
US20070157233A1 (en) * 2001-12-20 2007-07-05 I-Requestv, Inc. Method and system for supplementing television programming with e-mailed magazines
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
US8086491B1 (en) 2001-12-31 2011-12-27 At&T Intellectual Property I, L. P. Method and system for targeted content distribution using tagged data streams
US20030140093A1 (en) * 2002-01-23 2003-07-24 Factor Cory L. Method and apparatus for providing content over a distributed network
US7703116B1 (en) 2003-07-11 2010-04-20 Tvworks, Llc System and method for construction, delivery and display of iTV applications that blend programming information of on-demand and broadcast service offerings
US8707354B1 (en) 2002-06-12 2014-04-22 Tvworks, Llc Graphically rich, modular, promotional tile interface for interactive television
US7944953B2 (en) 2002-04-03 2011-05-17 Tvworks, Llc Method and apparatus for transmitting data in a data stream
US8612196B2 (en) * 2002-04-11 2013-12-17 Linden Research, Inc. System and method for distributed simulation in which different simulation servers simulate different regions of a simulation space
US7665110B2 (en) * 2002-05-14 2010-02-16 Lg Electronics Inc. System and method for synchronous reproduction of local and remote content in a communication network
AU2003228071A1 (en) * 2002-05-27 2003-12-12 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Web-based television
US8352983B1 (en) 2002-07-11 2013-01-08 Tvworks, Llc Programming contextual interactive user interface for television
US7239981B2 (en) 2002-07-26 2007-07-03 Arbitron Inc. Systems and methods for gathering audience measurement data
US20040025191A1 (en) * 2002-07-31 2004-02-05 B. Popular, Inc. System and method for creating and presenting content packages
US11070890B2 (en) 2002-08-06 2021-07-20 Comcast Cable Communications Management, Llc User customization of user interfaces for interactive television
US8220018B2 (en) 2002-09-19 2012-07-10 Tvworks, Llc System and method for preferred placement programming of iTV content
US8959016B2 (en) 2002-09-27 2015-02-17 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Activating functions in processing devices using start codes embedded in audio
US9711153B2 (en) 2002-09-27 2017-07-18 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Activating functions in processing devices using encoded audio and detecting audio signatures
AU2003275382A1 (en) * 2002-10-02 2004-04-23 Nielsen Media Research, Inc. Methods and apparatus to present survey information
CA2511919A1 (en) 2002-12-27 2004-07-22 Nielsen Media Research, Inc. Methods and apparatus for transcoding metadata
US20040128698A1 (en) * 2002-12-31 2004-07-01 Helena Goldfarb Apparatus and methods for scheduling events
US7493646B2 (en) 2003-01-30 2009-02-17 United Video Properties, Inc. Interactive television systems with digital video recording and adjustable reminders
US11381875B2 (en) 2003-03-14 2022-07-05 Comcast Cable Communications Management, Llc Causing display of user-selectable content types
US10664138B2 (en) 2003-03-14 2020-05-26 Comcast Cable Communications, Llc Providing supplemental content for a second screen experience
US8578411B1 (en) 2003-03-14 2013-11-05 Tvworks, Llc System and method for controlling iTV application behaviors through the use of application profile filters
US7805746B2 (en) * 2003-03-14 2010-09-28 Tvworks, Llc Optimized application on-the-wire format for construction, delivery and display of enhanced television content
US8416952B1 (en) 2003-07-11 2013-04-09 Tvworks, Llc Channel family surf control
US7437682B1 (en) 2003-08-07 2008-10-14 Apple Inc. Icon label placement in a graphical user interface
US8819734B2 (en) 2003-09-16 2014-08-26 Tvworks, Llc Contextual navigational control for digital television
US9418704B2 (en) 2003-09-17 2016-08-16 Hitachi Maxell, Ltd. Program, recording medium, and reproducing apparatus
US20050097600A1 (en) * 2003-11-03 2005-05-05 Heer David De On-demand content promotion over broadcast content
US7984468B2 (en) 2003-11-06 2011-07-19 United Video Properties, Inc. Systems and methods for providing program suggestions in an interactive television program guide
US20050210394A1 (en) * 2004-03-16 2005-09-22 Crandall Evan S Method for providing concurrent audio-video and audio instant messaging sessions
AU2005255453B2 (en) 2004-06-09 2007-11-08 Syncada Llc Financial institution-based transaction processing system and approach
US8762238B2 (en) 2004-06-09 2014-06-24 Syncada Llc Recurring transaction processing system and approach
US7574386B2 (en) 2004-06-09 2009-08-11 U.S. Bank National Association Transaction accounting auditing approach and system therefor
US7925551B2 (en) * 2004-06-09 2011-04-12 Syncada Llc Automated transaction processing system and approach
AU2005255456B2 (en) 2004-06-09 2007-09-13 Syncada Llc Order-resource fulfillment and management system and approach
US9641902B2 (en) 2007-06-26 2017-05-02 Broadband Itv, Inc. Dynamic adjustment of electronic program guide displays based on viewer preferences for minimizing navigation in VOD program selection
US9584868B2 (en) 2004-07-30 2017-02-28 Broadband Itv, Inc. Dynamic adjustment of electronic program guide displays based on viewer preferences for minimizing navigation in VOD program selection
US11259059B2 (en) 2004-07-30 2022-02-22 Broadband Itv, Inc. System for addressing on-demand TV program content on TV services platform of a digital TV services provider
US7590997B2 (en) 2004-07-30 2009-09-15 Broadband Itv, Inc. System and method for managing, converting and displaying video content on a video-on-demand platform, including ads used for drill-down navigation and consumer-generated classified ads
US7631336B2 (en) 2004-07-30 2009-12-08 Broadband Itv, Inc. Method for converting, navigating and displaying video content uploaded from the internet to a digital TV video-on-demand platform
US7178720B1 (en) * 2004-09-30 2007-02-20 West Corporation Methods, computer-readable media, and computer program product for intelligent selection of items encoded onto portable machine-playable entertainment media
WO2006041260A1 (en) * 2004-10-13 2006-04-20 Electronics And Telecommunications Research Institute Extended multimedia file structure and multimedia file producting method and multimedia file executing method
US20060117020A1 (en) * 2004-12-01 2006-06-01 John Toebes Arrangement for selecting a server to provide distributed services from among multiple servers based on a location of a client device
WO2006066052A2 (en) 2004-12-16 2006-06-22 Sonic Solutions Methods and systems for use in network management of content
US7904923B2 (en) * 2005-01-05 2011-03-08 Rovi Solutions Corporation Applications registry for a television environment
KR101087102B1 (en) * 2005-02-01 2011-11-25 엘지전자 주식회사 Program information method of digital broadcasting receiver
KR100706202B1 (en) * 2005-04-25 2007-04-11 안기순 Shadow community producing system matched to a variable area of an internet base and method of the same
US7818667B2 (en) 2005-05-03 2010-10-19 Tv Works Llc Verification of semantic constraints in multimedia data and in its announcement, signaling and interchange
GB0509312D0 (en) * 2005-05-06 2005-06-15 British Broadcasting Corp Method and apparatus for providing an interactive facility on a computer in relation to digital video or audio signals streamed on an ip network
US20060288367A1 (en) * 2005-06-16 2006-12-21 Swix Scott R Systems, methods and products for tailoring and bundling content
US20070022437A1 (en) * 2005-07-19 2007-01-25 David Gerken Methods and apparatus for providing content and services coordinated with television content
US20070020603A1 (en) * 2005-07-22 2007-01-25 Rebecca Woulfe Synchronous communications systems and methods for distance education
US20090291246A1 (en) * 2005-08-16 2009-11-26 Hisashi Shoda Optical recording medium, azo-type iron chelate coloring matter, and azo-type metal chelate coloring matter additive
EP1922654B1 (en) * 2005-09-26 2020-05-13 Nielsen Media Research, Inc. Methods and apparatus for metering computer-based media presentation
TWI280493B (en) * 2005-10-27 2007-05-01 Inst Information Industry Method and system for dynamic event matching
US7596536B2 (en) * 2005-12-01 2009-09-29 Exent Technologies, Ltd. System, method and computer program product for dynamically measuring properties of objects rendered and/or referenced by an application executing on a computing device
US8629885B2 (en) * 2005-12-01 2014-01-14 Exent Technologies, Ltd. System, method and computer program product for dynamically identifying, selecting and extracting graphical and media objects in frames or scenes rendered by a software application
US7596540B2 (en) * 2005-12-01 2009-09-29 Exent Technologies, Ltd. System, method and computer program product for dynamically enhancing an application executing on a computing device
US20070168309A1 (en) * 2005-12-01 2007-07-19 Exent Technologies, Ltd. System, method and computer program product for dynamically extracting and sharing event information from an executing software application
US20070296718A1 (en) * 2005-12-01 2007-12-27 Exent Technologies, Ltd. Dynamic resizing of graphics content rendered by an application to facilitate rendering of additional graphics content
US20070156667A1 (en) * 2006-01-04 2007-07-05 Dongge Li Method and apparatus for identifying related media across playback platforms
WO2007086644A1 (en) * 2006-01-27 2007-08-02 Lg Electronics Inc. Method for processing information of an object for presentation of multiple sources
US20100138561A1 (en) * 2006-01-27 2010-06-03 Michael Wayne Church Simulcast internet media distribution system and method
US8522276B2 (en) * 2006-02-17 2013-08-27 Verizon Services Organization Inc. System and methods for voicing text in an interactive programming guide
US8584174B1 (en) * 2006-02-17 2013-11-12 Verizon Services Corp. Systems and methods for fantasy league service via television
US9143735B2 (en) * 2006-02-17 2015-09-22 Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc. Systems and methods for providing a personal channel via television
US7917583B2 (en) * 2006-02-17 2011-03-29 Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc. Television integrated chat and presence systems and methods
US8713615B2 (en) 2006-02-17 2014-04-29 Verizon Laboratories Inc. Systems and methods for providing a shared folder via television
US7529741B2 (en) 2006-03-06 2009-05-05 Veveo, Inc. Methods and systems for segmenting relative user preferences into fine-grain and coarse-grain collections
US8316394B2 (en) 2006-03-24 2012-11-20 United Video Properties, Inc. Interactive media guidance application with intelligent navigation and display features
US9098577B1 (en) 2006-03-31 2015-08-04 Qurio Holdings, Inc. System and method for creating collaborative content tracks for media content
US7925723B1 (en) * 2006-03-31 2011-04-12 Qurio Holdings, Inc. Collaborative configuration of a media environment
US8538921B2 (en) 2006-04-24 2013-09-17 Yahoo! Inc. File caching
US7873703B2 (en) 2006-06-30 2011-01-18 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for broadcasting information
EP2036307A1 (en) * 2006-06-30 2009-03-18 International Business Machines Corporation A method and apparatus for caching broadcasting information
US8024765B2 (en) 2006-07-26 2011-09-20 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Method and system for communicating media program information
US20080059535A1 (en) * 2006-08-29 2008-03-06 Motorola, Inc. Annotating media content with related information
US9178793B1 (en) * 2006-09-29 2015-11-03 Yahoo! Inc. Engine for processing content rules associated with locations in a page
US8832742B2 (en) 2006-10-06 2014-09-09 United Video Properties, Inc. Systems and methods for acquiring, categorizing and delivering media in interactive media guidance applications
US8712884B2 (en) 2006-10-06 2014-04-29 Syncada Llc Transaction finance processing system and approach
KR100889198B1 (en) 2006-11-21 2009-03-17 에스케이 텔레콤주식회사 System and method for linking ppl information based on communication network with broadcast program, and broadcast receiving terminal applied to the same
US7752083B2 (en) 2006-12-01 2010-07-06 Hsn Lp System for improved interactive television processing
US20080148311A1 (en) * 2006-12-13 2008-06-19 Tischer Steven N Advertising and content management systems and methods
CA2571617A1 (en) * 2006-12-15 2008-06-15 Desktopbox Inc. Simulcast internet media distribution system and method
US20080209480A1 (en) * 2006-12-20 2008-08-28 Eide Kurt S Method for enhanced video programming system for integrating internet data for on-demand interactive retrieval
US20080167943A1 (en) * 2007-01-05 2008-07-10 O'neil Douglas R Real time pricing, purchasing and auctioning of advertising time slots based on real time viewership, viewer demographics, and content characteristics
US20080192746A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2008-08-14 Dipietro Donald Vincent Systems and methods for communicating secure media
US7801888B2 (en) 2007-03-09 2010-09-21 Microsoft Corporation Media content search results ranked by popularity
US8898316B2 (en) * 2007-05-30 2014-11-25 International Business Machines Corporation Enhanced online collaboration system for viewers of video presentations
US11570521B2 (en) 2007-06-26 2023-01-31 Broadband Itv, Inc. Dynamic adjustment of electronic program guide displays based on viewer preferences for minimizing navigation in VOD program selection
US20090025026A1 (en) * 2007-07-19 2009-01-22 Cisco Technology, Inc. Conditional response signaling and behavior for ad decision systems
US20090083141A1 (en) * 2007-09-25 2009-03-26 Ari Craine Methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting and predicting user content interest
US20090172106A1 (en) * 2007-12-27 2009-07-02 Motorola, Inc. Method and Apparatus to Facilitate Provision and Use of a Media Source Bundle
US8751337B2 (en) 2008-01-25 2014-06-10 Syncada Llc Inventory-based payment processing system and approach
US20110191809A1 (en) * 2008-01-30 2011-08-04 Cinsay, Llc Viral Syndicated Interactive Product System and Method Therefor
US8312486B1 (en) 2008-01-30 2012-11-13 Cinsay, Inc. Interactive product placement system and method therefor
US11227315B2 (en) 2008-01-30 2022-01-18 Aibuy, Inc. Interactive product placement system and method therefor
WO2009137368A2 (en) 2008-05-03 2009-11-12 Mobile Media Now, Inc. Method and system for generation and playback of supplemented videos
US20100005394A1 (en) * 2008-07-03 2010-01-07 Shlomo Dubnov Method and system for collaborative viewing
US20100014825A1 (en) * 2008-07-18 2010-01-21 Porto Technology, Llc Use of a secondary device to overlay disassociated media elements onto video content
US8359612B2 (en) 2008-08-13 2013-01-22 Tivo Inc. Content distribution system using transportable memory devices
US9667365B2 (en) 2008-10-24 2017-05-30 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Methods and apparatus to perform audio watermarking and watermark detection and extraction
US8121830B2 (en) * 2008-10-24 2012-02-21 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Methods and apparatus to extract data encoded in media content
US8359205B2 (en) 2008-10-24 2013-01-22 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Methods and apparatus to perform audio watermarking and watermark detection and extraction
US9124769B2 (en) 2008-10-31 2015-09-01 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Methods and apparatus to verify presentation of media content
US11832024B2 (en) 2008-11-20 2023-11-28 Comcast Cable Communications, Llc Method and apparatus for delivering video and video-related content at sub-asset level
US10063934B2 (en) 2008-11-25 2018-08-28 Rovi Technologies Corporation Reducing unicast session duration with restart TV
US8508357B2 (en) 2008-11-26 2013-08-13 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Methods and apparatus to encode and decode audio for shopper location and advertisement presentation tracking
US20100154007A1 (en) * 2008-12-17 2010-06-17 Jean Touboul Embedded video advertising method and system
US20100169933A1 (en) * 2008-12-31 2010-07-01 Motorola, Inc. Accessing an event-based media bundle
CA2760677C (en) 2009-05-01 2018-07-24 David Henry Harkness Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to provide secondary content in association with primary broadcast media content
US8813127B2 (en) * 2009-05-19 2014-08-19 Microsoft Corporation Media content retrieval system and personal virtual channel
US9166714B2 (en) 2009-09-11 2015-10-20 Veveo, Inc. Method of and system for presenting enriched video viewing analytics
US20110063522A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method for generating television screen pointing information using an external receiver
FR2951871B1 (en) * 2009-10-23 2011-12-16 St Microelectronics Sa INTERFACE PLATE BETWEEN INTEGRATED CIRCUITS
US8463100B2 (en) 2009-11-05 2013-06-11 Cosmo Research Company Limited System and method for identifying, providing, and presenting content on a mobile device
CN102118419B (en) * 2009-12-30 2014-07-16 华为技术有限公司 Method, device and communication system for transmitting picture information
US8989491B2 (en) 2009-12-31 2015-03-24 Tata Consultancy Services Limited Method and system for preprocessing the region of video containing text
KR101752355B1 (en) 2010-07-26 2017-06-29 엘지전자 주식회사 Method for operating an apparatus for displaying image
US10091535B2 (en) * 2010-11-16 2018-10-02 The Directv Group, Inc. System and method for sharing television programming information using universal identifier
US20120151535A1 (en) * 2010-12-02 2012-06-14 Pradeep Ramdeo Internet television system
US9736524B2 (en) 2011-01-06 2017-08-15 Veveo, Inc. Methods of and systems for content search based on environment sampling
US20120239469A1 (en) * 2011-03-15 2012-09-20 Videodeals.com S.A. System and method for marketing
US9380356B2 (en) 2011-04-12 2016-06-28 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Methods and apparatus to generate a tag for media content
US9112623B2 (en) 2011-06-06 2015-08-18 Comcast Cable Communications, Llc Asynchronous interaction at specific points in content
US9209978B2 (en) 2012-05-15 2015-12-08 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Methods and apparatus to measure exposure to streaming media
US9210208B2 (en) 2011-06-21 2015-12-08 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Monitoring streaming media content
EP2557893B1 (en) * 2011-08-12 2014-10-29 BlackBerry Limited Apparatuses and methods for providing media in a radio communication system
AU2012302021B2 (en) 2011-08-29 2016-05-19 Aibuy, Inc. Containerized software for virally copying from one endpoint to another
GB2495088B (en) * 2011-09-27 2013-11-13 Andrew William Deeley Interactive system
US8805418B2 (en) 2011-12-23 2014-08-12 United Video Properties, Inc. Methods and systems for performing actions based on location-based rules
US9607330B2 (en) 2012-06-21 2017-03-28 Cinsay, Inc. Peer-assisted shopping
US10789631B2 (en) 2012-06-21 2020-09-29 Aibuy, Inc. Apparatus and method for peer-assisted e-commerce shopping
US9282366B2 (en) 2012-08-13 2016-03-08 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Methods and apparatus to communicate audience measurement information
US11115722B2 (en) 2012-11-08 2021-09-07 Comcast Cable Communications, Llc Crowdsourcing supplemental content
US9313544B2 (en) 2013-02-14 2016-04-12 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Methods and apparatus to measure exposure to streaming media
US9553927B2 (en) 2013-03-13 2017-01-24 Comcast Cable Communications, Llc Synchronizing multiple transmissions of content
US10880609B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2020-12-29 Comcast Cable Communications, Llc Content event messaging
US9654758B2 (en) * 2013-04-26 2017-05-16 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Synchronizing external data to video playback
US9711152B2 (en) 2013-07-31 2017-07-18 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Systems apparatus and methods for encoding/decoding persistent universal media codes to encoded audio
US20150039321A1 (en) 2013-07-31 2015-02-05 Arbitron Inc. Apparatus, System and Method for Reading Codes From Digital Audio on a Processing Device
CN105580012A (en) 2013-09-11 2016-05-11 辛赛股份有限公司 Dynamic binding of video content
KR102344237B1 (en) 2013-09-27 2021-12-27 에이아이바이, 인크. Apparatus and method for supporting relationships associated with content provisioning
CN105579997A (en) 2013-09-27 2016-05-11 辛赛股份有限公司 Substrate for heat sink-equipped power module, and production method for same
US9332035B2 (en) 2013-10-10 2016-05-03 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Methods and apparatus to measure exposure to streaming media
US9699499B2 (en) 2014-04-30 2017-07-04 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Methods and apparatus to measure exposure to streaming media
US10638194B2 (en) 2014-05-06 2020-04-28 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Embedding interactive objects into a video session
US20150358663A1 (en) * 2014-06-09 2015-12-10 Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ) Personal linear channel
US11783382B2 (en) 2014-10-22 2023-10-10 Comcast Cable Communications, Llc Systems and methods for curating content metadata
CN104980793B (en) * 2015-03-20 2018-11-06 腾讯科技(深圳)有限公司 A kind of method and terminal of video detection
CN104883358B (en) 2015-04-28 2018-07-20 腾讯科技(北京)有限公司 Interactive approach based on recommendation and device
US9762965B2 (en) 2015-05-29 2017-09-12 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Methods and apparatus to measure exposure to streaming media
US10657406B2 (en) 2017-02-02 2020-05-19 The Directv Group, Inc. Optical character recognition text export from video program
US10648829B2 (en) * 2017-06-08 2020-05-12 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Selecting content items using map contexts by background applications

Family Cites Families (172)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4572509A (en) 1982-09-30 1986-02-25 Sitrick David H Video game network
US4916539A (en) 1983-04-21 1990-04-10 The Weather Channel, Inc. Communications system having receivers which can be addressed in selected classes
US4602279A (en) 1984-03-21 1986-07-22 Actv, Inc. Method for providing targeted profile interactive CATV displays
US4592546A (en) 1984-04-26 1986-06-03 David B. Lockton Game of skill playable by remote participants in conjunction with a live event
CA1245361A (en) * 1984-06-27 1988-11-22 Kerry E. Thacher Tournament data system
CA1284211C (en) 1985-04-29 1991-05-14 Terrence Henry Pocock Cable television system selectively distributing pre-recorder video and audio messages
US4941040A (en) 1985-04-29 1990-07-10 Cableshare, Inc. Cable television system selectively distributing pre-recorded video and audio messages
US5759101A (en) 1986-03-10 1998-06-02 Response Reward Systems L.C. Central and remote evaluation of responses of participatory broadcast audience with automatic crediting and couponing
US5697844A (en) 1986-03-10 1997-12-16 Response Reward Systems, L.C. System and method for playing games and rewarding successful players
US5057915A (en) 1986-03-10 1991-10-15 Kohorn H Von System and method for attracting shoppers to sales outlets
US5208659A (en) 1986-06-03 1993-05-04 Scientific Atlanta, Inc. Method and apparatus for independently transmitting and recapturing clock recovery burst and DC restoration signals in a MAC system
US5365346A (en) 1987-03-16 1994-11-15 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Image signal processor generating reduced memory consumption still images yet preserving image quality
US5191410A (en) 1987-08-04 1993-03-02 Telaction Corporation Interactive multimedia presentation and communications system
US4877408A (en) 1988-02-09 1989-10-31 Hartsfield Ben W Competitive computer educational game
US4894789A (en) 1988-02-22 1990-01-16 Yee Keen Y TV data capture device
US4905094A (en) 1988-06-30 1990-02-27 Telaction Corporation System for audio/video presentation
US4931865A (en) 1988-08-24 1990-06-05 Sebastiano Scarampi Apparatus and methods for monitoring television viewers
US5014125A (en) 1989-05-05 1991-05-07 Cableshare, Inc. Television system for the interactive distribution of selectable video presentations
US5038211A (en) 1989-07-05 1991-08-06 The Superguide Corporation Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving television program information
GB2241623A (en) 1990-02-28 1991-09-04 Philips Electronic Associated Vehicle location system
US5114155A (en) 1990-06-15 1992-05-19 Arachnid, Inc. System for automatic collection and distribution of player statistics for electronic dart games
ATE220273T1 (en) 1990-09-10 2002-07-15 Starsight Telecast Inc TELEVISION PROGRAM SYSTEM
US5243528A (en) 1990-09-12 1993-09-07 Motorola, Inc. Land vehicle navigation apparatus with visual display
US5557316A (en) 1990-09-28 1996-09-17 Ictv, Inc. System for distributing broadcast television services identically on a first bandwidth portion of a plurality of express trunks and interactive services over a second bandwidth portion of each express trunk on a subscriber demand basis
US5282028A (en) 1990-11-27 1994-01-25 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Remote control for digital music terminal with synchronized communications
US5359510A (en) 1990-11-28 1994-10-25 Sabaliauskas Anthony L Automated universal tournament management system
JP3166173B2 (en) 1991-07-19 2001-05-14 プリンストン エレクトロニック ビルボード,インコーポレイテッド Television display with selected and inserted mark
US5291486A (en) 1991-08-19 1994-03-01 Sony Corporation Data multiplexing apparatus and multiplexed data demultiplexing apparatus
US5343239A (en) 1991-11-20 1994-08-30 Zing Systems, L.P. Transaction based interactive television system
US5734413A (en) 1991-11-20 1998-03-31 Thomson Multimedia S.A. Transaction based interactive television system
US5861881A (en) * 1991-11-25 1999-01-19 Actv, Inc. Interactive computer system for providing an interactive presentation with personalized video, audio and graphics responses for multiple viewers
US5724091A (en) 1991-11-25 1998-03-03 Actv, Inc. Compressed digital data interactive program system
US5462275A (en) 1991-12-20 1995-10-31 Gordon Wilson Player interactive live action football game
US5610653A (en) 1992-02-07 1997-03-11 Abecassis; Max Method and system for automatically tracking a zoomed video image
US5262860A (en) 1992-04-23 1993-11-16 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system communication establishment utilizing captured and processed visually perceptible data within a broadcast video signal
US5285278A (en) 1992-05-21 1994-02-08 Holman Michael J Electronic redeemable coupon system via television
DE4222896A1 (en) 1992-07-11 1994-01-13 Peter Eiba System and method for the automatic handling of tournaments
JP3257081B2 (en) 1992-10-08 2002-02-18 ソニー株式会社 Data demodulator
AU5154093A (en) 1992-10-13 1994-05-09 Gilbarco Inc. Apparatus and method for encoding/recovering multimedia control signals in an audio/video program
US5600364A (en) 1992-12-09 1997-02-04 Discovery Communications, Inc. Network controller for cable television delivery systems
US5798785A (en) 1992-12-09 1998-08-25 Discovery Communications, Inc. Terminal for suggesting programs offered on a television program delivery system
US5550928A (en) 1992-12-15 1996-08-27 A.C. Nielsen Company Audience measurement system and method
US5491838A (en) 1993-04-08 1996-02-13 Digital D.J. Inc. Broadcast system with associated data capabilities
US5438355A (en) 1993-04-16 1995-08-01 Palmer; Shelton L. Interactive system for processing viewer responses to television programming
ZA943336B (en) 1993-05-19 1995-08-11 Menashe Julian Interactive computerised gaming system with remote terminals
US5353283A (en) 1993-05-28 1994-10-04 Bell Communications Research, Inc. General internet method for routing packets in a communications network
US5579055A (en) 1993-06-07 1996-11-26 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Electronic program guide and text channel data controller
US5577108A (en) 1993-08-03 1996-11-19 Mankovitz; Roy J. Information distribution system with self-contained programmable automatic interface unit
JP3385657B2 (en) 1993-08-10 2003-03-10 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Car navigation system
US5589892A (en) 1993-09-09 1996-12-31 Knee; Robert A. Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with data feed access
US5689641A (en) 1993-10-01 1997-11-18 Vicor, Inc. Multimedia collaboration system arrangement for routing compressed AV signal through a participant site without decompressing the AV signal
US5481542A (en) 1993-11-10 1996-01-02 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Interactive information services control system
US5649284A (en) 1993-12-17 1997-07-15 Sony Corporation Multiplex broadcasting system
DE4402419A1 (en) * 1994-01-27 1995-08-03 Peter Eiba Process and system for the automatic handling of tournaments
US5570295A (en) 1994-03-18 1996-10-29 Lucent Technologies Inc. System and method of capturing encoded data transmitted over a communications network in a video system
US5534913A (en) 1994-03-31 1996-07-09 At&T Corp. Apparatus and method for integrating downstream data transfer over a cable television channel with upstream data carrier by other media
US5668592A (en) 1994-04-06 1997-09-16 Interaxx Television Network, Inc. Interactive television terminal responsive to user commands which combines static service data and recurrently broadcast dynamic service data to produce composite service display signals
US5537141A (en) 1994-04-15 1996-07-16 Actv, Inc. Distance learning system providing individual television participation, audio responses and memory for every student
US5724567A (en) 1994-04-25 1998-03-03 Apple Computer, Inc. System for directing relevance-ranked data objects to computer users
US5539471A (en) 1994-05-03 1996-07-23 Microsoft Corporation System and method for inserting and recovering an add-on data signal for transmission with a video signal
US5586257A (en) 1994-05-05 1996-12-17 Perlman; Stephen G. Network architecture to support multiple site real-time video games
JPH088860A (en) 1994-06-24 1996-01-12 Sony Corp Information providing system
US5613909A (en) 1994-07-21 1997-03-25 Stelovsky; Jan Time-segmented multimedia game playing and authoring system
US5572442A (en) 1994-07-21 1996-11-05 Information Highway Media Corporation System for distributing subscription and on-demand audio programming
US5640193A (en) 1994-08-15 1997-06-17 Lucent Technologies Inc. Multimedia service access by reading marks on an object
US5593349A (en) 1994-09-09 1997-01-14 Valley Recreation Products Inc. Automated league and tournament system for electronic games
US5619249A (en) 1994-09-14 1997-04-08 Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P. Telecasting service for providing video programs on demand with an interactive interface for facilitating viewer selection of video programs
JP3644455B2 (en) 1994-09-29 2005-04-27 ソニー株式会社 Program information broadcasting system, program information display method and receiving apparatus
AU4364296A (en) * 1994-10-24 1996-05-15 Intel Corporation Video indexing protocol
US5724521A (en) 1994-11-03 1998-03-03 Intel Corporation Method and apparatus for providing electronic advertisements to end users in a consumer best-fit pricing manner
US5867205A (en) * 1994-11-14 1999-02-02 Intel Corporation Method and apparatus for controlling video/audio and channel selection for a communication signal based on textual information indicative of channel contents of a signal
US6029195A (en) * 1994-11-29 2000-02-22 Herz; Frederick S. M. System for customized electronic identification of desirable objects
US5771381A (en) 1994-12-13 1998-06-23 Microsoft Corporation Method and system for adding configuration files for a user
US5627978A (en) 1994-12-16 1997-05-06 Lucent Technologies Inc. Graphical user interface for multimedia call set-up and call handling in a virtual conference on a desktop computer conferencing system
CA2158384C (en) 1994-12-27 1999-09-28 Alexander Gibson Fraser Multimedia program editing system and method
US5890906A (en) * 1995-01-20 1999-04-06 Vincent J. Macri Method and apparatus for tutorial, self and assisted instruction directed to simulated preparation, training and competitive play and entertainment
US5604542A (en) 1995-02-08 1997-02-18 Intel Corporation Using the vertical blanking interval for transporting electronic coupons
US5612730A (en) 1995-03-03 1997-03-18 Multimedia Systems Corporation Interactive system for a closed cable network
US5553221A (en) 1995-03-20 1996-09-03 International Business Machine Corporation System and method for enabling the creation of personalized movie presentations and personalized movie collections
US5696905A (en) 1995-03-20 1997-12-09 International Business Machines Corporation System and method for providing merchant information and establishing links to merchants while presenting a movie
US5710884A (en) 1995-03-29 1998-01-20 Intel Corporation System for automatically updating personal profile server with updates to additional user information gathered from monitoring user's electronic consuming habits generated on computer during use
US5498000A (en) 1995-04-17 1996-03-12 Cuneo; Gregory Goaltender simulator system
US5677708A (en) 1995-05-05 1997-10-14 Microsoft Corporation System for displaying a list on a display screen
US5659366A (en) 1995-05-10 1997-08-19 Matsushita Electric Corporation Of America Notification system for television receivers
US5643088A (en) 1995-05-31 1997-07-01 Interactive Network, Inc. Game of skill or chance playable by remote participants in conjunction with a common game event including inserted interactive advertising
US5691986A (en) 1995-06-07 1997-11-25 Hitachi America, Ltd. Methods and apparatus for the editing and insertion of data into an encoded bitstream
US5779549A (en) 1996-04-22 1998-07-14 Walker Assest Management Limited Parnership Database driven online distributed tournament system
CA2181781C (en) * 1995-07-26 2000-02-29 Seiji Iwafune Television system for providing interactive television programs and server system for constructing the television system
US5913040A (en) * 1995-08-22 1999-06-15 Backweb Ltd. Method and apparatus for transmitting and displaying information between a remote network and a local computer
US5761602A (en) 1995-09-13 1998-06-02 Wagner Dsp Technologies Hybrid multichannel data transmission system utilizing a broadcast medium
US5603078A (en) 1995-09-15 1997-02-11 Spectravision, Inc. Remote control device with credit card reading and transmission capabilities having multiple IR LEDs
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
US5748186A (en) 1995-10-02 1998-05-05 Digital Equipment Corporation Multimodal information presentation system
US6002394A (en) * 1995-10-02 1999-12-14 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Systems and methods for linking television viewers with advertisers and broadcasters
US5757916A (en) 1995-10-06 1998-05-26 International Series Research, Inc. Method and apparatus for authenticating the location of remote users of networked computing systems
US5884214A (en) * 1996-09-06 1999-03-16 Snaptrack, Inc. GPS receiver and method for processing GPS signals
KR0179979B1 (en) 1995-10-13 1999-05-01 김광호 Caption display apparatus of information tv
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
US5679075A (en) 1995-11-06 1997-10-21 Beanstalk Entertainment Enterprises Interactive multi-media game system and method
US5724103A (en) 1995-11-13 1998-03-03 Intel Corporation CD ROM information references delivered to a personal computer using the vertical blanking intervals associated data technology from a nabts compliant television broadcast program
US5633810A (en) 1995-12-14 1997-05-27 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Method and apparatus for distributing network bandwidth on a media server
US5730654A (en) 1995-12-18 1998-03-24 Raya Systems, Inc. Multi-player video game for health education
US5793365A (en) 1996-01-02 1998-08-11 Sun Microsystems, Inc. System and method providing a computer user interface enabling access to distributed workgroup members
US6193610B1 (en) * 1996-01-05 2001-02-27 William Junkin Trust Interactive television system and methodology
US6021433A (en) * 1996-01-26 2000-02-01 Wireless Internet, Inc. System and method for transmission of data
US5695400A (en) 1996-01-30 1997-12-09 Boxer Jam Productions Method of managing multi-player game playing over a network
US5761606A (en) 1996-02-08 1998-06-02 Wolzien; Thomas R. Media online services access via address embedded in video or audio program
US20020038383A1 (en) * 1999-12-23 2002-03-28 Craig Ullman Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US6018768A (en) * 1996-03-08 2000-01-25 Actv, Inc. Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US5778181A (en) 1996-03-08 1998-07-07 Actv, Inc. Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US6513069B1 (en) * 1996-03-08 2003-01-28 Actv, Inc. Enhanced video programming system and method for providing a distributed community network
US20020049832A1 (en) * 1996-03-08 2002-04-25 Craig Ullman Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US5774664A (en) 1996-03-08 1998-06-30 Actv, Inc. Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US5667708A (en) 1996-03-12 1997-09-16 Caterpillar Inc. Laser beam deflector for protection of underlying portions of an item during laser cutting of overlaying stock
EP0965084A1 (en) * 1996-03-21 1999-12-22 MPATH Interactive Inc. Network match maker for selecting clients based on attributes of servers and communication links
US6025837A (en) * 1996-03-29 2000-02-15 Micrsoft Corporation Electronic program guide with hyperlinks to target resources
US6058430A (en) * 1996-04-19 2000-05-02 Kaplan; Kenneth B. Vertical blanking interval encoding of internet addresses for integrated television/internet devices
US5813006A (en) 1996-05-06 1998-09-22 Banyan Systems, Inc. On-line directory service with registration system
US5889951A (en) * 1996-05-13 1999-03-30 Viewpoint Corporation Systems, methods, and computer program products for accessing, leasing, relocating, constructing and modifying internet sites within a multi-dimensional virtual reality environment
US5907680A (en) * 1996-06-24 1999-05-25 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Client-side, server-side and collaborative spell check of URL's
US5870558A (en) * 1996-06-25 1999-02-09 Mciworldcom, Inc. Intranet graphical user interface for SONET network management
US5903816A (en) * 1996-07-01 1999-05-11 Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. Interactive television system and method for displaying web-like stills with hyperlinks
US5748731A (en) 1996-07-02 1998-05-05 Shepherd; Henry G. Electronic trading cards
US6061738A (en) * 1997-06-27 2000-05-09 D&I Systems, Inc. Method and system for accessing information on a network using message aliasing functions having shadow callback functions
KR100267541B1 (en) * 1996-07-26 2000-10-16 모리 하루오 Vehicle navigation method and system
US6199045B1 (en) * 1996-08-15 2001-03-06 Spatial Adventures, Inc. Method and apparatus for providing position-related information to mobile recipients
DE69624809T2 (en) * 1996-08-28 2003-07-03 Koninkl Philips Electronics Nv Method and system for selecting an information item
US6012083A (en) * 1996-09-24 2000-01-04 Ricoh Company Ltd. Method and apparatus for document processing using agents to process transactions created based on document content
US5892909A (en) * 1996-09-27 1999-04-06 Diffusion, Inc. Intranet-based system with methods for co-active delivery of information to multiple users
US5890963A (en) * 1996-09-30 1999-04-06 Yen; Wei System and method for maintaining continuous and progressive game play in a computer network
US6057856A (en) * 1996-09-30 2000-05-02 Sony Corporation 3D virtual reality multi-user interaction with superimposed positional information display for each user
US5907322A (en) * 1996-10-16 1999-05-25 Catch Tv Acquisition Corp. Television event marking system
US5796393A (en) 1996-11-08 1998-08-18 Compuserve Incorporated System for intergrating an on-line service community with a foreign service
US6065059A (en) * 1996-12-10 2000-05-16 International Business Machines Corporation Filtered utilization of internet data transfers to reduce delay and increase user control
US6177931B1 (en) * 1996-12-19 2001-01-23 Index Systems, Inc. Systems and methods for displaying and recording control interface with television programs, video, advertising information and program scheduling information
US5889950A (en) * 1996-12-20 1999-03-30 Intel Corporation Method and apparatus for distribution of broadcast data
US6510557B1 (en) * 1997-01-03 2003-01-21 Texas Instruments Incorporated Apparatus for the integration of television signals and information from an information service provider
US6049821A (en) * 1997-01-24 2000-04-11 Motorola, Inc. Proxy host computer and method for accessing and retrieving information between a browser and a proxy
US6173317B1 (en) * 1997-03-14 2001-01-09 Microsoft Corporation Streaming and displaying a video stream with synchronized annotations over a computer network
US5796952A (en) 1997-03-21 1998-08-18 Dot Com Development, Inc. Method and apparatus for tracking client interaction with a network resource and creating client profiles and resource database
US6182072B1 (en) * 1997-03-26 2001-01-30 Webtv Networks, Inc. Method and apparatus for generating a tour of world wide web sites
US5918009A (en) * 1997-04-25 1999-06-29 Lucent Technologies Inc. Technique for sharing information on world wide web
US6023729A (en) * 1997-05-05 2000-02-08 Mpath Interactive, Inc. Method and apparatus for match making
US5878223A (en) * 1997-05-07 1999-03-02 International Business Machines Corporation System and method for predictive caching of information pages
US6026369A (en) * 1997-05-09 2000-02-15 International Business Machines Corporation Method for distributing advertising in a distributed web modification system
US6240183B1 (en) * 1997-06-19 2001-05-29 Brian E. Marchant Security apparatus for data transmission with dynamic random encryption
EP1002274B1 (en) * 1997-08-08 2014-04-02 Thomson Licensing Digital department system
US5907595A (en) * 1997-08-18 1999-05-25 General Electric Company Emitter-cup cathode for high-emission x-ray tube
JPH1185654A (en) * 1997-09-12 1999-03-30 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Virtual www server device and camera controllable www server device
US5867208A (en) * 1997-10-28 1999-02-02 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Encoding system and method for scrolling encoded MPEG stills in an interactive television application
US6026375A (en) * 1997-12-05 2000-02-15 Nortel Networks Corporation Method and apparatus for processing orders from customers in a mobile environment
US6029045A (en) * 1997-12-09 2000-02-22 Cogent Technology, Inc. System and method for inserting local content into programming content
US6205582B1 (en) * 1997-12-09 2001-03-20 Ictv, Inc. Interactive cable television system with frame server
US6199014B1 (en) * 1997-12-23 2001-03-06 Walker Digital, Llc System for providing driving directions with visual cues
US6044403A (en) * 1997-12-31 2000-03-28 At&T Corp Network server platform for internet, JAVA server and video application server
US6055569A (en) * 1998-01-27 2000-04-25 Go Ahead Software Inc. Accelerating web access by predicting user action
US6239797B1 (en) * 1998-04-02 2001-05-29 Partnerware Technologies Method and apparatus for remote database record scroll/update without refresh
US6698020B1 (en) * 1998-06-15 2004-02-24 Webtv Networks, Inc. Techniques for intelligent video ad insertion
US7181756B1 (en) * 1998-06-17 2007-02-20 Microsoft Corporation Television/internet terminal user interface
US6192394B1 (en) * 1998-07-14 2001-02-20 Compaq Computer Corporation Inter-program synchronous communications using a collaboration software system
US6195680B1 (en) * 1998-07-23 2001-02-27 International Business Machines Corporation Client-based dynamic switching of streaming servers for fault-tolerance and load balancing
US6526041B1 (en) * 1998-09-14 2003-02-25 Siemens Information & Communication Networks, Inc. Apparatus and method for music-on-hold delivery on a communication system
US6397220B1 (en) * 1998-10-01 2002-05-28 Unisys Corporation Common gateway which allows JAVA applets to make program calls to OLTP applications executing on an enterprise server reference to co-pending applications
US6204842B1 (en) * 1998-10-06 2001-03-20 Sony Corporation System and method for a user interface to input URL addresses from captured video frames
US6389458B2 (en) * 1998-10-30 2002-05-14 Ideaflood, Inc. Method, apparatus and system for directing access to content on a computer network
US6199077B1 (en) * 1998-12-08 2001-03-06 Yodlee.Com, Inc. Server-side web summary generation and presentation
US6510466B1 (en) * 1998-12-14 2003-01-21 International Business Machines Corporation Methods, systems and computer program products for centralized management of application programs on a network
US6571234B1 (en) * 1999-05-11 2003-05-27 Prophet Financial Systems, Inc. System and method for managing online message board
US6415438B1 (en) * 1999-10-05 2002-07-02 Webtv Networks, Inc. Trigger having a time attribute
US6192340B1 (en) * 1999-10-19 2001-02-20 Max Abecassis Integration of music from a personal library with real-time information
US6526335B1 (en) * 2000-01-24 2003-02-25 G. Victor Treyz Automobile personal computer systems
US6353933B1 (en) * 2000-11-21 2002-03-12 Larry W. Love. Combination stadium cushion and poncho

Cited By (79)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030084444A1 (en) * 1996-03-08 2003-05-01 Actv, Inc. Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US7234155B1 (en) * 1999-08-27 2007-06-19 Kay Matthew W Automating commerce on a broadcast programming distribution network
US6711552B1 (en) * 1999-08-27 2004-03-23 Matthew W. Kay Apparatus and method for saving commerce related information in a broadcast programming network
US20030142237A1 (en) * 2000-01-18 2003-07-31 Van Gils Marinus Hendrikus Petrus Cornelis Video signal provided with advertising
US8832746B2 (en) 2000-04-12 2014-09-09 Lg Electronics Inc. Apparatus and method for providing and obtaining product information through a broadcast signal
US9083854B2 (en) 2000-04-12 2015-07-14 Lg Electronics Inc. Method and video device for accessing information
US9749697B2 (en) 2000-04-12 2017-08-29 Lg Electronics Inc. Method and video device for accessing information
US8205223B2 (en) * 2000-04-12 2012-06-19 Lg Electronics Inc. Method and video device for accessing information
US8042138B2 (en) 2000-04-12 2011-10-18 Lg Electronics Inc. Apparatus and method for providing and obtaining product information through a broadcast signal
US20060195878A1 (en) * 2000-04-12 2006-08-31 Lg Electronics Inc. Apparatus and method for providing and obtaining product information through a broadcast signal
US20100333144A1 (en) * 2000-04-12 2010-12-30 Lg Electronics Inc. Apparatus and method for providing and obtaining product information through a broadcast signal
US7827577B2 (en) 2000-04-12 2010-11-02 Lg Electronics Inc. Apparatus and method for providing and obtaining product information through a broadcast signal
US20070261079A1 (en) * 2000-04-12 2007-11-08 Lg Electronics Inc. Method and video device for accessing information
US9256885B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2016-02-09 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Method for linking an electronic media work to perform an action
US10108642B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2018-10-23 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. System for using extracted feature vectors to perform an action associated with a work identifier
US10621227B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2020-04-14 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Methods for using extracted features to perform an action
US10621226B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2020-04-14 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Methods for using extracted features to perform an action associated with selected identified image
US10552475B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2020-02-04 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Methods for using extracted features to perform an action
US10540391B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2020-01-21 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Methods for using extracted features to perform an action
US10521471B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2019-12-31 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Method for using extracted features to perform an action associated with selected identified image
US10521470B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2019-12-31 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Methods for using extracted features to perform an action associated with selected identified image
US10367885B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2019-07-30 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Methods for using extracted features to perform an action associated with selected identified image
US10305984B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2019-05-28 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Methods for using extracted features to perform an action associated with selected identified image
US10303713B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2019-05-28 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Methods for using extracted features to perform an action
US10303714B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2019-05-28 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Methods for using extracted features to perform an action
US10205781B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2019-02-12 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Methods for using extracted features to perform an action associated with selected identified image
US10073862B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2018-09-11 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Methods for using extracted features to perform an action associated with selected identified image
US10063936B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2018-08-28 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Methods for using extracted feature vectors to perform an action associated with a work identifier
US10063940B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2018-08-28 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. System for using extracted feature vectors to perform an action associated with a work identifier
US10057408B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2018-08-21 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Methods for using extracted feature vectors to perform an action associated with a work identifier
US9883253B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2018-01-30 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Methods for using extracted feature vectors to perform an action associated with a product
US9832266B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2017-11-28 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Methods for using extracted features to perform an action associated with identified action information
US8782726B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2014-07-15 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Method for taking action based on a request related to an electronic media work
US9824098B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2017-11-21 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Methods for using extracted features to perform an action associated with identified action information
US9807472B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2017-10-31 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Methods for using extracted feature vectors to perform an action associated with a product
US8904465B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2014-12-02 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. System for taking action based on a request related to an electronic media work
US8904464B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2014-12-02 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Method for tagging an electronic media work to perform an action
US9805066B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2017-10-31 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Methods for using extracted features and annotations associated with an electronic media work to perform an action
US9781251B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2017-10-03 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Methods for using extracted features and annotations associated with an electronic media work to perform an action
US9558190B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2017-01-31 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. System and method for taking action with respect to an electronic media work
US9282359B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2016-03-08 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Method for taking action with respect to an electronic media work
US9348820B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2016-05-24 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. System and method for taking action with respect to an electronic media work and logging event information related thereto
US9544663B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2017-01-10 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. System for taking action with respect to a media work
US9529870B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2016-12-27 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Methods for linking an electronic media work to perform an action
US9538216B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2017-01-03 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. System for taking action with respect to a media work
US9536253B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2017-01-03 Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Methods for linking an electronic media work to perform an action
US7149776B1 (en) * 2001-08-31 2006-12-12 Oracle International Corp. System and method for real-time co-browsing
US20030182393A1 (en) * 2002-03-25 2003-09-25 Sony Corporation System and method for retrieving uniform resource locators from television content
US20040210942A1 (en) * 2002-10-18 2004-10-21 Thomas Lemmons Demographic/preference sniffer
WO2004036897A2 (en) * 2002-10-18 2004-04-29 Intellocity Usa, Inc. Triggered video system
EP1579673A4 (en) * 2002-10-18 2007-05-23 Intellocity Usa Inc Triggered video system
EP1579673A2 (en) * 2002-10-18 2005-09-28 Intellocity USA, Inc. Triggered video system
AU2008201189B2 (en) * 2002-10-18 2011-05-12 Opentv, Inc. Triggered video system
WO2004036897A3 (en) * 2002-10-18 2004-07-15 Intellocity Usa Inc Triggered video system
US20040261100A1 (en) * 2002-10-18 2004-12-23 Thomas Huber iChoose video advertising
US20090138195A1 (en) * 2004-06-23 2009-05-28 Garmin Ltd. System and method utilizing non-gps satellite content in real-time navigation
US7668654B2 (en) * 2004-06-23 2010-02-23 Garmin Ltd. System and method utilizing non-GPS satellite content in real-time navigation
US8745497B2 (en) * 2005-01-14 2014-06-03 Google Inc. Providing an interactive presentation environment
US9037973B1 (en) 2005-01-14 2015-05-19 Google Inc. Providing an interactive presentation environment
US10386986B1 (en) 2005-01-14 2019-08-20 Google Llc Providing an interactive presentation environment
US9665237B1 (en) 2005-01-14 2017-05-30 Google Inc. Providing an interactive presentation environment
US20080276174A1 (en) * 2005-01-14 2008-11-06 International Business Machines Corporation Providing an Interactive Presentation Environment
CN100446549C (en) * 2005-05-11 2008-12-24 海尔集团公司 Television and image displaying method thereof
US8856118B2 (en) * 2005-10-31 2014-10-07 Qwest Communications International Inc. Creation and transmission of rich content media
US20070100904A1 (en) * 2005-10-31 2007-05-03 Qwest Communications International Inc. Creation and transmission of rich content media
US8661010B2 (en) 2010-01-15 2014-02-25 Hulu, LLC Method and apparatus for providing supplemental video content for third party websites
US20110179357A1 (en) * 2010-01-15 2011-07-21 Hulu Llc Method and apparatus for providing supplemental video content for third party websites
US20110179010A1 (en) * 2010-01-15 2011-07-21 Hulu Llc Method and apparatus for providing supplemental video content for third party websites
US8244707B2 (en) * 2010-01-15 2012-08-14 Hulu Llc Method and apparatus for providing supplemental video content for third party websites
US8301596B2 (en) 2010-01-15 2012-10-30 Hulu Llc Method and apparatus for providing supplemental video content for third party websites
US20120316934A1 (en) * 2010-02-16 2012-12-13 Axel Springer Digital Tv Guide Gmbh Adaptive placement of auxiliary media in recommender systems
US20120216228A1 (en) * 2011-02-17 2012-08-23 Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc. Program guide including online channels
US9621954B2 (en) * 2011-02-17 2017-04-11 Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc. Program guide including online channels
US10643385B1 (en) 2014-04-24 2020-05-05 Google Llc Automatically generating panorama tours
US11481977B1 (en) 2014-04-24 2022-10-25 Google Llc Automatically generating panorama tours
CN106461410A (en) * 2014-06-27 2017-02-22 谷歌公司 Generating turn-by-turn direction previews
US10775188B2 (en) 2014-06-27 2020-09-15 Google Llc Generating turn-by-turn direction previews
US11067407B2 (en) 2014-06-27 2021-07-20 Google Llc Generating turn-by-turn direction previews
US20160328891A1 (en) * 2014-10-09 2016-11-10 The Boeing Company Methods and apparatus for operating flight control systems of aircrafts

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20020038344A1 (en) 2002-03-28
US20030088674A1 (en) 2003-05-08
US7243139B2 (en) 2007-07-10
US20040205822A1 (en) 2004-10-14
US20020049832A1 (en) 2002-04-25
US20030167300A1 (en) 2003-09-04
US20020035600A1 (en) 2002-03-21
US20020035614A1 (en) 2002-03-21
US20030084444A1 (en) 2003-05-01
US20030101232A1 (en) 2003-05-29
US7409437B2 (en) 2008-08-05
US20040236865A1 (en) 2004-11-25
US20030065719A1 (en) 2003-04-03
US20020035615A1 (en) 2002-03-21
US20020035601A1 (en) 2002-03-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6018768A (en) Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US7409437B2 (en) Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated Internet information segments
US6330595B1 (en) Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US7120871B1 (en) Enhanced video programming system and method utilizing a web page staging area
AU773809B2 (en) Enhanced video programming system and method providing a distributed community network
US5774664A (en) Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments
US7949722B1 (en) Enhanced video programming system and method utilizing user-profile information
EP1091582A2 (en) Enhanced video programming apparatus and method providing a shared whiteboard
WO2001045313A2 (en) Enhanced video programming system and method using a local host for network communication

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: ACTV, INC., NEW YORK

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:HIDARY, JACK D.;SPIVACK, NOVA T.;ULLMAN, CRAIG;REEL/FRAME:012379/0048;SIGNING DATES FROM 19980818 TO 19980908

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION