MXPA96001376A - Simultaneous transmission of interactive signals with a video signal convention - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for simultaneously transmitting a fully interactive program with a normal conventional program in the same standard video signal bandwidth. It allows active participation by subscribers who have interactive components (600) connected to a television (186) or a personal computer display (187), as well as normal viewers of the conventional program by viewers with conventional television sets (186). An important feature is that interactivity is offered as an option, without any degradation or interruption in program content to users who do not have the interactive components (600). Interactivity is customized through the use of alternate audio response and / or display of graphics that can be provided as part of the transmitted video signal bandwidth. The interactive elements are presented to the subscriber either immediately after the subscriber input and / or subsequently in transparent "trigger points" (900). At trigger points (900), the program content is subtly altered to present specialized attention to each interactive subscriber.

Description

SIMULTANEOUS TRANSMISSION OF INTERACTIVE SIGNALS WITH A CONVENTIONAL VIDEO SIGNAL This is a continuation-in-part of the U.S. Patent application. Serial No. 08 / 228,355, filed on April 15, 1994 with the title "A DISTANCE LEARNING SYSTEM THAT PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL TELEVISION PARTICIPATION, AUDIO AND MEMORY RESPONSES FOR EACH STUDENT". The interactive television program is of a type described in the patent application of the U.S.A. Common Co-pending Serial No. 07 / 797,298, filed November 25, 1991, and in the US Patents. Nos. 4,847,700, 4,507,680, 4,573,072, 3,947,792, 4,602,279, 4,264,925 and 4,264,924, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Interactive television systems technologies are currently introduced in the telecommunications scene. These technologies are applied primarily to provide entertainment and educational opportunities to the television industry. Interactive capacity has been developed using one-way systems through the provision of multiple parallel information channels related in content to each other. For example, Freeman patents and common property patents, US Patents. Nos. 4,264,925 and 4,264,924 disclose interactive television systems wherein switching between multiple transmission or cable channels, with oase in tele-viewer selections in response to interrogation messages, allow an interactive capability. These systems have been improved to include memory functions using memory and computer logic, wherein the selection of the system responses that are reproduced to the viewer, are based on the processing and storage of subscriber responses, as described in the Patent. of Freeman of the USA No. 4,507,680. The benefits of providing interactivity through the use of different audio responses was described in U.S. Patents. of Freeman Nos. 4,847,698, 4,847,699 and 4,847,700. These television systems provide a common video signal accompanied by several synchronized audio channels to provide content related to user selectable responses. Audio signals produce different audio responses, and in some cases, these are syllables synchronized to a first audio script and the video signal (such as a person or character in the display) providing the perception that the movements of the mouth of the character or of the person correspond to the spoken words. These prior art systems generally provide interactive capability through the use of several related information segments in parallel, each segment requiring a separate channel. What is required is a fully functional interactive program that can normally be received by non-interactive television receivers such as a conventional video transmission. What is required is a system not limited to receiving multiple parallel tracks of audio transmitted simultaneously. What is required is an interactive system where interactivity is not restricted to a question and answer format. Because channel capacity is limited in most current transmission systems, what is required is a system where full interactivity is provided in the same bandwidth as is currently required by a standard television signal. What is required is a system that individualizes the interactive experience through custom graphics video coating and custom audio channels. What is required is a system to provide a fully interactive capability to every home, regardless of the means of transmission. What is required is a system for simultaneous transmission of both conventional television programming and a fully interactive program, all within the same signal. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The present invention can allow each subscriber to a program received at home, receive an individualized and personalized experience. A truly innovative aspect of this invention is the simultaneous transmission of a fully interactive program that allows participation by subscribers through the use of an interactive program box, and yet viewers without the interactive program box can see normal conventional programming uninterrupted Both programs are provided by receiving the same standard video signal from conventional conventional programming. This dual functionality can be provided by any of several possible bandwidth efficient techniques, to send hidden multiple interactive audio segments, graphic data and programming control data, the reception and processing of which provide a fully interactive experience for subscribers. Increased interactive flexibility is possible through the use of external data stores such as CD ROMs that can store locally interactive audio elements and additional graphics. An important feature of this new invention is that interactivity is offered as an option, without degradation or interruption in program content to users who choose not to interact or do not have the interactive program box. By creating this more intimate relationship between the viewer and conventional programs, a novel and exciting type of television programming is produced. However, the observation of conventional programs is not affected. The individualization to each subscriber not only comes from the personalization of audio responses or the memory capacity of the system, but also super-positions of video graphics are customized, improving the interactive experience more. In addition, the costs of interactive programming are dramatically reduced as fully functional interactive elements can now be transported in normal daily television programming broadcasts. The innovative interactive features of the present invention can be provided to participants, either with an interactive programming box connected to conventional television equipment or to computer users via a personal multimedia computer (PC) with a radio frequency demodulator board and equipment. physical and decoding software. With the present invention, the interactivity of preference is personalized through the use of alternate audio responses and graphic displays that are presented with a function of either a remote subscriber input stream or previously stored remote subscriber inputs, using the capability of system memory, where the system remembers previous subscriber responses and uses these responses to formulate and present individualized graphics and audio messages to the subscriber. Audio personalization can be enhanced through the use of additional pre-loaded audio response segments in the interactive program box and time stacked audio response segments. Further improvement is possible through the use of external data storage device such as CD ROM to store interactive graphic and audio elements, increasing the response capabilities of the system of the present invention. Unlike previously described interactive systems, the present invention no longer only requires that personalized messages be presented immediately after the subscriber has made a response selection. The novel use of trigger points overcomes the limitation of the interactive response-question formats described in patents and prior applications, by allowing it to be provided specialized attention to the subscriber in unknown times through the program. Interactive graphics and audio can be displayed at any time during the program as a stored subscriber information function. This enhanced interactivity is provided through the use of trigger points that are disseminated through the program and identifiable by codes embedded in the video signal. Trigger points provide designated times during the program when the content of the program is subtly altered to present individual and specialized attention to the particular subscriber who watches the television or computer screen. Trigger points are essentially bookmarks in the program that effectively trigger macros that request a certain interactive function (for example, the reproduction of a customized audio segment and / or overlay of a graphics screen) that occurs using subscriber selections stored to interrogations, presented preferably at the beginning of the program, or withheld from a previous program, and / or in combination with a particular pattern of interactions requested and provided during the program. The interactive program box controller recognizes the trigger points when decoding invisible codes embedded in the conventional video signal. The exact synchronization of the trigger points is unknown to the subscriber, in order to make the interactive elements appear unsolicited to the interactive subscriber. In this way, the interactive elements are presented in a more subtle and less noticeable way, thus significantly increasing the personalized experience for the home viewers. Meanwhile, the subscribers either without the interactive program boxes or with the box, but not authorized to receive the particular interactive program, continue to receive and listen to the standard program audio and watch the conventional video without being offered interactive selections and specialized answers Therefore, both an interactive program and a non-interactive program are transmitted simultaneously to subscribers. This high degree of individual participant interactivity is provided to the home television or personal computer through the use of only a standard video signal. A normal television signal has an audio carrier and a video carrier. The standard audio, synchronized to the video presentation, is inserted into the normal audio carrier, thus maintaining compatibility with any conventional television equipment. In the present invention, unused lines of video are preferably used to embed additional interactive response audio channels and control data and graphics. Alternatively, the interactive audio segments can be provided either serially, one after the other on the audio subcarrier (SAP) or in cable frequency protection bands and / or pre-stored in memory in the program box Interactive In addition, even more audio and graphics elements can be provided through the use of external storage devices or game cartridges. In any case, with the present invention, it is inconsequential if the interactive elements are broadcast synchronously, in series or in separate channels, embedded in the video, transmitted during or before the program, stored in external storage media, etc. These elements, no matter where they come from, are requested by the interactive box at designated shooting points through the use of coating logic that is lowered into codes embedded in the signal or residing in software at the receiving site. In effect, a normal conventional television program and an interactive program are simultaneously transmitted from a centralized site to a multitude of subscriber homes, some of which are equipped to receive the interactive program while others do not. The improved level of interactivity is provided to interactive subscribers in their homes, through the use of boxes of interactive programs connected to television equipment, which receive signals either through cable, direct satellite transmission, television transmission, or other means of transmission. In the present invention, programming can be provided in both analog and digital modes. It is the aim of the present invention to simultaneously transmit an interactive television program and a conventional television program, all as part of a standard video signal to each of a multitude of interactive subscriber participants. It is an object of the invention to present interactive elements through the programs at times unknown to the subscriber.

It is an object of the invention to provide personalized messages instantaneously to subscribers in their homes, through the presentation of audio responses and personalized graphics. An object of the invention is to use an analog transmission means to send multiple interactive audio signals and data codes with a single video signal. An object of the invention is to use digital transmission technology to combine multiple interactive audio signals, a video signal and data codes into a simple composite digital interactive video signal. It is an object of the invention to remember prior subscriber selections, to custom fit custom graphics and audio responses. It is an object of the present invention to provide a dual function program; a program that is conventional and that can be seen in equipment for conventional television reception and also, allow the same program to be received interactively once the subscribers have the interactive program box. It is an object of the present invention to recover interactive graphic and / or audio elements from an external storage device.

An object of the present invention is to create an interactive television system that can provide demographic information to a head end location that is used for exploration or survey purposes or for the creation of targeted commercials. These and other advantages, characteristics and objects of the invention and the way to achieve them will be apparent and the invention is understood to be improved by reference to the following description of the embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an overview of the operations center, its transmission system and its system for domestic reception of the conventional video system. Figure 2 is a time diagram showing a representation of corresponding trigger points and alternating audio segments, one of which is chosen for presentation to the subscriber, immediately after the execution of a trigger point function. Figure 3 is a diagram of the preferred embodiment of the interactive program box for extracting the interactive audio segments and data from the conventional video signal bandwidth, wherein these interactive segments are embedded in the interactive video signal composed in the operations center.

Figure 4 is a more detailed schematic of the physical equipment elements of an analog four-channel VBI extractor of the interactive program case as shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a more detailed schematic of an alternate digital modality referred to. comprising a digital extractor consisting of a digital demultiplexer / decoder configuration. Figure 6 is a diagram of a second modality of the interactive program box for extracting and storing the interactive audio segments of an SAP audio channel wherein the interactive audio segments are serially aligned on the SAP channel at the end of head. Figure 7 is a diagram of a third modality of the interactive program box, comprising two tuners, one of which is for tuning to and demodulating the standard audio and video signals and the second of which is for demodulating an analog carrier secondary that includes segments of digital audio in series modulated. Figure 8 is a diagram of a fourth embodiment of the interactive programming box that also comprises two tuners, but with a digital demultiplexer configuration, to demultiplex the digital audio stream into n parallel digital audio channels, wherein the n channels Parallel digital audio are multiplexed with time division at the head end and transmitted as a separate digital audio stream. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the hardware elements of a preferred analog transmission mode in the operations center, which comprises an inserter for inserting four audio circuits and data commands into a simple video signal. Figure 10 is a block diagram showing the physical equipment elements in the operations center of a digital transmission mode, comprising digital compressor / encoder configurations and a digital multiplexer. P ^ CFTP TOFF? FTAJ.TADA OF THE PREFERRED MOTION AT-T. 1. Introduction The present invention is a system for simultaneous transmission of a fully interactive program that allows subscribers to interact with the program through the use of a device remote (604) and an interactive program box (600) connected to conventional television equipment (186) or through the use of a keyboard and a personal computer (187) with conventional conventional programming, which can be viewed by anyone with a regular television equipment (186) or a computer display monitor (187) as illustrated in Figure 1. While this interactive programming may include a plurality of video signals, the interactive television programming employed herein preferably comprises a simple standard audio and video television signal, with a plurality of additional audio signals and / or graphics data to provide interactivity. The interaction with the subscribers comes primarily from the selection of one or more audio segments linked from a plurality of audio segments, whereby the selected audio segment (s) is chosen as a function of previous user responses. The interactivity is improved through the use of a display of the coating graphics in the video which, like the audio responses, also varies according to selections made by the subscriber in the remote device (604). Audio segments are used to provide personalized responses to subscriber selections. The graphics, on the other hand, are used both to interrogate the subscriber, preferably at the beginning of the program, and also provide personalized graphic messages to the subscribers. The interactive television program also comprises control data for regulating an interactive program box controller (178) at the subscriber's house. The interactivity is further improved in the preferred embodiment through the application of scattered trigger points at various predetermined times throughout the program. The trigger points correspond to times when interactive events are scheduled to take place. These interactive events can be the selection and reproduction of audio segments or the display of graphics. While the selection of particular audio segments or graphics still depends on the viewer's selections, the viewer's selections in response to graphical interrogation messages displayed preferably are made during a period at the beginning of the program or when a viewer first tunes the program . These viewer selections are then used as feeds to macros required at later times during the program by the controller before the occurrence of trigger points, identified to the interactive program box by unique codes embedded in the video signal. As they alter, there may be an immediate local storage response such as random access memory (RAM), FLASH or read-only memory (ROM), storage of external data such as sun memory or compact disk read (CD ROM), of the composite interactive signal or of a series of audio segments that can be collected in both signal and storage. II. Components? de Sistemé »A. General Review As illustrated in Figure 1, the system employs an interactive program delivery system (98) with any broadcasting medium including satellite (150), cable (138) or television (142), to supply the conventional and interactive program of simultaneous transmission (hereinafter "Interactive Compound Program") of a centralized site, or operations center (608), for distribution to subscribers in their homes. The program can broadcast live from the operations center (608). For example, live sporting events with added interactive elements can be transmitted from the operations center (608). However, it is more likely with the present invention that the program be produced off-line and stored in a program storage assembly (133) in the operations center (608). Likewise, the distribution of the signal at the receiving end may be by any convenient transmission means (166) including a cable distribution system, optical fibers, microwaves, etc. In the preferred embodiment, the system generally includes: operating center (608), where the composite interactive program is transmitted, the composite interactive program comprises a simple video signal, a plurality of audio channels, control codes and graphics; a broadcasting broadcasting system comprising transmission equipment for the interactive video signal by any convenient broadcasting means and receiving equipment for distribution to remote home sites; and at the subscriber's home; an interactive program box (600) for processing the signals and providing interactivity; a remote device (604) for transmitting to the interactive program box (600), subscriber selections; and a standard television set (186). Alternatively, the interactive program signal may be received to be processed and displayed by a multimedia personal computer (187) comprising an RF demodulator card, an extractor card, and telcado. A principal aspect of this invention is the individualization of audio response to subscribers in the home. Each participant receives personalized audio responses based on one or more selections in a remote keypad (604). Since the system can remember previous selections of the subscriber, the subscriber selections can be fed and stored in memory at the start of the program and later used by the interactive program box (600) to formulate an interactive response. The audio response is usually a prepared pre-recorded audio response comprising one or more audio segments. In the present invention, not only the audio responses provide interactivity, but the graphics displays can also vary as a function of previous user selections, thus generating more individualization of the program. At remote sites, participants interact with the interactive program either through a subscriber interface (604) or computer keyboard. Preferably, the subscriber interface (604) is a datalink infrared (IR) remote device with a keypad or if the interactive program is received by a personal computer (187), a PC keyboard. Pressing a button on the keypad (604) provides power to the interactive program box processor (178) which can immediately or later be used by the controller to trigger unique algorithmic codes, to produce a single and individual message of a plurality of audio segments transmitted and / or those pre-stored in the interactive program box (600). the response may be directed to the subscriber's current response selection to an interrogation message that is displayed on the screen, or may be based on subscriber selections previously provided through the provision of memory and logic in the system and trigger points as described then. Multiple audio segments that form the set of convenient responses to an interrogation message are preferably sent as part of a standard video signal. There are a number of different ways to effectively send the audio segments needed for a given interactive event to the interactive program box (600). Different modalities for supplying these audio segments include digital and analog transmission modes, including serial or parallel paths as described below. The interactive elements can be transmitted simultaneously (alternating responses aligned in time), in series, in separate channels, embedded in existing video and / or transmitted before or during the program. Audio segments marked for a given interactive event can be sent to the interactive program boxes (600) well in advance of the event organized during the program, in which case the preferred segments are stored in temporary memory, or the segments can be transmitted in concurrent with the event. With the present invention, there is no difference in how the audio segments arrive at the interactive program box (600) as long as they are available for selection in the box (600) at pre-determined trigger points. For example, the audio segments can also be stored in local external data storage (629) such as CD-ROM. In the preferred embodiment, interactive events occur at the programmed pre-determined trigger points (900) as illustrated in Figure 2. These points (900) correspond to the times when the conventional program content can be altered and customized for those capable subscribers. to receive the interactive signal. The programmer can place the trigger points (900) at any time through the program. Since the trigger points (900) are unknown to the subscriber, the subscriber does not know when they will receive a personalized message. In other words, an interactive response may immediately follow a corresponding user selection made to an interrogation message or occur at a later time corresponding to a trigger point (900) or any combination of the two. Of course, the synchronization of the interactive events will correspond to convenient times in the program, when the ramification to interactive events is sensitive and does not collide with the content of conventional video program still displayed on television (186) or another monitor. display. As illustrated in Figure 2, at the beginning of a trigger point, the controller will choose one of several possible audio responses (or graphic display) for presentation to the subscriber. As previously mentioned, and illustrated in Figure 2, some of the audio responses may comprise the linking of two or more audio segments. In combination with the use of trigger points (900), the present invention allows the viewer to select certain options at the beginning of the program to adjust to the preferences of the viewers. For example, if the program broadcast is a live sporting event, at a previous trigger point (900), the viewer may be asked if the viewer would prefer to receive audio in English, Spanish, French or probably listen to the local announcer instead of the network announcer. Upon selection of the viewer, the controller branches to the appropriate channel. Each trigger point (900) is preferably identified through the transmission of codes that are sent as part of the compound interactive program signal. The preference codes include, as a minimum, the following information: (1) a head that identifies the occurrence of a trigger point; (2) Function ID (eg selection of audio responses or graphics responses, etc.); and (3) one or more corresponding interrogation messages. The first bit sequence simply identifies the controller (178) that a trigger point is about to occur. The function ID designates the macro or other set of instructions executable by the controller (178) to read and interpret, to obtain the desired result, for example a selected audio response. Alternatively, the data codes can include the current algorithmic function to apply the controller (178). Upon extraction of the codes by the extractor (174), the controller (178) reads and interprets the codes and calls of the memory (282, 286) either a stored message to be displayed on the screen or one or more selections of a particular user designated by the trigger point codes. The user selections correspond to subscriber responses to a series of interrogation messages of preference presented at the beginning of the program. After obtaining the appropriate user selections (s), the controller (178) reads and performs the executable instructions, using the user selections (s) as one or more feeds in the macro algorithm. The result of the algorithm is either a selected audio response and / or select graphics response. The audio response may be called from the memory if it is prealigned, requested from the external data storage (629) or the controller (178) may instruct the switch (620) to branch to the particular audio channel if the responses are transmitted. concurrently with the trigger point. After the selected audio response is reproduced to the subscriber, the switch (620) branches back to the standard audio illustrated at time tB in Figure 2. As mentioned above, a series of messages le > Interrogatories of preference are presented when the subscriber begins to see the interactive program. These interrogation messages can be presented in any of three ways. First, interrogation messages can be presented as graphical displays superimposed by the program box interactive (600) on the conventional video signal, where the graphic data is sent in the vertical extinction range of the composite interactive signal. Second, the interrogation messages are presented as graphical displays as discussed above, except that the graphic data come from local storage such as RAM (282) or FLASH ROM (286), storage of external data (629) (eg, CD-ROM, cartridges, etc.) or a combination of data in the VBI, and requested data , either local (284) or external (629) data storage. Third, graphical data may be presented in the form of user templates stored in the interactive program box (600). User selections that correspond to a response to the n successive interrogation messages, are received by the remote interface (628) at the beginning of the program, stored in memory and used through the program in appropriate trigger points to subtly change the content of program as the program progresses. Preferably, each interrogation has a set of possible answers. Next to each possible answer there will be some identifier corresponding to a tag in a key in the remote of the subscribers (604). The subscriber presses the key corresponding to the response selection. That selection is decoded by the remote interface (178) and the controller (178) is stored in memory (282, 286) preferably RAM (282), and subsequently employed as required by an algorithm designated at a trigger point. Graphics can be superimposed on the video on the subscriber site through the use of a generator characters (624) as illustrated in Figures 6 to 8. The character generator (624) is essentially a microcircuit for on-screen display. After embedding the graphics codes in the program video signal, the microprocessor (178) interprets the codes and maps the codes in the video maps. current bits representing the characters, stored in memory (282, 286). The interactive program box processor (178) then includes the character generator (624) to superpose a particular character designation at a particular point on the screen. Alternatively, graphics video can be sent from the operations center (608). The graphics video can be created and output from a personal computer (114) to a video mixer (108) as described in the US patent application. No. 08 / 228,355 of Harper et al. With reference to Figure 1, additional feeds to the video mixer (108) may include conventional video either from live cameras or VCRs. The video mixer (108) outputs a single video signal by switching between the graphics video and the program video at appropriate times. A plurality of overlaying graphics overlays each of which preferably comprises an interrogation message, and which are chosen as a function of prior selections of the subscriber in response to previous interrogations, may be provided. The method by which a graphic message is chosen is substantially the same as the method used to select audio responses. The graphics overlays can be selected as interactive responses in trigger points as explained in the preceding paragraphs. As with audio responses, one of several possible graphics super-positions can occur during any given time interval. The graphic graphic message is also based on the selection of the subscriber to display interrogation messages at the beginning of the program. Subscriber selections are requested by the interactive program box processor (178) that examines these feeds according to algorithmic codes to produce the following graphics interrogation message. The one-way interactive system also has the advantage of remembering subscriber responses and using these responses in choosing an audio response, and / or message interrogation of graphics, to present the subscriber. Memory verification is a technique of the present invention wherein the algorithm assembles audio responses and graphic interrogation messages according to present and previous user feeds. Memory verification is achieved by linking audio message segments or successive graphical interrogation messages together in a logical relationship. In this scheme, the interactive program box processor (178) contains logic (preferably in the software algorithm) and memory (284) to store prior subscriber selections and to process these previous responses in the algorithm, to control selection. of future audio channel as well as future graphic message section. B. The Fall of Interactive Program Figure 3 shows a general review of a preferred interactive program box (600). Figures 4 and 5 show analog and digital modes of the audio / data extractor (174), a component illustrated in Figure 3. Alternate modes 5 of the interactive program case (600) are illustrated in Figures 6 and 8. Modes represent different devices for receiving, processing and storing the alternate interactive audio segments, which are received in different transmission formats. With these modalities, the systems lts. Interactive are no longer limited to selecting audio from multiple parallel audio tracks related to time and content or the immediate response format for interactive questions as described in previous patents, if necessary. Of course, the systems of the present invention can still use an answer format immediately to question or a combination of this format and delayed response triggers points. The concept remains the same, that is selecting the audio responses that are matched to user selections by some function. Without However, the present invention, as it is supported by the described modalities, goes further to improve the interactivity to provide interactive elements at times unknown to the viewer. The interactive program box (600) is a portion of the system that may reside and in the subscriber's home elsewhere, such as at the end of the cable head as described below. At home, the interactive program box (600) is usually located near the subscriber's television (186), but can be placed anywhere else within the range of the subscriber's remote control (604). As illustrated in Figure 3, the preferred selective program box (600) comprises an RF demodulator (616) comprising video and analog demodulators, an audio switch (620) voice / data extractor (174), modem (312) ), audio memory (702), a controller (178) with associated memory (284). The Gen-Lock circuit (623), character generator (624), an RF modulator (622) and an infrared interface (628) for the subscriber remotes (604). An external data storage device (629) and a printer (302) are optional. Alternatively, the elements of the interactive program box (600) may be incorporated and provided by a conventional personal multimedia computer (187). Preferably, this computer especially comprises a video demodulator board, a keyboard for supplying subscriber selections instead of a remote IR device (604), an extractor board for separating the audio and data signals from the conventional video signal, temporary and permanent data storage, a modem (optional) audio switch and a processor. The operation of the interactive program system using a personal computer (187) is substantially identical to that of the interactive program case (600) / television equipment (186) combination described below. In addition, although the interactive program box (600) is more likely to be located in the house, there is no reason why the interactive program box (600), or a functional substitute (comprising a processor, extractor, memory, audio switch, RF demodulator, etc.), can not be received at a site external to the home, such as at one end of the cable head. If the interactive program case (600) is located at the head end, the interactive program case (600) or its equivalent can receive user selections from the home via a wireless RF link, telephone line, cable, etc. Once the user selections are received, the selection of the audio and graphics signals at the cablehead end occurs identically as if the interactive program box (600) were located in the location as described below . The path to and from the cablehead end can be seen simply as an extension of the cable between the interactive program case (600) and the television set (186). The only possible distinction is that an interactive program box (600) located at the head end can be programmed to service several subscriber households effectively using a timeshare shared among many users.

In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of audio signals is combined with the simple video signal together with interactive data and graphics codes in an inserter (130) in the operations center to form a single NTSC compatible video signal. These signals can be analog or digital as described below. With reference to a preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the composite interactive signal is received by the interactive program box (600) either by cable connection, if the signal is transmitted by cable, by satellite antenna link to receive satellite transmissions, or by a television antenna if the signal is broadcast broadcast. The composite interactive signal is fed into the RF demodulator (616). In the standard television mode without interactivity, the RF demodulator (616) simply demodulates the conventional audio and video signal and outputs the standard audio that passes through the audio switch (620) to the television set (186) . The video is sent to an RF modulator (622), for presentation on the computer or television screen. Therefore, in the standard mode the interactive program box (600) is simply a step box. The data / voice extractor (174) and audio switch (620) are completely exceeded in this mode. In interactive mode, the video demodulator (616) sends output to the standard video signal that is transported to a generator lock (Gen-lock) circuit (623) and character generator (624), as well as to an extractor of voice / data (174). At the output of the generator lock circuit (Gen-lock) (623) and character generator (624), the video is sent by the RF modulator (622) to the television (186) or monitor for the computer display. The processor (178) preferably controls a n X 1 switch (620), the output of which is an appropriate audio segment that is sent to the television set (186) for presentation to the subscriber. Of course, the switch can have more than one power, in which case more than one viewer can watch the video on the same monitor and each receives individualized audio response through the use of headphones. The processor (178) sends a command to the audio switch (620) to disconnect the standard audio at the start of an interactive segment. The extractor (174) essentially reverses the process by which the audio and data signals were inserted into the video signal. As explained below, the voice / data receiver (174) removes additional audio segments and data that are hidden in the standard video signal. The data is sent to the microprocessor (178) and the audio segments are sent either to an audio switch (620) or temporary memory (202), depending on whether the instructions illustrate that the segments are sent, all of which occurs under control of the microprocessor (178). The microprocessor (178) reads and interprets the instructions either transmitted in the data codes or resident in the operating software in the interactive program box (60). The microprocessor (178) interprets the extracted data either as control data, including instructions for switching between voice channels, or graphics data for on-screen display. If the data is on-screen display data, the preference data is prefixed by a command designating the data as on-screen display data as opposed to control data. In the preferred embodiment, the controller (178) also examines the control data for the occurrence and a spindle code designating the start of a trigger point in the program. If the trigger point codes designate a macro that requires the placement of a graphic display in the video, the microprocessor (178) reads the codes, accepts any graphics data that is sent from the end of the head (608), asks for and examines the maps of current bits stored in memory (284) and external memory (629) and designates the identity of the characters, does not command the character pointer to superimpose particular characters at particular points on the screen. Therefore, preference graphics are generated locally with the bitmaps stored in memory (284). The graphics are chosen for presentation either in predetermined sequence, through the use of control codes in the composite interactive program, developed when the program was created in the operations center (608), or in a more flexible way through the execution of algorithms by the processor (178), using the stored subscriber selections to previous graphic messages. The algorithms of preference are part of the software of operating systems stored in memory in the interactive program box (600). Alternatively, the algorithms can be included in the data portion of the composite interactive signal. The graphics can be used to superimpose any portion of the screen on the television screen. The character generator is locked by a generator lock circuit (Gen-lock) (623) that allows the synchronous placement of the graphics in the video. The character generator (624) is preferably a microcircuit for standard screen display that takes video input, clips the video and superimposes the characters on the video as instructed by the microprocessor (178). Specifically, the character generator (624) is a switching system that takes the active video lines and switches to a mode of sending the graphic characters for a pre-determined time, and then switches back the video when the character Finish writing on the screen. Because graphics are generated locally, subscribers without the interactive program box (600) are not able to see the graphics. For those subscribers who possess the interactive capability, the graphics can be used both to present questions to subscribers at the beginning of the program, consistent with the trigger point mode, presenting questions during the program, use to provide a personalized response to previous selections of individual subscriber . Preferably at the beginning of the program or when a viewer tunes in first, a series of interrogation messages is presented to the subscriber. The subscriber responds to the interrogation message by pressing a button on a remote control (604) or computer keyboard corresponding to a response selection listed on the interrogation graph screen. If the subscriber has made a selection using remote, a signal is received by the IR interface (628) which processes the signal and sends the signal to the processor (178). The processor (178) preferably creates a packet comprising the user selection and a header code that identifies the particular interrogation message associated with the user selection and sends the memory packet (284). Each user section to each interrogation is stored in this way. These selections will be requested later in the program at appropriate times when they are identified by the trigger point codes and then used in macros or algorithms to determine interactive graphics and / or audio responses.

The presentation of graphic interrogation messages can also be punctuated by subscriber selections to prior interrogation messages. The logic used in the codes to select the next graphic message is similar to that used to select audio messages. One method, as described in previous ACTV patents, is the logical "decision tree" methodology. The subscriber makes a selection to a first pre-determined graphic interrogation message. After the subscriber listens to an appropriately branched audio channel, the processor (178) will interpret graphic algorithmic codes that are sent downstream of the operations center (608) and read from the memory (284) an appropriate subsequent graphic message. The processor (178) then directs the character generator (624) to super-set the selected graphic message in the following video frames. The voice / data extractor (174) of the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 3 is illustrated in more detail in Figure 4. This particular extractor corresponds to an inserter with pulse altitude modulation (PAM) (219) discussed at continued in connection with Figure 9. Audio and data are released from the baseband signal in the four channel VBI extractor (174). The signal separator (174) essentially reverses the process by which the audio and data signals were inserted into the video signal. A video digitizing system, and synchronization controller (320) digitizes the incoming video signal at the same sampling rate at which the PAM audio samples are inserted into the video signal. Alternatively, if an extractor with digital adaptive pulse code modulation (ADPCM) that corresponds to an ADPCM inserter described below is used in the interactive system, the extractor does not include the buffer circuitry and video digitization illustrated in Figure 4. The synchronization controller (320), illustrated in Figure 4 determines which video lines contain the audio signals and separates the compressed audio signals by directing each audio channel in a pair of associated FIFOs (328-356). As with the insertion circuit, the FIFOs in the FIFO pairs (328-356) are alternately used so that while one FIFO reads the audio data, the other writes data. The digital converter (D / A) (360) sequentially reads the FIFO for each channel that is in the write mode and converts the digital signal for this channel into an audio signal. The analog output for each channel is separated by filters (364-376) and leads to buffers (380-392). The buffers (380-392) preferably adjust and amplify the analog output signals to a range of -IV to + IV. The four output audio signals correspond to the four audio feed channels.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the data of line 21 is read in 8-bit shift registers (400) wherein the 16 bits of the serial data are converted to 2 bytes of data. The data of line 22 is read by the 8-bit shift registers (402) and the 16 bits of the serial data are also converted to two bytes of data. The data of lines 21 and 22 (ie the data codes) are routed from the extractor (174) to the microprocessor (178). The microprocessor (178) decodes the data and stores it either in RAM (282) or ROM (286). In an alternate digital data / voice extractor mode at the receiving end, the composite digital signal is received when the FEC code is applied by a FEC decoder (516) as illustrated in Figure 5. The resulting signal is applied to a digital demultiplexer (520) wherein the audio, data and video components are separated and placed individually in a set of buffers (524-532). From the buffer A (524), the composite digital audio signal enters a digital-to-analog converter (536) wherein the plurality of audio signals (including the standard audio channel and the additional audio channels) are they separate decode and decompress to reconstruct each individual analog audio channel. From the buffer B, the digital video signal similarly enters a digital / analog converter (540) where the signal is decompressed and decoded to form an analog video signal. The data is similarly decompressed and decoded in the analog-to-digital decoder C (544). With reference again to Figure 3, the processor (178) receives data from the extractor (174), stores data and reads memory instructions such as the temporary RAM (282), ROM memory or FLASH ROM (286), and receives response data of the remote controls (604) by means of an infrared interface (262) or alternatively a computer keyboard. Optionally, the processor (178) can interface with a printer (302) via a printer port (302) to print coupon codes as discussed below. The processor (178) is preferably a microcontroller based on 80C188, but can be any similar controller. As mentioned above, this whole system can be built on a personal computer, using a personal multimedia inventory computer (187), preferably with a processor based on 80386 or higher. The operating system software for the processor (178) is preferably stored in the FLASH ROM memory (286). The FLASH memory (286) as illustrated in Figure 4, also preferably stores new instructions for use with the re-programmable software. Works in conjunction with RAM (282). RAM (282) can also be used as an interface for a print buffer. The print buffer is used in such a way that transmissions of data to the site can be placed in buffer, corrected by mistake and formatted for printing. The site controller (178) is preferably connected to a printer through a parallel printer port. The controller (178) sends coupons to the printer (302). The interactive program box (600) connects to the remote controls (604) preferably by infrared (IR) connection. The processor (1778) preferably stores the configuration commands and interactive branch commands and algorithms in associated memory, as described below. In the present invention, code interpretation and preference switching is achieved by the interactive program box processor (178). The processor (178) collects subscriber responses from the remote controls (604) or the computer keyboard. The advantages discussed above in relation to presenting an interactive program using trigger points are obtained in each of the interactive program box modalities illustrated in Figures 6-8. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, alternate audio segments are preferably sent serially from the operations center (608) into SAP channels. The demodulator (617) receives a composite interactive signal comprising the standard audio and standard video signals together with an audio subcarrier. The demodulator (617) breaks the signal into its component parts, sending the baseband video to a data extractor (617) and the standard audio to an audio switch (620). The line data extractor 21 (175) removes the data codes including the trigger points. The SAP channel comprises a plurality of audio segments aligned in series. The audio segments are digitized in the analog-to-digital converter (175) and preferably stored in digital audio memory (283). At certain times during the program, data codes will designate a trigger point and will code the microprocessor (178) to select and reproduce an audio segment corresponding to previous user feeds according to the process described above. The microprocessor (178) requests one or two appropriate audio segments from internal memory or external data storage (629) and commands the data switch to pass the selected audio segment to the RF modulator (622) to play the subscriber. At the end of the interactive time period, the controller (178) instructs the audio switch (620) to pick up the standard audio again. In an alternate embodiment similar to that illustrated in Figure 66 and discussed above, the simple addition of a second tuner, which receives the composite RF signal, can be used to tune to a second audio channel to collect transmitted audio segments. That tuner will pass the audio segments to the A / D converter (175) with the operation of the remainder of the interactive program box (600) similar to that described above in connection with Figure 6. Figure 7 shows another mode of cashier box. interactive program (600) to provide segments of alternate audio graphics. This mode uses two tuners: a RF descrambler (616) and a data tuner (615), the RF demodulator (616) tunes to and demodulates the conventional video and audio signal in the standard video bandwidth. The data tuner (615) receives a simple digital audio signal. The signal comprises segments of digital serial audio modulated in an analog carrier. The data tuner (615) demodulates the signal in digital audio. The digital interface and error corrector selector (177) separates the audio segments and performs error correction according to any error correction scheme commonly understood in the art. The controller (178) directs the sector (177) to extract selected digital audio segments from the digital current in series and sends them to the digital audio memory (283). The selection of one or more audio segments to be reproduced as personalized messages on the television set (186) occurs in accordance with the processes described above. After the controller instructs the memory (283) to send a digital audio segment, the segment is converted to analog by the digital to audio converter (176) and subsequently passed to the RF modulator (622) to play on the equipment of television (186). Another interactive box modality (600) for receiving, storing and selecting alternate audio segments is illustrated in Figure 8. In the operations center (608), the audio segments are digitized, multiplied with time division, modulate and convert at frequencies in space, frequency and channel not used in the cable television spectrum, for example cable protection bands. The new RF demodulator (616) demodulates the conventional audio and video signal. The VBI data extractor receives the signal and extracts the VBI 21 line data codes. The data in the VBI indicate the frequency channels in which the digital audio segments are transmitted. For example, audio messages AE are located between channels 14 and 15. The controller (178) instructs the data tuner (615) to tune to that part of the spectrum between channels 14 and 15. Alternatively, a capacity of Auto-tuning can be used to find the audio channels in the spectrum. The tuner (615) demodulates the digital audio signal and sends the signal to the digital demultiplexer. The demultiplexer (700) de-multiplexes the signal into n digital audio channels and sends each channel to a separate D / A converter (702-710) where each of the digital channels is converted to analog audio. As described above, one of these channels can be selected as identified at trigger points to play on the subscriber's audio horn. All the other components in Figure 8 operate identically to the one previously described in connection with Figure 3, to provide interactive or conventional programs to the subscriber at home. The embodiments described above and illustrated in connection with Figures 3-8 relate to various ways of receiving broadcast audio segments. Alternatively, interactive audio segments or graphic elements can be pre-stored in CD-ROM cartridges or even in floppy disk. Nevertheless, the trigger points of preference are transmitted as data codes embedded in the conventional video signal and will work with any of the modalities described above. In this way, each subscriber in different homes listens to a different and personalized response from his own television crew (186) due to his interaction with the interactive program box (600). As described below, the provision of this system can be increased exponentially by preloading additional audio segments that expand custom delivery and the memory branch mechanism where the system currently remembers and uses the subscriber's prior selections to present or compose unique messages to the subscriber.

The range of possible audio responses can be increased dramatically by preloading audio segments. First, more than simple transmission of audio response segments together with a trigger point can be transmitted upon pre-loading the memory in the interactive program box. The preload can be achieved by sending additional audio segments in a period of time before this period where the normal transmission audio responses are sent. For example, at the beginning of a program several audio segments can be transmitted to the interactive program boxes (600) by any of the methods and systems described in connection with Figures 3-8. The controller (178) directs that these segments are stored in memory. Each audio segment has a pointer that identifies the particular interrogation message that corresponds to an audio segment. For example, if the interrogation message previously presented in the program was the following, "You are a boy or a girl." , an audio segment that can correspond to this question is "Oh, I see you are a child". At the time of the interactive element, identified by the controller by the trigger point codes, preferably more audio responses associated with the previously presented interrogation message are sent out of the operations center (608), passed through a mixer of audio (118), embed in the video signal in the inserter (130) and transmit to remote sites. Once received in the interactive program box (600), the audio responses are extracted from the video signal and sent to the switch (620). The controller (178) then already selects an audio response made of audio segments pre-stored in memory or one of the audio segments that are transmitted with the trigger point codes. The switch (620) branches to the appropriate channel to send any of the memory segments or one of the broadcast broadcast segments recently. At the end of the interactive period, the switch (620) branches back to the standard audio. An even more improved and flexible operation can occur through the addition of external data storage such as CD ROM or cartridge. For example, sports statistics or other information from athletes or others can be stored on CD ROM. During live sporting events, whether audio segments or graphic displays that focus on the athlete, they can be requested by the processor (178) and presented to the viewer as a user selection function of an option or at a trigger point, if the user indicated during interrogations at the start of the live event, that they were interested in a particular player. In the present invention, the interactive audio branch is preferably carried out in the interactive program box (600). The branch algorithm, preferably defined by a series of branch codes, can be inserted as part of the program. The processor (178) stores the algorithm in associated RAM memory (282). The algorithm determines the appropriate channel to switch as a function of the subscriber selection. The branch algorithm can be expanded by using previous user selections, when making a decision on a current audio segment. This is the memory branch mode. In other words, previous user responses, stored in RAM memory (282) in the interactive program box (600) are used as power to a logical network or algorithm. Successive audio output segments can be associated in a "decision tree" type relationship. The logical network or algorithm processes the data feed to make the selection of a message with response with audio output. This memory mode gets along well with the expanded audio response capability described above. The memory branch technique described above can work similarly for successive graph interrogation messages in previous subscriber selections with previous graphical interrogation messages. Another mode uses "stacking" to increase the audio response options. The solution is due to linking separate segments of audio, separated in time to form a greater number of responses. The following example illustrates the use of stacking as well as memory branch, described above. The column to the left of the example shows the interactions between the program and the subscriber. The column on the right shows the applied logic and branch made in the interactive program box (600). TYPE OF INTERACTION ACTION TO REALIZE 1. Can you tell the time? Store button pressed in memory A (1) If button = 1, go to track 1 (2) If button ^ 2, go to track 3 (3) If button ^ 3, go to track 3 (4) If button ^ 4, go to track 2 If no button is pressed go to track 3 RETURN OF BRANCH GO TO TRACK 1 2. What time is it? Store button pressed in memory B (1) 2:30 If button ^ 1, go to track 1 (2) 3:30 If button ^ 2, go to track 2 (3) 3:50. If button- 3, go to track 3 (4) 4:00. If button = 4, go to track 4 If no button is pressed go to track 4 NOTE: 3: 30 (button (2)) is the correct answer.

Retrieve response from Retrieve memory A and question 1 branch as follows: TRACK 1: "You said that if memory A = l, go to wise to tell time ..." Track 1 TRACK 2: "You said no. If memory A ^ l and memory knew what time it is ... "B = 2 (correct) go to track 2 TRACK 3: "You did not indicate if ... If memory A = 2 or 3, go to could you tell what time it is ... Track 3 Memory Branch: It branches as follows: TRACK 1:" ... and you were not there. If memory A = l and memory B = playing. Well done "2 (correct) go to track 1 TRACK 2:" ... but sure. If memory A? L and memory B = you learned fast. That's 2 (correct) go to track 2 well. "TRACK 3:" ... and with more. If memory A ^ l and memory B = work, you will learn more. "1, 3 or 4 (incorrect) go to track 3 TRACK 4:" ... but with more. If memory A? L and memory work, you will learn more. "B ^ l, 3 or 4 (incorrect) go to track 4 RETURN OF RAMIFICATION GO TO TRACK 1 The stacking is evident in the previous example by the increased number of optional audio mounts that are formed by linking the last two branches indicated in the previous example. Possible branching combinations are provided as follows: Branch # 1 to Branch # 1 Branch # 2 to Branch # 2 Branch # 3 to Branch # 2 Branch # 1 to Branch # 3 Branch # 2 to Branch # 4 Branch # 3 to Branch # 4 Therefore, the present invention covers numerous methods for increasing the interactive audio response capabilities. C. Interview Subscriber Each subscriber interacts with the system through a subscriber (or "remote") interface (604) or a computer keyboard. The keyboard (604) preferably comprises a number of functional keys. The keyboard (604) preferably comprises keys labeled 0-10, "YES" (YES) and "NO", and keys labeled, and "TRUE" (TRUE) and "FALSE" (FALSE) can be accommodated by the present invention. The invention can also accommodate an LCD panel for receiving messages and adjusting responses. Similar functions can be assigned to computer keyboard keys. Directionality and authorization occur preferably using techniques well known in the cable industry. For example, program selection and authorization can occur using menus on the screen with cursor coating. Through the menu system, an observer or viewer can access a program by inserting a unique ID code, billing number, etc. Macro accesses algorithms stored in memory at the input for interactive program box activation. Either at the beginning of the interactive program, as in the preferred mode, or alternatively as the program progresses to the subscribers, they are asked to feed answers through the keyboard (604) or computer keyboard. These preference requests are displayed on the TV monitor (186) or computer screen through the use of graphics coating. The interactive programming of preference consists of graphic interrogation messages with correct and incorrect answers or in the video. The keyboard (604) or the computer keyboard allows the subscriber to interconnect with the interactive programming by pressing keys that correspond to responses of an interrogation message. For example, in a multi-choice polling mode, each participant chooses a keyboard button that corresponds to their choice. These choices are preferably stored and subsequently used by the controller (178) to choose either an audio or graphics message and to direct the audio switch (620), to switch the standard audio channel to an alternate audio channel to pass the respective audio segments to the television (186) or to direct the graphic character generator (624) to the graphic overlay characters on predetermined portions of the screen. The user selection is mapped into one of the plurality of audio response, comprising one or a combination of linked audio segments, or one of a plurality of graphics messages after which some functional algorithm is applied to the user selection. . D. Program Preparation For the present invention, it is anticipated that most interactive programs will be produced offline and subsequently recorded for subsequent broadcast broadcast in some storage medium at a central site. Alternatively, live programs can be transmitted with the interactive elements inserted in a similar way to those techniques described in the main case. The center of operations or broadcast broadcasting (608) is where the task of recording and transmitting or creating and packaging composite interactive programs is preferably carried out. These programs are created to be viewed and received as regular conventional television programs as interactive programs. Therefore, they should be created in such a way that there is no noticeable difference to non-interactive subscribers who observe the conventional program, when the interactive portions start for authorized interactive subscribers. Likewise, when the interactive portions end and both groups of viewers again see the same video and listen to the standard audio, there should be no noticeable transition. Interactive composite programs that can be created include educational programs, home shopping programs, movies, children's programs, news programs, etc. The stored programs can be in digital or analog form and be stored in volatile or permanent memory sources. In addition, live programs can be enhanced with interactive elements and disseminated to subscriber homes as part of the present invention. The interactive program employed in the present invention preferably comprises a single video, standard audio channel, data and graphics codes, and a plurality of embedded audio signals to achieve interactivity. However, as described and shown above in connection with Figures 3-8, the audio may be sent on separate channels, pre-loaded into the interactive program box (600), or stored separately in the external data storage. Any of these modes will work with the interactive trigger points of the present invention. The program must first be produced in a study. The resulting program will include the conventional video and audio that is received in any television equipment (186). Next, the desired interactive sequences must be defined. The producer must decide which portions of the program will be interactive. These portions will be identified by trigger points. These trigger points correspond to the times when the program can be altered. The trigger points are essentially codes that will request macros that will be used to trigger the occurrence of each interactive sequence of the program. Therefore, the producer must decide which points in the program include interactive answers, that is, trigger points. The interrogation messages required to solicit interest and responses from the viewer must also be controlled by script. Alternate graphics and audio responses to possible viewer selections are also created by the producers. Then, the interrogation messages, with respect to possible systems, should be dropped at predetermined trigger points. This mapping is made possible by developing an algorithm on a personal computer.

The algorithm maps system-specific responses (audio or graphic) that occur at trigger points as a function of the viewer's selections or choices. For example, if the user chooses A at interrogation # 2, a predetermined audio or graphic response is chosen to reproduce an identified trigger point. Next, the software on a personal computer compiles the previous mapping into program transmission codes. The personal computer then controls the audio and data load in the program stream, at the appropriate times and inserts the codes in the field. Synchronization and control between the multiple audio elements and video discussed above, is provided through the use of data codes. The data codes are stored in memory in a personal computer as part of the ACTV programming language. The codes comprise commands or branch codes, to branch between channels (as discussed in the aforementioned patents and ACTV applications) synchronization signals to control the interactive program, codes that define each trigger point, data or text, commands for completion and start of interactive program observation, or triggers to execute macros. Finally, the operating system software must be developed and loaded into the interactive program box (600). This software can be loaded into the box in the cable and stored in RAM memory (282), loaded into a cartridge or placed in ROM memory (286). This software comprises the macros that interpret subscriber power and maps these feeds into specific interactive elements at a trigger point during the program. At this point, the audio segments can be stored in a multi-channel tape storage device or digital device for later use. When it is broadcast time, the standard audio and video are passed to an inserter (130) to be combined with the data codes and multiple audio channels at the appropriate time as instructed by a processor. As illustrated in Figure 1, the audio channels are preferably fed from the personal computer (114) into an audio mixer (118). In addition, this processing can be used to align the different audio response tracks in time. The analog inserter (214) of a preferred embodiment is illustrated in more detail in Figure 9. The four audio output channels are fed into the inserter (214) to be mixed with video and data. Each audio signal is preferably an analog signal. A buffer (222) is provided for each audio signal to electrically isolate the audio inserter (214) from the audio signal source. An amplifier increases the signals in order to convert the analog audio signals to a format that is completely compatible with the analog-to-digital (A / D) converter (232) discussed below. The output of each buffer (232) is directed to a bank of low pass filters (226), one for each audio signal. In addition to reducing high frequency noise of the audio signal, the low pass filter (226) trims the audio signal to a desired frequency. The filtered audio output signals from the low pass filter (226) are routed as feeds to a multiplexer. In a preferred embodiment, the multiplexer (230) is controlled by synchronization signals that are received from the synchronization circuit (254). The synchronization circuit (254) coordinates with the video signal of the interactive program and controls the multiplexer (230) to sequentially take a sample of each audio signal and direct the sample to an analog-to-digital converter (A / D) ) (2. 3. 4). The converter (A / D) (234) converts the samples of the four audio signals into an 8-bit digital format. As illustrated in Figure 9, each of the four audio channels, preferably has a first-in-first-out (FIFO = - first-in first-out) pair (238, 242) associated with that channel. The 8-bit digital samples for each signal are routed as a feed to one of the FIFO pair (238, 242) associated with that signal. Samples for each channel are preferably routed to one of the FIFO pair (238, 242) for that channel until enough samples are in FIFO to fill the desired number of lines of the video field in which the sampled audio will be inserted . The audio samples are then routed to the other FIFO pair (238, 242) for that channel until FIFO of a correct number of samples. Meanwhile, the contents of the first FIFO are written to the video signal. It is anticipated that other types of memory media may replace the FIFO pair (238, 242). When the content of a particular FIFO is to be inserted into the video, the digitized audio samples stored in that FIFO are routed (first-in-input-first-in-out) to a digital-to-analog converter ( D / A) (246), as illustrated in Figure 9. The D / A converter (246) converts the stream of digitized audio samples into an analog PAM signal (modulated by pulse amplitude). A second memory (250) is provided to electrically isolate the inserter circuit from the switching circuitry (258) that aggregates the audio signals in the video signal. In a preferred embodiment, the audio signals A and B each are independently inserted into 5 lines of a video signal field and the audio signals C and D are inserted independently on 5 lines of the other field of the video signal. In order to allow continuous audio playback for each, the audio for each channel must be compressed so that 5 video lines per frame have enough audio content for the playing time of a video frame (approximately 1/30 of a second ). The number of audio samples required for each channel depends on the desired sound quality. If lower sound quality is desired, smaller video lines may be used and vice versa. In the preferred embodiment, five (5) video lines are used per frame per audio channel, with 105 samples per line at a sampling rate of 15,734 per second. The multiplexer (230) sequentially samples each audio signal 15,734 times per second. and alternatively directs 525 samples to each of the FIFOs (238, 242) associated with each audio channel. At a predetermined time before the audio of each channel is to be inserted into the video signal, the synchronization circuit illustrated in Figure 9 instructs the entire FIFO for the channel that writes the digital audio for the D / A converter (246) which converts it into a PAM signal. The synchronization circuit (254) then switches the video selector (258) to receive the PAM audio signal through the buffer (250) as a power instead of the video signal. In this way, the additional audio channels are inserted into the video. The standard audio remains unaffected in the normal audio carrier. Once the audio has been inserted into the video at the desired location, the synchronization circuit (254) directs the video selection switch (258) to switch its power back to the video signal. This process is repeated for each audio signal in the video lines, where this audio signal will be inserted into the video signal. Typically, ten lines of the Extinction Interval Vertical (VBI) of the video signal are available for use in each video field. In the preferred modality, for each video frame, audio signals A and B, each one are inserted in 5 VBI lines in the field, and audio signals C and D each are inserted in five VBI lines of another field . The desired audio quality and number of audio channels dictates the number of video lines that must be used to transmit the signal. Preferably, all additional audio channels can be inserted into the VBI. However, due to regulations regarding diffusion emissions, and other uses of video lines, if more lines are required for audio services, then active imaging lines have to be employed. These active lines can be grouped and placed on the top or bottom of the image that will not effectively interfere with the observed video due to the overexploitation of most television equipment. Alternatively, the lines can be randomly interdispersed through the program. In the preferred embodiment, data is sent on line 21 of the vertical extinction range (VBI) using the predefined standard for transmitting data on line 21. The data of line 21 is preferably sent as 16 bits of serial data by field, and they are placed on the video signal using a standard 21 line encoder. However, the data can be inserted alternatively in other lines of the video. In an alternate mode, instead of inserting samples Analog PAMs as illustrated in Figure 9, multi-level digital samples, such as ADPCM samples can be inserted into the assigned VBI lines. In this mode, a bandpass filter will separate broadband analog audio in the desired frequency range. The signal is then sampled at some frequency rate in a sampler. Next, the PAM audio samples are quantified in one of n levels. An encoder then maps the amplitude levels selected by the quantizer, preferably in three-bit ADPCM samples. These samples are buffered and preferably converted from binary to an 8-level converter. The ADPCM audio samples are then inserted into the video in the address of a processor in the designated VBI lines. In the receiver, the corresponding extractor (174) sends the signal to a digital-to-analog converter and subsequently to a low-pass filter to receive the filtered analog output. This embodiment has the advantage of reducing end-to-end quantization interference and provides some degree of immunity to the interference of each channel and to interference resulting from VCR recording and reproduction of the video / analog signal. Several additional audio signals can be transmitted along with the interactive video signal in other ways. An audio signal can be transmitted over each of the normal audio channels. For example, high-quality background music can be transmitted to the interactive program on the normal audio channel. Then, lower quality audio for voice coating, can be inserted into the video signal and / or using the SAP signal preferably, the audio segments are serially aligned in SAP channels. This will allow a greater number of audio signals transmitted with the interactive program. In addition, audio channels can also simply be combined with video and data signals through a multiplexer with frequency division. Audio channels can be digitized using any common analog-to-digital conversion technique such as PCM, DM, ADPCM, etc. Finally, vocoders (for example, LPC, APC, and channel vocoders) can be used to reduce the proportions of data required and the bandwidth requirements for voice transmission. In this way, there are many variations in the present invention can be used to facilitate the transmission of multiple audio channels. In a possible alternative modality, instead of embedding the plurality of audio caneles in the video signal, all channels are sent as an auth signal using serial sequencing. Serial sequencing is defined by reading the audio tracks in serial memory in sequence (ie Al, then A2, then A3, etc.). The resulting signal is then sent as a secondary channel or SAP channel with the primary channel containing the standard audio. In this modality, these particular audio tracks have to be sent before the time in which the responses to the subscribers are programmed to be played. Therefore, when the SAP channel is received in the interactive program box (600), the signals will be decoded independently of the SAP channel, buffered and stored in memory (284) for later use when it is appropriate to reproduce the responses to the subscriber. The interactive program box (600) for this mode is described above and illustrated in Figure 6. Alternatively, the interactive system of the present invention can provide transmission of the interactive signal by digital transmission means, resulting in wide requirements. band reduced. In the digital transmission mode, the interactive signal can be transmitted not only by satellite but also by ATM, Sonet, TI or any other digital transmission system. The digital transmission components in the operation center (608) are illustrated in Figure 10. As shown in Figure 10, the plurality of audio signals are output from a personal computer (114) or storage device in the tape and mix in the audio mixer (118) with conventional audio, resulting preferably in four output channels. The audio signals are then preferably sampled, encoded and compressed in the digital audio encoder / compressor (500). The coding technique can be a waveform coding technique such as PCM, ADPCM or DM. Alternatively, the signals can be encoded using synthesizer or vocoder techniques such as MUSICAM, Linear Predictive Coding (LPC), Adaptive Predictive Coding (APC) and Subband Coding. A simple composite audio signal sends output from the digital audio encoder / compressor (500). As illustrated in Figure 10, the video signal is fed to the video switch (108) which outputs one of the video signals. The digital video encoder / compressor (504) to the video signal, encodes and compresses the signal according to a known standard such as MPEG-1, MPEG-2, JPEG or other coding scheme based on DCT, small waves , fractals or other transformations-based approaches. Alternatively, the digital video encoder / compressor (504) illustrated in Figure 10, may use a waveform-based technique such as PCM, ADPCM, or DM, to encode and compress the video signal.

The data of the personal computer (114), in Figure 10, is preferably compressed by a dashboard in the computer (114) and directly supplied to the digital multiplexer (508). The digitized data, video and audio signals are supplied to the digital multiplexer (508) wherein the signals are buffered and combined by mutiple with time division, with appropriate synchronization signals applied to form a serial data stream of compound sync. At the output of the multiplexer (508), forward error correction (FEC), the code that depends on the selected transmission path is applied to the FEC encoder (512). The composite interactive digital signal is then transmitted to the receivers (158) by a convenient transmission assembly such as satellite, optical fibers, cable, DS, etc. In summary, the operations center (608) creates and transmits an interactive video signal by taking video, inserting multiple audio channels and data codes and transmitting the resulting interactive video signal to the transmission system. E. The Transmission System As illustrated in Figure 1, the system employs an interactive program delivery system (98) with any broadcast broadcast setup including satellite (150), cable (138) or television to supply the program interactive for distribution to subscriber homes.

Likewise, the distribution of the signal at the receiving end can be by any convenient transmission means (166) including a cable distribution system, optical fibers, etc. In satellite broadcast broadcast (150), the interactive video signal is transmitted to uplink equipment (146) where it can be multiplexed, up-converted, modulated, amplified and transmitted by satellite (150) to a receiving site (154) , for distribution to classroom sites. In the analog environment, the interactive video signal enters an analog sector (158) and then preferably a cable distribution system (166) that directs the signal to subscriber sites. In the alternate digital mode, the composite digital interactive signal enters a receiver (158) where it is demodulated and then preferably passed to a digital cable distribution system, which directs the signal to the subscriber sites. Although a cable distribution system (166) is the preferred transmission medium to remote sites, the interactive video signal can also be distributed by any conventionally known technique, such as DBS, optical fibers, low or high energy emission television. , telephone lines, cellular radios and similar technology can be used interchangeably with this program delivery system. F. Return Path If desired, status messages and participant information can be sent back from the remote sites to the operations center (608) via return paths. For example, subscriber selections may be stored in RAM (282) and subsequently sent to the operations center (608) to help create subscriber profiles for targeted advertising. The return paths can be marked telephone lines or through a switched network X.25 packet, cable, wireless networks, etc. The preferred method of sending this information back is based on subscriber initiation. The alternate method of sending this information is by polling the remote sites from the operations center computer (114). Alternatively, remote sites can send performance information and messages after consolidation at periodic intervals. If the functions of the interactive program box (600) are performed at the end of the cable head, part of the multi-user system as described above, then the return path becomes more important. Nevertheless, the path a and the end of the cable head can be seen simply as an extension of the signal path between the interactive program box (600) in place and the television set (186). Power can be transmitted back to the operations center (608) in a two-way cable system or in a telephony system by means of a modem (312). The modem (312) is connected to the controller as illustrated in Figures 3 and 6-8. The controller can send to the modem (312) a series of data streams that characterize the particular interests of the viewer. III. System Operation The simultaneous transmission system operates through the preparation, transmission and reception of a composite interactive program that can provide an interactive program to those subscriber homes equipped with an interactive program box (600) and a regular television program for those households that are not so equipped. As mentioned above, this functionality is now provided by preferentially embedding in the non-visual ranges of a standard video signal, a plurality of audio segments, graphic data and programming control data, the reception and placement of which It provides a fully interactive experience for subscribers. Alternatively, the audio segments can be pre-stored in the interactive program box (600), stored in the external data store (629), serially sent in the SAP or sent serially or in parallel or in separate channel. The information is stored in each audio segment. Each audio segment comprises messages in response to one or more user selections in the keypad (604). When the program starts, an INITIATION command is sent from the operations or broadcast center (608) to all the interactive program boxes (600). The television set (186) is directed to a predefined predetermined channel value (eg, channel 1). Initially, unauthorized and authorized interactive subscribers watch the same standard television program, both of which watch the standard video and listen to the standard audio. For non-interactive subscribers, standard video and audio is everything they see and hear for the entire program. Interactive subscribers, on the other hand, are able to interact with the program during designated periods of time. At some point in time, trigger point codes are embedded in the composite interactive program signal, the trigger points indicate the initiation of an interactive program. The VBI data codes immediately inform the interactive program box (600) that the program is interactive. The controller (178) begins to decode the codes after detection. Graphic codes will also be sent as part of the signal. These codes activate the interactive program's box processor (178) to read the memory graphics bitmaps (282, 286), which correspond to the codes and direct the character generator (624) to superimpose the graphics on a predetermined portion. from the screen. In this way, the first graphics interrogation message can be displayed on the screen. While in the preferred embodiment and for purposes of illustration, the graphic messages are interrogations, they can also be instructive, by requesting that the user choose among various options to receive special features, provide status or request subscriber subscriber profile information. The graphics coating may consist of simple alphanumeric characters that form a message or more sophisticated characters such as the characters of pictorial cartoons. While both interactive and non-interactive subscribers listen to standard audio, interactive viewers are asked to use a coating of graphics that provide a selection on their keyboards (604) or if the viewer interacts with a personal computer (187), by the keyboard connected to the personal computer (187). In this way, at the next trigger point, the controller directs the audio switch (620) to cut away from the standard audio and start playing the introduction message such as "Hello, welcome to the program, this is an interactive program. interact with the program? " If the viewer wishes to interact, he or she presses the YES (YES) button on the remote and the interactive program will begin. If the viewer does not want to interact with the program, the controller directs the audio switch to branch back to the standard audio and the television will return back to the conventional television program in progress. 5 Simultaneously, a command BEGINS FOOD (BEGIN INPUT) is sent to all the interactive program box controllers (178) instructing them to accept power from the infrared remotes (604). The last feed, before the expiration of the feeding period (INPUT) is accepted as the subscriber selection by the system. After the viewer has properly indicated their desire to interact with the program, preferably a set of graphics interrogation messages will be presented one after another to request user selection useful for Obtain desired information from the viewer. For example, consider that the program presented is a program of how to redecorate a kitchen. First, an audio segment will be reproduced by setting "Hello, this is a program to redecorate your kitchen, you are interested in redecorating your kitchen, "YES" (YES) or "NO". If the user chooses the YES button on the remote, another audio segment to play "Well, thank you very much". Let me ask you a couple of quick questions on the display. "At this point, the microprocessor (178) accesses a series of graphic interrogation messages stored in memorial (282, 286) and directs the coating circuitry (624) to display the graphic messages in predetermined order. The user's responses to these questions are then used in the program at particular trigger points to present interactive messages to the viewer. A series of interrogation messages shows, can be displayed in succession as follows: "DO YOU HAVE WINDOWS IN YOUR KITCHEN? A. YES B. NO" HOW GREAT IS YOUR KITCHEN? "A. 10x20 B. 20x30 C. 30x40 D. 40x50 E. 50x60"WHAT IS YOUR COLOR SCHEME? A. WHITE B. CAFE C. BLUE D. GREEN E. YELLOW "" WHAT TYPE OF FLOOR DOES IT HAVE? A. WOOD B. FORMAL C. MOSAIC Preferably, it does not accompany audio to the display of graphic interrogation messages. The selections made by the previous user are received by the interactive program box (600) marked with a code designating the particular related question and stored in memory (286) for later use at the appropriate time. When a trigger point is identified by the controller (178), the embedded data codes will identify the question that corresponds to that trigger point. The controller (178) will access the memory location address identified with the particular question and request the transfer of the response fed by the particular user to that question. This user feed is mapped during some algorithm within an appropriate audio segment. For example, suppose the narrator in the conventional program is currently discussing the size of the kitchen. At the next trigger point, the controller will access the memory location corresponding to the cooking size question previously listed. Considering that the user selects the answer "A. 10x20", the controller can choose and send the next audio response to the audio switch, "Since you have a very small kitchen you could suggest not to put a breakfast table in your kitchen " At the end of this segment, the controller directs the controller (178) to switch back to the standard audio. At the next trigger point, a similar sequence as described above, will occur. In this way, personalized interactivity is provided in unexpected times for the subscriber. For unauthorized subscribers, the interactive program box (600) acts in a similar way to a converter box on the cable equipment. However, the interactive program box (600) does not require reception of the conventional program by non-interactive subscribers. If the subscriber has the box (600) but is not authorized to interact with the program for any reason, the video demodulator (616) simply demodulates the signal and the standard audio and video is transferred through the audio switch to the computer. TV (186) for presentation to the subscriber. Another application of the memory capacity of the present invention is target market of subscriber. In this application, the interactive program cash processor compiles and stores information including the interactive program case number associated with the subscriber, time and date of the program teleaudence, the list of subscriber selections made by the subscriber during the program , and the program ID (contained in the program codes that are transmitted with the program). These data are preferably stored together in data packets. From these data, a data code can be generated that provides a total profile of the subscribers' purchase wishes. This data code can now be sent through the modem and over telephone lines at a retail site or displayed or printed at the subscriber's home. This code can then be used by retail stores to offer reductions in unique purchase prices and other options to the subscriber. While in the preferred embodiment, the system has been described as a simultaneous transmission system, with which both an interactive program and a non-interactive program are transmitted to subscribers, the system does not require that the program is not interactive. In other words, the system is not limited to providing dual function programs but simply provides interactive programming, which is not received without the interactive program boxes (600), using the same elements described above. The above systems of the present invention can be combined with those described in US Patents. from Freeman Nos. 4,847,700, 4,507,680, 4,573,072, 4,602,279, 4,364,925 and 4,264,924 and in the US patent application. commonly copending No. 07 / 797,298, filed on November 25, 1991, resulting in domestic viewers equipped with a more sophisticated decoder box to receive improved interactivity such as instant reproduction, advertising by objectives, etc., through second or third signals of transmitted video, all of which can be provided with the audio and custom graphics in the manner described above. Using the above modalities, methods and procedures, the ACTV simultaneous transmission system maximizes personalized attention and interactivity to subscribers in their homes in real time using a low-cost interactive system. Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to certain embodiments and examples, there are variations and modifications that are within the scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims (30)

1. CLAIMS 1. A fully interactive system to receive an interactive program signal that simultaneously transmits an interactive program and a conventional television program, both programs are provided with a conventional television video signal, to multiple subscriber sites that allow subscribers interactives authorized to interact with and receive different and personalized responses from the interactive program and non-interactive subscribers to see and I- * listening to a conventional television program, the system comprises: at least one assembly for receiving the interactive program signal comprising a plurality of audio channels, graphics data, control data, a standard video signal and a signal of standard audio; at least one assembly 15 for displaying the standard video signal, at least one interactive program assembly, connected with the receiver assemblies and display assemblies, comprising: a mount for demodulating the standard audio signal and standard video; assemblies to extract connected with the demodulation assemblies, the 20 plurality of audio channels and control data and graphics from the interactive program signal, wherein each audio channel comprises one or more audio segments; mounts for storing the control and graphics data, wherein the control data comprises branching codes and graphics 25 comprise graphics codes that designate at least one interrogation message; mounts to collect at least one subscriber entry; program selection assemblies, operatively connected to the first storage assemblies and extraction assemblies, for reading the control data, which controls operation of the interactive program assemblies, and selecting a customized audio response comprising one or more segments of audio, comprising: assemblies to select one or more audio segments or graphic messages to form a customized graphics or audio response, whereby the subscriber input and branch codes are used in each branch to formulate the graphics response or custom audio; a graphics generator, connected to the program selection mounts, to present graphic messages in the display montages; and montages to interactively present the standard and standard audio video and the personalized audio response to the interactive subscribers, in such a way that the interactive subscribers interact completely with the program to alter the content of the program and interact in a unique and different way. from other interactive subscribers to receive personalized responses while non-interactive subscribers continue to receive a conventional television program.
2. 2. A fully interactive system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of audio channels, standard video signal and standard audio signal, and control data and graphics of the interactive program signal are analog and embedded in a signal. of standard NTSC video and extraction mounts comprise mounts to remove the plurality of audio and graphics channels and control data from the standard NTSC video signal.
3. 3. A fully interactive system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of audio channels, standard video signal and standard audio signal, and control and graphics data are digitally encoded and combined into a composite digital interactive signal and the receiver assemblies further comprise: assemblies for demultiplexing the plurality of audio channels, standard video signal and standard audio signal, and data from the composite digital interactive signal.
4. 4. A fully interactive system according to claim 1, wherein the interactive program is a recorded program that is received at a later time.
5. 5. Fully interactive system according to claim 1, wherein the program selection assemblies direct the storage assemblies to store one or more previous subscriber inputs and wherein the program selection assemblies comprise assemblies for processing the previous subscriber inputs together with the current subscriber input, Such a selection is based on previous subscriber inputs, the current subscriber input and the codes to formulate the customized graphics or audio response. The fully interactive system according to claim 1, wherein the program selection assemblies direct the storage assemblies storing one or more previous subscriber inputs and wherein the program selection assemblies comprise assemblies for processing the previous subscriber entries together with the current subscriber input, to determine the following graphics message for coating on the video signal. The fully interactive system according to claim 1, wherein the assemblies for gathering a subscriber input comprises: a remote controller, comprising: assemblies for feeding a subscriber input; mounts for preparing a return signal to represent the subscriber input; and assemblies to transmit the subscriber input to the interactive program box. The fully interactive system according to claim 1, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels comprises a sequence of audio response segments separated in time, with each audio response segment concurrent with audio segments on other channels , thereby forming a set of audio response segments and the program selection assemblies comprise mounts to pick up an audio response segment from the entire set of audio response segments, such that the number of audio segments can be increased. The selectable custom audio response is greater than the amount of the plurality of audio channels. 9. Interactive program production system used to create a simple composite interactive signal to multiple subscribers, the composite interactive signal simultaneously transmits both a conventional television program and a fully interactive program, both programs are provided in a conventional television bandwidth to multiple subscribers; comprising: assemblies to create a conventional video signal comprising standard audio and standard video; mounts to generate graphic data, the data is used to identify graphic characters that will be coated in the video at predetermined points in time; mounts to provide a plurality of audio channels, the audio channels comprise audio segments, the audio segments are of substantially equal length in time and content ratio to each other; mounts for creating control data comprising codes, whereby the codes are used to initiate, control and branch between the plurality of audio channels; mounts for combining the conventional video signal, control data and plurality of audio channels into a single composite interactive signal; and assemblies to transmit the simple composite interactive signal to multiple subscribers. The interactive program production system of claim 9, wherein the unit further comprises: assemblies for digitally encoding the conventional video signal and plurality of audio channels; and mounts for multiplexing the graphics and control data, the plurality of audio channels and the conventional video signal into a single composite digital interactive signal. The interactive program production system of claim 9, wherein the conventional video signal, control and graphics data and plurality of audio channels are analog and the combination assemblies comprise mounts for embedding the control data and graphics , plurality of audio channels and conventional video signal in a standard NTSC video signal. The interactive program production system of claim 9, wherein the conventional video signal comprises a vertical blanking interval and the embedding assemblies comprise assemblies for inserting the control and graphics data and plurality of audio channels in the vertical extinction range of the conventional video signal. The interactive program production system of claim 9, wherein the transmission assemblies comprise a television transmission assembly. 14. The interactive program production system of claim 9, wherein the transmission assemblies comprise a cable assembly. The interactive program production system of claim 9, wherein the transmission assemblies comprise a satellite transmission assembly. The interactive program production system of claim 9, wherein the assemblies for providing a plurality of audio channels comprise a mount for linking a sequence of audio response segments in each channel forming a set of audio segments stacked, such that the amount of selectable audio response segments is greater than the amount of the plurality of audio channels. 17. The interactive program production system of claim 9, further comprising an assembly for recording the composite interactive signal for later transmission. 18. The interactive program production system of claim 9, wherein the composite interactive signal comprises a live program. 19. A system for production of interactive program used to create a simple composite interactive signal to multiple subscribers, the composite interactive signal simultaneously transmits both a conventional television program and a fully interactive program, both programs are provided in a television bandwidth conventional to multiple subscribers, comprising: assemblies to create a conventional video signal comprising standard audio and standard video; montages to generate graphic data, the data is used to identify graphic characters that are to be covered in the video at predetermined points including montages to generate a first graphic question for coating the conventional video signal if the program is fully interactive to transmit simultaneously; mounts to provide a plurality of graphic channels, the graphic channels comprise graphic segments in response to the first graphic interrogation, the graphic segments are substantially of equal length of time, and are related in content to each other; mounts for creating control data comprising codes, whereby the codes are used to initiate, control and branch between the plurality of audio and graphics channels; assemblies to combine the conventional video signal, control data and plurality of graphic channels into a single composite interactive signal; and assemblies to transmit the simple composite interactive signal to multiple subscribers. The interactive program production system according to claim 19, wherein the system is used to transmit simultaneously a sporting event in a conventional format and an interactive format, the assemblies to generate a first graphic interrogation that is used to allow selection by an interactive subscriber, of statistics for a particular player or equipment and assemblies to generate a plurality of graphic channels are used to provide the selected statistical data in response to the interrogation. The interactive program production system according to claim 19, further comprising: assemblies for providing a plurality of audio channels, the audio channels comprising audio segments related in time and content to the plurality of graphics channels, the audio segments are of substantially equal length in time and related in content to each other; and wherein the combination assemblies comprise assemblies for combining the conventional video signal, control data and plurality of audio channels and graphics into a single composite interactive signal. 22. An interactive program production system used to create a simple composite interactive signal to multiple subscribers, the composite interactive signal simultaneously transmits both a conventional television program and a fully interactive program, both programs are provided in a television bandwidth conventional, to multiple subscribers, comprising: assemblies to create a conventional video signal, comprising a standard video and standard audio; montages to generate graphic data, the data is used to identify graphic characters that will be covered in the video at predetermined points in time including montages to generate a graphic interrogation for the conventional video signal if the fully interactive program is going to be transmitted simultaneously; mounts to provide a plurality of graphic channels, the graphic channels comprise graphics segments in response to first graphic interrogation, the graphics segments are of substantially equal duration in time and content relationship with each other; mounts to provide a plurality of audio channels, the audio channels comprise audio segments related in time and content to the plurality of graphic channels, the audio segments are of a substantial duration equal in time and relate in content to each other; mounts for creating control data comprising codes, whereby the codes are used to initiate, control and branch between the plurality of audio and graphics channels; assemblies to combine the conventional video signal, control data and plurality of audio channels and graphics in a simple composite interactive signal; and assemblies to transmit the simple composite interactive signal to multiple subscribers. 23. The system for production of interactive program according to claim 22, wherein the system is used to simultaneously transmit a sporting event in a conventional format and an interactive format, the assemblies to generate a first interrogation of graphics, are used for allow selection by an interactive subscriber of statistics for a particular player or team; mounts to generate a plurality of graphic channels are used to provide the selected statistical data in response to the interrogation question; and mounts to provide a plurality of audio channels used to provide a voice response reading or comment on the selected statistical data that may be the voice of the player or equipment owner whose statistical data was requested in response to the question of interrogation . 24. An interactive program production system used to create a simple composite interactive signal to multiple subscribers, the composite interactive signal simultaneously transmits both a conventional television program and a fully interactive program, both programs are provided in a television bandwidth conventional to multiple subscribers, comprising: assemblies to create a conventional video signal comprising standard audio and standard video; mounts to generate graphic data, the data is used to identify graphic characters that will be coated in the video at predetermined points in time; mounts to provide a plurality of interactive video channels, the audio channels comprise video segments, the video segments are of substantially equal length in time, and relate in content to each other; mounts for creating control data comprising codes, whereby the codes are used to initiate, control and branch between the plurality of interactive video channels; mounts for combining the conventional video signal, plurality control data of interactive video channels into a single composite interactive signal; and assemblies to transmit the simple composite interactive signal to multiple subscribers, each of the subscribers has a mount to receive the conventional video signal and at least one of the subscribers has mounts to receive the interactive video signal with the ability to switch between the plurality of video channels. 25. The interactive program production system according to claim 24, wherein the system employs to simultaneously transmit a sporting event in a conventional format and an interactive format, where the assemblies to generate graphic data include assemblies to generate a first question of graphic interrogation to coat the conventional video signal, if the fully interactive program is transmitted simultaneously to allow selection by an interactive subscriber of different game angles, an approach of a particular player or equipment or a repetition of the last move and the assemblies to generate a plurality of interactive video channels are used to provide the video channel displaying the chosen selection in response to the interrogation question. 26. A method for offering a simple composite interactive program signal, to simultaneously transmit an interactive program and a conventional program both within a conventional television bandwidth to multiple subscriber homes, the method comprises the steps of: packing the signal of simple composite interactive program comprising a plurality of audio channels, graphic data and control data and a standard video signal and a standard audio signal, wherein the simple composite interactive program signal comprises a conventional television program and a interactive program; transmit the simple compound interactive program signal at least to a reception site; receive the simple composite interactive program signal; extract the audio channels, graphics data and control data from simple composite interactive program signal; storing the data of graphics and control data whereby the control data comprises branch codes; generate graphic characters, graphic characters comprise at least one interrogation message; coat the graphic characters on portions of the standard video signal to obtain a resulting video signal; display the resulting video signal on an exhibition monitor; gather a subscriber entry to the graphic interrogation message; branch among the plurality of audio channels to formulate a customized audio response, whereby the subscriber input and branch codes are used to formulate the personalized audio response; present the personalized response to the subscriber, with which each subscriber interacts with the interactive program individually and differently from other subscribers, with each subscriber receiving a unique personalized audio response. 27. An interactive home entertainment and educational system, to receive a fully interactive program signal, the fully interactive program signal is transmitted in a single standard television transmission bandwidth, the system comprises: at least one set-up to receive the interactive program signal comprising a plurality of audio channels comprising audio segments, data and video signals, the interactive program signal that is transported in a single standard television transmission bandwidth; at least one assembly to display the video signal; at least one interactive program box connected to the reception and display assemblies, comprising: assemblies for extracting, connected to the reception assemblies, the plurality of audio and data channels; mounts for storing a plurality of graphic interrogation messages; mounts to collect a subscriber entry; a program selection assembly, connected to the extraction assemblies and storage assemblies, for selecting custom graphic interrogation messages, from the plurality of graphic interrogation messages and an audio response comprising at least one custom audio segment from the plurality of audio channels, comprising: mounts for processing prior subscriber entries together with a current subscriber input to determine a graphic interrogation message; mounts for formulating a customized audio response comprising at least one audio segment, whereby the audio response is chosen as a function of a more current subscriber input and at least one previous subscriber input; a graphics generator connected to the program selection mounts, for coating the selected graphic interrogation message on the video signal; and a montage to present the personalized air response to the subscribers, thereby allowing each subscriber to interact completely uniquely and differently from other subscribers at other subscriber sites. 28. The interactive home entertainment and educational system according to claim 27, wherein the plurality of audio channels, video signal and interactive program signal data are analog and embedded in a standard NTSC video signal and the mounts of extraction comprise assemblies for removing the plurality of audio and graphics channels and control data of the standard NTSC video signal. 29. The interactive home entertainment and education system according to claim 27, wherein the plurality of audio channels, video and data signals are digitally encoded and combined into a composite digital interactive signal and the receiving assemblies further comprise : assemblies for demultiplexing the plurality of audio channels, video signals and data of the composite digital interactive signal; and mounts to convert the demultiplexed audio channels and the demultiplexed video signal into analog signals. 30. The interactive home entertainment and education system according to claim 27, wherein each channel of the plurality of audio channels comprises a sequence of audio receiver segments separated in time, with each audio response segment concurrent with audio segments in other channels, thereby forming a set of audio response segments and program selection mounts comprise mounts to collect an audio response segment from the entire set of audio response segments in a manner such that the amount of selectable custom audio response segments is greater than the amount of the plurality of audio channels.