Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
  • H04N21/234—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs
  • H04N21/2343—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N7/00—Television systems
  • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
  • H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
  • H04N7/17309—Transmission or handling of upstream communications
  • H04N7/17318—Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
  • A63F13/30—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
  • A63F13/33—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers using wide area network [WAN] connections
  • A63F13/338—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers using wide area network [WAN] connections using television networks
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
  • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
  • G07F17/3225—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
  • H04N21/235—Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
  • H04N21/414—Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
  • H04N21/41407—Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
  • H04N21/435—Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/47—End-user applications
  • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
  • H04N21/4781—Games
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
  • H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
  • H04N21/8126—Monomedia components thereof involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts
  • H04N21/8133—Monomedia components thereof involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts specifically related to the content, e.g. biography of the actors in a movie, detailed information about an article seen in a video program

Definitions

• This invention relates to video services and, more particularly, to providing real time interactive video services through simultaneous reception of a video signal and provision of an interactive application.
• Background of the Invention During the last few decades, same-time-same-place gambling has been complemented by same-time-different-place activities.
• Telephone betting has a long history that includes activities that have been proscribed (e.g., starting price or S.P. bookies), that have been approved (e.g., on-course bookies), and, in some countries, that have been State-conducted (e.g., phone-betting with State Government Totalisator Agency Boards or TABs).
• Satellite and cable infrastructures may be used to operate services independent from the Internet. It is important to note, however, that they are also entirely capable of being used as carrier mechanisms for Internet traffic, and indeed to support both
• PSTN public switched telephone network
• Digital television provides more channels at a higher quality than is currently available with analog broadcasts.
• One analog channel provides the capacity for one high-definition (HDTV) broadcast or several standard definition (SDTV) broadcasts.
• Digital television is scalable between these two extremes. Therefore, digital broadcasters can make a trade-off between vastly improved image and sound quality and an increased number of programming choices.
• Digital television is deliverable to moving receivers.
• analog television reception is non-existent or severally limited in moving receivers.
• digital receivers allow for clear reception in cars, buses, trains, and in handheld television sets such as the Sony WatchmanTM. With a GSM mobile phone connected to a laptop and a DVB-T (terrestrial) receiver plug-in card, browsing the web at speeds of 2-14 Mb/s is possible.
• DVB-T terrestrial
• the analog reception of a television signal via cable, aerial, or satellite, is the end result of a long chain of events, most of which have taken place in the digital domain.
• the field reporter uses digital satellite news gathering equipment to uplink her report to a programming center.
• the material is digitally received, decoded, and compiled with live program feeds in a studio.
• the broadcast is then sent digitally around the world to professional receivers. Finally, the broadcast is converted to an analog signal and sent to the end viewer.
• a typical television video circuit includes a tuner that receives the RF signals from an antenna or cable port.
• the tuner selects a particular frequency of the RF signal representing a viewing channel.
• the selected channel frequency from the tuner is processed through an IF amplifier and detector that amplifies the selected channel and reduces its frequency to a baseband video signal.
• a National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) decoder receives the baseband video signal from Intermediate Frequency (IF) amplifier and detector and separates the RGB signals according to the NTSC format.
• IF Intermediate Frequency
• a microprocessor controls the tuner, IF amplifier, and NTSC decoder.
• PIP picture- in-picture
• Enhancement audio and other special features, as options.
• Current television receivers incorporate such modules on a hard-wired basis.
• the PIP feature requires a composite video signal from a source other than the television tuner. The signal from that external video source is displayed on a selected portion of the cathode ray tube
• An intelligent TV is for receiving communication services by connecting a TV to a value added network (VAN).
• the intelligent TV includes an information signal processing unit for receiving information communication data (hereinafter, "information data") when the intelligent TV is connected to the VAN, and for generating information
• the intelligent TV selects and displays on the screen one of the information data signals processed in the information signal processing unit and a TV RGB signal processed in a TV signal processing unit, in accordance with the switching control signal output from the information signal processing unit.
• Intelligent TV makes it possible to view, through a TV screen, several communication services, such as stock quotes, news services, weather reports, and TV program lists, being transmitted through the VANs. Therefore, it has an advantage that persons who are not familiar with the usage of a computer can easily receive communication services. Even though intelligent TV has the advantage of receiving communication services through the TV screen, it cannot display multiple signals at the same time.
• Information signals for displaying information data on a screen a TV signal, a Picture-ln-Picture (PIP) signal for enabling two screens to be viewed simultaneously, and a TV on-screen-display (OSD) signal must be displayed one at a time. Therefore, signals are displayed according to a predetermined priority. For example, an information signal is displayed preferentially over a TV signal, a PIP signal is displayed preferentially over an information signal, and a TV OSD signal is displayed preferentially over a PIP signal.
• PIP Picture-ln-Picture
• OSD TV on-screen-display
• the disclosed embodiments provide a method and system for providing real time interactive video services through simultaneous reception of a video signal and provision of an interactive application.
• the method and system allow interactive input from a viewer of the video simultaneously with viewing the video.
• the method and system also allows an interactive response to the viewer from the interactive application.
• the simultaneous reception of the video signal and provision for the interactive application allows services, including dynamically changing conditions associated with the video, to be provided to the viewer. For example, real time betting on sports events with dynamically changing wagering conditions can be provided.
• One or more of the disclosed embodiments provides at least the following advantages:
• the betting possibilities of a competition are increased. For example, when a driver in an auto race retires from the competition, odds can be recalculated and betting on the basis of remaining drivers can take place.
• the at-home viewer of a competition can utilize the live-feed of a competition with an interactive application. Versatility of viewing.
• PIP can be used to display the live-feed of a competition and a betting display simultaneously.
• DVB a betting overlay on top of the live-feed can also be displayed.
• Interactive betting New possibilities in betting as a competition progresses can be displayed to the user. With an internet connection, a viewer can select a bet and receive acknowledgment of its acceptance.
• a television signal and interactive content signal are displayed on a television.
• a host facility can integrate the interactive content into the vertical blanking intervals of a television signal and broadcast the integrated signal.
• a viewer receives and displays the signals. Finally, the viewer transmits information, interacting with the display, to the host facility over a network, for example, the Internet.
• Figure 1 depicts a block diagram of the creation, reception, and response to interactive services.
• Figure 2 depicts a block diagram of digital services being delivered to a viewer.
• Figure 3 depicts an integrated display with a live video feed and interactive content.
• Figure 4 depicts a block diagram of the viewer's connectivity and interaction with the provided interactive services.
• Figure 5 is a diagram depicting a possible interactive display.
• Figure 6 depict a flowchart of the interactive betting process.
• Figure 7 depicts a block diagram of the betting provider architecture.
• Figure 8 depicts a block diagram of a direct reception scenario.
• Figure 9 depicts a block diagram of an integrated reception scenario. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
• the numerous innovative teachings of the present application will be described with particular reference to the presently preferred embodiment. However, it should be understood that this class of embodiments provides only a few examples of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily delimit any of the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others.
• the presently preferred embodiment of the disclosed innovations is the simultaneous reception and display of a DVB-T signal and display of dynamic or static content on a television.
• the static content is like that of a wireless terminal, e.g., a mobile phone, a media phone, or an electronic book.
• FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of the creation, reception, and response to interactive services in the presently preferred embodiment.
• a television signal 120 is received, compressed, and converted for streaming onto the Internet 118.
• Betting information is also created and streamed onto the Internet 108 and 110.
• a mobile betting client 102 can display the television program 120 and the betting information simultaneously and a viewer can interactively select betting via the mobile betting client 102.
• the mobile betting client 102 transmits information to the host facility 108 by connecting to a network 116 linked with the host facility 108, for example, the Internet.
• a host facility 108 can integrate data to be supplied to the viewer into the vertical blanking intervals of the television signal 120 and broadcast (or stream) the integrated signal.
• a mobile betting client 102 receives the broadcast integrated signal and separates the integrated signal into a television signal and the supplied dynamic or static data.
• Digital broadcast technology allows for services that can present many-to-one, many-to-many, and one-to-one communication.
• DVB has defined delivery media for satellite services (DVB-S, direct-to-home viewing, cable (DVB-C) run in several countries, and terrestrial, or "over the air", (DVB-T) planned for 17 countries.
• Use of return channels enables digital receivers to provide a variety of services including Internet, television, and web content. Processing of the digital signal can be accomplished on a desktop or laptop computer.
• Figure 2 depicts a block diagram of digital services being delivered to a viewer.
• the interfaces for the media can include, for example, GSM, GSM+, UMTS, ISDN, PSTN, ATM, and others 202.
• the protocol and interface enable a cluster of interconnected devices in the home, each receiving and processing digital broadcast services 204.
• the television receiver that incorporates the invention should include a plug-in PIP module.
• Most receivers that incorporate PIP and other features also include a microprocessor control which, via a suitable control bus, periodically interrogates certain functional blocks and modules in the television receiver chassis to determine whether they are present and, if so, to control their operation.
• polling by the microprocessor indicates whether the module is present in the receiver. If it is, the microprocessor arranges to switch the composite video signals (from the tuner and external sources) through the PIP processor and then to the main video processor of the television receiver, in preference to the normal composite video produced.
• the video processor of the television receiver has its inputs supplied from either the main chassis in the event there is no PIP module or from the PIP processing module.
• a viewer watches a mobile betting client 102, for example, a digital television, which is able to act as an Internet browser.
• Commercial applications such as Inet solution enable television/browser functionality.
• a dial-up connection or other communications device, such as a LAN connection, can provide Internet connectivity.
• the mobile betting client is equipped with streaming video and audio reception and display and secure connection capabilities.
• Figure 4 depicts a block diagram of the connectivity of the viewer and interaction with the provided interactive services.
• the mobile betting client 102 receives an integrated digital broadcast signal (DVB-T). Reception of the signal can be accomplished through various means.
• the mobile betting client receives the signal over a GSM, GSM++, POTS, UMTS, or other type of connection 104.
• the mobile connection 104 is itself connected to a network such as an extranet, intranet, or the Internet 116.
• Mobile connection to the network 116 takes place in a conventional manner over a modem pool 112 with user dial-in and authentication services 114.
• FIG. 7 depicts a block diagram of the betting provider architecture.
• the betting provider information is protected from network snooping by a security device such as a firewall 106.
• a security device such as a firewall 106.
• At least one betting provider server 108 resides behind the firewall.
• Software running on the server tracks viewers (bettors) in various competitions.
• a user information (Ul) database 702 is maintained.
• the Ul database 702 stores usernames and associated passwords, user account information, user preferences, and other user specific information.
• the server 108 receives and accepts bets that have been requested by the viewer to a betting server 110 running on the network side of the firewall 106 and connected to a network such as an extranet, intranet, or the Internet 116.
• This betting server 110 acts as an interface between interactive services viewers on the network and the actual betting provider.
• the betting provider server 108 receives betting content (questions to the user) and the odds of the particular bets from a betting controller 704.
• the betting controller 704 is responsible for creating betting content, controlling the betting event, i.e., opening and closing of betting, etc.
• Betting control software is used to enter and calculate betting content and odds and send them to the betting provider server 108.
• the betting provider server 108 stores the betting content and odds in a database (BCO) 706.
• the betting controller 704, via betting control software tracks, the results of the betting question and reports the results to the betting provider server 108.
• the results of the bets are stored in a database (BR) 708.
• BR database
• software on the server calculates payments to the bettors on the particular question.
• electronic accounts stored in the Ul database 702 are used for tracking betting wins and losses.
• the results of the event and sub-events (betting questions) are reported to the betting server 110.
• the mobile betting client 102 can then receive the results from the betting server 110.
• Video and audio streaming of an on-going competition on which viewers may bet is accomplished, in the presently preferred embodiment, through use of a live video/audio streaming server (VAS) 118.
• VAS live video/audio streaming server
• the VAS is connected to a network such as an extranet, intranet, or the Internet 116.
• a live broadcast 120 of a competition is received through an RF receiver at the server.
• the audio and video components of the signal are separated and digitized.
• the digitized audio is then compressed using one of several digital compression schemes, for example, H.728, H.729, or GSM.
• the digitized video is compressed using a scheme such as MPEG, MVC, H.261, etc.
• the digitally compressed audio and video are packaged for network transfer e.g., TCP/IP, UDP.
• the packets are then broadcast to the network 116 controlled by a streaming/multicasting controller.
• the mobile betting client 102 has PIP functionality. This functionality allows the viewer to simultaneously view two audio/video broadcasts in the display of the mobile betting client.
• the two broadcasts can be, for example, the live-feed of a competition in one picture and interactive betting possibilities in another.
• Figure 5 is a diagram depicting a possible interactive display. Directions at the top of the display 502 inform the viewer of the status or title of the interactive activity, in this case, betting.
• a dialog-type box 504 is used to inform the viewer of the current question on which bets can be placed. In the context of an auto race, a question such as "Who will turn the fastest 13th lap" may be presented.
• a pull-down menu or radio button dialog box 506 may be presented depending on the type of question.
• FIG 6 depicts a flowchart of the interactive betting process.
• a mobile betting client wishing to interactively bet connects to the betting provider (Step 602).
• a secure network connection using, for example, encryption or secure sockets, is established (Step 604).
• an authentication process occurs, comparing usemame and password entered by the client to entries in a database of user information (Step 606).
• the client can select the type of competition to bet on, for example, auto racing, hockey, or football. (Step 608). If live video and audio is available, the competition is displayed (Step 610). The interactive betting opportunities currently available for the chosen competition are then displayed to the client (Step 612). The betting opportunities are dynamic and will be continuously updated.
• the client informs the betting provider of its desire to bet (Step 614) and the stakes (Step 616).
• the stakes can be variable amounts or limited to selections presented in a choice menu.
• the betting selection and the stakes are sent to the betting provider across the secure connection (Step 618).
• the betting provider verifies the entries made by the client (Step 620). Further checks, including client payment history and credit reports can be included in this verification step (Step 620). If any of the entries is invalid, a valid entry is requested (Step 622). Entries can be invalid for several reasons, for example, incorrect selection, closing of the requested betting selection prior to the bet being received, or the client's inability to cover the stakes.
• the betting provider informs the client of that the particular wager has been accepted (Step 624). Different bets open and close during the course of the competition. Once the bet has been made and accepted, the client may continue to view the competition, personally monitoring the outcome of its wager and making other bets on the same competition (Step 626). The client may also choose a different competition to view and possibly bet on (Step 628). If the client does not wish to view or bet on any other competitions, the connection between the client and the betting provider is closed (Step 630). At some point after the close of a particular wager, the participants are informed of the result and appropriate adjustments to betting accounts are made. If the client is still connected to the betting provider when the results are known, the client can be informed of the results. Otherwise, the client can be informed of the status of any outstanding wagers the next time a connection to the betting provider is established.
• a live broadcast 120 of a competition can be received directly by the mobile betting client 102.
• Figure 8 depicts a block diagram of a direct reception scenario.
• the mobile betting client 102 can, of course, be at the viewer's home or at another viewing location.
• the broadcast 120 is displayed in a monitor 802.
• an Internet browser can be connected to the monitor 802 or, alternatively, to a separate display 804 in order to interface with the betting server 110 through a switching network 104 and an internet service provider (ISP) 806.
• ISP internet service provider
• the PIP property of the monitor can be used if the browser and the broadcast 120 are shown in the same monitor.
• a DVB signal with the live broadcast 120 and betting information from the betting server 110 can be integrated into a digital broadcast.
• Figure 9 depicts a block diagram of an integrated reception scenario.
• a mobile betting client monitor 802 can use PIP functionality to separate the two displays. The viewer receives information and sends responses to the betting provider through an Internet connection 116.
• Such a connection can also be made through a SetTop Box 206 which enables two way communications via cable (possibly using the DVB-C standard) or through a PSTN, ISDN, or other connection 104 to an ISP 806.
• the mobile betting client monitor has been described.
• the monitor can be any type of display.
• a television or computer monitor including flat panel type displays.
• the mobile client itself can be any type of unit capable of receiving and displaying signals.
• the mobile client can be an HDTV with a PIP module and web browser capability.
• the mobile betting client can be a hand-held cellular phone with a small display.
• the databases containing betting and user information can be designed with any number of differing architectures, for example, relational, hierarchical, or object oriented. While interactive sports betting has been described, other interactive events can be integrated and broadcast. Such events can include, for example, video games, shopping, and educational activities.
• a software stand-alone version for example, an interactive CD-ROM video game
• Random generation can simulate live events.
• the video or interactive content of the game can remain the same with the random generation providing the variation needed for multiple plays.
• software for example, an interactive CD-ROM video game
• an interactive CD-ROM video game can be created which depends on interactivity with the network and servers of a betting provider to generate the random events and betting opportunities in a simulated game.
• Such a game can be played interactively with other participants at remote locations all receiving the same randomly generated events and betting opportunities.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Multimedia (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)

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• 2000
  • 2000-04-14 AU AU41358/00A patent/AU4135800A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2000-04-14 KR KR10-2001-7012619A patent/KR100502274B1/ko not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2000-04-14 JP JP2000613186A patent/JP2002542735A/ja active Pending
  • 2000-04-14 WO PCT/IB2000/000471 patent/WO2000064173A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2000-04-14 EP EP00920948A patent/EP1172002A1/de not_active Ceased

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