EP1314316A2 - System for interactive television - Google Patents
System for interactive televisionInfo
- Publication number
- EP1314316A2 EP1314316A2 EP01964367A EP01964367A EP1314316A2 EP 1314316 A2 EP1314316 A2 EP 1314316A2 EP 01964367 A EP01964367 A EP 01964367A EP 01964367 A EP01964367 A EP 01964367A EP 1314316 A2 EP1314316 A2 EP 1314316A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- television
- itv
- consumer
- content
- virtual channel
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—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]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
- H04N21/262—Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists
- H04N21/26291—Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists for providing content or additional data updates, e.g. updating software modules, stored at the client
-
- 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
- H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
- H04N21/258—Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
- H04N21/25866—Management of end-user data
- H04N21/25891—Management of end-user data being end-user preferences
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
- H04N21/4312—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
- H04N21/4316—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
- H04N21/462—Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
- H04N21/4622—Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
- H04N21/4782—Web browsing, e.g. WebTV
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/08—Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band, e.g. by time division
- H04N7/087—Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band, e.g. by time division with signal insertion during the vertical blanking interval only
- H04N7/088—Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band, e.g. by time division with signal insertion during the vertical blanking interval only the inserted signal being digital
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to television systems.
- preselected Internet pages are loaded once into a television during manufacture and never subsequently updated, with the preselected pages being accessible through the television using a computer keyboard with its attendant complexity. Since the pages are not updated, however, many Internet-related features such as up-to-date traffic, weather, and news, are not immediately available. Instead, the consumer must access a central site using one of the preselected pages, and then be redirected to a desired Web page. In terms of currently expected speeds of Internet access, this consumes an undue amount of time. Furthermore, it requires browser or browserlike operations that must be initiated by a consumer who might only wish to turn on the television and immediately access up-to-date information using the relatively simple TV remote control without further ado.
- a keyboard is required for user input to access Web sites.
- consumers are accustomed to using a much simpler input device, namely, a remote control.
- existing systems that attempt to integrate television and Internet computers do not do so seamlessly, but rather require the operation of two separate systems that happen to be housed together and that require two separate input devices. This complicates matters for the consumer, and is confusing.
- the object of the present invention is to address one or more of the above-noted consumer needs.
- a method for enabling a consumer to access the Internet using a television that has a television tuner includes configuring the television to have plural television channels and at least one virtual channel.
- the virtual channel represents a Web page. Periodically, updates to the Web page are sent to the television, such that the virtual channel is periodically updated.
- content of the virtual channel is stored in memory within the television.
- content of the virtual channel is stored in memory remote from the television.
- updates to virtual channels can be sent via a DSL, or via a cable modem line or other Internet or network connection, wired or wireless, or via a vertical blanking interval (VBI) of a television signal.
- VBI vertical blanking interval
- the presently preferred method can include receiving consumer input via a conventional television control device in response to a prompt in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of a TV channel or in a virtual channel.
- VBI vertical blanking interval
- Other input devices can be used.
- a consumer profile is established.
- the virtual channels are established or updated.
- the input can be received and stored in memory inside the television at a first time, and then transmitted to a site remote from the television at a second time.
- a method for presenting television signals and Web pages on a single interactive television includes detecting television signals at a television tuner supported on the ITV.
- a television channel or a Web page is presented on the ITV, with the Web page being associated with a virtual channel.
- the Web page that is associated with the virtual channel can be changed or updated, such that a first version of the Web page is displayed via the virtual channel at a first time, and a second version of the Web page is displayed via the virtual channel at a second
- a method for presenting TV channels and Web pages establishing virtual channels on an interactive TV (ITV).
- the method includes receiving consumer input via a conventional TV control device, and establishing virtual channels based on the consumer input.
- the method also includes displaying either a TV channel or a virtual channel based on a user channel selection.
- a method for presenting TV channels and Web pages that establish virtual channels on an interactive TV includes receiving consumer data, and establishing a virtual channel based on the consumer data. Either a TV channel or a virtual channel is displayed based on a consumer channel selection.
- a gateway screen for an interactive television includes a television content panel and an Internet content panel. The screen can be cached in memory of the television. The gateway screen allows a consumer to simultaneously view television content and Internet content. Moreover, the gateway screen is displayed when the interactive television is turned on, when the interactive television is turned off, or in response to the consumer toggling a gateway screen button.
- an interactive television includes a gateway screen that is displayed by the interactive television.
- the gateway screen includes a television content panel and an Internet content panel.
- the gateway screen is displayed when the interactive television is turned on.
- the gate way screen is displayed when the interactive television is turned off, or when a gateway screen button is toggled.
- the gateway screen button is located on the interactive television or on a corresponding remote control unit.
- the television content panel includes content from a television signal source and the internet content panel includes content from a Web server.
- an interactive television system includes a Web server, an interactive television system server, a television signal source, and an interactive television.
- the interactive television receives information from the Web server, the interactive television system server, and the television signal source. Additionally, the interactive television periodically displays a gateway screen that includes a television content region and an Internet content region.
- a method of interactive television includes displaying a gateway screen. The gateway screen enables a consumer to receive information from two or more of: a Web server, an interactive television system server, and a television signal source.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the interactive television (ITV) system of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the ITV of the present invention.
- Figure 3 is a flow chart of the overall method of the present invention.
- Figure 4 is a flow chart of the method for establishing and/or changing virtual channels
- FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the gateway screen logic
- FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the gateway screen
- Figure 7 is a flow chart of the logic for establishing or changing the gateway screen.
- an interactive television (ITV) system is shown, generally designated 10.
- the system 10 includes one or more content providers 12 that provide various types of content to one or more Web servers 14 (only one content provider 12 and one Web server 14 shown for clarity of disclosure).
- the Web server 14 accesses a content database 16 for storage of data therein.
- the content on the Web server 14 can be any appropriate content, including but not limited to hypertext markup language (HTML) pages, .jpeg and .gif image files, .avi and .mpeg movie files, audio files, streaming video, and so on.
- HTML hypertext markup language
- the system 10 also includes an ITV system server 18, which can be, e.g., a Sony Corporation Web portal.
- the ITV system server 18 can be a Web server computer that accesses a customer database 20.
- the customer database 20 can store customer or consumer profiles that can be used to tailor virtual channels to a profile.
- a virtual channel is downloaded content that is given a number, like conventional TV channels, e.g., a channel number at the end of the sequence of available TV channels.
- a virtual channel once its channel number has been selected by the consumer using a TV remote control device, is displayed as a Web page or series of Web pages on the below-described ITV.
- the content of the virtual channels is stored in memory that is on board the ITV and that is periodically updated via the Internet, or the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of a conventional TV signal.
- the virtual channel content is stored remote from the ITV, e.g., at a Web server, and is streamed real-time to the ITV via a high-speed Internet access connection.
- the servers 14, 18 of the present invention can be implemented by any appropriate computer, such as Internet server computers, personal computers, laptop computers, mainframe computers, and the like.
- the servers 14, 18 access software to execute portions of the present invention.
- each consumer ITV 22 access the servers 14, 18 via the Internet 24. Also, each consumer ITV 22 receives television signals 26 from a source 28 of television signals.
- the source 28 can be plural broadcasters, or a cable television company, or a satellite dish, and so on.
- a conventional hand-held television remote control unit 30 can be manipulated by a consumer as the consumer views a display area 32 of the ITV 22 to input various selections to the ITV 22 in accordance with disclosure below. It will be appreciated that the remote control unit 30 is not a keyboard or keypad that is associated with a computer.
- buttons are numeric buttons, up/down and left/right buttons, and a power button, as well as other buttons that might be conventionally provided on a TV remote control.
- the functions of the remote unit 30 can also be undertaken by conventional TV buttons on the ITV 22 itself.
- keyboards, keypads, motion-sensing (gesture) devices, and voice recognition input devices can also be used.
- the ITV 22 is shown. While the embodiment below discusses an ITV 22 with a single housing that supports not only the display but also the microprocessor, virtual channel memory, and in general all of the electrical components shown in Figure 2, it is to be understood that the term “interactive television” encompasses any apparatus that has a television tuner and the below-described virtual channel capability.
- the term "ITV” encompasses the single-housing television shown in Figure 2, as well as a conventional television in combination with a set-top box that functions in accordance with the present invention.
- the set-top box might include, e.g., the microprocessor and memory discussed below.
- the ITV 22 includes a housing 34 that holds a conventional television tuner 36.
- the TV tuner 36 receives the TV signals 26 and outputs them to a two-position switch 42, which in turn is controlled by a user interface 40 to output a consumer-selected TV channel (in a first position) or virtual channel (in a second position) to the display 32 of the ITV 22.
- the user interface 40 can include an infrared receiver or other receiver for sensing remote control signals from the remote control 30.
- the user interface 40 can include a visual portion, such as but not limited to a cursor that can be moved, by means of the remote control 30, across an electronic channel guide, Web page icon, and so on that are presented on the display 32, to enable a consumer to select a channel for display.
- a visual portion such as but not limited to a cursor that can be moved, by means of the remote control 30, across an electronic channel guide, Web page icon, and so on that are presented on the display 32, to enable a consumer to select a channel for display.
- a "virtual channel” is not a TV channel per se, but rather a Web-based channel that can be stored in a memory or other data storage 44 in the housing 34. That is, the memory or other data storage 44 can be computer memory, or a hard disk drive, optical drive, solid state storage, tape drive, or any other suitable data storage medium.
- a microprocessor 46 is also supported in the housing 34 to execute the logic steps set forth below, with the microprocessor 46, memory 44, TV tuner 36, and switch 42 all being accessible via an internal data bus 47.
- the microprocessor 46 assigns channel numbers to virtual channels or otherwise maintains a table of channel numbers versus TV channels and virtual channels. Accordingly, when, for instance, an electronic channel guide is displayed on the display 32 of the ITV 22, the virtual channels are listed, typically at the end of the guide after the conventional TV channels, by channel number and by name.
- the virtual channels can be stored in a location remote from the ITV 22, e.g., they can be stored at the ITV system server 18, for display of the channels (upon consumer selection thereof) real-time via the Internet (or other network) when data transfer rates are sufficiently high to support such real-time transfer.
- the ITV 22 includes a modem 48 that communicates with the Internet 24.
- the modem 48 can be a cable modem, conventional twisted pair wire modem, DSL, wireless modem, or other appropriate communication device. It is to be understood that a single high data rate cable (e.g., either wire or optical fiber) can be provided to carry both Internet data and TV signals.
- the modem 48 outputs a signal to a mixer 49, which can mix the Web-based signal from the modem 48 with related signals from the TV tuner 36. For instance, if a virtual channel of a cable newscast is selected, the Web- based content can be combined with an actual broadcast newscast from the associated news station for simultaneous display of the newscast in a window of the virtual channel.
- the signal from the mixer 49 is sent to the switch 42 and thence to the display 32 when the user selects a virtual channel.
- the mixer 49 can be established by a "Geode” chip made by National Semiconductor.
- one or more of the microprocessor 46, memory 44, modem 48, mixer 49, and switch 42 can be housed in a set-top box that is electrically connected to a separate television housing which houses the tuner 36 and display 32.
- the microprocessor 46 controls the functions of the ITV 22 in accordance with the logic below.
- the flow charts herein illustrate the structure of the logic modules of the present invention as embodied in computer program software.
- the flow charts illustrate the structures of logic elements, such as computer program code elements or electronic logic circuits, that function according to this invention.
- the invention is practiced in its essential embodiment by a machine component that renders the logic elements in a form that instructs a digital processing apparatus (that is, a computer or microprocessor) to perform a sequence of function steps corresponding to those shown.
- Internal logic could be as simple as a state machine.
- the present logic may be established as a computer program that is executed by a processor within, e.g., the present microprocessors/servers as a series of computer-executable instructions.
- these instructions may reside, for example, in RAM of the appropriate computer, or the instructions may be stored on magnetic tape, electronic read-only memory, or other appropriate data storage device.
- the microprocessor 46 retrieves the associated Web page from the memory 44 for display of the channel.
- the microprocessor 46 retrieves the associated Web page directly from the particular server for display of the channel. Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment the ITV 22 can directly access Web servers 14 other than the ITV system server 18.
- the virtual channels are not simply Web pages that remain static for the life of the ITV 22. Instead, they are periodically updated as the underlying Web pages on the respective Web servers 14 are updated. Accordingly, the logic moves from block 54 to block 56 wherein a DO loop is entered at either one or both of the Web server 14 and ITV system server 18. This DO loop can be entered periodically, or it can be entered in response to a user-induced or automatically induced command from the microprocessor 46, sent via the Internet 24. At decision diamond 58, it is determined, for each virtual channel, whether an update at the corresponding Web site has occurred.
- the determination at decision diamond 58 can be made by the server 14/18, assuming the server knows the current content of the virtual channels of the ITV 22 (normally the case when the virtual channels are stored at a server remote from the ITV), or it can be made by the microprocessor 46 (normally the case when the virtual channels are stored in the local memory 44). For instance, the server 14/18 can send information pertaining to the update to the microprocessor 46, which can then determine whether the memory 44 stores the latest version of the virtual channel under test. If it does, the logic loops back to block 56. In the event of an update, however, the logic moves to block 60 to download the entire new Web page or pages that establish the virtual channel or, more preferably to download only the changed portions thereof.
- the download can be sent via the TV signal 26 in the VBI of the signal, or it can be sent via the Internet 24 (or other network) and modem 48 (by means of a DSL or cable modem line or wireless modem line) to the memory 44.
- the virtual channels are periodically updated.
- Figure 4 shows the logic undertaken by the microprocessor 46 for establishing or changing what virtual channels are available to a particular ITV 22.
- a prompt is displayed.
- the prompt can be displayed in a channel being viewed by sending the prompt through the VBI of a viewed TV channel or through the Internet when viewing a virtual channel.
- user channel selections are recorded and used in developing a user profile.
- a prompt might ask a consumer directly what types of virtual channels are of interest. Or, it might ask about the consumer's personal preferences on a number of topics, or about the consumer's personal demographics.
- the response is stored in memory at block 66.
- the response is transmitted to one of the servers 14, 18 (typically to the ITV system server 18).
- the transmission is via the Internet, and it can be undertaken sometime after the consumer input is stored, e.g., during a low-usage time period.
- the response can be sent immediately after it is received by the microprocessor 46, without first storing it.
- a consumer profile can be constructed by the server 18 based on the consumer's responses, using models known in the art to predict what types of content the consumer might desire in the virtual channels of the ITV 22.
- the profile is used to establish and/or alter the virtual channels of the ITV 22 by downloading new content via the VBI or modem 48.
- a do loop is entered wherein when the power to the ITV 22 is turned on or a gateway screen button is toggled, the following steps are performed.
- the gateway screen is presented to the consumer through the display 32 of the ITV 22.
- the gateway screen is cached in the memory 44 or streamed real time from the server 18.
- the gateway screen is intended to act as a starting point in accessing both television and Web-based content available through the ITV system 10. Due to the wide array of content available through the Internet 24 and the television signals 26, an initial reference point, e.g., the gateway screen, is very useful in allowing a consumer who is not extremely familiar with the Internet 24 and its content to access the information available through the ITV system 10. It is to be understood that the gateway screen can be the first screen displayed when the ITV 22 is activated or it can be the last screen displayed when the ITV 22 is de-activated. Moreover, the gateway screen can be displayed at any time while the ITV 22 is activated by toggling a gateway screen button, e.g., on the remote control unit 30.
- the gateway screen provides access to various information at a glance. This allows a consumer to gain a quick overview of the information presented by the multiple sources, e.g., the Web server 14, the ITV system server 18, or the television signal source 28.
- the gateway screen also allows a consumer to selected commonly accessed sources. Since the gateway screen is accessed frequently, it is preferred that the content for the gateway screen is cached in the memory 44 of the ITV 22 and updated often.
- the consumer is allowed to interact with the ITV system 10 through the gateway screen. It is to be understood that the consumer interacts with the system 10 by using the remote control unit 30 to move a cursor around on the gateway screen in order to further access information presented therein.
- decision diamond 86 it is determined whether no activity has occurred at the gateway screen for a predetermined time period, e.g., five seconds. If not, the logic moves to block 88 where the gateway screen is turned off. Thereafter the logic ends at state 90. If at decision diamond 86 there is activity at the gateway screen, e.g., the consumer is moving a cursor around to view different information and interact with the ITV system 10, the logic returns to block 84 and the logic continues as described above.
- a predetermined time period e.g., five seconds.
- FIG. 6 an ITV unit, e.g., the ITV 22 described above is shown.
- An exemplary gateway screen is shown in the display area 32 of the ITV 22 .
- the configuration of the gateway screen shown in Figure 6 is but one of many ways that the gateway screen can be configured.
- the gateway screen includes a television content panel 100, and an Internet content panel 102.
- each panel 100, 102 presents channel content from a respective television or Internet content provider, or combination thereof.
- the content in the Internet pane! 102 is related to the content in the television panel 100.
- the content in the Internet panel 102 might be derived from the Web site of a cable news network, and the content in the television panel 100 would be a broadcast video feed either real-time from the TV tuner 36 or cached onboard memory 44 and played in a loop.
- the television content panel 100 displays the current broadcast video from the television signal 26, a portion of that video, or information derived from the television signal 26, e.g., information in the VBI or information included in the transport stream of a digital television signal.
- the content provider is a server, e.g., the Web server 14 or the ITV system server 18, the Internet content panel 102 can present Internet content directly, or derive information from the server and present the result.
- the configuration of the gateway screen and the content provided thereby can be tailored for different situations, e.g., time of day or condition of access.
- the gateway screen can have one set of content panels for system activation, one set of content panels for system de- activation, and different sets of content panels for different times of day.
- the content panels 100, 102 serve as links to the respective content providers. Accordingly, a consumer can access a particular content provider through its respective content panel, e.g., by selecting the panel with a pointing device and issuing a selection/access command (in other words, a point and click process).
- a consumer can access a specific area of a particular content provider through a specific area of the respective content panel.
- the TV content panel 100 can present the video content from a news broadcast without modification. If the consumer chooses the panel, e.g., by pointing and clicking, a full screen display of the broadcast channel is presented.
- the Internet content pane) 102 can present news headlines from one or more news Web sites and/or virtual channels. Again, if the consumer chooses the panel a full screen display of the Web site is presented.
- choosing a specific headline causes the ITV system 10 to present the text corresponding to the headline or the section of the Web site corresponding to the headline.
- FIG. 7 shows the logic undertaken by the microprocessor 46 for establishing or changing the configuration of the gateway screen provided by the ITV 22.
- a do loop is entered wherein if a gateway screen set-up button is toggled, e.g., on the remote control unit 30, the succeeding logic steps are performed.
- the consumer is prompted for input regarding gateway screen preferences.
- the consumer may desire that the ITV system 10 present information pertaining to top news stories via the Internet content panel 102. Accordingly, a prompt might ask a consumer directly what types of web sites, or virtual channels relating thereto, are to be presented by the gateway screen.
- the consumer can input these preferences in response to the prompt presented at block 112. It is to be appreciated that the response to the prompt ordinarily is input by using the remote control unit 30.
- the response is stored in memory at block 114.
- the response is transmitted to one of the servers 14, 18 (typically to the ITV system server 18).
- the transmission is via the Internet, and it can be undertaken sometime after the consumer input is stored, e.g., during a low-usage time period.
- the response can be sent immediately after it is received by the microprocessor 46, without first storing it.
- the preferences input by the consumer are used to establish and/or alter the gateway screen of the ITV 22.
- the ITV system server 18 provides content information for the gateway screen content panels 100, 102 that is customized, e.g., to particular television channels 26, particular Web servers 14, and/or particular virtual channels.
- a particular panel e.g., the Internet content panel 102 can include a list of topics that are currently being discussed on other sources, e.g., news programs.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
- Computer Graphics (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Marketing (AREA)
- Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)
- Information Transfer Between Computers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP08019250A EP2028859A1 (en) | 2000-08-28 | 2001-08-21 | System for interactive television |
Applications Claiming Priority (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US22846900P | 2000-08-28 | 2000-08-28 | |
US228469P | 2000-08-28 | ||
US839482 | 2001-04-21 | ||
US09/839,482 US7096489B2 (en) | 2000-08-28 | 2001-04-21 | System and method for interactive television |
US840437 | 2001-04-23 | ||
US09/840,437 US7225456B2 (en) | 2001-04-23 | 2001-04-23 | Gateway screen for interactive television |
PCT/US2001/026325 WO2002019689A2 (en) | 2000-08-28 | 2001-08-21 | System for interactive television |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP08019250A Division EP2028859A1 (en) | 2000-08-28 | 2001-08-21 | System for interactive television |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP1314316A2 true EP1314316A2 (en) | 2003-05-28 |
EP1314316A4 EP1314316A4 (en) | 2008-03-12 |
Family
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EP01964367A Ceased EP1314316A4 (en) | 2000-08-28 | 2001-08-21 | System for interactive television |
EP08019250A Withdrawn EP2028859A1 (en) | 2000-08-28 | 2001-08-21 | System for interactive television |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP08019250A Withdrawn EP2028859A1 (en) | 2000-08-28 | 2001-08-21 | System for interactive television |
Country Status (6)
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EP (2) | EP1314316A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4975940B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR100818445B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1483287A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2001285229A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2002019689A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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Also Published As
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JP4975940B2 (en) | 2012-07-11 |
JP2004507984A (en) | 2004-03-11 |
WO2002019689A2 (en) | 2002-03-07 |
WO2002019689A3 (en) | 2002-04-11 |
AU2001285229A1 (en) | 2002-03-13 |
EP2028859A1 (en) | 2009-02-25 |
CN1483287A (en) | 2004-03-17 |
EP1314316A4 (en) | 2008-03-12 |
KR100818445B1 (en) | 2008-04-01 |
KR20030034159A (en) | 2003-05-01 |
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