U.S. patent application number 10/610981 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-01 for interactive special events video signal navigation system.
Invention is credited to Fulton, Timothy S., Hanafee, Michael T., Marshall, Connie T..
Application Number | 20040003407 10/610981 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24242184 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040003407 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hanafee, Michael T. ; et
al. |
January 1, 2004 |
Interactive special events video signal navigation system
Abstract
A system interactively controlled by a TV viewer remote control
transmitter displays current or future programming information
superimposed over the normal programming displayed on any channel
accessible to the viewer's display screen. Identification signal
data are accessed and generated by the computer for durations
defined in the identification signal data either automatically or
in response to the TV viewer remote. Information signal data are
accessed and generated by the computer in response to the TV viewer
remote. A signal combiner superimposes the identification signal or
the information signal over the viewer usable signal of any
selected channel from the tuner. The identification signal may
include data defining an icon or textual matter alerting a viewer
to the availability of information data. The information signal may
include program descriptive data, schedule data, pricing data
and/or payment authorization and recording prompt data and the like
sequenced for interactive control of the computer by the viewer.
The identification signal may be specially dedicated to a normal
programming information channel so that the viewer can interact
with respect to specific programs identified without changing from
the programming information channel. Thus, the viewer is able to
receive an automatic alert to availability of current and future
programming and to elect to interactively exercise a variety of
options with respect to such current and future programming without
interruption of presently viewed programming.
Inventors: |
Hanafee, Michael T.; (Tulsa,
OK) ; Marshall, Connie T.; (Muskogee, OK) ;
Fulton, Timothy S.; (Broken Arrow, OK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & NEAVE
1251 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
50TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10020-1105
US
|
Family ID: |
24242184 |
Appl. No.: |
10/610981 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10610981 |
Jun 30, 2003 |
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10026355 |
Dec 21, 2001 |
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6606128 |
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10026355 |
Dec 21, 2001 |
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09330729 |
Jun 11, 1999 |
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6342926 |
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09330729 |
Jun 11, 1999 |
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08561486 |
Nov 20, 1995 |
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6157413 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/61 ;
348/E7.061; 348/E7.063; 348/E7.076; 725/60 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/435 20130101;
H04N 21/4758 20130101; H04N 7/17345 20130101; H04N 21/472 20130101;
H04N 21/4312 20130101; H04N 21/4383 20130101; H04N 21/84 20130101;
H04N 21/482 20130101; H04N 7/162 20130101; H04N 21/475 20130101;
H04N 21/47211 20130101; H04N 21/4882 20130101; H04N 21/4438
20130101; H04N 7/163 20130101; H04N 7/165 20130101; H04N 21/4314
20130101; H04N 21/4334 20130101; H04N 21/4753 20130101; H04N
21/8153 20130101; H04N 7/17363 20130101; H04N 21/42204 20130101;
H04N 21/235 20130101; H04N 21/47214 20130101; H04N 21/8126
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/61 ;
725/60 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/445 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for providing a television viewer with ordering
opportunities when watching television programming on a display,
comprising: automatically displaying an icon on the display over
the television programming, wherein the icon is shaped to be
specifically correlated to the nature of what would be ordered; and
displaying the information over the television programming to
prompt the television viewer to place the order when the television
viewer responds to the icon.
2. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising enabling the
television viewer to place the order.
3. The method defined in claim 2 wherein displaying the information
over the television programming to prompt the television viewer to
place the order comprises displaying the information over the
television programming to prompt the television viewer to place an
order that requires authorization
4. The method defined in claim 3 further comprising enabling the
user to enter a personal identification number to provide
authorization.
5. The method defined in claim 1 wherein displaying the icon
further comprises displaying the icon over the television program
for a specified duration.
6. The method defined in claim 1 wherein displaying the icon
comprises displaying a football-shaped icon.
7. The method defined in claim 1 wherein displaying the information
comprises displaying order price information.
8. A method for recording a television event, comprising:
automatically displaying an icon that indicates the availability of
the television event, wherein the icon is overlaid over television
programming currently displayed on a television; receiving user
input in response to the icon displayed; and recording the
television event on user equipment in response to receipt of the
user input.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the user input comprises pressing
a key on a remote control device.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the icon is automatically
removed from display after a given period of time.
11. The user input of claim 8 comprising a first type and a second
type, wherein the icon is removed from display in response to
receipt of the first type of user input and the television event is
recorded on user equipment in response to receipt of the second
type of user input.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein the icon indicates a genre of
television event to which the television event belongs.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein the television event is related
to the television programming currently displayed on the
television.
14. The method of claim 8, wherein the television event is a future
television event.
15. A system for providing a television viewer with ordering
opportunities when watching television programming on a display,
the system comprising: means for automatically displaying an icon
on the display over the television programming, wherein the icon is
shaped to be specifically correlated to the nature of what would be
ordered; and means for displaying the information over the
television programming to prompt the television viewer to place the
order when the television viewer responds to the icon.
16. The system defined in claim 15 further comprising means for
enabling the television viewer to place the order.
17. The system defined in claim 16 wherein the means for displaying
the information over the television programming to prompt the
television viewer to place the order comprises means for displaying
the information over the television programming to prompt the
television viewer to place an order that requires authorization
18. The system defined in claim 17 further comprising means for
enabling the user to enter a personal identification number to
provide authorization.
19. The system defined in claim 15 wherein the means for displaying
the icon further comprises means for displaying the icon over the
television program for a specified duration.
20. The system defined in claim 15 wherein means for displaying the
icon comprises means for displaying a football-shaped icon.
21. The system defined in claim 15 wherein means for displaying the
information comprises means for displaying order price
information.
22. A system for recording a television event, the system
comprising: means for automatically displaying an icon that
indicates the availability of the television event, wherein the
icon is overlaid over television programming currently displayed on
a television; means for receiving user input in response to the
icon displayed; and means for recording the television event on
user equipment in response to receipt of the user input.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein the user input comprises
pressing a key on a remote control device.
24. The system of claim 22, wherein the icon is automatically
removed from display after a given period of time.
25. The system of claim 22, wherein the user input comprises first
type and a second type, wherein the icon is removed from display in
response to receipt of the first type of user input and the
television event is recorded on user equipment in response to
receipt of the second type of user input.
26. The system of claim 22, wherein the icon indicates a genre of
television event to which the television event belongs.
27. The system of claim 22, wherein the television event is related
to the television programming currently displayed on the
television.
28. The system of claim 22, wherein the television event is a
future television event.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/026,355, filed Dec. 21, 2001, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/330,729, filed
Jun. 11, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,342,926, which is a continuation
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/561,486, filed Nov. 20,
1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,157,413.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to interactive video
communications and more particularly concerns viewer controlled
selection of programming guide information and programming.
[0003] Programming guide information is presently displayed to the
home TV viewer in non-interactive pages or scrolls of characters
conveying programming guide information. Presently known in-home
video guide hardware is either attached to or manufactured within a
television set and produces interactive program guides that allow
users, at their leisure, to peruse program information and make a
viewing selection based upon information presented. However, the
viewer either has to wait through a scroll of the information, view
the information on a page of text, or manually navigate to the
information. Unless the viewer manually navigates to event
information provided or happens to view the information in a scroll
or pages of text, the viewer is unaware of the current and future
events that are available.
[0004] It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a
process and in-home video guide hardware by which a home viewer may
be informed, in real-time, of events that are available currently
or will in the future be available for viewing. Another object of
this invention is to provide a process and in-home video guide
hardware which alert a viewer to the availability of selected
current or future program events. Yet another object of this
invention is to provide a process and in-home video guide hardware
which permit a viewer to access information about selected
programming without changing channels. Another object of this
invention is to provide a process and in-home video guide hardware
which permit a viewer to interact with information and prompts
respecting selected programming without changing channels. A
further object of this invention is to provide a process and
in-home video guide hardware which ascertain whether an event is
current or future. Still another object of this invention is to
provide a process and in-home video guide hardware which permit the
viewer to choose whether a program will be recorded or not
recorded. It is also an object of this invention to provide a
process and in-home video guide hardware which permit the viewer to
choose whether a program will be recorded with or without copy
protection. Yet another object of this invention is to provide a
process and in-home video guide hardware which permit the viewer to
view a display of the cost of the event. And it is an object of
this invention to provide a process and in-home video guide
hardware which permit the viewer to authorize payment for access to
a selected program.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the invention, a system interactively
controlled by a TV viewer remote control transmitter displays
current or future programming information superimposed over the
normal programming displayed on any channel accessible to the
viewer's display screen. A tuner receives TV radio frequency or
optical transmission signals in a plurality of cable channels and
passes a viewer usable signal of any selected one of the channels
to a signal combiner. A computer receives any of a plurality of
control signals from the TV viewer remote control transmitter. It
also receives from the tuner and stores data contained in a current
and future programming identification signal and data contained in
a current and future programming information signal. The
identification signal contains data indicating the availability of
the information signal. The information signal contains data
descriptive of and/or facilitating interaction with current and
future programming. Portions of the stored identification signal
data are accessed and generated as an output identification signal
by the computer for durations defined in the identification signal
data either automatically at times defined in the identification
signal data or in response to a selected one of the plurality of
control signals from the TV viewer remote control transmitter.
Portions of the stored information signal data are accessed and
generated as an output information signal by the computer in
response to a selected one of the plurality of control signals from
the TV viewer remote control transmitter. The signal combiner
superimposes the identification output signal or the information
output signal over the viewer usable signal of any selected channel
from the tuner to provide a display signal for input to the
viewer's display screen. The identification signal may include data
defining an icon or textual matter alerting a viewer to the
availability of information data or may include data enabling
access to such icon or textual matter data as may be already stored
elsewhere in the computer. The information signal may include
program descriptive data, schedule data, pricing data and/or
payment authorization and recording prompt data and the like
sequenced for interactive control of the computer by the viewer and
may also include data programming the interactive operation of the
computer or data initiating operation of an interactive operating
program resident in the computer.
[0006] In one specially preferred embodiment, the identification
signal may be specially dedicated to a normal programming
information channel so that the viewer can interact with respect to
specific programs identified without changing from the programming
information channel. Furthermore, the identification data can be
incorporated in the normal programming signal so that no
identification signal need be sent to or received from the
computer.
[0007] Thus, the viewer is able to receive an automatic alert to
availability of current and future programming and to elect to
interactively exercise a variety of options with respect to such
current and future programming without interruption of presently
viewed programming.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon
reference to the drawings in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a preferred
embodiment of the hardware of the interactive special events video
signal navigator system;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a preferred sequence of
process steps and options of the interactive special events video
signal navigator system;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a representation of a video screen display of a
typical special events output identification signal superimposed
over a normal programming signal;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a representation of a video screen display of a
typical special events output information signal containing program
description data superimposed over a normal programming signal;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a representation of a video screen display of a
typical special events output information signal containing price
information and authorization option data for interaction by the
viewer superimposed over a normal programming signal;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a representation of a video screen display of a
typical special events output information signal containing
"record" option data for interaction by the viewer superimposed
over a normal programming signal;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a representation of a video screen display of a
typical special events output information signal containing data
confirming interaction to the viewer superimposed over a normal
programming signal;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a representation of a video screen display of a
normal programming signal without superimposition of a special
events output identification or information signal; and
[0017] FIG. 9 is a representation of a video screen display of a
typical special events output identification signal superimposed
over a normal programming signal of a program information
channel.
[0018] While the invention will be described in connection with a
preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended
to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is
intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents
as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as
defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Turning first to FIG. 1, the components of the interactive
special events video signal navigation system are illustrated. A
computer 11 having a command information receiver, preferably an
infrared or radio frequency receiver 13, provides a control signal
15 to a tuner 17 and a picture image signal 19 or 20 to a digital
video board 21. The tuner 17 converts or demodulates radio
frequencies or optical transmissions to a signal usable by the
viewer to output a normal programming signal 23 selected from a
plurality of normal programming signals 25 input to the tuner 17
from the cable source (not shown), typically frequency division
multiplexed video, audio and data signals transmitted via a coaxial
cable, over-the-air radio frequencies or fiber optics. The tuner 17
also receives current and future programming identification and/or
information signals 26 and 28 from the cable source (not shown) and
feeds corresponding current and future programming identification
and/or information signals 16 and 18 for storage in the computer
11. The identification signals 16 contain data relative to the
availability of information signals 18 and the information signals
18 contain data descriptive of and/or facilitating interaction by
the viewer with options relating to current and future programming.
The computer 11 automatically accesses selected portions of the
data stored from the output identification signal 16 at times and
for durations defined in that data and generates a corresponding
picture image signal 19. The computer 11 also accesses selected
portions of the data stored from the output information signal 18
in response to a selected one of the plurality of control signals
from the TV viewer remote control transmitter 13 to the computer 11
and generates a picture image signal 20. The digital video board 21
receives the picture image signal 19 or 20 from the computer 11 and
converts the digital data into a video signal 27. The tuner output
or base programming signal 23 has superimposed thereon in a genlock
signal combiner or overlayer 29 the video image signal 27 from the
digital video board 21. The combined signal 31 is then displayed on
a video signal display device such as the display screen 33 of the
viewer's television. The viewer sends commands to the receiver 13
to control the operation of the computer 11 by the use of a remote
control transmitter, preferably an infrared or radio frequency
transmitter 35. The computer 11 is based on a microprocessor and
may utilize random access (RAM) and/or read only (ROM) memory. The
software necessary to operate the microprocessor may be embedded in
the device or, as explained above, downloaded via the cable system
(not shown) through the tuner 17 to the computer 11. The
identification and information signals 26 and 28 to the tuner 17
and corresponding signals 16 and 18 to the computer 11 may be
transmitted in single or separate packages.
[0020] The above-described interactive special events video signal
navigation system components operate in response to the control of
the computer 11. As shown in FIG. 2, while the home viewer is
watching programming presented on his display 33 in response to the
tuner 17 feeding any basic program signal 23 from the input
selections 25 to the genlock combiner 29, the computer 11 may be
automatically prompted by data received in an identification signal
16 to cause a "special event" indicator to appear on the viewer's
display 33. Looking at FIG. 3, the special event indicator 101 may
appear as an icon 51 or as textual material 53 or a combination of
icon 51 and textual information 53 in the viewer's display 33
superimposed over normal programming 50. When the icon 51 and/or
textual material 53 appear, the system proceeds to a "remote
control button pressed?" inquiry 103 and determines whether the
viewer has responded to the presence of the special event indicator
101 by pressing a button on the remote control 35. If the viewer
has not pressed a button on the remote control 35, then the program
proceeds to a "display time expired?" option 105. At this step the
system inquires as to whether the special events indicator 101 has
been displayed for a minimum time period established by data in the
identification signal 16. If the answer to this inquiry is "YES,"
then the special events indicator 101 will be removed at step 107
and the viewer's display 33 will return to the normal programming
50 only, as is illustrated in FIG. 8. If the answer to the "delay
time expires?" inquiry 105 is "NO," the program is rerouted through
the "remote control button pressed?" inquiry 103. If the response
to the "remote control button pressed?" inquiry 103 is "YES," the
system next proceeds to a "viewer request information?" inquiry 109
at which it is determined whether the viewer has pressed a remote
control button indicative of a desire to obtain further information
regarding the event related to the special event indicator 101. If
the answer to this inquiry is "NO," then the system proceeds again
to the "display time expired?" inquiry 105 for further processing
as hereinbefore explained. If the answer to the "viewer request
information?" inquiry 109 is "YES," then the system proceeds to a
"display information" condition 111. In this condition, the viewer
display 33 includes a display of program information 55
superimposed on the normal programming 50. As shown, the
information 55 includes a prompt to the viewer asking whether the
viewer wishes to order the special event described in the
information or wishes to cancel the operation of the system. With
this prompt displayed, the system proceeds to a "viewer accepts?"
option 113 in which the viewer can choose to "order" or "cancel."
If, by use of the remote control 35, the response to the "viewer
accepts?" inquiry 113 is "NO," then the system is directed to the
normal programming step 107 in which only normal programming 50
appears on the viewer's display 33. If, in response to the "viewer
accepts?" inquiry 113, the viewer indicates "YES" by operation of
an appropriate button on the remote control 35, then the program
proceeds to a "requires authorization?" inquiry 115. If the event
is a pay-per-view event, information relevant to pricing and
authorization will have been included in the data forming the
information signal 16 fed to the computer 11. If the answer to the
"requires authorization?" inquiry 115 is "YES," then the viewer
display 33 will include the normal programming 50 with the
pay-per-view information 57 superimposed thereon, as is illustrated
in FIG. 5. As shown, that pay-per-view information 57 may include
an opportunity for the viewer to enter a PIN number by use of the
remote control 35 at a "viewer input personal identification
number" step 117 of the process. If the answer to the "requires
authorization?" inquiry 115 is "NO" or if the viewer inputs a
personal identification number at step 117, the system proceeds to
a "current or future event?" inquiry 119. If data stored in the
computer indicates that the answer to this inquiry 119 is
"current," then the system proceeds to a "viewer is tuned to event"
step 121 in which only the event identified by the original special
events indicator 101 will appear on the viewer's display 33. If the
response to the "current or future event?" inquiry 119 is "future,"
then the system proceeds to a display of information step 122 in
which a prompt 59 inquires to whether taping is desired, as is
shown in FIG. 6. The system then proceeds to a "desires taping?"
inquiry 123. If the viewer's response to the "desires taping?"
inquiry 123 via the remote 35 is "NO," then the system proceeds to
a "future event action is stored" step 125 in which the system will
automatically display the selected event at its scheduled time. If
the response to the "desires taping?" inquiry 123 via the remote 35
is "YES," then the system proceeds to a "VCR taping action is
stored" step 127 from which the system will further proceed to the
"future event action is stored" step 125 and taping of the selected
event will also be automatically initiated at the scheduled time of
the event. After the "future event action is stored" step 125, the
system proceeds to a request accepted step 129 in which
confirmation information 61 is superimposed over the normal
programming 50 on the viewer's display 33 as shown in FIG. 7 to
acknowledge that the viewer's commands have been entered into the
system. After a predetermined lapse of time, the system continues
to a normal programming step 107 at which normal programming 50 is
continued as illustrated in FIG. 8 until such time as the action
indicated by the viewer is taken by the system.
[0021] Turning to FIG. 9, the application of the navigation system
to a programming information channel is illustrated. The
identification signal 19 passed by the computer 11 for
superimposition over the normal programming 23 causes the textual
material 63 to be superimposed over the normal programming 50 on
the viewer's display 33. In the alternative, in the programming
information channel application, the use of an identification
signal 16, 19 or 26 can be omitted all together and the viewer made
aware of the existence of the information signal 18, 20 or 28
merely by use of an icon or by the physical positioning of the text
63 in the display of the normal programming 50. That is, the icon
or textual material 63 is transmitted as part of the normal
programming 50 for the programming information channel. When an
icon appears on the display or textual matter 63 is displayed in a
particular physical location on the display 33, the viewer is
automatically alerted to the possible existence of an information
signal 20 in the computer 11 and, by operation of the remote 35,
can immediately cause the superimposition of the information signal
20 over the normal programming signal 23.
[0022] It is further contemplated that the icon 51 employed in the
navigation system may be specifically correlated to the nature of
the special event identified. For example, icons configured as a
projector might indicate a movie event, as a tornado might indicate
a weather event, as a guitar might indicate a musical event, as an
open newspaper might indicate a news event, as a football helmet
might indicate a sporting event and so on.
[0023] Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in
accordance with the invention, an interactive special events video
signal navigation system that fully satisfies the objects, aims and
advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described
in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident
that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be
apparent to those skilled in the art and in light of the foregoing
description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such
alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the
spirit of the appended claims.
* * * * *