Combining real-time and batch mode logical address links
First Claim
1. In a system including a set top box that is capable of receiving Internet content and television programming, a method for displaying Internet content associated with a program included in the television programming, the method comprising acts of:
- during display of the program, extracting real-time links from the television programming, wherein the real-time links are embedded in the television programming;
selecting a program link from a list of links, the list of links including the real time links;
notifying a viewer that a program link, through which Internet content associated with the program may be accessed, is available;
receiving input from the viewer such that the program link is selected; and
displaying the Internet content associated with the at least link concurrently with the program.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for displaying Internet content associated with television programming. Content associated with a program included in the television programming is automatically displayed by a set top box. Before the broadcast of a program, listing information or EPG data is stored at the set top box. The listing information includes batch mode logical addresses or links. During the program, a viewer is notified about the link, and the content may be accessed and displayed concurrently with the program. In addition, real-time logical addresses or links, which are embedded in the program, may be extracted and the viewer is notified of these links. If both the real time and batch links are available, a determination is made according to pre-defined rules regarding which link is brought to the attention of the viewer.
54 Citations
20 Claims
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1. In a system including a set top box that is capable of receiving Internet content and television programming, a method for displaying Internet content associated with a program included in the television programming, the method comprising acts of:
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during display of the program, extracting real-time links from the television programming, wherein the real-time links are embedded in the television programming;
selecting a program link from a list of links, the list of links including the real time links;
notifying a viewer that a program link, through which Internet content associated with the program may be accessed, is available;
receiving input from the viewer such that the program link is selected; and
displaying the Internet content associated with the at least link concurrently with the program. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. In a system including a set top box capable of receiving Internet content and television programming, a method for integrating the Internet content concurrently with the television programming, the method comprising acts of:
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retrieving electronic program guide (EPG) data from a server, wherein the EPG data includes batch links associated with the television programming;
extracting real time links from the television programming, wherein the real time links are associated with the television programming;
during a display of a program included in the television programming, identifiying at least one link from the batch links and the real-time links;
providing notification that the at least one link is identified; and
displaying content accessed through the identified at least one link, wherein the content is displayed concurrently with the program. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. In a system including a set top box that has access to television programming and Internet content, a method for displaying Internet content associated with a program included in the television programming, the method comprising acts of:
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retrieving electronic program guide (EPG) data for the program from a server, wherein the EPG data includes batch links through which Internet content related to the program is accessed;
determining which batch links are active, wherein the batch links are active from a start time of the program to an end time of the program;
retrieving embedded real-time links from the program, wherein Internet content relating to the program is accessed through the real-time links;
selecting at least one link from the real-time links and the active batch links, wherein a user is notified of the selection; and
displaying Internet content accessed through the selected at least one link concurrently with the program. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A computer program product for implementing at a set top box a method for displaying Internet content associated with a program included in the television programming, the computer program product comprising:
a computer-readable medium for storing machine executable instructions for implementing the method, wherein the method comprises acts of;
during display of the program, extracting real-time links from the television programming, wherein the real-time links are embedded in the television programming;
selecting a program link from a list of links, the list of links including the real time links;
notifying a viewer that a program link, through which Internet content associated with the program may be accessed, is available;
receiving input from the viewer such that the program link is selected; and
displaying the Internet content associated with the at least link concurrently with the program.
Specification