System and method for distribution of interactive content to multiple targeted presentation platforms

• US 20020088008A1
• Filed: 08/21/2001
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OpenTV, Inc. (Kudelski SA)
• Original Assignee: Intellocity USA, Inc. (Kudelski SA)
• Inventors: Markel, Steven O.
• Granted Patent: US 7,162,697 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/135
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2358 for generating different versions, e.g. for different recipient devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25808 Management of client data terminal profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/303
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6377 directed to server one-way streaming services wherein the source is controlled by the destination H04L65/613
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/643 Communication protocols network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP], H04L65/65
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/658 Transmission by the client directed to the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8166 involving executable data, e.g. software arrangements for executing specific programs G06F9/44; broadcasting computer programmes in broadcast systems H04H20/91; involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/854 Content authoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8543 using a description language, e.g. Multimedia and Hypermedia information coding Expert Group [MHEG], eXtensible Markup Language [XML] information retrieval of semistructured data, the underlying structure being taken into account, e.g. mark-up language structure data G06F16/80
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8545 for generating interactive applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/858 Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A text based script file describing enhancements is parsed to produce platform dependent enhancement files that may be employed to produce enhancements on a set top box, enhanced television, or computer display. A script file may be of XML format and a parser may be an XSL translator. A parser may import HTML and Javascript from other applications. A parser may support a media player for emulation to view video and enhancements. Trigger data for rendering enhancements may be formatted into a javascript array. Trigger events may be employed to replace graphic pointers or text values. Multiple parsers, each supporting a specific platform, allow a single script file to be employed across multiple platforms. New platforms or versions of platforms are supported through new or updated parsers.

Claims

1. A method for creating a television presentation enhancement comprising:

accessing a platform independent television enhancement file containing elements and attributes of said elements;

applying a first parsing script to said enhancement file to produce a first output file that may be viewed using a web browser and media player; and

applying a second parsing script to said enhancement file to produce a second output file that may be viewed with a set top box.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said enhancement file further comprises:

XML compliant tags for elements, triggers, and administrative information comprising enhancement file name and enhancement file creation date.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said television enhancement file is a text file.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying said first output file in a browser window.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of applying a second parsing script further comprises:

specifying an HTML version for said second output file.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein a link is associated with at least one of said elements.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said attributes of said elements further comprises:

a z order value for at least one of said elements.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said first parsing script is an XSL transformation file.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said second parsing script is an XSL transformation file.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing said second output file.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said second parsing script imports HTML code into said second output file.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein accessing said enhancement file further comprises:

accessing a database.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said second parsing script is operable to translate a color value.

16. The parser of claim 15 wherein said parser is XSL compliant.

17. The parser of claim 15 further comprising:

a function that imports HTML code.

18. The parser of claim 15 further comprising:

a function to translate a color value.

20. The television enhancement of claim 19 wherein said enhancement file is XML compliant.

21. The enhancement file of claim 20 wherein said step of parsing further comprises:

applying an XSL transformation to said enhancement file.

22. The enhancement file of claim 20 wherein said step of parsing further comprises:

translating a color value associated with one of said elements.

24. The system of claim 23 further comprising:

a parser component operable to enable display of a media player if said television enhancement file contains an element representative of a television image.

25. The system of claim 23 wherein said parser is operable to create an output file for a specific platform.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein said parser is operable to translate a color value associated with an element contained in said television enhancement file.

14. A method for creating a television presentation enhancement comprising:

editing a platform independent television enhancement file to specify elements and attributes of said elements;

applying a first parsing script to said enhancement file to produce a first output file that may be viewed using a web browser and media player; and

applying a second parsing script to said enhancement file to produce a second output file that may be viewed with a set top box.

15. A parser for producing a platform specific television enhancement file comprising:

a function to access a platform independent television enhancement file comprising project information, a description of an element, the position of said element, and a time at which said element may be rendered.

a function to create an HTML header containing said project information;

a function to place said position of said element between division tags in an HTML output file if said element is either a text element or a graphic element;

a function to insert javascript code associated with said element if said element is an imported element;

a function to embed a media player in an HTML file if said element is a representative of a television;

a function to update an address at which said element may be accessed; and

a function to create and store triggers in a javascript array.

19. A television enhancement produced by the steps of:

accessing a database containing a platform independent television enhancement file comprising elements and attributes of said elements;

parsing said television enhancement file to produce an output file that may be viewed with a specific platform; and

saving said output file.

23. A system for developing television enhancements comprising:

a computer;

a database;

a web browser; and

a parser operable to parse a platform independent television enhancement file contained in said database and to produce an output file that may be viewed employing said browser.