System and method for broadcast-synchronized interactive content interrelated to broadcast content
First Claim
1. A system for providing interactive content to a user, said system comprising:
- a user reception device for the reception of broadcast signals;
a video display associated with the user reception device for displaying a user-perceptible form of the broadcast signals to the user;
a decoding device communicating with the user reception device, the decoding device being programmed to execute an interactive program written for the broadcast content;
a server network device communicating with the decoding device, the server network device being programmed to download segments of the interactive program to the decoding device;
a communication device communicating with the decoding device and with the server network device; and
a memory system communicating with the server network device and the decoding device, the memory system storing segments of the interactive program;
wherein the interactive content is synchronized to segments of the broadcast content which are interrelated to the interactive content.
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Abstract
A system and method for synchronizing interactive content with particular scenes in a television program for use with an interactive television system. An HTML page displays both the television program and interactive functionality which allows the presentation to the user of specific information, such as facts and observations, which is synchronized to and interrelated with particular content within the television program. The system and method enables the user to enter responses to program-related questions and can be utilized for implementing a rewards-based user-interactive viewing experience. The system and method also enables an advertiser to synchronize advertisements to particular scenes within a television program, thus allowing the advertiser to tie products to the program the user is viewing.
270 Citations
79 Claims
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1. A system for providing interactive content to a user, said system comprising:
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a user reception device for the reception of broadcast signals;
a video display associated with the user reception device for displaying a user-perceptible form of the broadcast signals to the user;
a decoding device communicating with the user reception device, the decoding device being programmed to execute an interactive program written for the broadcast content;
a server network device communicating with the decoding device, the server network device being programmed to download segments of the interactive program to the decoding device;
a communication device communicating with the decoding device and with the server network device; and
a memory system communicating with the server network device and the decoding device, the memory system storing segments of the interactive program;
wherein the interactive content is synchronized to segments of the broadcast content which are interrelated to the interactive content. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 71)
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43. A method for providing interactive content to a user, said method comprising:
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programming a processor to provide interactive content, the interactive content being interrelated to pre-determined broadcast content;
inserting an event within the broadcast content, the event being inserted in the broadcast content at a pre-determined segment, the pre-determined segment being interrelated to pre-determined interactive content;
receiving a broadcast signal, the broadcast signal comprising the broadcast content;
decoding the event as it is encountered in the broadcast content, the decoded event activating a segment of the interactive content; and
displaying both the broadcast content and the activated segment of the interactive content to the user on a video display;
wherein the event activates a segment of the interactive content that is interrelated to the segment of the broadcast content in which the event is inserted. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A method for selling advertising time during a broadcast program by associating advertised products and services with broadcast content, the method comprising:
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providing advertising content, the advertising content being interrelated to pre-determined broadcast content;
inserting an event within the broadcast content, the event being inserted in a pre-determined segment of the broadcast content, the pre-determined segment of the broadcast content being interrelated to pre-determined advertising content;
decoding the event as it is encountered in the broadcast content, the decoded event activating the pre-determined advertising content;
displaying both the broadcast content and the activated pre-determined advertising content to a user on a video display;
receiving a fee for displaying the activated pre-determined advertising content to the user on the video display. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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60. A system for providing to a user interactive enabling system interactive content that is synchronized to broadcast content, the system comprising:
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an insertion device for inserting events into broadcast content;
a transmission device for transmitting the broadcast content to the user interactive enabling system;
a server network device communicating with the user interactive enabling system; and
a memory system communicating with the server network device, the memory system storing the interactive content;
wherein the inserted events are synchronized to particular segments of the broadcast content and activate particular segments of the interactive content interrelated to the particular segments of the broadcast content such that both the broadcast content and the interrelated interactive content are displayed on the user interactive enabling system. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70)
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72. A user interactive enabling system for receiving interactive content that is synchronized to broadcast content, the system comprising:
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a user reception device for receiving broadcast signals, the broadcast signals comprising broadcast content;
a video display associated with the user reception device for displaying a user-perceptible form of the broadcast content to the user; and
a decoding device communicating with the user reception device, the decoding device being programmed to decode events inserted in particular segments of the broadcast content;
wherein the inserted events are synchronized to particular segments of the broadcast content and activate particular segments of the interactive content interrelated to the particular segments of the broadcast content such that both the broadcast content and the interrelated interactive content are displayed on the video display. - View Dependent Claims (73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79)
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Specification