Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments

• US 20030101232A1
• Filed: 11/13/2002
• Published: 05/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1996
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ACTV, Inc. (Kudelski SA)
• Original Assignee: ACTV, Inc. (Kudelski SA)
• Inventors: Spivack, Nova T., Ullman, Craig, Hidary, Jack D.
• Application Number:
  US10/294,068
• Publication Number:
  US 20030101232A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/748 Hypervideo linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object in the context of video distribution systems H04N21/858
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/322 used signal is digitally coded
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2393 involving handling client requests scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/262 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 scheduling strategies for dispatcher in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/4881; arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services H04H60/06; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10; establishing a time schedule or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/62
• 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 21/4722 for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8547 involving timestamps for synchronizing content
• 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

Abstract

A system for integrating video programming with the vast information resources of the Internet. A computer-based system receives a video program with embedded uniform resource locators (URLs). The URLs, the effective addresses of locations or Web sites on the Internet, are interpreted by the system and direct the system to the Web site locations to retrieve related Web pages. Upon receipt of the Web pages by the system, the Web pages are synchronized to the video content for display. The video program signal can be displayed In a video window on a conventional personal computer screen. The actual retrieved Web pages are time stamped to also be displayed, on another portion of the display screen, when predetermined related video content is displayed in the video window. As an alternative, the computer-based system receives the URLs directly through an Internet connection, at times specified by TV broadcasters in advance. The system interprets the URLs and retrieves the appropriate Web pages. The Web pages are synchronized to the video content for display in conjunction with a television program being broadcast to the user at that time. This alternative system allows the URLs to be entered for live transmission to the user.

Claims

1. A computer readable medium containing instructions for presenting a received programming signal and at least one corresponding related online information segment obtained from an online information source, by:

receiving an address identifying the online information source providing the online information segment related to the programming signal;

automatically establishing a communications link with the online information source;

automatically receiving the online information segment providing online content from the online information source related to the programming signal;

presenting the online information segment; and

presenting the programming signal.

2. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the programming signal is received via a transmission medium selected from the group consisting of:

the Internet, an intranet, radio frequency broadcast, a wireless connection, satellite broadcast, cable, fiber optics, a telephone circuit, a public network, and a private network.

3. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the programming signal comprises at least one of a form selected from the group consisting of:

a video signal, a combined audio and video signal, an audio signal, animation, text, graphics, multimedia, slow frame video, data, video stills, and a sequence of individual frames.

4. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the programming signal includes a news program and the online information segment contains additional information related to the news program.

5. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the programming signal includes an advertisement and the online information segment contains additional information related to the advertisement.

6. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the programming signal includes a sports program and the online information segment contains additional information related to the sports program.

7. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the programming signal includes an entertainment program and the online information segment contains additional information related to the entertainment program.

8. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the programming signal includes a music video and the online information segment contains additional information related to the music video.

9. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the programming signal includes music and the online information segment contains additional information related to the music.

10. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to a sports program.

11. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to an advertisement.

12. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to a game show program

13. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to a motion picture program.

14. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to a video program.

15. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to a live program.

16. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to an audio program.

17. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to a music video program.

18. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to a pre-recorded program.

19. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to a news program.

20. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the instructions further comprise storing information about a user in a data management storage device.

21. A computer readable medium as described in claim 20, wherein the user information includes user clicks made by the user on a user interface while using an online service source.

22. A computer readable medium as described in claim 20, wherein the received programming signal is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.

23. A computer readable medium as described in claim 20, wherein the received online content is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.

24. A computer readable medium as described in claim 20, wherein the received address is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.

25. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a sports program, an advertisement, a motion picture program, a game show program, a video program, a live program, an audio program, a music video program, a prerecorded program, a sitcom program, a non-commercial program, and a news program.

26. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to a polling question.

27. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the instructions further comprise establishing a chat interface, the chat interface facilitating interactive communications between a user and a second user.

28. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the instructions further comprise initializing an electronic mail interface, the electronic mail interface facilitating the sending and receiving of electronic messages to others.

29. A computer readable medium as described in claim 1, wherein the address is an Internet URL, the URL identifying the online information source.

30. A computer readable medium as described in claim 20, wherein information about a plurality of users is stored in the data management storage device.

31. A computer readable medium as described in claim 20, wherein the user information contains information selected from the group consisting of:

the geographic location of the user, clicks made by the user on a user interface while using an on line service source, user viewing habits, and demographics of the user.

32. A computer readable medium as described in claim 20, wherein the data management storage device is located at a location selected from the group consisting of:

a user station, a personal computer, a cable box, a cable head-end, a satellite receiver, an intranet site, a public network, a private network, and an Internet site.

33. A computer readable medium as described in claim 20, wherein the programming signal contains a predetermined advertisement and wherein selection of the predetermined advertisement is based, at least in part, on the user information.

34. A computer readable medium as described in claim 20, wherein the online content contains an advertisement and wherein the advertisement is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.

35. A computer readable medium as described in claim 20, wherein the programming signal contains a graphics segment and wherein the graphics segment is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.