System and method for providing television services

• US 20030159142A1
• Filed: 01/02/2003
• Published: 08/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Howe, Wayne R., Danner, Fred Thomas III, Mauney, John R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,819,758 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25808 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 21/4383 Accessing a communication channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4384 involving operations to reduce the access time, e.g. fast-tuning for reducing channel switching latency
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44222 Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4722 for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4725 using interactive regions of the image, e.g. hot spots details of information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6332 directed to client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6547 comprising parameters, e.g. for client setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8133 specifically related to the content, e.g. biography of the actors in a movie, detailed information about an article seen in a video program
• 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 21/8545 for generating interactive applications
• 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 5/44 : Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/50 : Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 : Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

A system and method are described for providing interactive television services and for switching between television programs, such as to an interactive program session from another program. An interactive server, capable of providing requested interactive video services to a set of subscribers in a given geographic area, is coupled to a network to which subscriber set top boxes are also coupled. Television programming, which may be furnished by any number of sources, is accompanied by a signal that indicates the availability of other programming, such as interactive television service related to the program being viewed, as well as information to be used in requesting such service. The user, when notified by this signal, may input to the set top box a request for a second program, such as an interactive program or application. The identity of the original program channel is stored, and a session with the video service provider is established over the network. When the session is terminated, the set top box re-tunes the television signal to the original program channel.

Claims

1. A device for switching from a first program transmitted over a first channel to a second program transmitted over a second channel upon receiving a signal indicating the availability of the second program and upon selection by a user, comprising:

a receiving set, having at least one receiver, for receiving the program on the first channel, and for receiving the signal indicating availability of the second program, and capable of being adjusted from receiving the first program on the first channel to receiving the second program over the second channel; and

a processor, coupled to the receiving set and adapted to receive a selection signal originating with the user, the processor being programmed to process transmissions received by the receiving set to detect the signal indicating the availability of the second program, and to cause the receiving set to adjust to the second channel to receive the second program upon receiving a selection signal from the user.

2. The device of claim 1, in which the signal indicating the availability of the second channel is included in the first program transmission, wherein the processor is further programmed to derive the signal indicating the availability of the second program channel from the first program transmission.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the signal indicating the availability of the second program is included in a vertical blanking interval of the first program transmission, the processor being further programmed to derive the signal indicating the availability of the second program channel from the vertical blanking interval of the first program.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the signal indicating the availability of the second program is included in an image carried in the first program transmission.

5. The device of claim 2, in which the processor is coupled to a network, and a video service provider coupled to the network is capable of sending to the device a signal indicating the identity of the second channel and sending the second program over the second channel in response to a request, and in which the signal indicating the availability of the second program channel includes an address, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

send a request over the network to the video service provider;

receive a channel identity from the video service provider over the network; and

cause the receiving set to adjust to the second channel for receiving the second program.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the second program is an interactive program.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a memory means coupled to the processor, and wherein the processor is further programmed to:

store the identity of the channel of the first television program in the memory means prior to causing the receiver to adjust to the second channel;

retrieve the identity of the first channel from the memory means at a desired time; and

cause the receiving set to re-adjust to the first channel to receive the first program.

8. A device for allowing a viewer to switch a display device from a first program transmitted over a first channel to a second program transmitted over a second channel upon receiving a signal indicating the availability of the second program, the device coupled to a display means, comprising:

a receiving set, having at least one receiver, for receiving a program on the first channel, and for receiving the signal indicating availability of the second program and capable of being adjusted from receiving the first program on the first channel to receiving the second program over the second channel;

means for receiving a viewer request that the device switch to the second program; and

a processor, coupled to the receiver, to the means for receiving a viewer request, and to the display means, and programmed to;

process transmissions received by the receiving set to detect the signal indicating the availability of the second program;

generate a message indicative of the availability of the second program and display the message on the display means;

receive a viewer request that the device switch to the second program; and

upon receipt of the viewer request, cause the receiving set to adjust to the second channel to receive the second program.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the signal indicating the availability of the second program channel is included in the first program transmission, the processor being further programmed to:

derive the signal indicating the availability of the second program channel from the first program transmission.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the signal indicating the availability of the second program includes information for use in generating the message indicative of the availability of the second program, and wherein the processor is further programmed to generate the message indicative of the availability of the second program using the information present in the signal indicating the availability of the second program.

11. the device of claim 9, in which the processor is coupled to a network, the network is coupled to a video service provider capable of sending a signal indicating the identity of a second channel and of sending a program over the network on the second channel in response to a request, and in which the signal indicating the availability of the second program channel includes an address, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

derive the address from the signal indicating the availability of the second program channel;

assert a request containing the address to the video service provider over the network; and

receive the identity of the second channel from the video service provider over the network.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the second program is an interactive program.

13. The device of claim 8, further comprising at least one information storage device coupled to the processor.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein information for generating a message indicative of the availability of the second program, for display on the display means, is pre-stored in one of the at least one information storage devices, and wherein the processor is further programmed to generate the message using the pre-stored information.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

store the identity of the first channel in one of the at least one information storage devices prior to causing the receiving set to adjust to the second channel;

retrieve the identity of the first channel from the storage device at a desired time; and

cause the receiving set to re-adjust to the first channel to receive the first program.

16. A device for switching from a first program transmitted over a first channel to an interactive program transmitted over a second channel upon receiving a signal indicating the availability of the interactive program and upon selection by a viewer, the device coupled to a display means and coupled to a network, the network in turn coupled to a video service provider capable of providing the interactive program over the second channel, the device comprising:

a receiving set for receiving the first program and for receiving the signal indicating availability of the interactive program, the receiving set having at least one receiver and being coupled to the network, and capable of being adjusted from receiving the first program on the first channel to receiving the interactive program over the second channel; and

a processor adapted to receive a selection signal originating with the viewer, coupled to the receiving set and coupled to the network, the processor being programmed to;

process transmissions received by the receiving set to detect the signal indicating the availability of the interactive program; and

cause the receiving set to adjust to the second channel to receive the interactive program for viewing on the television upon receiving a selection signal from the viewer.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the signal indicating the availability of the interactive program channel is included in the first program transmission, and the processor is further programmed to derive the signal indicating the availability of the interactive program channel from the first program transmission.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the signal indicating availability of the interactive program channel is included in a vertical blanking interval of the first program transmission, the processor being further programmed to derive the signal indicating the availability of the second program channel from the vertical blanking interval of the first program.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the video service provider is capable of sending over the network to the device a signal indicating the identity of a second channel and the interactive program over the second channel in response to a request from the device, the signal indicating the availability of the interactive program channel including an identifying code, the processor further programmed to:

send over the network to the video service provider a request for the interactive program, the request including the identifying code;

receive a channel identity from the video service provider over the network; and

cause the receiving set to adjust to the second channel for receiving the second program.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the video service provider is capable of being accessed by a first message sent by the device including a first identifying code and of sending over the network to the device a second message including a second identifying code indicative of the location of the interactive program, and wherein the video service provider is also capable, upon receiving from the device a third message including the second address, of sending to the device a fourth message including the identity of a second channel and transmitting an interactive program associated with the first and second address over the network to the device, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

send over the network to the video service provider the first message including the first identifying code;

receive over the network from the video service provider the second message including the second identifying code, indicative of the location of the interactive program;

send over the network to the video service provider the third message including the second address, for requesting the interactive program;

receive over the network from the interactive server the fourth message including the identity of the second channel; and

adjust the receiving set to the second channel to receive the interactive program transmitted over the network by the video service provider.

21. A device for use with a display device to allow a viewer of a first program transmitted over a first channel to switch to a second channel to receive an interactive program on receipt of a signal indicative of at least the availability of an identifying code for the interactive program, the viewer being equipped with an input means for issuing the request, the device comprising:

a receiving set adapted for receiving transmissions on the first channel, for being adjusted from receiving transmissions over the first channel to receiving an interactive program over the second channel and, further, for receiving the transmission carrying the signal indicative of the availability of an identifying code for the second transmission;

means for receiving viewer input;

means for generating a video signal carrying a desired image and for combining that signal with a signal being received by the receiver for viewing on the display device;

processing means coupled to the receiving set, to the means for generating a video signal, and to the means for receiving viewer-input, and programmed to;

detect the signal indicative of the availability of an identifying code for the interactive program;

cause the means for generating a video signal to generate a signal indicative of the availability of the interactive program and combine that signal with the signal being received by the receiving set;

detect a signal received by the means for receiving viewer input indicative of a viewer request to view the second transmission; and

cause the receiving set to adjust to the second channel to receive the interactive program for viewing on the display device.

22. The device of claim 21, further comprising a memory means coupled to the processor and wherein information for use in generating a visual indication of the availability of the interactive program is stored in the memory means, and the means for generating a video signal for display on the display device indicative of the availability of the interactive program transforms the information stored in the memory means in order to generate the visual indication of the availability of the interactive program.

23. The device of claim 21, further comprising memory means coupled to the processor and wherein the processor is further adapted to store the identity of the first channel prior to causing the receiving set to adjust to the second channel to receive the interactive program.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the processor is further programmed to retrieve the identity of the first channel upon termination of the interactive program, and to cause the receiving set to re-adjust to receive the first transmission on the first channel for viewing on the display device.

25. A method for allowing a viewer equipped with a television signal receiving device coupled to a display device to switch between a first television program on a first channel and a second television program on a second channel, wherein a signal transmitted in association with the first television program indicates that the second television program is available, wherein the viewer is equipped to receive the second television program upon request, and wherein the television signal receiving device is adapted for receiving viewer requests, comprising the steps of:

a. receiving the first television program;

b. receiving the signal transmitted in association with the first television program indicating the availability of the second television program;

c. generating an image, based on receipt of the signal indicating the availability of the second television program, for displaying on the display device to notify the television viewer of that availability;

d. receiving a viewer request to switch to the second program; and

e. switching to the second channel to receive the second program.

26. The method of claim 25, in which the signal transmitted in association with the first television program is incorporated in the vertical blanking interval of that program, further comprising the step of deriving the signal from the vertical blanking interval after receiving that signal and prior to generating an image based on receipt of that signal.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of generating the image for display on the display device to indicate the availability of the second program includes operation only upon information in the signal transmitted in association with the first television program.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of generating the image for display on the display device includes only displaying the received signal, the image being present in the image of the first television program.

29. The method of claim 25 in which the television signal receiving device includes a memory, wherein the step of generating an image based on receipt of the signal indicating the second television program is available includes reading information from the memory and using the information read from memory in generating the image.

30. A method for switching between a television program and an interactive program, wherein the television program signal is accompanied by a signal carrying a message providing an identification code for an associated interactive program available on an interactive server on a network, and the viewer is equipped with a means for receiving the television signal, a means for receiving the message indicating that an interactive program is available, a display means, a means for generating and overlaying an image on the display means, an information storage means, a means coupled to the network for communicating with the interactive server, and an input means coupled to the means for communicating with the interactive server for requesting the interactive television program, comprising the steps of:

a. receiving the television program signal;

b. receiving the signal carrying the message providing the interactive program identification code;

c. generating an image for display on the television screen indicative of the availability of an interactive program;

d. receiving a signal from the input means requesting the interactive program;

e. storing the identity of the channel on which the television program is transmitted in a storage medium for later retrieval;

f. establishing communication with the interactive server over the network using the identification code;

g. receiving the interactive program over the network from the interactive server;

h. terminating communication with the interactive server upon the earlier of the termination of the interactive program or a viewer request to terminate;

i. retrieving the identity of the television program channel from the information storage means; and

j. tuning the means for receiving television signals to the channel having the identity retrieved from the information storage means.

31. A system for providing video services to a set of viewers, including receiving program content from at least one Content Provider over at least one transmission path, receiving requests for services from viewers over a distribution system to which the system and the viewers are coupled, and providing program content to viewers who have requested such program content over the distribution system, comprising:

a switch for receiving and routing program transmissions from at least one Content Provider over the transmission media, and for receiving and routing viewer requests;

distribution system interface equipment coupled to the switch for allowing the switch to route program content to and receive requests from viewers over the distribution system; and

a server coupled to the switch for managing program content received from Content Providers and for processing viewer requests for content.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the distribution system interface equipment comprises a network controller, signal processing equipment coupled to the network Controller, and RF equipment coupled to the signal processing equipment.

33. The system of claim 31, further comprising at least one means for inserting information in program content received from the at least one Content Provider, the insertion means being coupled to the server.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the insertion means inserts into the program content information usable by a viewer to invoke services from the server.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein the program content transmission is a television signal and the insertion means inserts information in the vertical blanking interval of the television signal.

36. A system for providing programs and interactive programs to a set of viewers to which the system is coupled by a distribution system, including receiving programs from at least one program provider via a first transmission path, receiving interactive programs from at least one interactive program provider via a second transmission path, receiving over a distribution system to which the system and the viewer communications means are coupled viewer requests for interactive programs, and providing over the distribution system interactive programs to viewers who have requested such content, comprising:

a switch for receiving and routing program and interactive program transmissions from the at least one program provider over the transmission media, and for receiving and routing viewer requests;

distribution system interface equipment coupled to the switch for allowing the switch to route programs to and receive requests from viewers over the distribution system; and

an interactive server coupled to the switch for receiving and managing interactive programs received from interactive program providers and for responding to viewer requests for the interactive programs.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the distribution system interface equipment comprises a network controller, signal processing equipment, and RF equipment.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the distribution system interface equipment further comprises electrical/optical converting equipment.

39. The system of claim 36, wherein the interactive server comprises a processor programmed to:

receive from an interactive program provider a request for an identifying code corresponding to an interactive program;

assign an identifying code to an interactive program provided by an interactive program provider; and

transmit the identifying code to the interactive program provider over the first transmission path.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the interactive server further comprises a video storage device for storing interactive programs and a data storage device for storing identifying codes and data associating video storage device locations for the interactive programs with the corresponding identifying codes, and wherein the processor. is further programmed to:

receive the interactive program;

store the interactive program at a known location in the video storage device;

associate the identifying code for an interactive program with the location in the video storage device at which the interactive program is stored; and

store the association of the identifying code and the location in video storage in the data storage device.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

receive over the distribution system from a viewer a first message including an identifying code for an interactive program; and

send over the distribution system to the viewer a second message indicative of a channel on which the program will be transmitted to the viewer over the network; and

transmit the program over the distribution system to the subscriber over the indicated channel.

42. The system of claim 36, wherein the interactive server comprises a processor programmed to:

receive a request for an identifying code corresponding to an interactive program;

assign a common identifying code to an interactive program provided by an interactive program provider; and

transmit the common identifying code to the interactive program provider over the first transmission medium.

43. The claim of claim 42, wherein the interactive server further comprises a video storage device for storing interactive programs, and a data storage device for storing identifying codes and data associating video storage device locations for the interactive programs with the corresponding identifying codes, and wherein the processor is further programmed to:

associate in the data storage device the common identifying code with a program-specific identifying code callable by the viewer;

receive an interactive program from the program provider;

store the interactive program in one of the at least one information storage devices at a known location;

associate the program-specific identifying code with the location of the interactive program in video storage device;

receive over the distribution system from a viewer a first message including a common identifying code indicative of the location in the data storage device of the program-specific identifying code and also including the identity of the channel to which the viewer is tuned;

retrieve with the common identifying code the program-specific identifying code and send over the distribution system to the viewer a second message indicative of the program-specific identifying code;

send over the network to the viewer a third message including the program-specific identifying code;

send over the distribution system to the viewer a fourth message indicative of a channel on which the program will be transmitted to the viewer over the network; and

transmit the program to the viewer over the distribution on the indicated channel.

44. A method for identifying to television viewers, during transmission of a first television program, that a second television program associated with the first television program is available, comprising the steps of:

generating a signal identifying the availability of the second television program; and

transmitting the signal identifying the availability of the second television program in coordination with the first television program during at least one portion of the first television program when the second television program is available for viewing.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the signal identifying the availability of the second television program is transmitted in the vertical blanking interval of the first television program.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the signal identifying the availability of the second television program is transmitted over an out-of-band transmission path.

47. A method for identifying to viewers, during transmission of a first television program, that an interactive program associated with the first television program is available to viewers that are subscribers of a video service provider, including the steps of:

transmitting to the video service provider the interactive program;

receiving from the video service provider an identifying code associated with the interactive program;

generating a signal including the identifying code associated with the interactive program for use in accessing the interactive program; and

transmitting the signal including the identifying code in coordination with the first television program during at least one portion of the first television program when the interactive television program is available for viewing.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the signal including an identifying code is transmitted in the vertical blanking interval of the first television program.

49. The method of claim 47, wherein the signal including an identifying code is transmitted over an out-of-band transmission path.

50. A method of operating a video service system for delivering a program over a network to a subscriber upon request, the video service system including an information storage device, comprising the steps of:

receiving over a network from a subscriber a first message including a first identifying code indicative of the location in the information storage device of a program;

sending over the network to the subscriber a second message indicative of a channel on which the program will be transmitted to the subscriber over the network; and

transmitting the program to the subscriber over the indicated channel.

51. The method of claim 50, further comprising the steps of:

generating a remove button message; and

transmitting the remove button message to the subscriber.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the remove button message is transmitted to the subscriber in the vertical blanking interval of the interactive program.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein the remove button message is transmitted to the subscriber via out-of-band signalling.

54. A method of operating a video service system for delivering a program over a network to a subscriber upon request, the video service system including an information storage device, comprising-the steps of:

receiving over a network from a subscriber a first message including a first identifying code indicative of the location in an information storage device of a second address;

retrieving from the information storage device, at the location indicated by the first identifying code, the second identifying code;

sending over the network to the subscriber a second message including the second identifying code;

receiving from the subscriber a third message including the second identifying code;

transmitting to the subscriber a message indicating the identity of a channel on which the program will be delivered; and

transmitting to the subscriber the program over the indicated channel.

55. A method of operating a video service system for delivering a program originating with a Content Provider over a network to a subscriber upon request, the video service system including at least one information storage device, comprising the steps of:

receiving a request for an identifying code from a Content Provider;

providing an identifying code, associated with a location in the information storage device, to the Content Provider;

receiving a program from the Content Provider;

storing the program in an information storage device at a known location;

associating the identifying code with the location of the program in an information storage device;

receiving over a network from a subscriber a first message including an identifying code indicative of the location in the information storage device of a program;

sending over the network to the subscriber a second message indicative of a channel on which the program will be transmitted to the subscriber over the network; and

transmitting the program to the subscriber over the indicated channel.

56. A method of operating a video service system for delivering a program originating with a Content Provider over a network to a subscriber upon request, the video service system including at least one information storage device, comprising the steps of:

a. receiving a request for an identifying code from a Content Provider;

b. providing a common identifying code, associated with a location in one of the at least one information storage devices, to the Content Provider in response to the request;

c. associating in one of the at least one information storage devices in a video service system the common identifying code with a program-specific identifying code callable by the subscriber;

d. receiving the program from the Content Provider;

e. storing the program in one of the at least one information storage devices at a known location;

f. associating the program-specific identifying code with the location of the program in one of the at least one information storage devices;

g. receiving over the network from a subscriber a first message including a common identifying code indicative of the location in the appropriate information storage device of the program-specific identifying code;

h. sending over the network to the subscriber a second message indicative of the program-specific identifying code;

i. receiving over the network from the subscriber a third message including the program-specific identifying code;

j. sending over the network to the subscriber a fourth message indicative of a channel on which the program will be transmitted to the subscriber over the network; and

k. transmitting the program to the subscriber over the indicated channel.