Method and apparatus for internet-based interactive programming
First Claim
1. A method for creating and transmitting an interactive program over a communications network, comprising:
- operably coupling a moderator server to the communications network;
operably coupling a moderator client to the moderator server via the communications network;
operably coupling a plurality of viewer clients to the moderator server via the communications network;
receiving by the moderator server a user selection of one of a plurality of interactive program templates, each interactive program template being associated with a theme;
receiving participant comment signals by the moderator server via the communications network from the plurality of viewer clients;
transmitting by the moderator server via the communications network to the moderator client the participant comment signals;
receiving edited participant comment signals and moderator signals by the moderator server via the communications network from the moderator client;
generating interactive program signals by the moderator server using the selected interactive program template, edited participant comment signals, and the moderator signals; and
transmitting by the moderator server via the communications network to the plurality of viewer clients the interactive program signals.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for the creation of interactive programming incorporating viewer interactions. An interactive program includes moderator content generated by the moderator and edited participant commentary, such as interactive messages, and is served by a moderator server. Moderators create and manage interactive programs using a Web site. Viewers register to be participants in interactive programs using the Web site as well. The interactive programs can be distributed as electronic documents written in a markup language such as HTML or XML over a communications network such as the Internet. The interactive programs can also be converted to conventional interactive television content for distribution over an interactive television network. The interactive programs can also be distributed over a virtual private network for use as a collaboration tool by an enterprise such as a business concern. The interactive programs require few processing resources so the interactive programs can be embedded within other Web processes such as electronic commerce and television commerce transactions.
158 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for creating and transmitting an interactive program over a communications network, comprising:
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operably coupling a moderator server to the communications network;
operably coupling a moderator client to the moderator server via the communications network;
operably coupling a plurality of viewer clients to the moderator server via the communications network;
receiving by the moderator server a user selection of one of a plurality of interactive program templates, each interactive program template being associated with a theme;
receiving participant comment signals by the moderator server via the communications network from the plurality of viewer clients;
transmitting by the moderator server via the communications network to the moderator client the participant comment signals;
receiving edited participant comment signals and moderator signals by the moderator server via the communications network from the moderator client;
generating interactive program signals by the moderator server using the selected interactive program template, edited participant comment signals, and the moderator signals; and
transmitting by the moderator server via the communications network to the plurality of viewer clients the interactive program signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A data processing system adapted for creating and transmitting an interactive program to a plurality of viewer clients using a moderator client, the plurality of viewer clients and the moderator client operably coupled to the data processing system by a communications network, the data processing system comprising:
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a processor; and
a memory operably coupled to the processor and having program instructions stored therein, the processor being operable to execute the program instructions, the program instructions including;
receiving a user selection of one of a plurality of interactive program templates, each interactive program template being associated with a theme;
receiving participant comment signals from the plurality of viewer clients via the communications network;
transmitting the participant comment signals to the moderator client via the communications network;
receiving edited participant comment signals and moderator signals from the moderator client via the communications network;
generating interactive program signals using the selected interactive program template, edited participant comment signals and the moderator signals; and
transmitting the interactive program signals to the plurality of viewer clients via the communications network. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer-readable medium embodying program instructions for execution by a computer, the program instructions adapting a computer for creating and transmitting an interactive program to a plurality of viewer clients using a moderator client, the plurality of viewer clients and the moderator client operably coupled to the computer by a communications network, the program instructions comprising:
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receiving from the moderator client a user selection of one of a plurality of interactive program templates, each interactive program template being associated with a theme;
receiving participant comment signals from the plurality of viewer clients via the communications network;
transmitting the participant comment signals to the moderator client via the communications network;
receiving edited participant comment signals and moderator signals from the moderator client via the communications network;
generating interactive program signals using the edited participant comment signals and the moderator signals; and
transmitting the interactive program signals to the plurality of viewer clients via the communications network. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification