Method and apparatus for interactive television through use of menu windows

• US 5,404,393 A
• Filed: 09/28/1992
• Issued: 04/04/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Raquel Velasco
• Original Assignee: Viscorp
• Inventors: Remillard, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Wing F.
• Application Number:
  US07/952,434
• Time in Patent Office: 918 Days
• Field of Search: 379/90, 379/92, 379/93, 379/96-98, 379/110, 379/53, 379/54, 358/84-86, 358/142, 358/143, 358/183, 358/192.1, 358/194.1, 178/18, 178/19, 340/707, 340/712, 340/825.22
• US Class Current: 379/93.25
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/085 using a television receiver, e.g. viewdata system
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00283 with a television apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2747 Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
• 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 7/002 Special television systems not provided for by H04N7/007 - H04N7/18 still pictures via a television channel H04N1/00098

Abstract

An electronic device and method for accessing remote electronic facilities and displaying associated information on a conventional television set. The electronic device self-configures itself upon power-up or reset by initiating a data call to a configuring facility. Information related to available facilities and programming, autonomous mail checking is downloaded to the electronic device. The electronic device displays a menu including several user selectable facilities on the display for a user. The user chooses one of the options from the menu by use of a remote keypad control, similar to a conventional television remote control. The options available include printing, electronic mail and other news and information services. Interfacing the electronic device with a stylus-type pointing device permits sketching and drawing on the television, including superposition of images on captured television images. Captured images of graphics or text are optionally stored or forwarded to a user through a mail facility accessed through operation of the system.

Claims

1. A method for interfacing a television to a selected one of a plurality of electronic facilities, said method comprising the steps of:

calling, upon application of power to an electronic device coupled to the television, a host computer from said electronic device through a modem coupled to a telephone network and coupled to said electronic device, to establish a first data communication link between said electronic device and said host computer via said telephone network and said modem;

transferring configuration data from said host computer to said electronic device via said first data communication link;

thereafter

breaking said first data communication link;

assembling from said configuration data a menu listing a plurality of titles identifying said plurality of electronic facilities;

thereafter

overlaying said menu over a background image on a screen of the television;

accepting, at a remote keyboard, an operator input specifying said selected one of said plurality of facilities;

transmitting, from said remote keyboard to an IR detector coupled to said electronic device, an infrared signal responsive to said operator input;

detecting said infrared signal at said IR detector;

thereafter

calling said host computer from said electronic device via said modem and said telephone network, thereby establishing a second data communication link between said host computer and said electronic device via said modem and said telephone network; and

thereafter

connecting said electronic device to said selected one facility via said second data communication link and said host computer.