Simulcast of interactive signals with a conventional video signal

• US 5,585,858 A
• Filed: 08/12/1994
• Issued: 12/17/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: OpenTV, Inc. (Kudelski SA)
• Original Assignee: ACTV, Inc. (Kudelski SA)
• Inventors: Harper, Gregory W., Freeman, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Metjahic, Safet
• Application Number:
  US08/289,499
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 348/473-486, 348/460, 348/461, 348/462, 348/465, 348/468, 348/552, 348/563, 348/564, 348/569, 348/589, 348/600, 348/578, 348/13, 348/12, 348/10, 348/6, 348/16, 348/121, 348/9, 395/155, 395/161, 395/153, 395/154, 455/5.1, 434/307 R, 434/323, 434/335, 434/350
• US Class Current: 348/485
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/065 Combinations of audio and video presentations, e.g. videotapes, videodiscs, television systems
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/14 with provision for individual teacher-student communication
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/04 characterised by modifying the teaching programme in response to a wrong answer, e.g. repeating the question, supplying a further explanation
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/28 Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/30 by a single channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/38 Arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers, interact with the broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/07 characterised by processes or methods for the generation
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/27 Arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/45 for identifying users
• 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 21/4351 involving reassembling additional data, e.g. rebuilding an executable program from recovered modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4758 for providing answers, e.g. voting
• 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 21/8541 involving branching, e.g. to different story endings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/025 Systems for the transmission of digital non-picture data, e.g. of text during the active part of a television frame transmission of digital non-picture data during the vertical blanking interval only H04N7/088
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/04 Systems for the transmission of one television signal, i.e. both picture and sound, by a single carrier H04N7/084, H04N7/087 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A system for simulcasting a fully interactive program with a normal conventional program in the same standard video signal bandwidth. It allows active participation by subscribers who have interactive components connected to a television or personal computer display, as well as normal viewing of the conventional program by viewers with conventional television sets. Interactive participants are not limited to any particular reception system. Users can participate using an interactive program box connected to a standard television set or with a multimedia personal computer with an interactive board. An important feature is that interactivity is offered as an option, without any degradation or interruption in program content to users who choose not to interact or do not have the interactive components. Interactivity is personalized through the use of alternative audio responses and/or graphic displays. The interactive elements are presented to the subscriber either immediately after subscriber entry, later during the program at predetermined times, and/or at transparent "trigger points". At trigger points, program content is subtly altered to present specialized attention to each interactive subscriber viewing the displayed programming. Interactive programs viewable over the simulcast system include both live broadcasts as well as recorded programs. Interactive audio and graphics elements can be provided as part of the transmitted video signal bandwidth using efficient one way techniques or from local or external storage. The interactive innovative features are not limited to conventional cable or television broadcast or any particular transmission means or transmission format, and can be analog or digital.

Claims

1. A fully interactive system for receiving an interactive program signal simulcasting an interactive program and a conventional television program, both programs provided with one conventional television video signal, to multiple subscriber locations permitting authorized interactive subscribers to interact with and receive different and personalized responses from the interactive program and noninteractive subscribers to view and listen to a conventional television program, the system comprising:

at least one means for receiving the interactive program signal, wherein the interactive program signal contains a plurality of audio channels, graphics data, control data, a standard video signal and standard audio signal, wherein the control data contains branching codes and trigger points, and whereby the branching codes provide for the linking of one or more audio segments to form a complete and personalized message;

at least one means for displaying the standard video signal,

at least one interactive program means, connected to the receiving means and display means, for permitting authorized interactive subscribers to interact with and receive different personalized responses, comprising;

a means for demodulating the standard video and standard audio signal;

means for extracting, connected to the demodulating means, the plurality of audio channels and graphics and control data from the interactive program signal, wherein each audio channel comprises one or more audio segments;

means for storing the graphics and control data, wherein the graphics comprises graphics codes designating at least one interrogatory message;

means for gathering at least one subscriber entry;

program selection means, operably connected to the storage means and extracting means, for reading the control data, controlling operation of the interactive program means, and selecting a personalized response at predetermined trigger points, whereby the trigger point initiates the selection of the personalized response corresponding to an interactive event for presentation to the subscriber, comprising;

means for selecting one or more audio segments or graphics messages to form a personalized audio or graphics response, whereby the subscriber entry and branching codes are used in each branch in formulating the personalized audio or graphics response;

a graphics generator, connected to the program selection means, for presenting graphics messages on the display means; and

means for interactively presenting the standard video and standard audio and the personalized audio or graphics response to the interactive subscribers so that interactive subscribers fully interact with the program to alter program content and interact uniquely and differently from other interactive subscribers to receive personalized responses while noninteractive subscribers continue to receive a conventional television program.

2. The fully interactive system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of audio channels, standard video signal and standard audio signal, and graphics and control data of the interactive program signal are analog and embedded in a standard NTSC video signal and the extracting means comprises means for removing the plurality of audio channels and graphics and control data from the standard NTSC video signal.

3. The fully interactive system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of audio channels, standard video signal and standard audio signal, and graphics and control data are digitally encoded and combined in a composite digital interactive signal and the receiving means further comprises:

means for demultiplexing the plurality of audio channels, standard video signal and standard audio signal, and data from the composite digital interactive signal.

4. The fully interactive system of claim 1 wherein the interactive program is a recorded program to be received at a later time.

5. The fully interactive system of claim 1 wherein the program selection means directs the storage means to store one or more previous subscriber entries and wherein the program selection means comprises means for processing the previous subscriber entries along with the current subscriber entry so that a selection is based on prior subscriber entries, the current subscriber entry and the codes in formulating the personalized audio or graphics response.

6. The fully interactive system of claim 1 wherein the program selection means directs the storage means to store one or more previous subscriber entries and wherein the program selection means comprises means for processing the previous subscriber entries along with the current subscriber entry for determining the next graphics message to overlay onto the video signal.

7. The fully interactive system of claim 1 wherein the means for gathering a subscriber entry comprises:

a remote controller, comprising;

means for entering subscriber entry;

means for preparing a return signal to represent the subscriber entry; and

means for transmitting the subscriber entry to the interactive program box.

8. The fully interactive system of claim 1 wherein each channel of the plurality of channels comprises a sequence of audio response segments separated in time, with each audio response segment concurrent with audio segments in other channels thereby forming an array of audio response segments and the program selection means comprises means for picking an audio response segment from the entire array of audio response segments so that the quantity of the selectable personalized audio response segments is greater than the quantity of the plurality of audio channels.

9. An interactive program production system used for creating a single composite interactive signal to multiple subscribers, the composite interactive signal simulcasting both a conventional television program and a fully interactive program, both programs provided in a conventional television bandwidth to multiple subscribers, comprising:

means for creating a conventional video signal comprising a standard audio and standard video;

means for generating graphics data, the data being used for identifying graphics characters that are to be overlaid on the video at predetermined points in time;

means for providing a plurality of audio channels, the audio channels comprising audio segments, the audio segments being of substantially equal length in time and related in content to each other;

means for creating control data comprising codes, whereby the codes are used for initiating, controlling, and branching between the plurality of audio channels at predetermined trigger points, whereby the trigger point initiates the selection of a personalized response corresponding to an interactive event for presentation to the subscriber;

means for combining the conventional video signal, control data and plurality of audio channels into a single composite interactive signal; and

means for transmitting the single composite interactive signal to multiple subscribers.

10. The interactive program production system of claim 9, the unit further comprising:

means for digitally encoding the conventional video signal and plurality of audio channels; and

means for multiplexing the control and graphics data, the plurality of audio channels and the conventional video signal into a single composite digital interactive signal.

11. The interactive program production system of claim 9 wherein the conventional video signal, graphics and control data and plurality of audio channels are analog and the combining means comprises means for embedding the graphics and control data, and plurality of audio channels into the conventional video signal.

12. The interactive program production system of claim 9 wherein the conventional video signal comprises a vertical blanking interval and the embedding means comprises means for inserting the graphics and control data and plurality of audio channels into the vertical blanking interval of the conventional video signal.

13. The interactive program production system of claim 9 wherein the transmission means comprises a television broadcasting means.

14. The interactive program production system of claim 9 wherein the transmission means comprises a cable means.

15. The interactive program production system of claim 9 wherein the transmission means comprises a satellite broadcast means.

16. The interactive program production system of claim 9 wherein the means for providing a plurality of audio channels comprises a means for linking a sequence of audio response segments in each channel forming an array of stacked audio segments so that the quantity of selectable audio response segments is greater than the quantity of the plurality of audio channels.

17. The interactive program production system of claim 9 further comprising a means for recording the composite interactive signal for later transmission.

18. The interactive program production system of claim 9 wherein the composite interactive signal comprises a live program.

19. An interactive program production system used for creating a single composite interactive signal to multiple subscribers, the composite interactive signal simulcasting both a conventional television program and a fully interactive program, both programs provided in a conventional television bandwidth to multiple subscribers, comprising:

means for creating a conventional video signal comprising a standard audio and standard video;

means for generating graphics data, the data being used for identifying graphics characters that are to be overlaid on the video at predetermined points in time including means for generating a first graphic interrogatory question to overlay the conventional video signal if the fully interactive program is being simulcast;

means for providing a plurality of graphic channels, the graphic channels comprising graphic segments responsive to the first graphic interrogatory, the graphic segments being of substantially equal length in time and related in content to each other;

means for creating control data comprising codes, whereby the codes are used for initiating, controlling, and branching between a plurality of audio channels and the graphic channels at predetermined trigger points, whereby the trigger point initiates the selection of a personalized response corresponding to an interactive event for presentation to the subscriber;

means for combining the conventional video signal, control data and plurality of graphic channels into a single composite interactive signal; and

means for transmitting the single composite interactive signal to multiple subscribers.

20. The interactive program production system of Claim 19 wherein the system is used to simulcast a sporting event in a conventional and an interactive format, the means for generating a first graphic interrogatory being used to enable selection by an interactive subscriber of statistics for a particular player or team and the means for generating a plurality of graphic channels being used to provide the statistics selected in response to the interrogatory question.

21. The interactive program production system of claim 19 further comprising means for providing a plurality of audio channels, the audio channels comprising audio segments related in time and content to the plurality of graphic channels, the audio segments being of substantially equal length in time and related in content to each other;

and wherein the combining means comprises means for combining the conventional video signal, control data and plurality of audio and graphic channels into a single composite interactive signal.

22. An interactive program production system used for creating a single composite interactive signal to multiple subscribers, the composite interactive signal simulcasting both a conventional television program and a fully interactive program, both programs provided in a conventional television bandwidth, to multiple subscribers, comprising:

means for creating a conventional video signal comprising a standard audio and standard video;

means for generating graphics data, the data being used for identifying graphics characters that are to be overlaid on the video at predetermined points in time including means for generating a first graphic interrogatory question to overlay the conventional video signal if the fully interactive program is being simulcast;

means for providing a plurality of graphic channels, the graphic channels comprising graphic segments responsive to the first graphic interrogatory, the graphic segments being of substantially equal length in time and related in content to each other;

means for providing a plurality of audio channels, the audio channels comprising audio segments related in time and content to the plurality of graphic channels, the audio segments being of substantially equal length in time and related in content to each other;

means for creating control data comprising codes, whereby the codes are used for initiating, controlling, and branching between the plurality of audio and graphic channels at predetermined trigger points, whereby the trigger point initiates the selection of an audio segment corresponding to an interactive event for presentation to the subscriber;

means for combining the conventional video signal, control data and plurality of audio and graphic channels into a single composite interactive signal; and

means for transmitting the single composite interactive signal to multiple subscribers.

23. The interactive program production system of claim 22 wherein the system is used to simulcast a sporting event in a conventional and an interactive format, the means for generating a first graphic interrogatory being used to enable selection by an interactive subscriber of statistics for a particular player or team;

the means for generating a plurality of graphic channels being used to provide the statistics selected in response to the interrogatory question; and

the means for providing a plurality of audio channels being used to provide a voice response reading or commenting on the statistics chosen which can be the voice of the player or owner of the team whose statistics were requested in the response to the interrogatory question.

24. An interactive program production system used for creating a single composite interactive signal to multiple subscribers, the composite interactive signal simulcasting both a conventional television program and a fully interactive program, both programs provided in a conventional television bandwidth to multiple subscribers, comprising:

means for creating a conventional video signal, wherein the conventional video signal contains standard audio and standard video;

means for generating graphics data, the data being used for identifying graphics characters that are to be overlaid on the video at predetermined points in time;

means for providing a plurality of interactive video channels, the video channels comprising video segments, the video segments being of substantially equal length in time and related in content to each other;

means for creating control data comprising codes, whereby the codes are used for initiating, controlling, and branching between the plurality of interactive video channels at predetermined trigger points, whereby the trigger point initiates the selection of a personalized response corresponding to an interactive event for presentation to the subscriber;

means for combining the conventional video signal, control data and plurality of interactive video channels into a single composite interactive signal; and

means for transmitting the single composite interactive signal to multiple subscribers, each of the subscribers having a means to receive the conventional video signal and at least one of the subscribers having means to receive the interactive video signal with the ability to switch between the plurality of video channels.

25. The interactive program production system of claim 24 wherein the system is used to simulcast a sporting event in a conventional and an interactive format, wherein the means for generating graphics data includes means for generating a first graphic interrogatory question to overlay the conventional video signal if the fully interactive program is being simulcast to enable selection by an interactive subscriber of different angles of play, a close-up of a particular player or team or a replay of the last play and the means for generating a plurality of interactive video channels is used to provide the video channel which displays the selection selected in response to the interrogatory question.

26. A method for offering a single composite interactive program signal for simulcasting an interactive program and a conventional program both within a conventional television bandwidth to multiple subscriber homes, the method comprising the steps of:

packaging the single composite interactive program signal, wherein the packaged composite interactive program signal contains a plurality of audio channels, graphics data and control data and a standard video signal and standard audio signal, and wherein the control data contains branching codes which include trigger points, the trigger points defining the moments during the presentation of the program when an interactive response is presented to the subscribers;

transmitting the single composite interactive program signal to at least one receive site location;

receiving the single composite interactive program signal;

extracting the audio channels, graphics data and control data from the single composite interactive program signal;

storing the graphics data and control data;

generating graphics characters, the graphics characters comprising at least one interrogatory message;

overlaying the graphics characters onto portions of the standard video signal to obtain a resulting video signal;

displaying the resulting video signal on a display monitor;

gathering a subscriber entry to the graphics interrogatory message;

branching between the plurality of audio channels to form a personalized audio response, whereby the subscriber entry and branching codes are used in formulating the personalized audio response with the branching algorithm providing a more individualized response by storing each subscriber entry in memory and personalizing the audio response based on a plurality of subscriber responses;

presenting the personalized response to the subscriber at the trigger points, whereby each subscriber interacts with the interactive program individually and differently from other subscribers, with each subscriber receiving a unique personalized audio response.

27. An interactive home entertainment and educational system for receiving a fully interactive program signal, the fully interactive program signal transmitted in a single standard television broadcast bandwidth, the system comprising:

at least one means for receiving the interactive program signal, wherein the interactive program signal contains a plurality of audio channels comprising audio segments, control data and a video signal, and wherein the interactive program signal is carried in a single standard television broadcast bandwidth, wherein the control data contains branching codes and trigger points, and whereby the branching codes provide for the linking of one or more audio segments to form a complete and personalized message;

at least one means for displaying the video signal;

at least one interactive program box, connected to the receiving and display means, for permitting authorized interactive subscribers to interact with and receive different personalized responses, comprising;

means for extracting, connected to the receiving means, the plurality of audio channels and data;

means for storing a plurality of graphics interrogatory messages;

means for gathering a subscriber entry;

a program selection means, connected to the extracting means and storage means, for selecting personalized graphics interrogatory messages from the plurality of graphics interrogatory messages and an audio response, comprising at least one personalized audio segment from the plurality of audio channels, both selections occurring at predetermined trigger points, whereby the trigger point initiates the selection of an audio segment corresponding to an interactive event for presentation to the subscriber comprising;

means for processing previous subscriber entries along with the current subscriber entry for determining a graphics interrogatory message;

means for formulating a personalized audio response comprising at least one audio segment, wherein the audio response is chosen as a function of a most current subscriber entry and at least one previous subscriber entry;

a graphics generator, connected to the program selection means, for overlaying the selected graphics interrogatory message onto the video signal; and

a means for presenting the personalized audio response to the subscribers thereby allowing each subscriber to fully interact uniquely and differently from other subscribers at other subscriber locations.

28. The interactive home entertainment and educational system of claim 27 wherein the plurality of audio channels, video signal, and data of the interactive program signal are analog and embedded in a standard NTSC video signal and the extracting means comprises means for removing the plurality of audio channels and graphics and control data from the standard NTSC video signal.

29. The interactive home entertainment and educational system of claim 27 wherein the plurality of audio channels, video signal, and data are digitally encoded and combined in a composite digital interactive signal and the receiving means further comprises:

means for demultiplexing the plurality of audio channels, video signal and data from the composite digital interactive signal; and

means for converting the demultiplexed audio channels and the demultiplexed video signal into analog signal.

30. The interactive home entertainment and educational system of claim 27 wherein each channel of the plurality of audio channels comprises a sequence of audio response segments separated in time, with each audio response segment concurrent with audio segments in other channels thereby forming an array of audio response segments and the program selection means comprises means for picking an audio response segment from the entire array of audio response segments so that the quantity of the selectable personalized audio response segments is greater than the quantity of the plurality of audio channels.