Compressed digital data interactive program system

• US 5,724,091 A
• Filed: 05/18/1995
• Issued: 03/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: OpenTV, Inc. (Kudelski SA)
• Original Assignee: ACTV, Inc. (Kudelski SA)
• Inventors: Freeman, Michael J., Harper, Gregory W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Flynn, Nathan J..
• Application Number:
  US08/443,607
• Time in Patent Office: 1,020 Days
• Field of Search: 348/6, 348/7, 348/8, 348/9, 348/10, 348/12, 348/13, 348/14, 348/15, 348/16, 348/17, 348/725, 348/726, 455/2, 455/3.1, 455/3.3, 455/4.1, 455/4.2, 455/5.1, 455/6.1, 455/6.2, 455/6.3
• US Class Current: 725/138
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/103 Transmitter-side switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/106 Receiver-side switching
• 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 20/81 combined with telephone network over which the broadcast is continuously available
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/95 characterised by a specific format, e.g. an encoded audio stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/33 Arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 11/042 Codec means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23424 involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for inserting or substituting an advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2365 Multiplexing of several video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4263 involving specific tuning arrangements, e.g. two tuners
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4347 Demultiplexing of several video streams
• 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 21/44004 involving video buffer management, e.g. video decoder buffer or video display buffer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44016 involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for substituting a video clip
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; 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 21/454 Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/643 : Communication protocols network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP], H04L65/65
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• 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 7/0806 : the signals being two or more video signals H04N7/0803, H04N7/081 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0882 : for the transmission of character code signals, e.g. for teletext circuits for the digital non-picture data signal H04N7/035
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/10 : Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable H04N7/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 : with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17354 : in an intermediate station common to a plurality of user terminals

Abstract

An interactive cable television system is disclosed which utilizes a standard cable television distribution network for simultaneously providing a plurality of viewers with an interactive television program comprising a plurality of signals related in time and content. Video signals are transmitted in a digital format, more than one signal being multiplexed onto a data stream on a single channel. The video signals may be compressed for efficiency. A receiver, in conjunction with a signal selector, selects a particular NTSC channel for playback, then selects a particular video signal from the data stream, and decompresses the video signal for playback. Seamless switching between video signals on different channels is provided. An alternative embodiment is disclosed wherein the various signals which comprise the interactive program are switched at the head end rather than at the receiver. The multiple choice control unit selects a desired signal by relaying the multiple choice selections of the user through a relay box back to a remotely located switching station. The switching station routes the correct video signal down the appropriate cable channel for the particular user.

Claims

1. In an interactive television system having a plurality d subscriber television reception systems, each of said subscriber television reception systems comprising a multichannel television receiver, each of said multichannel television receivers having a plurality of different television reception channels, each of said television reception channels having a different associated communication frequency;

a television subscriber distribution network connected to said plurality of subscriber television reception systems; and

a television programming transmission means connected to said subscriber distribution network for providing transmitted interactive television programming thereto, said subscriber distribution network providing said transmitted interactive television programming to said plurality of subscriber television reception systems, said television programming transmission means comprising means for substantially simultaneously providing a multi-information interactive television program communication signal as said transmitted interactive television programming to said subscriber distribution network;

the improvement comprising;

a plurality of simultaneously provided different program information message signals related in real-time and content to each other, said plurality of program information message signals in a compressed digital format and comprising said multi-information interactive television program communication signal, each of said plurality of program information message signals having an associated communication frequency corresponding with one of said plurality of different television reception channels, more than one of said program information message signals having the same associated communication frequency and combined into a multiplexed interactive television program information signal with at least one other of said program information message signals, said combined program information signals transmitted in said multi-information interactive television program communication signal, wherein each of said program information message signals is independently receivable;

any of said different television reception channels carrying either a single one of said program information message signals or said multiplexed interactive television program information signal;

each of said multichannel television receivers independently receiving and selecting any of said plurality of program information message signals dependent on the television reception channel selected and the signal selected therefrom, each of said multichannel television receivers comprising a demultiplexing multichannel selection means for demultiplexing said multiplexed interactive television program information signal and selecting the television reception channel associated frequency to be received, signal selection means for selecting a particular program information message signal from said demultiplexed interactive television program information signal, decompression means for decompressing said compressed digital format of said selected program information message signals, said decompression means requiring an adjustment period upon switching from a first selected multiplexed program information message signal to a next selected multiplexed program information message signal, each of said program information message signals having a designated position indicator in said demultiplexing multichannel selection means; and

means, connected to the decompression means, for providing a delay for a time corresponding to said adjustment period during a switch from said first selected multiplexed program information message signal to said next selected multiplexed program information message signal of said multichannel interactive program for allowing said decompression means a period of time to adjust to said switch and to thereby enhance the efficiency of said decompression means, said delay providing means effecting a delay for said adjustment period in response to selection of said next selected multiplexed program information message signal, said demultiplexing multichannel selection means decoding said next selected multiplexed program information message signal in response to selection of said next selected multiplexed program information message signal, said multi-information interactive television program communication signal simultaneously provided related program information message signals enabling a program information message signal switch from said first selected multiplexed program information message signal to said next selected multiplexed program information message signal without a visually perceptible associated delay;

at least one of said program information message signals further comprising video information for display on said multichannel television receiver corresponding to informational labels to be dynamically assigned to said designated position indicators for a particular multi-information interactive television program, said informational labels are dynamically variable dependent on the content of said multi-information interactive television program;

wherein flexible multi-information interactive television programming is provided with a reduced number of television channels and wherein a multichannel interactive program is viewed without a visually perceptible delay when switching between channels of the interactive program during said interactive television program.

2. An interactive television system according to claim 1 wherein said program information message signals comprise a plurality of successive information packets, and at least a portion of said plurality of successive information packets on said plurality of program information message signals are content related in a decision tree relationship between successive individual packets and between said program information message signals, and a memory accumulation program format is received as said selectable multi-information interactive television programming.

3. An interactive television system according to claim 2 wherein said displayable informational labels dynamically vary according to the successive decision tree selections to be made.

4. An interactive television system according to claim 2 wherein said information packets contain sports information.

5. An interactive television system according to claim 1 wherein said transmitted interactive television programming further comprises at least one regular broadcast television signal having an associated communication frequency, said television programming transmission means further comprising means for substantially simultaneously providing said at least one regular broadcast television signal to said subscriber distribution network on said associated communication frequency, said multichannel television receivers adapted to receive said at least one regular broadcast television signal on a channel corresponding with said associated frequency.

6. An interactive television system according to claim 5 wherein said multiplexed interactive television program information signal further comprises said at least one regular broadcast television signal.

7. An interactive television system according to claim 1 wherein said subscriber distribution network is a one way television signal distribution network.

8. An interactive television system comprising a plurality of subscriber television reception systems, each of said subscriber television reception systems comprising a television receiver, each of said television receivers having a plurality of television reception channels, each of said television reception channels having a different associated communication frequency;

a television subscriber distribution network connected to said plurality of subscriber television reception systems; and

a television programming transmission means connected to said television subscriber distribution network for providing transmitted interactive television programming thereto, said television subscriber distribution network providing said transmitted interactive television programming to said plurality of subscriber television reception systems, said television programming transmission means comprising means for providing a compressed digital multiplexed multi-information interactive television program communication signal as said transmitted interactive television programming to said television subscriber distribution network;

said compressed digital multiplexed multi-information interactive television program communication signal comprising a plurality of multi-information packets, each multi-information packet comprising a plurality of simultaneously provided different program information message signals related in real time and content to each other and multiplexed at an associated communication frequency so as to be substantially simultaneously reproduced;

each of said television receivers independently receiving and selecting information on any one of said simultaneously provided program information message signals;

each of a plurality of said subscriber television reception systems further comprising a multi-information selection means connected between said television subscriber distribution network and said television receiver, said multi-information selection means comprising signal selection means connected to said television subscriber distribution network for decompressing and demultiplexing said compressed digital multiplexed multi-information interactive television program communication signal and selecting and providing an output signal comprising only one of said related different program information message signals for said television receiver in said subscriber television reception system, said multi-information selection means requiring an adjustment period for proper signal reconstruction of a next selected program information message signal upon switching from a first selected program information message signal to said next selected program information message signal, said multi-information selection means further comprising means for providing a delay for said adjustment period for enhancing the efficiency of said multi-information selection means during a switch from said first selected program information message signal to said next selected program information message signal;

wherein subscribers in said interactive television system independently select and view said interactive television programming received on a multiplexed reception channel and switch between the program information message signals of said interactive television programming without a visually perceptible delay during said interactive television programming.

9. An interactive television system according to claim 8 wherein said television programming transmission means further comprises a plurality of different regular television program information signals along with said compressed digital multiplexed multi-information television program communication signal, each of said different regular television program information signals having an associated communication frequency, more than one of said associated regular television program information signal communication frequencies adapted for the same associated program information message signal frequencies, each of said different regular television program information signals multiplexed with at least a portion of said program information message signals, each of said different regular television program information signals directly selectably receivable by said signal selection means and displayable on a corresponding television reception channel.

10. An interactive television system according to claim 8 wherein said television subscriber distribution network is selected from the group consisting of cable television, telephone, broadcast television, and direct broadcast satellite.

11. An interactive television system according to claim 8 wherein said multi-information selection means comprises keyboard means comprising a plurality of keys for selectably enabling conversion of any one of said associated communication frequencies of said simultaneously provided different regular television program information into said television reception channel associated frequencies dependent on the key selected.

12. An interactive television system according to claim 11 wherein said multi-information packets comprise video information displayable on said television receiver corresponding to information labels to be dynamically assigned to said keys for a particular multi-information packet, said television displayable information labels dynamically variable dependent on the content of said particular multi-informational packet.

13. An interactive television system according to claim 12 wherein at least a portion of said plurality of said multi-information packers comprising said compressed digital multiplexed multi-information interactive television program communications signal are related to each other in real time and content with said portion of said plurality of time related multi-information packets are content related to each other in a decision tree relationship between successive individual packets and between said program information message signals within said successive individual packets, and wherein a memory accumulation program format is received as part of said selectable multi-information television programming.

14. An interactive television system according to claim 13 wherein said displayable information labels dynamically vary according to the successive decision tree selections to be made.

15. An interactive television system according to claim 8 wherein at least two of said simultaneously provided different program information message signals comprise different field synchronized camera angles of the same event.

16. A method of receiving and viewing an interactive television program, where the interactive program is comprised of one or more interactive program signals located on one or more communication frequencies, wherein the interactive program signals comprise digitally compressed video signals containing video and command information, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving one or more interactive selections from a user;

tuning to a communication frequency and receiving interactive program signals at the tuned communication frequency;

demultiplexing the received interactive program signals to provide a compressed video signal, the demultiplexed compressed video signal determined by the step of processing program codes and the received interactive selections to determine whether it is necessary to display video data from a different time-multiplexed video signal by either selecting another communication frequency or selecting another time-multiplexed video signal;

decompressing the demultiplexed video signal;

decoding and synchronizing the decompressed video signal to provide a standard video signal;

buffering the standard video signal, in an amount necessary to ensure seamless switching between video signals;

modulating the buffered video signal for presentation on a standard television set.

17. An interactive television system comprising:

a subscriber television reception system for receiving interactive television programming, the interactive television programming comprising one or more interactive television program signals placed at one or more communication frequencies, each interactive television program signal comprising a data stream containing a plurality of digitally compressed video signals, fie reception system comprising;

a user interface for receiving subscriber selections;

a microprocessor, connected to the user interface, for selecting a video signal and directing a seamless switch to the selected video signal;

a multi-frequency receiver, comprising an RF demodulator for tuning to one or more frequencies and demodulating an interactive television program signal on the tuned-to frequency;

a means for demultiplexing the demodulated interactive television program signal to obtain the selected video signal;

a decompressor/decoder, connected to the demultiplexer, for decompressing the selected video signal and converting the decompressed signal into a standard video signal;

a synchronization means, connected to the decompressor/decoder, for synchronizing the standard video signal;

a frame buffer, connected to the synchronization means, for buffering the synchronized standard video signal; and

a modulator, connected to the frame buffer, for modulating the buffered standard video signal into a standard video broadcast signal;

a means, connected to the modulator, for displaying said selected video signal; and

wherein subscribers in said interactive television system independently select and view said interactive television programming.