Interactive system

• US 5,905,523 A
• Filed: 06/28/1996
• Issued: 05/18/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ZH Interactive Systems LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Two Way TV Ltd. (Two-Way Media Ltd)
• Inventors: Weston, David Robert, Pfanner, Peter James, Hollington, Jeffrey Arnold, Levy, David Neil Laurence, Emrys-Roberts, Peter, Mrsic-Flogel, Janko, Woodfield, David Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Kostak, Victor R.
• Application Number:
  US08/672,591
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 463/40-42, 455/3.1, 455/3.2, 348/12, 348/13, 348/7, 348/469, 348/553, 348/552, 348/473
• US Class Current: 725/99
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/338 using television networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/409 Data transfer via television network
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 13/00 Voting apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 15/006 electronically
• 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 20/91 broadcasting computer programmes
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/33 Arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/94 Telephonic networks for accessing the Internet H04H60/84

Abstract

An interactive system, comprising a local controller (8) operable to control data flow to and from at least two local handsets (11,22) for generating data. The local controller (8) includes a memory (28) for storing data and a processor. A central controller (1) is connectable to the local controller, and a display (12) is provided for displaying data locally from the central controller and the local controller. The local controller (8) stores data generated by each local handset and selectively transfers stored data to the central controller (1). A handset for use in the system comprises a transmitter and a receiver (9) for transfer of data between the handset (11,22) and the local controller and input means to input data for controlling the output of the display via the local controller is input to the local controller by means of a cursor control (33) laterally movable over a plane (36) and a sensor (38,41) for sensing a position of the cursor control within the plane (36) and causing a cursor on the display (12) to take up a similar position. A method of operating the system comprises broadcasting first data from the central controller to which the local controller responds by causing the display to display the broadcast first data. Second data from each local handset relating to the first data is stored in the local controller and then selectively transferred to the central controller if predetermined conditions are satisfied.

Claims

1. An interactive telecommunication system for use in conjunction with a TV broadcast, the system comprising:

a local controller operable to control data flow to and from at least two local handsets for generating data, the local controller including a memory for storing data and processing means;

a central controller connectable to the local controller for generating data related to the TV broadcast; and

a display local to the local controller for displaying the TV broadcast, said data from the central controller, and data from the local controller wherein the local controller stores data generated by each of the at least two local handsets and selectively transfers stored data to the central controller.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein:

the processing means of the local controller is adapted to address each of the at least two local handsets sequentially in accordance with a predetermined schedule to obtain data from each of the at least two handsets.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein:

the predetermined schedule requires each of the at least two handsets to be addressed for an equal time period.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein:

the local controller memory is adapted to store data supplied from the central controller.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein:

a unique identifier by which each of the at least two handsets is addressed is allocated during use of a handset within the system.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein:

the local controller and central controller are connectable via a telecommunication link.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein:

the central controller broadcasts video and text data for reception by the local controller and for display on the display.

8. A system according to claim 1 wherein:

transfer of data between each of the at least two handsets and the local controller is via an infrared link.

9. A system according to claim 1 wherein:

the processing means of the local controller selectively transfers data to the central controller only if a predetermined transfer condition is met.

10. A system according to claim 9 wherein:

the predetermined transfer condition comprises exceeding a predetermined score value at the end of a game play period.

11. A system according to claim 1 wherein:

the processing means of the local controller only transmits data to the central controller in response to a command from the central controller.

12. A system according to claim 11 wherein:

the command is broadcast by the central controller along with video and text data.

13. A system according to claim 1 wherein:

a second local controller operable to control data flow to and from respective second handsets is provided, such that data may be transferred between the first and second local controllers via the central controller.

14. A system according to claim 1 wherein:

the system is selected from the group consisting of a game playing system, a purchase system, and an information system.

15. A handset for use in an interactive system according to claim 1, the handset comprising:

a transmitter and a receiver for transfer of data from the local controller to the handset and from the handset to the local controller;

input means to input data for controlling the output of the display via the local controller, the input means comprising a cursor control laterally movable over a plane, means for sensing the position of the cursor control within the plane and for causing a corresponding cursor displayed on the display to take up a similar position; and

processing means for processing data from the local controller and data from the input means and wherein the processing means controls the transfer of data to the local controller in accordance with the data from the local controller and the input means.

16. A handset according to claim 15 wherein:

the sensing means monitor a change in potential difference with a change in position of the cursor control.

17. A handset according to claim 15 wherein:

the system is selected from the group consisting of a game playing system, a purchase system and an information system.

18. A method of operating an interactive system in conjunction with a TV broadcast, comprising the steps of:

broadcasting first data from a central controller in conjunction with a TV broadcast whereby a local controller responds by causing a display to display the broadcast first data and the TV broadcast;

storing second data in the local controller obtained from each of a number of local handsets relating to the first data; and

selectively transferring the stored second data to the central controller if predetermined conditions are satisfied.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein:

the first data comprises game playing information and the second data comprises data relating to the playing of the game.

20. A method according to claim 19 wherein:

the predetermined conditions are supplied to the local controller by the central controller as part of the game playing information broadcast.

21. A method according to claim 19 wherein:

the predetermined conditions include a minimum score value, the local controller comparing each stored score with the minimum score value and only transferring a stored score to the central controller if the stored score is the same as or exceeds the minimum score value.

22. A method according to claim 19 wherein:

the central controller maintains a ranking order for units which have previously recorded scores and defines an upper portion of the ranking order from which units are chosen to transmit their scores.

23. A method according to claim 19 wherein:

the central controller allows a first group of scores to be transmitted, then sets one or more further group sizes until the desired number of scores which comply with the predetermined condition is achieved.

24. An interactive system for use in conjunction with a TV broadcast and transmitting data between different locations comprising:

a local controller;

a plurality of handsets coupled to said local controller;

a memory device associated with said local controller, said memory device capable of storing data received from each of said plurality of handsets;

a central controller for generating data related to the TV broadcast, said central controller selectively linked to said local controller and capable of receiving the data from said local controller at a predetermined time;

a display coupled to said local controller for displaying the TV broadcast, said data from the central controller and data from the local controller; and

a data distribution network coupled to said central controller, said data distribution network broadcasting signals to said local controller,

whereby said local controller receives information broadcast by said data distribution network permitting a user to respond thereto, a user response being stored for subsequent transfer to said central controller at the predetermined time.

25. An interactive system for transmitting data relating to a TV broadcast between different locations comprising:

a local controller;

a plurality of handsets coupled to said local controller, each of said plurality of handsets having a unique identifier, said plurality of handsets sequentially sending data, including the unique identifier, to said local controller when requested by said local controller;

a memory device associated with said local controller, said memory device capable of storing the data, including the unique identifier, sent by each of said plurality of handsets;

a cursor control associated with each of said plurality of handsets, said cursor control controlling the position of a cursor displayed on said display;

a central controller for generating data related to the TV broadcast, said central controller selectively linked to said local controller and capable of receiving the data, including the unique identifier, from said local controller at a predetermined time;

a display coupled to said local controller for displaying said data from the central controller and the local controller; and

a data distribution network coupled to said central controller, said data distribution network broadcasting TV signals to said receiving antenna of said local controller, the TV signals including a signal representative of a predetermined transfer condition,

whereby said local controller receives information broadcast by said data distribution network permitting a user to respond thereto, a user response being stored by said memory device for subsequent transfer to said central controller at the predetermined time conditioned upon meeting the predetermined transfer condition.