Interactive entertainment system for presenting supplemental interactive content together with continuous video programs
First Claim
1. A viewer computing unit for receiving and displaying continuous video content programs, comprising:
- a memory;
a processor programmed to determine whether the video content programs are interactive;
a tuner to tune to channels carrying the video content programs;
an Internet browser stored in the memory, the Internet browser being dynamically loadable for execution on the processor when the tuner is tuned to a channel carrying a video content program that is interactive;
an electronic programming guide (EPG) stored in the memory and executable on the processor to organize programming information, the EPG associating a target specification to a target resource with a video content program, the target resource containing supplemental content which is displayed concurrently with the video content program to provide viewer interactivity with the video content program and display layout instructions prescribing how the supplemental content and the video content program are to appear in relation to one another when displayed;
the Internet browser activating the target resource when the tuner is tuned to the video content program; and
the processor being responsive to the layout instructions obtained from the target resource to display the supplemental content concurrently with the video content program.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An interactive entertainment system enables presentation of supplemental interactive content along side traditional broadcast video prams, such as television shows and movies. The programs are broadcast in a conventional manner. The supplemental content is supplied as part of the same program signal over the broadcast network, or separately over another distribution network. A viewer computing unit is located at the viewer'"'"'s home to present the program and supplemental content to a viewer. When the viewer tunes to a particular channel, the viewer computing unit consults an electronic programming guide (EPG) to determine if the present program carried on the channel is interactive. If it is, the viewer computing unit launches a browser. The browser uses a target specification stored in the EPG to activate a target resource containing the supplemental content for enhancing the broadcast program. The target resource contains display layout instructions prescribing how the supplemental content and the video content program are to appear in relation to one another when displayed. When the data from the target resource is downloaded, the viewer computing unit is responsive to the layout instructions obtained from the target resource to display the supplemental content concurrently with the video content program. Embedding the layout instructions in the supplemental content advantageously places control of the presentation to the content developers. The developers are free to arrange the data and video in any manner they choose.
-
Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A viewer computing unit for receiving and displaying continuous video content programs, comprising:
-
a memory;
a processor programmed to determine whether the video content programs are interactive;
a tuner to tune to channels carrying the video content programs;
an Internet browser stored in the memory, the Internet browser being dynamically loadable for execution on the processor when the tuner is tuned to a channel carrying a video content program that is interactive;
an electronic programming guide (EPG) stored in the memory and executable on the processor to organize programming information, the EPG associating a target specification to a target resource with a video content program, the target resource containing supplemental content which is displayed concurrently with the video content program to provide viewer interactivity with the video content program and display layout instructions prescribing how the supplemental content and the video content program are to appear in relation to one another when displayed;
the Internet browser activating the target resource when the tuner is tuned to the video content program; and
the processor being responsive to the layout instructions obtained from the target resource to display the supplemental content concurrently with the video content program. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
a receiver coupled to the processor to receive both the video content program and the supplemental content supplied from the target resource.
-
-
3. A viewer computing unit as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
-
a first receiver coupled to the processor to receive the video content program; and
a second receiver coupled to the processor to receive the supplemental content supplied from the target resource.
-
-
4. A method for enhancing a continuous video content program with supplemental hyperlink content to provide viewer interactivity with the video content program comprising the following steps:
-
configuring digital data which defines a display layout prescribing how the supplemental hyperlink content and the video content program are to appear in relation to one another when displayed;
transmitting the digital data along with the video content program as two separate signals to a viewer computing unit;
receiving a first signal containing the digital data using a first receiver at the viewer computing unit;
receiving a second signal containing the video content program using a second receiver at the viewer computing unit; and
displaying the supplemental hyperlink content and the video content program according to the display layout.
-
-
5. A computer-implemented method comprising the following steps:
-
tuning to a channel;
determining if a video content program being carried on the channel is interactive compatible as indicated by presence of a target specification provided in association with the video content program;
in an event that the program is interactive compatible, retrieving the target specification associated with the video content program on the channel;
dynamically launching an Internet browser to activate a target resource located by the target specification, the target resource containing digital data which supports interactive functionality in conjunction with the associated video content program, the digital data defining supplemental content to enable viewer interactivity with the video content program and a display layout prescribing how the supplemental content and the video content program are to appear in relation to one another when displayed;
receiving the video content program over the channel;
receiving the digital data from the target resource; and
displaying the video content program and the supplemental content according to the display layout prescribed in the digital data received from the target resource. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
correlating the target specifications with associated programs in an electronic program guide (EPO); and
checking the EPG to ascertain whether the program is interactive compatible; and
determining that the program is interactive compatible by presence of a target specification in the EPG which is related to the program.
-
-
7. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 5, further comprising the step of automatically displaying the supplement content together with the video content program.
-
8. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 5, further comprising the step of overlaying the supplemental content at least partly on the video content program.
-
9. A computer-implemented method comprising the following steps:
-
tuning to a channel;
determining if a video content program being carried on the channel is interactive compatible as indicated by presence of a target specification provided in association with the video content program;
in an event that the program is interactive compatible, retrieving the target specification associated with the video content program on the channel;
dynamically launching an Internet browser to activate a target resource located by the target specification, the target resource containing digital data which supports interactive functionality in conjunction with the associated video content program, the digital data defining supplemental content to enable viewer interactivity with the video content program and a display layout prescribing how the supplemental content and the video content program are to appear in relation to one another when displayed;
receiving the video content program over the channel;
receiving the digital data from the target resource;
displaying the video content program and the supplemental content according to the display layout prescribed in the digital data received from the target resource;
displaying the video content program within a program boundary on a visual display screen;
presenting the supplemental content in a presentation format on the visual display screen; and
controlling location and shape of the program boundary and the presentation format of the supplemental content relative to the program boundary according to the display layout received from the target resource.
-
-
10. A computer-implemented method comprising the following steps:
-
tuning to a channel;
determining if a video content program being carried on the channel is interactive compatible as indicated by presence of a target specification provided in association with the video content program;
in an event that the program is interactive compatible, retrieving the target specification associated with the video content program on the channel;
dynamically launching an Internet browser to activate a target resource located by the target specification, the target resource containing digital data which supports interactive functionality in conjunction with the associated video content program, the digital data defining supplemental content to enable viewer interactivity with the video content program and a display layout prescribing how the supplemental content and the video content program are to appear in relation to one another when displayed;
receiving the video content program over the channel;
receiving the digital data from the target resource;
displaying the video content program and the supplemental content according to the display layout prescribed in the digital data received from the target resource; and
synchronizing presentation of the supplemental content to corresponding points in the video content program.
-
-
11. A computer-implemented method comprising the following steps:
-
tuning to a channel;
determining if a video content program being carried on the channel is interactive compatible as indicated by presence of a target specification provided in association with the video content program;
in an event that the program is interactive compatible, retrieving the target specification associated with the video content program on the channel;
dynamically launching an Internet browser to activate a target resource located by the target specification, the target resource containing digital data which supports interactive functionality in conjunction with the associated video content program, the digital data defining supplemental content to enable viewer interactivity with the video content program and a display layout prescribing how the supplemental content and the video content program are to appear in relation to one another when displayed;
receiving the video content program over the channel from a first source;
receiving the digital data from the target resource at a second source different than the first source; and
displaying the video content program and the supplemental content according to the display layout prescribed in the digital data received from the target resource.
-
-
12. A computer-implemented method comprising the following steps:
-
tuning to a channel;
determining if a video content program being carried on the channel is interactive compatible as indicated by presence of a target specification provided in association with the video content program;
in an event that the program is interactive compatible, retrieving the target specification associated with the video content program on the channel;
dynamically launching an Internet browser to activate a target resource located by the target specification, the target resource containing digital data which supports interactive functionality in conjunction with the associated video content program, the digital data defining supplemental content to enable viewer interactivity with the video content program and a display layout prescribing how the supplemental content and the video content program are to appear in relation to one another when displayed, the digital data further defining timing information to synchronize presentation of the supplemental content with the video content program;
receiving the video content program over the channel;
receiving the digital data from the target resource;
displaying the video content program and the supplemental content according to the display layout prescribed in the digital data received from the target resource; and
displaying the supplemental content at prescribed times during the video content according to the timing information received from the target resource.
-
-
13. A computer-implemented method comprising the following steps:
-
tuning to a channel;
determining if a video content program being carried on the channel is interactive compatible as indicated by presence of a target specification provided in association with the video content program;
in an event that the program is interactive compatible, retrieving the target specification associated with the video content program on the channel;
displaying an icon to visually inform the viewer that the program is interactive compatible;
launching an Internet browser to activate a target resource located by the target specification, the target resource containing digital data which supports interactive functionality in conjunction with the associated video content program, the digital data defining supplemental content to enable viewer interactivity with the video content program and a display layout prescribing how the supplemental content and the video content program are to appear in relation to one another when displayed;
receiving the video content program over the channel;
receiving the digital data from the target resource; and
displaying the video content program and the supplemental content according to the display layout prescribed in the digital data received from the target resource. - View Dependent Claims (14)
-
-
15. A computer-implemented method comprising the following steps:
-
tuning to a channel;
determining if a video content program being carried on the channel is interactive compatible as indicated by presence of a target specification provided in association with the video content program;
is in an event that the program is interactive compatible, retrieving the target specification associated with the video content program on the channel;
dynamically launching an Internet browser to activate a target resource is located by the target specification, the target resource containing digital data which supports interactive functionality in conjunction with the associated video content program, the digital data defining supplemental content to enable viewer interactivity with the video content program and a display layout prescribing how the supplemental content and the video content program are to appear in relation to one another when displayed;
receiving the video content program over the channel;
receiving the digital data from the target resource;
displaying the video content program and the supplemental content according to the display layout prescribed in the digital data received from the target resource; and
presenting the supplemental content in an area surrounding the video content program.
-
-
16. A computer programmed to perform the following steps:
-
tuning to a channel;
determining if a video content program being carried on the channel is interactive compatible as indicated by presence of a target specification provided in association with the video content program;
in an event that the program is interactive compatible, retrieving the target specification associated with the video content program on the channel;
dynamically launching an Internet browser to activate a target resource located by the target specification, the target resource containing digital data which supports interactive functionality in conjunction with the associated video content program, the digital data defining supplemental content to enable viewer interactivity with the video content program and a display layout prescribing how the supplemental content and the video content program are to appear in relation to one another when displayed;
receiving the video content program over the channel;
receiving the digital data from the target resource; and
displaying the video content program and the supplemental content according to the display layout prescribed in the digital data received from the target resource.
-
Specification