Method and apparatus for automatically accessing web pages based on television programming information

• US 6,326,982 B1
• Filed: 06/24/1999
• Issued: 12/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: EnReach Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Wu, Bo, Xu, Guohong
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Thomas T.
• Application Number:
  US09/344,160
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 345/348, 345/357, 345/339, 345/327, 345/329, 345/333, 348/13, 348/552, 348/563, 348/564, 348/473, 348/906, 709/501, 709/513, 725/112, 725/109, 725/110
• US Class Current: 715/718
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25883 being end-user demographical data, e.g. age, family status or address arrangements for identifying locations of users in broadcast systems H04H60/52
• 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 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6547 comprising parameters, e.g. for client setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen

Abstract

A client system and a dedicated server are provided, the client system having an internet module providing communication with the server, a television tuner operative to receive a plurality of video channels carrying video data, and a video processing unit operative to provide a video output signal for displaying images on a television. A process is provided for accessing Web pages associated with corresponding portions of the video data, the process including the steps of: determining a selected channel parameter indicative of a selected one of the video channels received by the television tuner of the client system; determining a particular time parameter indicative of a particular time at the client site, the selected channel parameter and the particular time parameter being associated with a particular portion of video data to be transmitted to the client system via the selected video channel at the particular time; and determining a matching Web address associated with the particular portion of video data, the matching Web address being determined by comparing the particular time parameter and the selected channel parameter to electronic program schedule information including a plurality of program schedule segments each including a corresponding time frame parameter indicative of an associated time frame, and a corresponding channel parameter indicative of an associated one of the video channels, each of the program schedule segments being associated with a corresponding portion of video data to be received by the client system via the associated channel during the associated time frame.

Claims

1. In a network including a client system and a dedicated server, the client system having a processor, a memory unit coupled to the processor, an internet module coupled for communication with the processor and providing communication with remote sites including the dedicated server via the internet, a television tuner coupled for communication with the processor and being operative to receive a video input signal having a plurality of video channels carrying video data, and a video processing unit coupled for communication with the processor and being operative to provide a video output signal for displaying images on a television, a process for providing information resources associated with corresponding portions of the video data, the process comprising the steps of:

establishing a link between the dedicated server and the client system via the internet;

determining a selected channel parameter indicative of a selected one of the video channels received by the television tuner of the client system;

determining a particular time parameter indicative of a particular time at the client site, said selected channel parameter and said particular time parameter being associated with a particular portion of video data to be transmitted to the client system via said selected video channel at said particular time;

transmitting client information to said server, said client information including said selected channel parameter and said particular time parameter;

determining a matching Web address associated with said particular portion of video data, said matching Web address being determined by comparing said particular time parameter and said selected channel parameter to electronic program schedule information including a plurality of program schedule segments each including a corresponding time frame parameter indicative of an associated time frame, and a corresponding channel parameter indicative of an associated one of the video channels, each of said program schedule segments being associated with a corresponding portion of video data to be received by the client system via said associated channel during said associated time frame;

providing a matching information resource indicated by said matching Web address to said client system via the internet;

receiving said particular portion of video data carried by said selected video channel via the television tuner;

processing said matching information resource; and

displaying matching information associated with said matching information resource and also displaying said particular portion of video data on the television.

2. In a network as recited in claim 1 wherein said electronic program schedule information is provided by the dedicated server.

3. In a network as recited in claim 2 further comprising the steps of:

downloading said electronic program schedule information from the dedicated server to the client system;

storing said program schedule information in the memory unit of the client system; and

wherein said step of determining said matching Web address is executed by the client system by comparing said particular time parameter and said selected channel parameter to said program schedule segments stored in the memory unit of the client system.

4. In a network as recited in claim 2 further comprising the step of transmitting client information from the client system to the server, said client information, including said selected channel parameter and said particular time parameter, the server being operative to select said matching information resource based on said client system information.

5. In a network as recited in claim 4 wherein said client information further comprises a user ID parameter indicative of a registered user of the client system.

6. In a network as recited in claim 4 wherein the server is further operative to determine matching layout information based on said client system information, said matching layout information being indicative of a selected one of a plurality of display modes for displaying said matching information on the television, the process further comprising the step of:

transmitting said matching layout information from the server to the client system;

wherein said step of displaying said matching information and said particular portion of video data on the television includes displaying said matching information in accordance with said selected display mode.

7. In a client system including a processor, a memory unit coupled to the processor, an internet module coupled for communication with the processor and providing communication with remote sites via the internet, a television tuner coupled for communication with the processor and being operative to receive a video input signal having a plurality of video channels carrying video data, and a video processing unit coupled for communication with the processor and being operative to provide a video output signal to a television, a process for accessing information resources associated with corresponding segments of the video data, the process comprising the steps of:

accessing a dedicated server Web site via the internet;

determining a selected channel parameter indicative of a selected one of the video channels received by the television tuner of the client system;

determining a particular time parameter indicative of a particular time at the client site, said selected video channel and said particular time being associated with a particular portion of video data to be transmitted to the client system via said selected video channel at said particular time;

transmitting client information to said server, said client information including said selected channel parameter and said particular time parameter, said server being operative to select a matching information resource associated with said particular portion of video data, said matching information resource being determined based on said client system information;

receiving a link to said matching information resource via the internet;

processing said matching information resource;

receiving said particular portion of video data carried by said selected video channel via the television tuner; and

displaying matching information associated with said matching information resource and also displaying said particular portion of video data on the television.

8. In a client system as recited in claim 7 wherein said client information further comprises a user ID parameter indicative of a registered user of the client system.

9. In a client system as recited in claim 7 wherein said server is further operative to determine matching layout information based on said client system information, said matching layout information being indicative of a selected one of a plurality of display modes for displaying said matching information on the television, the process further comprising the step of:

receiving said matching layout information from said server;

wherein said step of displaying said matching information and said particular portion of video data on the television includes displaying said matching information in accordance with said selected display mode.

10. In a client system as recited in claim 9 wherein said selected display mode is selected from a group consisting of a picture in picture (PIP) display mode and a banner display mode.

11. In a client system as recited in claim 7 wherein said matching information resource includes a web page.

12. In a client system as recited in claim 7 wherein said server is further operative to provide electronic program schedule information including a plurality of program schedule segments each including a corresponding time frame parameter indicative of an associated time frame, and a corresponding one of said channel parameters, each of said program schedule segments being associated with a corresponding portion of video data to be received by said system via said corresponding channel during said corresponding time frame, the process further comprising the steps of:

downloading the electronic program schedule information from the dedicated server; and

storing the program schedule information in the memory unit of the client system.

13. In a client system as recited in claim 7 further comprising the step of:

receiving a fill-in form from the server; and

providing client personal information to the server via the fill-in form.

14. In a client system as recited in claim 7 wherein at least one of said information resources includes information compiled based on a user profile matching a pre-registered user of said system.

15. In a server Web site including a processor, an internet module coupled for communication with the processor, and a server memory unit coupled for communication with the processor, the internet module providing communication with a client system via the internet, the client system including a television tuner coupled to receive portions of video data from a video data provider which transmits said portions of video data via corresponding ones of a plurality of video channels during corresponding ones of a plurality of time frames in accordance with a television program schedule, the server memory unit providing storage of television program schedule information including channel parameters and time frame parameters indicative of the corresponding time frames during which the portions of video data are transmitted via the corresponding video channels, the server memory unit also providing storage of Web address information associated with the program schedule information, a server process of providing a particular client with links to information resources associated with corresponding ones of the portions of video data, the server process comprising the steps of:

receiving client system information from the particular client, said client system information including a selected channel parameter indicative of a selected one of the video channels, and a particular time parameter indicative of a particular time at the client site, said particular time parameter and said selected channel parameter being indicative of a particular one of the portions of video data;

determining a matching information resource that is associated with said particular portion of video data, said matching information resource being determined based on said client information; and

providing the particular client with a link to said matching information resource via the internet.

16. In a server Web site as recited in claim 15 further comprising the step of providing the particular client with matching layout information indicative of a specified display mode for displaying said matching information resource.

17. In a server Web site as recited in claim 15 wherein said client information further includes a user identification parameter uniquely identifying the particular client.

18. In a server Web site as recited in claim 17 further comprising the steps of:

transmitting a fill-in form to the particular client system, said fill-in form requesting user personal information;

receiving said user personal information from a registered user of the particular client system via said fill-in form; and

generating a specific user interest profile parameter associated with said registered user, said specific user interest profile parameter being associated with said user identification parameter.

19. In a server Web site as recited in claim 17 wherein said link to said matching information resource is provided via Web address information including a uniform resource locator.

20. In a system including a processor, a memory unit coupled to the processor, an internet unit coupled to the processor and also being coupled for communication with the internet, a television tuner coupled with the processor and also being coupled to receive a video signal having a plurality of channels, and a video processing unit coupled to the processor and operative to provide a video signal to a television, a process for displaying information on the television, the process comprising the steps of:

accessing a dedicated server via the internet, said server being operative to provide a selected set of mapping information including a plurality of programming schedule entries each including a corresponding time frame parameter indicative of an associated time frame, and a corresponding channel parameter indicative of an associated one of the channels, each of said schedule entries being associated with a corresponding portion of video data to be received by said system via said corresponding channel during said corresponding time frame, said mapping information also including a plurality of Web addresses associated with corresponding ones of said schedule entries, each of said web-addresses indicating a corresponding web-server operative to provide an information resource associated with said corresponding schedule segment;

downloading said mapping information and storing said mapping information in said memory unit;

determining a selected channel parameter indicative of a selected one of the video channels;

determining a particular time parameter indicative of a particular time;

determining a matching one of said program schedule segments based on said selected channel parameter and said particular time parameter;

reading said mapping information to determine a matching one of said Web-addresses that corresponds with said matching program schedule segment;

accessing via the internet a Web-server indicated by said matching Web-address;

downloading a matching information resource associated with said matching program schedule segment;

processing said matching information resource; and

displaying matching information associated with said matching information resource and also displaying corresponding portion of video data carried by said selected channel.

21. A system for automatically accessing a matching information resource associated with a selected television programming segment based on program schedule mapping information, the system comprising:

a processor;

a television tuner coupled to the processor and also coupled to receive a video signal having a plurality of channels for carrying data including video data;

an internet module coupled to the processor, and also being coupled for communication with the internet, wherein said internet module is operative to download a selected set of mapping information including a plurality of programming schedule segments each including a corresponding time frame parameter indicative of an associated time frame, and a corresponding channel parameter indicative of an associated one of the channels, each of said schedule segments being associated with a corresponding portion of video data to be received by said system via said corresponding channel during said corresponding time frame, said mapping information also including a plurality of Web addresses associated with corresponding ones of said schedule segments, each of said Web addresses indicating a corresponding Web server operative to provide an information resource associated with said corresponding schedule segment;

a memory unit for storing said mapping information; and

a video processing unit coupled for communication with the processor and operative to generate a display signal adapted for displaying matching information associated with said matching information resource and for displaying said corresponding portion of video data carried by said currently selected channel on a television screen.

22. A system as recited in claim 21 wherein said internet module comprises a modem.

23. A system as recited in claim 21 wherein said mapping information further comprises a plurality of user identification parameters indicative of corresponding users of said system, and wherein each of said web addresses associated with said program schedule segments is selected based on a corresponding one of said user identification parameters.

24. A system as recited in claim 21 wherein said video processing unit include logic for displaying said matching information and said corresponding portion of video data on the television screen in a picture in picture mode.

25. A system as recited in claim 21 wherein said video processing unit include logic for displaying said matching information and said corresponding portion of video data on the television screen in a split screen mode.

26. A client system for accessing information resources associated with corresponding segments of video data, the system comprising:

a processor;

a memory unit coupled to said processor;

an internet module coupled for communication with said processor and providing communication with remote sites via the internet;

a television tuner coupled for communication with the processor and being operative to receive a video input signal having a plurality of video channels carrying the video data; and

a video processing unit coupled for communication with the processor and being operative to provide a video output signal to a television;

logic for implementing a process comprising the steps of;

accessing a dedicated server Web site via the internet;

determining a selected channel parameter indicative of a selected one of the video channels received by the television tuner of the client system;

determining a particular time parameter indicative of a particular time at the client site, said selected video channel and said particular time being associated with a particular portion of video data to be transmitted to the client system via said selected video channel at said particular time;

transmitting client information to said server, said client information including said selected channel parameter and said particular time parameter, said server being operative to select a matching information resource associated with said particular portion of video data, said matching information resource being determined based on said client system information;

receiving a link to said matching information resource via the internet;

receiving said particular portion of video data carried by said selected video channel via the television tuner; and

displaying information associated with said matching information resource and said particular portion of video data on the television.

27. A client system as recited in claim 26 wherein said client information further comprises a user ID parameter indicative of a registered user of the client system.

28. A client system as recited in claim 26 wherein said server is further operative to determine matching layout information based on said client system information, said matching layout information being indicative of a selected one of a plurality of display modes for displaying said matching information on the television, the process further comprising the step of:

receiving said matching layout information from said server;

wherein said step of displaying said matching information and said particular portion of video data on the television includes displaying said matching information in accordance with said selected display mode.

29. A client system as recited in claim 28 wherein said selected display mode is selected from a group consisting of a picture in picture (PIP) display mode and a banner display mode.

30. A client system as recited in claim 26 wherein said matching information resource includes streaming audio and video animation graphics.

31. A client system as recited in claim 26 wherein said server is further operative to provide electronic program schedule information including a plurality of program schedule segments each including a corresponding time frame parameter indicative of an associated time frame, and a corresponding one of said channel parameters, each of said program schedule segments being associated with a corresponding portion of video data to be received by said system via said corresponding channel during said corresponding time frame, the process further comprising the steps of:

downloading the electronic program schedule information from the dedicated server; and

storing the program schedule information in the memory unit of the client system.

32. A client system as recited in claim 26 further comprising the step of:

receiving a fill-in form from the server; and

providing client personal information to the server via the fill-in form.

33. A client system as recited in claim 26 wherein at least one of said information resources includes information compiled based on a user profile matching a pre-registered user of said system.