System and method for providing television services

• US 6,502,242 B1
• Filed: 02/05/1998
• Issued: 12/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Howe, Wayne R., Danner, Fred Thomas III, Mauney, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): GRANT, CHRISTOPHER C
• Application Number:
  US09/018,767
• Time in Patent Office: 1,790 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.716, H04/N.7173, 345/327, 348/10, 348/12, 348/13, 348/7, 348/563, 348/564, 348/473, 348/906, 455/6.2, 455/6.3, 455/5.1, 725/32, 725/33, 725/34, 725/35, 725/36, 725/109, 725/110, 725/111, 725/112, 725/113, 725/114, 725/115, 725/116, 725/87, 725/91, 725/92, 725/93
• US Class Current: 725/109
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25808 Management of client data terminal profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/303
• 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 21/4383 Accessing a communication channel
• 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 21/44222 Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4722 for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4725 using interactive regions of the image, e.g. hot spots details of information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6332 directed to client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6547 comprising parameters, e.g. for client setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8133 specifically related to the content, e.g. biography of the actors in a movie, detailed information about an article seen in a video program
• 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 21/8545 for generating interactive applications
• 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 5/44 : Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/50 : Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 : Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 : Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

A system and method are described for providing interactive television services and for switching between television programs, such as to an interactive program session from another program. An interactive server, capable of providing requested interactive video services to a set of subscribers in a given geographic area, is coupled to a network to which subscriber set top boxes are also coupled. Television programming, which may be furnished by any number of sources, is accompanied by a signal that indicates the availability of other programming, such as interactive television service related to the program being viewed, as well as information to be used in requesting such service. The user, when notified by this signal, may input to the set top box a request for a second program, such as an interactive program or application. The identity of the original program channel is stored, and a session with the video service provider is established over the network. When the session is terminated, the set top box re-tunes the television signal to the original program channel.

Claims

1. A device for allowing a viewer to switch a display device from displaying a first program transmitted over a first channel to a second program transmitted over a second channel upon selection by the viewer, the second program being interactive, the device comprising:

a receiver for receiving a signal from a point of origin, the signal including the first program, identifying code for the interactive second program and information relating to an indicator for display on a display device associated with the receiver while the display device displays the first program, the indicator indicating availability of the interactive second program;

the receiver being capable of being adjusted from receiving the first program on the first channel to receiving the interactive second program over the second channel;

the display device functionally connected to the receiver for displaying the indicator while displaying the first program;

a means for transmitting a viewer request that the device switch to the interactive second program; and

a processor, functionally connected to the receiver, the display device, a means for receiving the viewer request, at least one storage means and a network, the network being further connected to at least one video service provider capable of providing the interactive second program over the second channel and the processor being operative to;

process the transmissions received by the receiver to detect the availability of the interactive second program and identifying code of the interactive second program;

detect the viewer request to switch to the interactive second program;

upon detecting the viewer request, transmit a request over the network to the video service provider, the request indicating the identifying code for the interactive second program;

receive a responsive transmission from the video service provider including the interactive second program and the identity of the second channel;

upon receipt of the transmission including the interactive second program and the identity of the second channel, relay the transmission to the receiver over the second channel, store the identity of the first channel and cause the receiver to switch to the second channel receiving the interactive second program;

wherein the video service provider is functionally connected to at least one interactive server capable of storing interactive programs, associating a unique identifying code for the stored interactive program, and retrieving the stored interactive second program upon receiving a request from the video service provider;

wherein the video service provider is capable of including in the request to the interactive server the identifying code for the second program; and

wherein the processor is further operative to;

receive a request from the viewer to terminate the interactive second program;

detect the completion of the interactive second program;

upon detection of either the request for termination or completion of the interactive second program retrieve the identity of the first channel from the storage means, erase the identifying code associated with the interactive second program; and

cause the receiver to switch to the first channel receiving the first program.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the signal indicating the identifying code for the interactive second program and information relating to an indicator for display on the display device to indicate the availability of the interactive second program is included in the vertical blanking interval of the first program transmission.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the signal indicating the identifying code for the interactive second program and information relating to an indicator for display on the display device to indicate the availability of the interactive second program is included in an out-of-band transmission.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is adapted to receiving transmissions including multiple interactive programs from the video service provider.

5. A device for switching from a first program transmitted over a first channel to a second program transmitted over a second channel upon selection by the viewer, the second program being interactive, the device comprising:

a receiver for receiving a signal directly from a point of origin, the signal containing the first program, an identifying code for the interactive second program and information relating to an indicator for display on a display means associated with the receiver while the display means displays the first program, the indicator indicating availability of the interactive second program, the receiver being capable of being adjusted from receiving the first program on the first channel to receiving the interactive second program over the second channel;

a means for transmitting a viewer request that the device switch to the interactive second program; and

a processor, functionally connected to the receiver, the display means, a means for receiving a viewer request, at least one storage means and a network, the network being further connected to at least one video service provider capable of transmitting the interactive second program over the second channel and the processor being operative to;

process the transmissions from the point of origin being received by the receiver to detect the availability of the interactive second program and identifying code of the interactive second program;

store the identifying code on the storage means for later retrieval;

detect the viewer request to switch to the interactive second program;

upon detecting the viewer request, to transmit a request over the network to the video service provider, the request indicating the identifying code for the interactive second program;

receive a responsive signal from the video service provider containing the identity of the second channel;

receive a responsive signal from the video service provider containing the identity of the second channel; and

cause the receiver to switch to the second channel receiving the interactive second program;

wherein the video service provider is functionally connected to at least one interactive server capable of storing interactive programs, associating a unique identifying code for the stored interactive program, and retrieving the stored interactive second program upon receiving a request from the video service provider;

wherein the video service provider is equipped with RF equipment capable of transmitting the interactive second program directly to the receiver; and

wherein the processor is further operative to;

store the identity of the first channel in the storage means prior to causing the receiver to switch to the interactive second program; and

cause the receiver to switch back to the first channel upon receiving a signal indicating the completion of the interactive program or the viewer request.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the processor is further operative to:

receive over the network the transmission from the video service provider including the second interactive program; and

relay that transmission over the second channel to the receiver for display over the display means.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the processor is further operative to erase the identifying code associated with the interactive second program upon detection of a signal indicating the completion of the second program or a request from the viewer to the terminate the interactive second program.

8. A device for switching from a first program being transmitted over a first channel to a interactive session transmitted over a second channel upon selection by the viewer, the device comprising:

a receiver for receiving a signal directly from a point of origin, the signal containing the first program, an identifying code for the interactive session program and information relating to an indicator for display on a display means associated with the receiver while the display device displays the first program, the indicator indicating availability of the interactive session, the receiver being capable of being adjusted from receiving the first program on the first channel to receiving the interactive session over the second channel;

a means for transmitting a viewer request that the device switch to the interactive second program; and

a processor, functionally connected to the receiver, the display means, the means for receiving a viewer request, at least one storage means and a network, the network being further connected to at least one video service provider capable of conducting the interactive session over the second channel and the processor being operative to;

process the transmissions from the point of origin being received by the receiver to detect the availability of the interactive session and the associated identifying code of the interactive session program;

detect the viewer request to switch to the interactive session program;

upon detecting the viewer request, to transmit a request over the network to the video service provider, the request indicating the identifying code for the interactive second program;

receive a responsive signal from the video service provider containing the identity of the second channel; and

cause the receiver to switch to the second channel receiving the interactive session.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the video service provider is functionally connected to at least one interactive server capable of storing interactive session programs, associating a unique identifying code for the stored interactive session program, and retrieving the stored interactive session program upon receiving a request from the video service provider, wherein the processor is further operative to receive the transmissions through the network from the video service provider and to receive the viewer input from a viewer input means to establish an interactive session.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the processor is further operative to:

store the identity of the first channel in the storage means prior to causing the receiver to switch to the interactive session; and

cause the receiver to switch back to the first channel upon receiving a signal indicating the completion of the interactive program or a viewer request to terminate the interactive session.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the processor is further operative to erase the identifying code from the storage means upon switching back to the first channel.

12. A device for switch from a first program to a second program in response to a selection signal, comprising:

a receiver for receiving a signal from a point of origin, the signal including the first program, an identifying code associated with the second program and information relating to an indicator for display on a display device associated with the receiver while the display device displays the first program, the indicator indicating availability of the second program,

the receiver being capable of being switched from the first program to the second program;

the display device for displaying the indicator while displaying the first program, and for displaying the second program in response to switching to the second program;

a processor, functionally connected to the receiver and the display device, and capable of communicating through a network with a interactive server associated with a video service provider, and being operative to

detect availability of the second program;

receive a selection signal from the viewer for the second program;

transmit the selection signal including the identifying code to the interactive server; and

cause the receiver to switch to the second program in response to the availability of the second program on the interactive server and the receipt of the selection signal.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the processor is further operative to switch the receiver back to the first program upon detecting either the completion of the second program or a viewer request to terminate the second program.

14. A method for switching between a television program and an interactive program, wherein the television program signal transmitted from a point of origin is accompanied by a signal containing information indicating the availability of the interactive program and an identification code associated with said interactive program stored on an interactive server associated with a video service provider connected to a network, and a receiver for receiving the television program signal, the signal containing information indicating the availability of the interactive program and the identification code, display means capable of displaying an indicator indicating the availability of the interactive program while displaying the television program, means for requesting the interactive program and processor capable of communicating with the receiver, the display means, the video service provider, the means for requesting the interactive program and means for storing information, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving the television program signal;

receiving the signal containing the information indicating the availability of the interactive program and the identification code associated with said interactive program;

storing the identification code on the means for storing information;

displaying on the display means with the use of the signal containing the information indicating the availability of the interactive program, a message indicating the availability of an interactive program while displaying the television program;

receiving a signal from the viewer requesting the interactive program;

storing the identity of the channel on which the television program is transmitted in said information storage means for later retrieval;

communicating the viewer request to said interactive server associated with the video service provider using the identification code;

receiving the interactive program over the network from the interactive server;

terminating communication with the interactive server upon the earlier of the termination of the interactive program or a viewer request to terminate;

erasing the identification code associated with the interactive program from said information storage means;

retrieving the identity of the television program channel from said information storage means; and

tuning the receiver to the channel having the identity retrieved from the information storage means.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the signal containing the information related to indicating the availability of the interactive program and an identification code associated with the interactive program is transmitted via the vertical blanking interval of the television program.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the signal containing the information indicating the availability of the interactive program and an identification code associated with the said interactive program is transmitted via out-of-band signaling.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the signal from the point of origin further contains information for displaying a remove button message.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of removing the message indicative of the availability of the interactive program upon receiving a signal in response to displaying the remove button message.

19. A method for providing an interactive program over a network upon receiving a signal indicative of availability of the interactive program and a request to view the interactive program, comprising the steps of:

receiving from a content provider a signal containing an identifying code associated with a interactive program and information related to displaying a message indicative of the availability of the interactive program;

using the signal to display a message indicative of the availability of the interactive program while displaying a television program;

receiving a request to view the interactive program; and

causing a video service provider to transmit the interactive program.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the signal indicating the availability of the interactive program can originate with the video service provider.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the video service provider stores the interactive program on a interactive server by using the identifying code associated with the interactive program.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the video service provider is provided with the identifying code along with the request to view the interactive program prior to transmitting the interactive program.