Multi-media coordinated information system with multiple user devices and multiple interconnection networks
First Claim
1. A method for enabling coordinated sessions of a television program and a synchronized presentation from a network server, said method comprising:
- providing a synchronized data stream for being selectively transmitted by said network server, said synchronized data stream being selectively transmitted over a first interconnection network;
providing said television program for being selectively transmitted over a second interconnection network; and
coordinating said synchronized data stream with said television program such that at any given time, content from said synchronized data stream corresponds to content presented in said television program, said synchronized data stream being transmitted over said first interconnection network to a control device, said control device including a predetermined number of receptacles for receiving corresponding control units, said receptacles being positioned in an array from a front portion to a back portion of said control device, said front portion being arranged for viewing by a user whereby only a display means of a front-most control unit is viewable by said user.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved methodology and implementing system are provided in which a docking station is arranged to receive and dock a number of individual wireless personal information management (IM) units. In an exemplary embodiment, the personal IM units include touch-sensitive flat display screens. One or more of the personal wireless IM units may be individually removed from the docking station and operated to selectively and individually communicate with the docking station to access and retrieve more detailed information related to a presentation being made in another medium such as a TV or even an associated live presentation. In one example, the docking station is arranged to receive input from a TV system relative to which channel is being presented on the TV and is enabled to access and retrieve detailed information from a server which is related to the content of the current TV presentation. Alternatively, a user may select to use the personal IM unit independently of the TV to access selected unrelated web sites or to retrieve information from a server concerning a past or scheduled future TV presentation. The docking station includes means for determining which of a number of personal IM units is front-most in the docking station. The server is generally programmed ahead of time with detailed information related to scheduled TV programs and may also be coupled to a TV station directly to dynamically provide additional content for unscheduled TV programs.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for enabling coordinated sessions of a television program and a synchronized presentation from a network server, said method comprising:
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providing a synchronized data stream for being selectively transmitted by said network server, said synchronized data stream being selectively transmitted over a first interconnection network; providing said television program for being selectively transmitted over a second interconnection network; and coordinating said synchronized data stream with said television program such that at any given time, content from said synchronized data stream corresponds to content presented in said television program, said synchronized data stream being transmitted over said first interconnection network to a control device, said control device including a predetermined number of receptacles for receiving corresponding control units, said receptacles being positioned in an array from a front portion to a back portion of said control device, said front portion being arranged for viewing by a user whereby only a display means of a front-most control unit is viewable by said user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A medium containing machine-readable code, said code being selectively readable to provide program signals for executing a method for enabling coordinated sessions of a television program and a synchronized presentation from a network server, said method comprising:
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providing a synchronized data stream for being selectively transmitted by said network server, said synchronized data stream being selectively transmitted over a first interconnection network; providing said television program for being selectively transmitted over a second interconnection network; and coordinating said synchronized data stream with said television program such that at any given time, content from said synchronized data stream corresponds to content presented in said television program, said synchronized data stream being transmitted over said first interconnection network to a control device, said control device including a predetermined number of receptacles for receiving corresponding control units, said receptacles being positioned in an array from a front portion to a back portion of said control device, said front portion being arranged for viewing by a user whereby only a display means of a front-most control unit is viewable by said user. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An information management system comprising:
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a server device for providing a synchronized data stream for being selectively transmitted over a first interconnection network; a television station for providing said television program for being selectively transmitted over a second interconnection network; and means for coordinating said synchronized data stream with said television program such that at any given time, content from said synchronized data stream corresponds to content presented in said television program, said synchronized data stream being transmitted over said first interconnection network to a control device, said control device including a predetermined number of receptacles for receiving corresponding control units, said receptacles being positioned in an array from a front portion to a back portion of said control device, said front portion being arranged for viewing by a user whereby only a display means of a front-most control unit is viewable by said user.
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Specification