Method and apparatus for time-shifting video and text in a text-enhanced television program
First Claim
1. An apparatus for time-shifting video and program related information (PRI) in an enhanced television program, comprising:
- a tuner for receiving a video signal including a trigger and a suspend flag;
a time-shifting apparatus capable of simultaneously storing the video signal as it is received and outputting a previously stored video signal for display; and
a microcontroller configured to;
receive the trigger and the suspend flag in the video signal;
in response to receiving the trigger, launch, without user input, an application to retrieve PRI from an Internet site;
generate a composite display including a video program contained in the video signal in a first portion of a display screen and the PRI in a second portion of the display screen; and
instruct the time-shifting apparatus to store, without user input, the video signal as it is received and display a still frame from the stored video signal in the first portion of the display screen in response to the suspend flag received in the video signal.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A television system allows a viewer of a text-enhanced television program to pause the program at a particular frame, browse the enhancements at his or her leisure, and then resume viewing the program from that frame, without losing continuity of the video and enhancement portions of the program, or program content. This is accomplished by time-shifting the television program for later playback. Time-shifting is accomplished through the use of mass storage devices such as semiconductor memory, optical disks, magnetic storage and other FIFO data storage structures. Markers are available that allow the viewer to return to the program at the point that he stopped watching, replaying the program from that point. Text enhancements are provided through the VBI present in a conventional television broadcast signal, through an Internet connection, or by a wireless means such as a pager or cordless telephone. Additionally a back link may be utilized to allow the viewer to summon the text enhancements or interact with the enhancements already present.
374 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An apparatus for time-shifting video and program related information (PRI) in an enhanced television program, comprising:
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a tuner for receiving a video signal including a trigger and a suspend flag; a time-shifting apparatus capable of simultaneously storing the video signal as it is received and outputting a previously stored video signal for display; and a microcontroller configured to; receive the trigger and the suspend flag in the video signal; in response to receiving the trigger, launch, without user input, an application to retrieve PRI from an Internet site; generate a composite display including a video program contained in the video signal in a first portion of a display screen and the PRI in a second portion of the display screen; and instruct the time-shifting apparatus to store, without user input, the video signal as it is received and display a still frame from the stored video signal in the first portion of the display screen in response to the suspend flag received in the video signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for time-shifting video and program related information (PRI) in an enhanced television program, comprising:
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receiving a video signal including a trigger and a suspend flag; receiving the trigger and the suspend flag in the video signal; in response to receiving the trigger, launching, without user input, an application to retrieve PRI from an Internet site; generating for display a video program contained in the video signal in a first portion of a display screen and the PRI in a second portion of the display screen; and storing, without user input, the video signal in a time-shifting apparatus and continuously displaying a still frame from the stored video signal in response to the suspend flag received in the video. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method for time-shifting video and program related information (PRI) in an enhanced television program, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a video signal including a trigger and a suspend flag; receiving the trigger and the suspend flag in the video signal; in response to receiving the trigger, launching, without user input, an application to retrieve PRI from an Internet site; generating for display a video program contained in the video signal in a first portion of a display screen and the PRI in a second portion of the display screen; detecting the suspend flag in the video signal; and storing, without user input, the video signal in a time-shifting apparatus and continuously displaying a still frame from the stored video signal in response to receiving the suspend flag.
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13. A method for time-shifting video and program related information (PRI) in an enhanced television program, comprising:
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receiving a video signal; receiving a trigger and a suspend flag in the video signal; in response to receiving the trigger, launching, without user input, an application to retrieve PRI; and generating for display a video program contained in the video signal in a first portion of a display screen and the PRI in a second portion of the display screen; and storing, without user input, the video signal in a time-shifting apparatus and continuously displaying a still frame from the stored video signal in response to the suspend flag received in the video, wherein the suspend flag is not the PRI. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method for time-shifting video and program related information (PRI) in an enhanced television program, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a video signal; receiving a trigger and a suspend flag in the video signal; in response to receiving the trigger, launching, without user input, an application to retrieve PRI; generating for display a video program contained in the video signal in a first portion of a display screen and the PRI in a second portion of the display screen; detecting the suspend flag in the video signal after the PRI is retrieved, wherein the suspend flag is not the PRI; and storing, without user input, the video signal in a time-shifting apparatus and continuously displaying a still frame from the stored video signal when the suspend flag is received.
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Specification