Digital interactive system for providing full interactivity with live programming events

• US 7,079,176 B1
• Filed: 10/27/2000
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: OpenTV, Inc. (Kudelski SA)
• Original Assignee: ACTV, Inc. (Kudelski SA)
• Inventors: Freeman, Michael J., Ullman, Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): BUI, KIEU OANH T
• Application Number:
  US09/699,163
• Time in Patent Office: 2,090 Days
• Field of Search: 725/38, 725/61, 725/104, 725/114, 725/116, 725/119, 725/136, 725/48, 725/86, 725/87, 725/92, 725/115, 725/145, 348/211.03, 348/211.05
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• CPC Class Codes: G03C 1/26 Polymethine chain forming part of a heterocyclic ring
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/10 Arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or the distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/90 specially adapted for satellite broadcast receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 11/042 Codec means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21805 enabling multiple viewpoints, e.g. using a plurality of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 Live feed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23424 involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for inserting or substituting an advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234381 by altering the temporal resolution, e.g. decreasing the frame rate by frame skipping
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2365 Multiplexing of several video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2368 Multiplexing of audio and video streams
• 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 21/4143 embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4263 involving specific tuning arrangements, e.g. two tuners
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4305 Synchronising client clock from received content stream, e.g. locking decoder clock with encoder clock, extraction of the PCR packets arrangements for synchronising receiver with transmitter by comparing receiver clock with transmitter clock H04L7/0012; arrangements for synchronising receiver with transmitter wherein the receiver takes measures against momentary loss of synchronisation H04L7/0083
• 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 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4347 : Demultiplexing of several video streams
• 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 21/44004 : involving video buffer management, e.g. video decoder buffer or video display buffer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44016 : involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for substituting a video clip
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44224 : Monitoring of user activity on external systems, e.g. Internet browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; 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 21/454 : Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• 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 21/472 : 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 21/4722 : for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 : for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4758 : for providing answers, e.g. voting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/488 : Data services, e.g. news ticker systems specially adapted for using meteorological information in broadcast systems H04H60/71
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/63345 : by transmitting keys key distribution for secret or secure communication H04L9/08; network support of key management H04L63/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/643 : Communication protocols network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP], H04L65/65
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8547 : involving timestamps for synchronizing content
• 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 23/58 : Means for changing the camera field of view without moving the camera body, e.g. nutating or panning of optics or image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 : Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 : Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/76 : by influencing the image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 3/40 : with intermittently moving film
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/268 : Signal distribution or switching
• 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 5/445 : for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 : Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0806 : the signals being two or more video signals H04N7/0803, H04N7/081 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0882 : for the transmission of character code signals, e.g. for teletext circuits for the digital non-picture data signal H04N7/035
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/10 : Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable H04N7/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 : with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17345 : Control of the passage of the selected programme
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17354 : in an intermediate station common to a plurality of user terminals

Abstract

The present invention relates to an interactive digital system enabling viewers full and active participation in experiencing a live broadcast event. Particularly, the presentation of the live event is personalized for the viewer through the provision of various options, including multiple video streams, associated with different camera angles, for example, and integrated audio and graphics segments. Further, information obtained from related Web sites can be integrated into the live program. Various video and audio streams are collected from a live event and forwarded to a central control studio. Graphics are created at the central studio on a personal computer or chyron device. After receiving the video, audio and graphics signals, the signals are digitized and compressed in digital compressors. These signals are then combined with special data codes into a “digital package,” and subsequently, transmitted over a cable distribution system. Once received at a viewer home, the signals are received and processed in an interactive digital cable box. Selections of the video, audio, graphics displays and/or Web pages can be made as a function of immediate viewer entries, or to interrogatory responses presented at the beginning or during the program, or based on a prestored viewer profile. Once a decision is made to switch from one video to another video option, the digital switch is performed seamlessly. The digital interactive system is based upon seamless branches which occur in the course of full-motion video.

Claims

1. A system for providing live interactive digital programming, comprising:

a means for receiving video signals from a plurality of video cameras, one or more of the cameras relaying a different predetermined view of a live event;

a means for producing one or more audio signals corresponding to the live event;

a means for generating one or more graphics signals;

at least one digital compression device, connected to the receiving and producing means, for digitally compressing the video signals from a plurality of video cameras, one or more graphics signals and one or more audio signals;

a means for processing, connected to the compression device, wherein the processing means creates a set of data commands which link together the various audio, graphics and video signals, the data commands including branching commands;

a digital multiplexer, connected to the digital compression device, for multiplexing the video, graphics and audio signals, and the data codes into a combined digital program stream; and

a means for transmitting the combined digital program stream.

2. A method for providing live interactive digital programming, comprising the steps of:

obtaining video signals from a plurality of video cameras, one or more of the cameras relaying a different view of a live event;

producing one or more audio signals corresponding to the live event;

creating one or more graphics signals;

receiving the video and audio signals in a control studio;

digitally compressing the video signals from a plurality of video cameras, one or more graphics signals and one or more audio signals;

producing a set of data codes corresponding to the programming, the data codes including branching commands;

digitally multiplexing the video signals from a plurality of video cameras, one or more graphics signals and one or more audio signals;

transmitting the combined digital program stream;

receiving the combined digital program stream at a receive site;

re-transmitting the combined digital program stream on a digital cable television distribution system;

receiving the combined digital program stream at one or more viewer sites;

gathering viewer specific information;

processing the data commands;

digitally demultiplexing the video and audio signals resulting in a first video and audio signal, the first output video and first audio signal selected based on the data commands and gathered viewer specific information;

instructing the digital demultiplexer to commence demultiplexing a second video and second audio signal, the second video signal and second audio signal selected based on the data commands and gathered viewer specific information;

seamlessly switching from the first to the second video signal; and

displaying the second video signal on a screen.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the steps of:

creating a viewer profile with the gathered viewer specific information;

wherein selecting the video and audio signals are based in part on the viewer profile.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of gathering viewer specific information comprises the steps of:

displaying at least one interrogatory to the viewer, the content of the interrogatory involving program options;

collecting entries from the viewer in response to the interrogatories; and

wherein the selection of video or audio signals is based in part on the collected viewer entries.

5. A system for providing live interactive digital programming, comprising:

a means for receiving video signals some of which are from a plurality of video cameras, one or more of the cameras relaying a different predetermined view of a live event;

a means for producing one or more audio signals corresponding to the live event;

a means for generating one or more graphics signals;

at least one digital compression device, connected to the receiving and producing means, for digitally compressing the video signals from a plurality of video cameras, one ore more graphics signals and one or more audio signals;

a digital multiplexer, connected to the digital compression device, for multiplexing the video signals from a plurality of video cameras, one ore more graphics signals and one or more audio signals, into a combined digital program stream; and

a means for transmitting the combined digital program stream.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the transmission means is a satellite transmission system.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the transmission means is a cable distribution system.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the transmission means is a broadcast transmission system.

9. The system of claim 5, wherein the combined digital program stream is received within a private network.

10. The system of claim 5, wherein the combined digital program stream is received within an in-stadium network.

11. The system of claim 5, wherein the combined digital program stream is received over the Internet.