11111111111111111111111111111I111111111111111111111111111111111
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Broadwin et al.
`
`(to) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,275,989 B1
`*Aug. 14, 2001
`
`(54)
`
`INTERACTIVE TELEVISION SYSTEM AND
`METHOD FOR DISPLAYING WEB-LIKE
`STILLS WITH HYPERLINKS
`
`Primary Examiner—Chris Grant
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Conley, Rose & Tayon PC;
`Jeffrey C. Hood
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Elliott Broadwin, Fremont; Jon C
`Haass, Belmont, both of CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Opentv, Inc., Mountain View, CA (US)
`
`* ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/206,514
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 7, 1998
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 08/675,636, filed on Jul. 1,
`1996, now Pat. No. 5,903,816.
`
`Int. C1.7
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`
` HO4N 7/173
` 725/37; 725/110; 725/67;
`725/68
` 348/7, 12, 13,
`(58) Field of Search
`348/14, 473, 714; 455/4.2, 5.1; 345/327;
`725/135, 138, 139, 141, 142, 134, 131,
`114, 115, 116, 117, 87, 91, 100
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,924,303 * 5/1990 Brandon et al.
`5,027,400
`6/1991 Baji et al. .
`5,594,509
`1/1997 Florin et al. .
`5,689,799
`11/1997 Dougherty et al. .
`5,818,441 * 10/1998 Throckmorton et al.
`5,903,816 * 5/1999 Broadwin et al.
`5,929,850 * 7/1999 Broadwin et al.
`5,953,046 * 9/1999 Pocock
`
` 348/7
`
` 348/13
` 455/3.1
` 345/327
` 348/12
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system and method for displaying still video images
`related to video content in an interactive broadcast television
`system. The system and method of the present invention
`may also be used for simulating an Internet home page on an
`interactive television system. The present invention thus
`supports hyperlinked web-like navigational capabilities in
`an interactive television system. According to the method of
`the present invention, the video delivery system provides or
`broadcasts one or more audio/video channels each compris-
`ing video content and also provides or broadcasts at least one
`still image channel comprising a plurality of still video
`images, preferably MPEG-2 compressed still images. The
`user or viewer can select options displayed on the television
`screen to view desired information. When the set top box
`receives user input selecting an option to view one of the
`linked still images, the set top box captures the requested
`image from the still image broadcast channel, stores the
`image in memory, and displays the captured still video
`image corresponding to the selection. The still image being
`displayed may have associated interactive program content
`for displaying further selections, wherein these selections
`may be for viewing other images or content, for ordering
`information, or purchasing products. The user can thus
`selectively navigate between the video content and stills in
`a web-like hyperlinked fashion. In one embodiment, when a
`user is navigating through still images, the television pro-
`gram or video content which was being viewed is displayed
`in a small window overlaid on the still image being dis-
`played. Also, when the set top box captures a requested
`image from the still image broadcast channel, the set top box
`preferably also pre-caches or pre-loads other related still
`images based on the probabilty that these related images will
`be subsequently requested by the user. The invention also
`includes an embodiment which provides user requested still
`images "on demand" on a dedicated "search" channel.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`20 Claims, 19 Drawing Sheets
`
`Open TV, End to End Enviroment
`(Satellite Network Example)
`
`Encoder
`
`Multiplexer
`
`Synchro-
`nization
`
`08
`
`06
`
`120
`
`1.0
`
`Return Channel
`(Phone Line)
`
`56
`
`Interactive
`Decoder
`
`102
`
`104
`
`AudioNideo
`Source
`
`1
`1—
`Open TV
`
`Application
`rver
`Broadcast Center
`
`Interact've
`Decode
`
`150
`
`10
`
`15
`
`0
`
`Transaction Remote
`Server
`Control
`
`Service Provider
`
`End User
`
`NFLE Ex. 1021 - Page 1
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`NFLE 1021 - Page 1
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`

`

`HI 686'SLV9 Sa
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`61 Jo 1 looqS
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`IN)
`
`pined •sn
`
`End User
`
`Service Provider
`
`Control
`Transaction Remote
`
`Server
`
`Broadcast Center
`
`Application
`Open TV
`
`Server
`
`AudioNideo
`
`Source
`
`Fig. 1
`
`0
`
`TV/
`
`52
`
`[71
`
`-150
`
`Decoder
`Interactive
`
`1po
`
`Decoder
`Interactive
`
`156
`
`Return Channel
`
`(Phone Line)
`
`110
`
`ey420
`
`'104
`
`102
`
`nization
`Synchro-
`
`106
`
`108
`
`Open TV, End to End Enviroment
`
`(Satellite Network Example)
`
`IZOI .3c1 TUN
`
`NFLE 1021 - Page 2
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`

`

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`61 JO Z lamIS
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`O O
`
`wawa 'S'11
`
`End User
`
`Service Provider
`
`Broadcast Center
`
`Server Control
`Transaction Remote
`
`Application
`
`Server
`
`AudioNideo
`
`Source
`
`O
`O
`0
`
`/TV/
`
`1752-0
`
`-150
`
`.Decoder
`Interactive
`
`160
`
`Decoder
`Interactive
`
`156
`
`Return Channel
`
`(Phone Line)
`
`110
`
`106
`
`120
`
`Signal
`
`AVI
`
`108
`
`Signal
`
`AVI
`
`A04
`
`102
`
`nization
`Synchro-
`
`Fig. 2
`
`170
`
`Network
`Remote
`
`£ off Ed - IzOI '3c1 HUN
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`NFLE 1021 - Page 3
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`61 JO £ lamIS
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`iti 686`SLZ`9 Sri
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`User Input
`
`AudioNideo Output
`
`On Screen Display
`
`Graphic
`
`322
`
`I
`
`CPU
`
`314
`
`r
`
`Operating System
`
`Open TV
`
`304 ROM 3/6
`
`Audio/ Video
`
`Process
`Decoding
`
`324
`
`Modem
`
`l
`
`Application
`Open TV
`
`312
`
`RAM
`
`Video
`
`Audio/
`
`TV
`
`Open
`
`-302
`
`Demultiplexer
`
`r
`
`Return Channel
`
`Interactive Decoder
`I
`140
`
`Broadcast Channel
`
`Fig. 3
`
`t offEd - IzoI .X1 aux
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 19
`
`US 6,275,989 B1
`
`Video Delivery
`System
`
`402
`
`Video delivery system
`provides a plurality of
`channels each
`comprising video content
`
`404
`
`Video delivery system
`provides at least one
`channel
`comprising a plurality of
`still video images
`
`Fig. 4
`
`NFLE Ex. 1021 - Page 5
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2001
`
`Sheet 5 of 19
`
`US 6,275,989 B1
`
`C Interactive
`
`decoder
`
`412
`
`Receive the plurality
`of channels each
`comprising video content
`
`414
`
`Receive the at least one
`channel comprising
`the plurality of still
`video images
`
`Decode selected channel
`422 and dispaly video content
`]
`from the selected channel
`on the television
`
`424— Execute the interactive
`program from the AVI
`signal being displayed
`
`Fig. 5
`
`NFLE Ex. 1021 - Page 6
`
`NFLE 1021 - Page 6
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 of 19
`
`US 6,275,989 B1
`
`426(cid:9)
`
`Display one or more
`selection options on
`the television screen in
`response to execution
`
`N
`
`432—
`
`Determine which of the
`plurality of still video
`images corresponds to
`the user selection
`
`434]
`
`Display a first still
`video image on the
`television screen
`corresponding to the
`user selection
`
`436—
`
`Execute interactive
`program associated with
`the still image being
`displayed
`
`Fig. 6
`
`O
`
`NFLE Ex. 1021 - Page 7
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2001
`
`Sheet 7 of 19
`
`US 6,275,989 B1
`
`Interactive
`decoder
`
`4121 Receive the plurality
`of channels each
`comprising video content
`
`I 414 channel comprising
`
`Receive the at least one
`
`
`the plurality of still
`video images
`
`-
`422
`
`Decode selected channel
`and display video content
`from the selected channel
`on the television
`
`424
`
`Execute the interactive
`program from the AVI
`signal being displayed
`
`Fig. 7
`
`NFLE Ex. 1021 - Page 8
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2001
`
`Sheet 8 of 19
`
`US 6,275,989 B1
`
`426(cid:9)
`
`Display one or more
`selection options on
`the television screen in
`response to execution
`
`N
`
`428
`Receive user
`input selecting
`a selection?
`
`432-
`
`Determine which of the
`plurality of still video
`images corresponds to
`the user selection
`
`N
`
`Y
`
`Retrieve still
`image from
`channel
`
`430
`
`Fig. 8
`
`NFLE Ex. 1021 - Page 9
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2001
`
`Sheet 9 of 19
`
`US 6,275,989 B1
`
`434—
`
`Display a first still
`video image on the
`television screen
`corresponding to the
`user selection
`
`436
`
`
`
`Execute interactive
`I program associated with
`the still image
`being displayed
`
`Fig. 9
`
`NFLE Ex. 1021 - Page 10
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`

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`61 JO Of lamIS
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`HI 686'SLV9 Sa
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`End User
`
`Service Provider
`
`Control
`Transaction Renlote
`
`Server
`
`Broadcast Center
`
`Application
`Open TV
`
`Server
`
`AudioNideo
`
`Source
`
`0
`0
`0
`
`150
`
`/Tv/
`
`Decoder
`Interactive
`
`156
`
`110
`
`Return Channel
`
`(Phone Line)
`
`Media Server
`
`106
`
`102
`
`nization
`Synchro-
`
`II 02Ed - IzoI .xa ald1.1
`
`120
`
`180 1
`
`108
`
`100
`
`Fig. 10
`
`Open TV, End to End Enviroment
`
`(Satelite Network Example)
`
`NFLE 1021 - Page 11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2001
`
`Sheet 11 of 19
`
`US 6,275,989 B1
`
`Video Delivery
`System
`
`502
`
`Video delivery system
`provides a plurality of
`channels each
`comprising video content
`
`504
`
`506
`
`Y
`Video delivery system
`provides at least one
`channel comprising
`a plurality of
`still video images
`
`Video delivery system
`provides at least one
`channel
`comprising requested
`still video images
`
`Fig. 11
`
`NFLE Ex. 1021 - Page 12
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2001
`
`Sheet 12 of 19
`
`US 6,275,989 B1
`
`( Interactive
`decoder
`
`512-
`
`Receive the plurality
`of channels each
`comprising video content
`
`514
`
`Receive the at least one
`channel comprising
`the plurality of still
`video images
`
`516
`
`.
`
`r
`Receive the at least one
`channel comprising
`the requested still
`video images
`
`Fig. 12
`
`NFLE Ex. 1021 - Page 13
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2001
`
`Sheet 13 of 19
`
`US 6,275,989 B1
`
`®
`
`5 2 2 —
`
`O
`
`r
`Decode selected
`channel and display
`video content from the
`selected channel on the
`television
`
`524
`
`-1 Execute the interactive
`program from the AVI
`signal being displayed
`
`5 2 6 —
`
`Display one or more
`selection options on
`the television screen in
`response to execution
`
`528
`
`Receive
`user input selectin
`a selection?
`
`Fig. 13
`
`Request an
`image
`
`(
`
`Return to video
`content
`
`6
`
`NFLE Ex. 1021 - Page 14
`
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2001
`
`Sheet 14 of 19
`
`US 6,275,989 B1
`
`.
`
`532
`
`Determine which of the
`plurality of still video
`images corresponds to
`the user selection
`
`542
`
`Transmit user selection
`to media server
`
`534
`
`Display a first still
`video image on the
`television screen
`corresponding to the
`user selection
`
`544
`
`Receive still image
`from media server
`on search
`channel
`
`536
`
`Execute interactive
`program associated with
`the still image being
`displayed
`
`546
`
`548
`
`Display received still
`image from search
`channel on channel
`being viewed
`
`Execute interactive
`program associated
`with the still image
`being displayed
`
`Fig. 14
`
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`NFLE 1021 - Page 17
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`207 PONTIAC
`206 SATURN
`205 CHEVROLET
`204 PLYMOUTH
`203 CHRYSLER
`201 MITSUBISHI MOTORS
`201 NISSAN
`200 TOYOTA-SALETHON
`
`Instant Web
`
`NFLE 1021 - Page 18
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2001
`
`Sheet 18 of 19
`
`US 6,275,989 B1
`
`$5,000,000 Sweepstakes
`ENTRY
`
`Name:
`Address:
`City:
`State:
`ZIP
`Hm. Ph.
`
` Bus. Ph.
`See complete rules on next screen a
`
`
`
`
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`
`
`Fig. 19
`
`Fig. 20
`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2001
`
`Sheet 19 of 19
`
`US 6,275,989 B1
`
`Direct TV Desktop
`
`STOCKS
`/ /
`
`,Jv
`
`1=1 V z
`
`FIG. 21
`
`NEWS
`
`SPORTS
`
`STOCKS
`
`Fig. 22
`
`Fig. 23
`
`Fig. 24
`
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`

`US 6,275,989 B1
`
`1
`INTERACTIVE TELEVISION SYSTEM AND
`METHOD FOR DISPLAYING WEB-LIKE
`STILLS WITH HYPERLINKS
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent appli- 5
`cation Ser. No. 08/675,636 filed on Jul. 1, 1996, which
`issued on May 11, 1999 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,816.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is related to interactive video
`delivery mediums such as interactive television, and more
`particularly to a system and method for generating and
`displaying hyperlinked web-like still video images in an
`interactive broadcast television system. The present inven-
`tion is also related to a system and method for emulating
`Internet web pages in an interactive broadcast television
`system.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
`
`2
`It is clearly desired to provide a convenient and easy
`mechanism which enables a user or viewer in an interactive
`television system to more effectively select and view infor-
`mation with which the viewer is interested. For example, it
`is desired to provide a convenient advertising mechanism in
`an interactive broadcast television system which enables
`advertisers to more effectively display advertisements. It is
`more generally desired to enable the user or viewer to more
`conveniently navigate through information in a web-like
`fashion in an interactive television medium.
`One problem in providing web-like capabilities in an
`interactive television system is the broadcast nature of the
`system. The Internet is essentially a multi-point to multi-
`point network where each user can selectively retrieve
`different information or view different selected content. In
`contrast, the broadcast television medium is primarily a
`point to multi-point network where every user is generally
`required to receive the same content. Therefore, an
`improved interactive television system and method is
`desired which provides web-like capabilities in a primary
`broadcast environment.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention comprises a system and method for
`displaying still video images related to video content in an
`interactive broadcast television system. The present inven-
`tion thus provides hyperlinked web-like capabilities in an
`interactive television system. The interactive television sys-
`tem comprises a video delivery system for providing a
`plurality of channels of video and/or image content, and at
`least one subscriber television including a display screen,
`wherein the subscriber television is coupled to the video
`delivery system. The subscriber television further includes a
`set top box or interactive decoder logic which receives the
`plurality of channels and selectively displays a channel
`based on user input.
`According to the method of the present invention, the
`video delivery system provides or broadcasts one or more
`audio/video channels each comprising video content. The
`video delivery system also provides or broadcasts at least
`one still image channel comprising a plurality of still video
`images, preferably MPEG-2 compressed still images. One or
`more of the audio/video channels comprise AVI (audio video
`interactive) signals which include an audiovisual data stream
`as well as interactive program content. The interactive
`program content is executable to display selection options
`which reference or link to MPEG stills transferred on the
`still image channel. The MPEG stills may also include
`interactive program content used to display selection options
`which reference or link to other MPEG stills.
`According to the invention, when the television is dis-
`playing video content from an AVI signal which includes
`interactive program content, the interactive program content
`is executed by the set top box or interactive decoder to
`display various selection options on the television. One or
`more of the selection options each corresponds to respective
`compressed still video images broadcast on the still image
`channel. The user or viewer can select one of the options to
`view desired information. When the set top box receives
`user input selecting an option to view one of the linked still
`images, the set top box captures the requested image from
`the still image broadcast channel, stores the image in
`memory, and displays the captured still video image corre-
`sponding to the selection. The still image being displayed
`may have associated interactive program content for dis-
`playing further selections, wherein these selections may be
`
`NFLE Ex. 1021 - Page 21
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
`
`The Internet is an international network based on various
`standard protocols and transfer mechanisms which supports
`thousands of computer networks. The basic transfer protocol
`used by the Internet is referred to as TCP/IP (Transfer
`Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), which was a transfer
`protocol originally used in the Unix operating system. The
`Internet essentially provides an interactive image and docu-
`ment presentation system which enables users to selectively
`access desired information and/or graphics content. The
`Internet has grown to form an information superhighway or
`information backbone with many and varied commercial
`uses.
`The Internet includes various server types, including
`World Wide Web (WWW) servers which offer hypertext
`capabilities. Hypertext capabilities allow the Internet to link
`together a web of documents, which can be navigated using
`a convenient graphical user interface (GUI). WWW servers
`use Uniform Resource Locators (Ls) to identify documents,
`where a URL is the address of the document that is to be
`retrieved from a network server. The WWW, also referred to
`as the "web", also uses a hypertext language referred to as
`the hypertext mark-up language (HTML). A is a scripting or
`programming language which allows content providers or
`developers to place hyperlinks within web pages which link
`related content or data. The web also uses a transfer protocol
`referred to as HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP). When a
`user clicks on a link in a web document, the link icon in the
`document contains the URL which the client employs to
`initiate the session with the server storing the linked docu-
`ment. HTTP is the protocol used to support the information
`transfer.
`Interactive television is an interactive audio/video deliv-
`ery medium which provides broadcast audiovisual content to
`a number of subscribers. Interactive television provides
`broadcast video and audio to users and also provides a return
`path for the user to interact with the content, e.g, to make
`selections or order desired products, etc. Unlike the Internet,
`interactive television is primarily a broadcast medium which
`generally requires that the same audiovisual content be
`delivered to each user or subscriber.
`One element of interactive television is the ability to
`provide electronic program guides and/or electronic catalogs
`which allow viewers to order programming or merchandise.
`An advertiser may advertise his product through interactive
`television, and the user may view and make selections to 65
`order the product or receive more information on the prod-
`uct.
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`US 6,275,989 B1
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`tion provides an improved method which enables users to
`navigate through information content in an interactive tele-
`vision system using web-like images and hyperlinks to
`simplify information selections.
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`5
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`3
`for viewing other images or content, for ordering
`information, or purchasing products. The user can thus
`selectively navigate between the video content and stills in
`a web-like hyperlinked fashion.
`In one embodiment, when a user is navigating through
`still images, the television program or video content which
`was being viewed is displayed in a small window overlaid
`on the still image being displayed. In this embodiment, the
`audio portion of the program image may also be presented
`while still images are displayed. This provides a continuous
`television presence in addition to the web-like hyperlinked
`navigational capabilities.
`When the set top box captures a requested image from the
`still image broadcast channel, the set top box preferably also
`preaches or pre-loads other related still images based on the
`probability that these related images will be subsequently
`requested by the user. Thus, when an image is requested that
`has been pre-cached, the image is retrieved from memory,
`instead of having to wait for the net broadcast of the image.
`This reduces the navigation latency and improves system
`performance.
`In one embodiment, the interactive television system of
`the present invention further comprises a media server or
`web server which stores a plurality of still images which
`may be requested "on demand." In this embodiment, the
`broadcast center utilizes one or more channels which are
`reserved for user requests and thus provide still images "on
`demand." Thus, when the set top box receives user input
`indicating a request to receive additional still video images
`related to a certain video content, and these requested still
`images are not currently being broadcast on the still image
`channel, the set top box provides the request to the media
`server. The media server receives the request and provides
`the requested images to the broadcast center for transmis-
`sion. The requested still video images related to the video
`content are then broadcast on the dedicated still image
`channel. The requesting set top box may then capture and
`display the requested images on the subscriber television.
`Alternatively, the requested images are provided directly
`from the media server to the set top box via the return
`channel.
`The present invention thus comprises an interactive tele-
`vision system with web-like navigational capabilities. As
`one example, the present invention provides an improved
`system method for displaying advertising content in an
`interactive television system. A user viewing the television
`can select an option which displays the advertising content
`of a respective advertiser or vendor. When the user selects
`this option, the television hyperlinks to one or more high
`quality compressed video stills which are being broadcast on
`the dedicated one or more still image channels which display
`the advertiser's goods or services. In the preferred
`embodiment, the video stills are presented in a format
`similar to Internet pages. The still images may include
`thumbprint images which link to other stills. The user may
`select respective thumbprints to view a full-screen image of
`the thumbprint image. Still images may also include a
`selection which enables the user to order a product or to
`provide an indication that the user desires to receive more
`information. The present invention thus enables advertisers
`to more intuitively provide advertising content in an inter-
`active television medium.
`Therefore, the system and method of the present invention
`provides a more convenient and a more informative method
`for users or viewers to access or navigate information in an
`interactive broadcast television system. The present inven-
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`A better understanding of the present invention can be
`obtained when the following detailed description of the
`preferred embodiment is considered in conjunction with the
`following drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 illustrates an interactive television system accord-
`ing to the present invention;
`FIG. 2 illustrates the interactive television system of FIG.
`is 1 which includes a remote network that provides program-
`ming content;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the interactive decoder of
`FIGS. 1 and 2;
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram illustrating operation of the
`20 video delivery system of FIGS. 1 and 2;
`FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowchart diagrams illustrating opera-
`tion of the interactive decoder of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to
`one embodiment of the present invention;
`FIGS. 7-9 are a flowchart diagram illustrating operation
`of the interactive decoder of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to
`another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the
`interactive decoder pre-caches still images related to a
`selected still image for improved performance;
`FIG. 10 illustrates an interactive television system which
`provides "on demand" still images according to the present
`invention;
`FIG. 11 is a flowchart diagram illustrating operation of the
`video delivery system of FIG. 10 according to the present
`35 invention;
`FIGS. 12-14 illustrate operation of the interactive
`decoder of FIG. 10 according to the present invention;
`FIG. 15 illustrates a screen shot of a television displaying
`a program which includes selections that reference MPEG
`still images according to the present invention;
`FIG. 16 illustrates an MPEG still image being displayed
`which includes one or more selections for viewing other
`stills or making orders according to the present invention;
`FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate a channel advertising selection
`guide which references still images according to the present
`invention;
`FIG. 19 illustrates a magazine subscription example
`which utilizes linked images according to the present inven-
`50 tion;
`FIG. 20 illustrates a sweepstakes example which utilizes
`linked images according to the present invention; and
`FIGS. 21-24 illustrates a data feed application of the
`present invention.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`EMBODIMENTS
`Interactive Television System
`Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of an interactive
`60 television system according to one embodiment of the
`present invention is shown. It is noted that FIG. 1 is
`illustrative only, and other interactive television system
`embodiments may be used, as desired.
`As shown, the interactive television system employs a
`65 broadcast center 100 for generating audiovisual content,
`including interactive audiovisual content. The broadcast
`center 100 includes an audio/video source 102 for providing
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`US 6,275,989 B1
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`5
`the audiovisual content. The audiovisual content may com-
`prise movies, sports, news, sitcoms or other audiovisual
`programming, as is normally seen on television. The audio-
`visual content also preferably comprises compressed still
`video images. The audio/video source 102 may include
`video compression logic for compressing still video images
`into compressed still video images. As shown in FIG. 2, the
`audiovisual content may also be supplied by a remote
`network 170 or a live feed, as desired.
`The broadcast center 100 also includes an application 10
`server 104 for creating and/or generating interactive appli-
`cation content. The interactive application content com-
`prises application code and data which is designed to be
`executed by a processor within a set top box or television to
`support an interactive television feature. The application
`server 104 is preferably configured for generating or pro-
`viding "OpenTV" interactive applications. The application
`server may also provide "Java" applets or other interactive
`program content, as desired.
`An Encoder/Multiplexer 106 combines the interactive
`application content with the audiovisual content to produce
`an audiovideo-interactive (AVI) signal. The Encoder/
`Multiplexer 106 also synchronizes the interactive applica-
`tion content with the audiovisual content to ensure that the
`interactive application content is inserted in the proper
`position within the audiovisual content. It is noted that
`certain channels may comprise non-interactive program-
`ming content. In other words, certain audiovisual content
`may not have associated interactive content. The Encoder/
`Multiplexer 106 preferably multiplexes a plurality of
`signals, including AVI signals and optionally non-interactive
`signals, together for transmission.
`The broadcast center 100 also includes an uplink satellite
`108 for transmitting the broadcast signal for receipt by
`end-users or a subsequent distribution link. It is noted that
`FIG. 1 illustrates a satellite network example where a
`satellite is used to transmit the broadcast signal. However, it
`is noted that other transmission methods may be used,
`including cable distribution through coaxial cable, fiber
`optic transmission, microwave transmission or other means.
`The broadcast signal is received from broadcast center
`100 via a satellite downlink 120. The broadcast signal is then
`provided to a plurality of subscribers. As noted above, the
`broadcast signal includes one or more AVI signals on
`respective channels, and may include one or more non-
`interactive program signals
`As shown, each end user or subscriber preferably includes
`a set top box or interactive decoder 140 as well as a
`television set 150. The set top box or interactive decoder 140
`is coupled to the television set 150. It is noted that the
`interactive decoder logic may be comprised in the television
`150 instead of being comprised as a separate unit 140. Also,
`the television may comprise a general purpose program-
`mable computer having a display screen, or other viewing
`device, as desired.
`In the present disclosure, the term "subscriber television"
`is intended to include the television set 150 or other viewing
`device, such as a computer, and may include associated
`decoder logic for executing interactive programs. For
`example, in one embodiment, the subscriber television com-
`prises he television set 150 coupled with the interactive
`decoder or set top box 140.
`The television 150 includes a remote control 152 which
`facilitates user interaction with the television 150 and/or
`interactive decoder 140. The user can select desired televi-
`sion channels for viewing. The signal on the selected tele-
`vision channel is decoded by the interactive decoder 140
`
`6
`which provides an output to the television set 150. The
`interactive decoder 140 preferably executes a real time
`operating system, such as OpenTV from Thomson Electron-
`ics. Where the channel being viewed comprises an AVI
`5 signal, the interactive decoder 140 also executes an inter-
`active application program conveyed within the selected
`AVI signal to enable an enter active television feature.
`A return channel 156 interconnects the interactive decoder
`140 to a transaction server 160, which monitors certain
`selections by the user and responds accordingly, as desired.
`The return channel 156 preferably utilizes a standard POTS
`(plain old telephone system) phone line and associated
`modems (not shown) for communication. Other return chan-
`nel options, such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, ADSL
`(Assymetric Digital Subscriber Line), ATM (Asynchronous
`is Transfer Mode), or others, may be used, as desired.
`The broadcast center 100 provides a plurality of program
`channels each comprising audiovisual content. One or more
`program channels comprise AVI signals including audiovi-
`sual content and associated interactive applications and/or
`20 still image link data. The link data is preferably HTML
`(hypertext markup language) data. According to the present
`invention, the broadcast center 100 also provides at least one
`channel, referred to as a still image channel, comprising a
`plurality of still video images, preferably MPEG com-
`25 pressed stills.
`In the preferred embodiment, the still image channel
`transmits 25 still images per second where the images repeat
`every 3 seconds. Thus a total of 75 different still images are
`transmitted on one still image channel.
`The interactive applications provided on a AVI signal are
`executable to display one or more selections on the televi-
`sion in conjunction with the audiovisual content. According
`to the present invention, certain of these selections reference
`respective MPEG stills which are transmitted on the one or
`35 more still image channels and are related to the video
`content. Certain selections may also be used to order infor-
`mation or products via the transaction server 160.
`At least a subset of the broadcast still video images also
`include associated interactive application and/or link data
`40 which are executable to display one or more selections on
`the television in conjunction with the respective MPEG still.
`These selections may reference other MPEG stills, or may
`be used to order information or products. In one
`embodiment, one or more selections may be used to transmit
`45 a request to a media server for additional "on demand"
`MPEG stills.
`FIG. 3—Interactive Decoder
`Referring now to