EP1098532A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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An interactive television system
Assignee: ACTV Inc
•
Filing: 1996-05-17
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2016-05-17
Abstract
Abstract An interactive cable television system utilizes a standard cable television distribution network for simultaneously providing a plurality of viewers with an interactive television program comprising a plurality of signals related in time and content. Video signals (1) are transmitted in a digital format, more than one signal being multiplexed onto a data stream on a single channel. The video signals (1) may be compressed for efficiency. A receiver (7), in conjunction with a signal selector (8), selects a particular NTSC channel for playback, then selects a particular video signal from the data stream, and decompresses the video signal for playback. Seamless switching between video signals on different channels is provided. In an alternative embodiment, the various signals which comprise the interactive program are switched at the head end (300) rather than at the receiver (7). The multiple choice control unit (9) selects a desired signal by relating the multiple choice selections of the user through a relay box (17) back to a remotely located switching station. The switching station routes the correct video signal down the appropriate cable channel for the particular user.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory W. Harper
- 👤 Michael J. Freeman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:34
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04H; H04H20/00; H04H20/28; H04H20/30; G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/40; H04H20/10; H04H20/103; H04H20/106; H04H20/38; H04H60/00; H04H60/29; H04H60/33; H04N; H04N11/00; H04N11/04; H04N11/042; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/234; H04N21/23424; H04N21/236; H04N21/2365; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/426; H04N21/42607; H04N21/4263; H04N21/43; H04N21/434; H04N21/4347; H04N21/438; H04N21/4383; H04N21/4384; H04N21/44; H04N21/44004; H04N21/44016; H04N21/45; H04N21/4508; H04N21/4532; H04N21/454; H04N21/60; H04N21/63; H04N21/643; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/812; H04N7/00; H04N7/08; H04N7/0806; H04N7/087; H04N7/088; H04N7/0882; H04N7/10; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17318; H04N7/17345; H04N7/17354; H04H20/65; H04H20/76; H04H20/77; H04H20/81; H04H20/86; H04H20/95; H04N5/00; H04N5/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
An interactive television system comprising: means (130), for receiving user selections; means (7) for receiving digitally compressed interactive television
programming, the interactive television programming comprising a plurality of
video signals related in time and content; means (170), connected to the receiving means (7), for providing selected
video signals, the selected video signals being based on user selections; means, connected to the providing means (170), for outputting an analog
signal, comprising: means (110) for decompressing, buffering, and synchronizing the
selected video signals; means, connected to the decompressing, buffering, and synchronizing
means, and connected to the providing means, for controlling the buffering
means (108), resulting in a seamless switch between video signals when the
providing means selects another video signal based on a user selection; and means (170), connected to the decompressing, buffering, and
synchronizing means, for encoding the synchronized analog video signal into a
format compatible with a television display; wherein the encoded signal is related to the user's selections and the
user may interactively and seamlessly switch between video signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
An interactive television system comprising: a receiver for receiving a program which is filmed using multiple cameras
situated at various camera viewpoints, the broadcast program having a plurality
of digital video signals, wherein the plurality of digital video signals corresponds
to the various camera viewpoints; a remote controller for enabling corresponding digital video signals to be
selected; and a display unit to display the selected video signal, the switch from one
video signal to the selected video signal being a seamless switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
An interactive television system as claimed in Claim 2, further comprising
a signal selector, coupled to the receiver and remotely coupled to the remote
controller, for selecting one of the digital video signals, and directing a seamless
switch to the selected digital video signal based on viewer selections input to the
remote controller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
An interactive television system as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein
the digital video signals are digitally compressed and the interactive television
system further comprises a decompressor/decoder, connected to the receiver,
for decompressing the digitally compressed video signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
An interactive television system as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 4,
wherein the compressed digital video signals are multiplexed and the interactive
television system further comprises a demultiplexer for demultiplexing the
compressed digital video signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
An interactive television system as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 5,
wherein one of the digital video signals contains a standard broadcast signal of
an event.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An interactive television system as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 6,
wherein one of the digital video signals contains a close-up view of an event.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
An interactive television system as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 7,
wherein one of the digital video signals contains a continuously updated view of
event highlights.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
An interactive television system as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 8,
wherein one of the digital video signals contains statistical information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
An interactive television system as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 9,
wherein the multiplexed digital video signals are transmitted over a single cable
channel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
An interactive television system as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 9,
wherein the digital video signals are transmitted over a broadcast television
system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
An interactive television system as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 9,
wherein the digital video signals are transmitted over a broadcast television
system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
An interactive television system as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 9,
wherein the digital video signals are transmitted over a direct broadcast satellite.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
An interactive television system as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 9,
wherein the digital video signals are transmitted over a six MHz NTSC channel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
74 words
An interactive television system as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 14,
further comprising a head end operably connected to the receiver, the remote
controller generating unique camera control signals indicative of and
corresponding to the multiple camera viewpoints and transmitting them to the
display unit, the display unit sending the camera control signal to the head end,
the head end seamlessly switching among the digital video signals selected by
the remote controller.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
An interactive television system as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the head
end stores the digital video signals from the corresponding cameras.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
An interactive television system as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 16,
wherein a personal profile is created and the interactive television system further
comprises a memory for storing the personal profile, and wherein the desired
camera viewpoint is selected based on the viewer profile.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for providing live interactive digital television, comprising the
steps of: obtaining video signals from a plurality of video cameras, one or more of
the cameras relaying a different view of an event; digitally encoding one or more of the video signals; transmitting the digital video signals; receiving the combined digital program stream; gathering a viewer selection from a remote controller; seamlessly switching to the selected digital video signal; and displaying the selected video signal on a screen.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in Claim 18, further comprising the step of digitally
compressing the video signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in Claim 18 or Claim 19, further comprising the step
of digitally multiplexing the video signals into a combined digital program stream.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in Claim 20, further comprising the step of digitally
demultiplexing the digital video signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in Claim 21, further comprising the step of
decompressing the demultiplexed digital video signals.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
41 words
A method as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 22, further comprising the
steps of: creating a personal profile; and storing the personal profile; wherein the selection of the video signals is based, "in part", on the stored
personal profile.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 23, wherein one of the digital
video signals contains a standard broadcast signal of the event.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 24, wherein one of the digital
video signals contains a close-up view of the event.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in any of claims 18 to 25, wherein one of the digital
video signals contains a continuously updated view of event highlights.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 26, wherein one of the digital
video signals contains statistical information.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 27, wherein the digital video
signals are transmitted over a single cable channel.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 27, wherein the digital video
signals are transmitted over a cable television system.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 27, wherein the digital video
signals are transmitted over a broadcast television system.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in any Claims 18 to 27, wherein the digital video
signals are transmitted over a direct broadcast satellite.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 27, wherein the digital video
signs are transmitted over a six MHz NTSC channel.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for seamlessly switching between digital video signals,
comprising: a receiver interface, the receiver interface receiving a plurality of digital
video signals. a processor, the processor selecting a video signal for display; and a seamless video switch, connected to the processor, the switch
seamlessly switching from a previously displayed digital video signal to the
selected video signal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 33, further comprising a digital display
monitor for displaying the selected video signal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 33 or Claim 34, further comprising a user
interface for receiving subscriber selections, wherein the processor selects the
video signal based on one or more subscriber selections.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 33 to 35, further comprising a
memory, connected to the processor, for storing personal information, wherein
the processor selects the video signal based on the personal profile information.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 33 to 36, wherein the plurality of
digital video signals are multiplexed and the seamless video switch comprises: a demultiplexer, connected to the processor, the demultiplexer
demultiplexing the plurality of digital video signals to obtain the selected video
signal; and a decompressor, operably connected to the demultiplexer, for
decompressing the selected video signal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 33 to 37, wherein the seamless
video switch further comprises a memory for storing the selected video signal.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 33 to 38, wherein the plurality of
digital video signals are multiplexed and the seamless video switch comprises: a demulitplexer, connected to the processor, the demultiplexer
demultiplexes the plurality of digital video signals; a memory, connected to the demultiplexer, for storing the demultiplexed
video signals, the memory containing a pointer under microprocessor control
which identifies the memory contents to be output; a decompressor, connected to the memory, for decompressing the stored
video signals; and a synchronizing means, for generating synchronization pulses.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
112 words
Apparatus for seamlessly switching between digital video signals,
comprising: a receiver interface, the receiver interface receiving a plurality of digital
video signals and program data codes; a user interface for receiving subscriber selections; a processor, in communication with the user interface, for selecting a
video signal for display, wherein the selection of the video signal is based on the
program data codes and on one or more subscriber selections; and a seamless video switch, connected to the processor and the receiver
interface, the switch receiving an instruction from the processor identifying the
selected video signal, and the switch seamlessly switches from a previously
displayed digital video signal to the selected video signal.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 40, wherein the plurality of digital video
signals are multiplexed and the seamless video switch comprises: a demultiplexer, connected to the processor, the demultiplexer
demultiplexes the plurality of digital video signals to obtain the selected video
signal; and a decompressor, operably connected to the demultiplexer, for
decompressing the selected video signal.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 40 or Claim 41, further comprising a digital
display monitor for displaying the selected video signal.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
47 words
A method for seamlessly switching between video signals, comprising the
steps of: receiving a plurality of digital video signals; selecting a video signal for display with a processor; seamlessly switching from a previously displayed digital video signal to
the selected video signal; displaying the selected video signal.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for seamlessly switching between digital video signals,
comprising the steps of: receiving a plurality of digital video signals and program data codes; gathering subscriber selections; selecting a video signal for display with a processor, wherein the selection
of the video signal is based on the program data codes and on one or more
subscriber selections; and receiving an instruction at a digital switch from the processor identifying
the selected video signal; and seamlessly switching from a previously displayed digital video signal to
the selected video signal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for seamlessly switching between digital video signals,
comprising: a receiver interface, the receiver interface receiving a plurality of digital
video signals; a memory for storing personal profile information; a processor, in communication with the user interface, for selecting a
video signal for display, wherein the selection of the video signal is based on the
personal profile information: and a seamless video switch, connected to the processor and the receiver
interface, the switch receiving an instruction from the processor identifying the
selected video signal, and the switch seamlessly switches from a previously
displayed digital video signal to the selected video signal.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 45, further comprising a digital display
monitor for displaying the selected video signal.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for seamlessly switching between a first digital video signal
and a second video signal, comprising: a processor, the processor selects the second video signal for display; a digital demultiplexer, the digital demultiplexer demultiplexes the plurality
of digital video signals to obtain the second video signal; a decompressor, connected to the digital demultiplexer, the
decompressor decompresses the second video signal; a video buffer, connected to the decompressor and processor, for
buffering the first video signal, wherein the first signal is buffered to ensure
correct alignment with the selected second video signal so that switching from
the first digital video signal to the second digital video signal is seamless; and a display monitor, connected to the video buffer, for displaying the video
signals.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 47, further comprising a memory,
connected to the processor, for storing personal profile information, wherein the
selection of the second video signal is based on the personal profile information.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 47 or Claim 48, further comprising a user
interface for receiving user inputs, wherein the selection of the second video
signal is based on one or more user input responses.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claims 47 to 49, wherein the video buffer is a
digital video buffer.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 47 to 50, further comprising a
decoder, connected to the decompressor, for decoding the second video signal
from digital to analog, wherein the video buffer is an analog video buffer.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
213 words
An interactive television system comprising: a television programming transmission means (5, 260, 262, 300) for
providing transmitted interactive television programming, comprising means for
representing said transmitted interactive television programming in the format of
a plurality of interactive television program signals placed at different
communication frequencies; each of said plurality of interactive television program signals comprising
a plurality of compressed digital multi-information packets, each packet
containing a plurality of time multiplexed program information message signals; a subscriber distribution network connected to the television programming
transmission means (5, 260, 262, 300); a plurality of subscriber television reception systems (7, 17, 232, 234,
236) connected to the subscriber distribution network, each of said subscriber
television reception systems comprising: a television receiver (7) having a plurality of television reception
frequencies some of which correspond to different communication
frequencies and comprising a means for independently receiving any of
said program information message signals on the corresponding
communication frequencies; multi-information selection means (8, 108) for selecting one of said
program information message signals comprising: means for demultiplexing (106) said selected program
information message signal; means for decompressing (110) said selected program
information message signal; means for displaying (10) said selected program information
message signal; wherein subscribers in said interactive television system
independently select and view said interactive television programming.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
21 words
An interactive television system as claimed in Claim 52, wherein said
multi-information packets comprise one or more regular television program
signals.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
33 words
An interactive television system as claimed in Claim 52 or Claim 53,
wherein said subscriber distribution network is selected from the group
consisting of cable television, telephone, broadcast television, and direct
broadcast satellite.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
53 words
An interactive television system as claimed in any of Claims 52 to 54,
wherein said multi-information selection means (8,108) comprises keyboard
means comprising a plurality of keys for selectably enabling reception and
selection of a program information message signal on a communication
frequency corresponding to a selected key and the corresponding
communication frequencies.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
56 words
An interactive television system as claimed in any of Claims 52 to 55,
wherein said multi-information packets comprise video information displayable
on said television receiver corresponding to information labels to be dynamically
assigned to said keys for a particular multi-information packet, said information
labels being dynamically variable dependent on the content of said particular
multi-informational packet.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
36 words
An interactive television system as claimed in any of claims 52 to 56,
wherein at least a portion of said program information message signals are
content related in a decision tree relationship between successive individual
packets.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
33 words
An interactive television system as claimed in any of Claims 52 to 57,
wherein at least two of said program information message signals comprise
different field synchronized camera angles of the same event.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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