US5737552A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Machine, method and medium for linear programming with interactive conversational interface
Assignee: Disney Enterprises Inc
•
Filing: 1995-07-28
•
Granted: 1998-04-07
•
Expires: 2015-07-28
Abstract
Abstract A machine, method and computer-readable medium for allowing program information to be conveyed to the user in a linear fashion, while also allowing the user to request additional program information relating to a particular "scene" that they are viewing. If a user is dissatisfied with the current scene they are viewing, they can request "alternate" program information. This is accomplished by dividing the program information conveyed to a user into scenes, any of which may have additional program information associated with it. When additional program information is requested, the appropriate scene associated with the current scene is conveyed to the user. Conversely, if a user requests alternate program information, then the requesting scene is conveyed to the user. If there is no requesting scene, then the next scene at the same level is conveyed to the user.
Inventors
- 👤 David Anthony Lavallee
- 👤 Gregg S. Foster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:07
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/235; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/435; H04N7/00; H04N7/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 95
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A computer-implemented method for allowing a user to obtain additional or alternate program information corresponding to a scene being viewed by the user, comprising the steps of: (1) conveying, from a content source to the user, program information comprising one or more scenes, wherein at least one of said one or more scenes have associated control information; (2) receiving, from the user, a signal indicating a request to receive additional or alternate program information corresponding to a current scene viewed by the user when said signal was initiated; (3) obtaining, in response to said step (2), control information corresponding to said current scene; (4) conveying to the user, based upon said control information of said step (3), additional program information corresponding to said current scene, when said signal indicates a request to receive said additional program information; (5) conveying to the user, based upon said control information of said step (3), alternate program information when said signal indicates a request to receive alternate program information corresponding to said current scene; and (6) conveying linear program information to the user where no request of said step (2) is made by the user after a period of time has elapsed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
A computer-implemented method for allowing a user to obtain additional or alternate program information corresponding to a scene being viewed by the user, comprising the steps of: (1) conveying, from a content source to the user, program information comprising one or more scenes, wherein at least one of said one or more scenes have associated control information; (2) receiving, from the user, a signal indicating a request to receive additional or alternate program information corresponding to a current scene viewed by the user when said signal was initiated; (3) obtaining, in response to said step (2), control information corresponding to said current scene; (4) conveying to the user, based upon said control information of said step (3), additional program information corresponding to said current scene, when said signal indicates a request to receive said additional program information; (5) conveying to the user, based upon said control information of said step (3), alternate program information when said signal indicates a request to receive alternate program information corresponding to said current scene; and (6) conveying linear program information to the user where no request of said step (2) is made by the user after a period of time has elapsed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step (1) comprises the step of utilizing a telephone system to convey said program, additional program and alternate program information between said content source and the user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step (1) comprises the step of utilizing a television system to convey said linear program, additional program and alternate program information between said content source and the user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step (1) comprises the step of utilizing a computer system to convey said linear program, additional program and alternate program information between said content source and the user.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said content source comprises a storage device on a local computer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said program information conveyed to the user is initially linear.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one of said one or more scenes have associated time code information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said time code information is SMPTE time code information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of utilizing said control information obtained in said step (3) and obtaining said additional program information of said step (4) using an Edit Decision List.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step (4) comprises the step of identifying when said additional program information conveyed to the user has ended, wherein said current scene to which said additional program information corresponded is then conveyed to the user.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step (4) comprises the step of identifying when said additional program information conveyed to the user has ended, wherein a scene subsequent to said current scene to which said additional program information corresponded is then conveyed to the user.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1, wherein program information conveyed to the user prior to the elapsing of said period of time of said step (6) is part of said linear program information, wherein said linear program information resides at a top hierarchical level.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step (6) comprises the step of identifying when said additional program information of said step (4) conveyed to the user has ended, wherein said current scene to which said additional program information corresponded is then conveyed to the user, wherein said current scene is a part of said linear program information residing at a top hierarchical level.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of indicating that no additional program information is available when said signal of said step (2) indicates a request for additional program information and said current scene has no additional program information corresponding to it.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said step of indicating that no additional program information is available comprises the step of ignoring said signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said additional program information of said step (4) is at a lower hierarchical level than said current scene.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 16, wherein said alternate program information of said step (5) is said current scene.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 16, wherein said alternate program information of said step (5) is a scene after said current scene.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 16, wherein said alternate program information of said step (5) is a scene after a scene corresponding to said additional program information, at said lower hierarchical level.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said signal of said step (2) is generated by a user control device having a first user-actuated control for indicating a request for additional program information and a second user-actuated control for indicating a request for alternate program information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 20, wherein said second user-actuated control comprises a first actuator for requesting alternate program information residing on a higher hierarchical level than said current scene, and a second actuator for requesting alternate program information residing on the same hierarchical level as said current scene.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step (1) comprises the step of initially conveying linear program information at a top hierarchical level.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
205 words
A computer-readable memory for use with a computer, for allowing a user to obtain additional or alternate program information corresponding to a scene being viewed by the user, comprising: means for receiving, from a content source, program information comprising one or more scenes, wherein at least one of said one or more scenes have associated control information; signal reception means for receiving, from the user, a signal indicating a request to receive additional or alternate program information corresponding to a current scene viewed by the user when said signal was initiated; control means for obtaining, in response to said signal reception means, control information corresponding to said current scene; first requesting means for requesting from said content source, based upon said control information, additional program information corresponding to said current scene, when said signal indicates a request to receive said additional program information; second requesting means for requesting from said content source, based upon said control information, alternate program information when said signal indicates a request to receive alternate program information corresponding to said current scene; and means for receiving, from said content source, linear program information where said signal is not received by said signal reception means after a period of time has elapsed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
205 words
A computer-readable memory for use with a computer, for allowing a user to obtain additional or alternate program information corresponding to a scene being viewed by the user, comprising: means for receiving, from a content source, program information comprising one or more scenes, wherein at least one of said one or more scenes have associated control information; signal reception means for receiving, from the user, a signal indicating a request to receive additional or alternate program information corresponding to a current scene viewed by the user when said signal was initiated; control means for obtaining, in response to said signal reception means, control information corresponding to said current scene; first requesting means for requesting from said content source, based upon said control information, additional program information corresponding to said current scene, when said signal indicates a request to receive said additional program information; second requesting means for requesting from said content source, based upon said control information, alternate program information when said signal indicates a request to receive alternate program information corresponding to said current scene; and means for receiving, from said content source, linear program information where said signal is not received by said signal reception means after a period of time has elapsed.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
202 words
A machine for allowing a user to obtain additional or alternate program information corresponding to a scene being viewed by the user, comprising: a content source for storing program information, wherein said program information comprises one or more scenes; a viewing device for displaying selected program information from said content source; a user control device for generating a request for additional program information or alternate program information based upon a current scene being viewed by the user, wherein said current scene is one of said one or more scenes; and a transmission system for conveying said program information to said viewing device, and for conveying said request to said content source, wherein additional program information corresponding to said current scene is conveyed to said viewing device from said content source when said signal indicates a request to receive said additional program information; wherein alternate program information corresponding to said current scene is conveyed to said viewing device from said content source when said signal indicates a request to receive alternate program information, and wherein linear program information is conveyed to said viewing device from said content source where no request is made by the user after a period of time has elapsed.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
202 words
A machine for allowing a user to obtain additional or alternate program information corresponding to a scene being viewed by the user, comprising: a content source for storing program information, wherein said program information comprises one or more scenes; a viewing device for displaying selected program information from said content source; a user control device for generating a request for additional program information or alternate program information based upon a current scene being viewed by the user, wherein said current scene is one of said one or more scenes; and a transmission system for conveying said program information to said viewing device, and for conveying said request to said content source, wherein additional program information corresponding to said current scene is conveyed to said viewing device from said content source when said signal indicates a request to receive said additional program information; wherein alternate program information corresponding to said current scene is conveyed to said viewing device from said content source when said signal indicates a request to receive alternate program information, and wherein linear program information is conveyed to said viewing device from said content source where no request is made by the user after a period of time has elapsed.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The machine of claim 24, wherein said content source is a computer device utilizing media server software.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
The machine of claim 24, wherein said viewing device is a computer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 26, wherein said content source comprises a storage device on said computer device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The machine claim of claim 24, wherein said viewing device is a television set.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
42 words
The machine claim of claim 24, wherein said signal is generated by a user control device comprising a first user-actuated control for indicating a request for additional program information and a second user-actuated control for indicating a request for alternate program information.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
48 words
The machine of claim 29, wherein said second user-actuated control comprises a first actuator for requesting alternate program information residing on a higher hierarchical level than said current scene, and a second actuator for requesting alternate program information residing on the same hierarchical level as said current scene.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The machine of claim 24, wherein said program information conveyed to the user is initially linear.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The machine of claim 24, wherein said at least one of said one or more scenes have associated time code information.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The machine of claim 32, wherein said time code information is SMPTE time code information.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
The machine of claim 33, wherein said additional program information is obtained using an Edit Decision List.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
The machine of claim 24, further comprising means for identifying when said additional program information conveyed to the user has ended, and for conveying to the user said current scene to which said additional program information corresponded.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
41 words
The machine of claim 24, further comprising means for identifying when said additional program information conveyed to the user has ended, and for conveying to the user a scene subsequent to said current scene to which said additional program information corresponded.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
39 words
The machine of claim 24, wherein program information conveyed to the user prior to the elapsing of said period of time is part of said linear program information, wherein said linear program information resides at a top hierarchical level.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
56 words
The machine of claim 24, further comprising means for identifying when said additional program information conveyed to the user has ended, wherein said current scene to which said additional program information corresponded is then conveyed to the user, wherein said current scene is a part of said linear program information residing at a top hierarchical level.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
37 words
The machine of claim 24, further comprising means for indicating that no additional program information is available when a request for additional program information occurs and said current scene has no additional program information corresponding to it.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
The machine of claim 39, wherein said means for indicating that no additional program information is available comprises ignoring said request.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The machine of claim 24, wherein said additional program information is at a lower hierarchical level than said current scene.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
The machine of claim 41, wherein said alternate program information is said current scene.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
The machine of claim 41, wherein said alternate program information is a scene after said current scene.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
The machine of claim 41, wherein said alternate program information is a scene after a scene corresponding to said additional program information, at said lower hierarchical level.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
12 words
The machine of claim 24, wherein said transmission system utilizes the Internet.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
13 words
The machine of claim 24, wherein said transmission system utilizes a telephone system.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
12 words
The machine of claim 46, wherein said transmission system utilizes the Internet.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
14 words
The machine of claim 24, wherein said transmission system utilizes a cable TV system.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
12 words
The machine of claim 48, wherein said transmission system utilizes the Internet.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
13 words
The machine of claim 24, wherein said transmission system utilizes radio frequency technology.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
205 words
A computer-readable medium for use with a computer, for allowing a user to obtain additional or alternate program information corresponding to a scene being viewed by the user, comprising: means for receiving, from a content source, program information comprising one or more scenes, wherein at least one of said one or more scenes have associated control information; signal reception means for receiving, from the user, a signal indicating a request to receive additional or alternate program information corresponding to a current scene viewed by the user when said signal was initiated; control means for obtaining, in response to said signal reception means, control information corresponding to said current scene; first requesting means for requesting from said content source, based upon said control information, additional program information corresponding to said current scene, when said signal indicates a request to receive said additional program information; second requesting means for requesting from said content source, based upon said control information, alternate program information when said signal indicates a request to receive alternate program information corresponding to said current scene; and means for receiving, from said content source, linear program information where said signal is not received by said signal reception means after a period of time has elapsed.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
205 words
A computer-readable medium for use with a computer, for allowing a user to obtain additional or alternate program information corresponding to a scene being viewed by the user, comprising: means for receiving, from a content source, program information comprising one or more scenes, wherein at least one of said one or more scenes have associated control information; signal reception means for receiving, from the user, a signal indicating a request to receive additional or alternate program information corresponding to a current scene viewed by the user when said signal was initiated; control means for obtaining, in response to said signal reception means, control information corresponding to said current scene; first requesting means for requesting from said content source, based upon said control information, additional program information corresponding to said current scene, when said signal indicates a request to receive said additional program information; second requesting means for requesting from said content source, based upon said control information, alternate program information when said signal indicates a request to receive alternate program information corresponding to said current scene; and means for receiving, from said content source, linear program information where said signal is not received by said signal reception means after a period of time has elapsed.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 51, wherein said at least one of said one or more scenes have associated time code information.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 52, wherein said time code information is SMPTE time code information.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 53, wherein said additional program information is obtained using an Edit Decision List.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 51, wherein said program information conveyed to the user is initially linear.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 51, further comprising means for identifying when said additional program information conveyed to the user has ended, and for conveying to the user said current scene to which said additional program information corresponded.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 51, further comprising means for identifying when said additional program information conveyed to the user has ended, and for conveying to the user a scene subsequent to said current scene to which said additional program information corresponded.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 51, wherein program information conveyed to the user prior to the elapsing of said period of time is part of said linear program information, wherein said linear program information resides at a top hierarchical level.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
57 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 51, further comprising means for identifying when said additional program information conveyed to the user has ended, wherein said current scene to which said additional program information corresponded is then conveyed to the user, wherein said current scene is a part of said linear program information residing at a top hierarchical level.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 51, further comprising means for indicating that no additional program information is available when a request for additional program information occurs and said current scene has no additional program information corresponding to it.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 60, wherein said means for indicating that no additional program information is available comprises ignoring said request.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 51, wherein said additional program information is at a lower hierarchical level than said current scene.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 62, wherein said alternate program information is said current scene.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 62, wherein said alternate program information is a scene after said current scene.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 62, wherein said alternate program information is a scene after a scene corresponding to said additional program information, at said lower hierarchical level.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
199 words
A machine for allowing a user to obtain additional or alternate program information corresponding to a scene being viewed by the user, comprising: transmission means for conveying, from a content source to the user, program information comprising one or more scenes, wherein at least one of said one or more scenes have associated control information; signal reception means for receiving, from the user, a signal indicating a request to receive additional or alternate program information corresponding to a current scene viewed by the user when said signal was initiated; control means for obtaining, in response to said signal reception means, control information corresponding to said current scene; first conveyance means for conveying to the user, based upon said control information, additional program information corresponding to said current scene, when said signal indicates a request to receive said additional program information; second conveyance means for conveying to the user, based upon said control information, alternate program information when said signal indicates a request to receive alternate program information corresponding to said current scene; and third conveyance means for conveying linear program information to the user where no request is made by the user after a period of time has elapsed.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
199 words
A machine for allowing a user to obtain additional or alternate program information corresponding to a scene being viewed by the user, comprising: transmission means for conveying, from a content source to the user, program information comprising one or more scenes, wherein at least one of said one or more scenes have associated control information; signal reception means for receiving, from the user, a signal indicating a request to receive additional or alternate program information corresponding to a current scene viewed by the user when said signal was initiated; control means for obtaining, in response to said signal reception means, control information corresponding to said current scene; first conveyance means for conveying to the user, based upon said control information, additional program information corresponding to said current scene, when said signal indicates a request to receive said additional program information; second conveyance means for conveying to the user, based upon said control information, alternate program information when said signal indicates a request to receive alternate program information corresponding to said current scene; and third conveyance means for conveying linear program information to the user where no request is made by the user after a period of time has elapsed.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
17 words
The machine of claim 66, wherein said content source is a computer device utilizing media server software.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 67, wherein said content source comprises a storage device on said computer device.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
37 words
The machine claim of claim 66, wherein said user control device comprises a first user-actuated control for indicating a request for additional program information and a second user-actuated control for indicating a request for alternate program information.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
48 words
The machine of claim 69, wherein said second user-actuated control comprises a first actuator for requesting alternate program information residing on a higher hierarchical level than said current scene, and a second actuator for requesting alternate program information residing on the same hierarchical level as said current scene.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
16 words
The machine of claim 66, wherein said program information conveyed to the user is initially linear.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
21 words
The machine of claim 66, wherein said at least one of said one or more scenes have associated time code information.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
15 words
The machine of claim 72, wherein said time code information is SMPTE time code information.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
17 words
The machine of claim 73, wherein said additional program information is obtained using an Edit Decision List.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
37 words
The machine of claim 66, further comprising means for identifying when said additional program information conveyed to the user has ended, and for conveying to the user said current scene to which said additional program information corresponded.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
41 words
The machine of claim 66, further comprising means for identifying when said additional program information conveyed to the user has ended, and for conveying to the user a scene subsequent to said current scene to which said additional program information corresponded.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
39 words
The machine of claim 66, wherein program information conveyed to the user prior to the elapsing of said period of time is part of said linear program information, wherein said linear program information resides at a top hierarchical level.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
56 words
The machine of claim 66, further comprising means for identifying when said additional program information conveyed to the user has ended, wherein said current scene to which said additional program information corresponded is then conveyed to the user, wherein said current scene is a part of said linear program information residing at a top hierarchical level.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
37 words
The machine of claim 66, further comprising means for indicating that no additional program information is available when a request for additional program information occurs and said current scene has no additional program information corresponding to it.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
21 words
The machine of claim 79, wherein said means for indicating that no additional program information is available comprises ignoring said request.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
20 words
The machine of claim 66, wherein said additional program information is at a lower hierarchical level than said current scene.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
14 words
The machine of claim 81, wherein said alternate program information is said current scene.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
17 words
The machine of claim 81, wherein said alternate program information is a scene after said current scene.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
27 words
The machine of claim 81, wherein said alternate program information is a scene after a scene corresponding to said additional program information, at said lower hierarchical level.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
12 words
The machine of claim 66, wherein said transmission means utilizes the Internet.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
13 words
The machine of claim 66, wherein said transmission means utilizes a telephone system.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
12 words
The machine of claim 86, wherein said transmission means utilizes the Internet.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
14 words
The machine of claim 66, wherein said transmission means utilizes a cable TV system.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
12 words
The machine of claim 88, wherein said transmission means utilizes the Internet.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
13 words
The machine of claim 66, wherein said transmission means utilizes radio frequency technology.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-06 | 2009-10-06 | 2010-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |