US6330719B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interactive television receiver unit browser that waits to send requests
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
•
Filing: 1999-06-30
•
Granted: 2001-12-11
•
Expires: 2019-06-30
Abstract
Abstract In interactive television, a broadcaster may broadcast triggers to a great many receiver units prompting the receiver units to attempt to send requests to a single destination on the Internet at roughly the same time. Such a large number of simultaneous requests can give rise to throughput problems and server overload. A receiver unit in accordance with the invention, rather than immediately attempting to send a request, waits a period of time (for example, a random period) before sending the request so as not to overload the server. In one embodiment, a trigger is received on an interactive television receiver unit prompting the viewer to select an icon. If the viewer selects the icon, then a browser in the receiver unit retrieves a web page on the Internet identified by a URL in the trigger. The web page includes an indication of a destination, scheduling information, and a form area. The viewer enters user information in association with the form area. The browser captures that user information, incorporates it into a request, and then stores the request in a queue along with the scheduling information. The browser periodically checks the scheduling information in the queue and determines from the scheduling information if it is time to send the request. When the browser determines the time has come to send a request in the queue, the browser retrieves the request and sends it to the destination. The browser may then receive a return response and display it.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel J. Zigmond
- 👤 Dean J. Blackketter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:48
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/25; H04N21/262; H04N21/26275; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/50; H04L67/60; H04L67/62; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/433; H04N21/4331; H04N21/45; H04N21/462; H04N21/4622; H04N21/47; H04N21/472; H04N21/4722; H04N21/478; H04N21/47815; H04N21/4782; H04N21/60; H04N21/61; H04N21/6106; H04N21/6125; H04N21/6156; H04N21/6175; H04N21/65; H04N21/658; H04N21/6582; H04N21/80; H04N21/85; H04N21/854; H04N21/8543; H04N21/858; H04N21/8586; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17318; H04N7/17327; H04L67/01; H04L67/02; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
319 words
In a computer network, which includes a plurality of servers and a plurality of interactive television receiver units, the servers and interactive television receiver units being interconnected, and wherein the interactive television receiver units can be controlled by a user in order to be coupled to any of the servers for purposes of processing return requests, a method of controlling and scheduling initial transmission of such return requests in order to reduce bottlenecking and overloading of a server with such return requests, comprising: a. receiving essentially simultaneously at a plurality of the interactive television receiver units a first communication in the form of a script that is either part of a broadcast trigger, a web page or an attachment to a web page, the script including (i) scheduling information for initiating a return request, the scheduling information being under the control of an author of the first communication and the scheduling information differing as between at least some of the interactive television receiver units at which the first communication is received, and (ii) an indication of a destination with respect to one of the servers which is intended to receive the return request; b. at least some of the plurality of interactive television receiver units where the first communication is received, executing the script with the result of preparing a second communication that represents the desired return request to be processed and that is to be sent to the indicated destination and storing the second communication at each of the interactive television receiver units executing the script; c. at each of the plurality of interactive television receiver units where the script has been executed, waiting a period of time determined by the scheduling information before attempting to initiate the return request; and d. after the period of time, each interactive television receiver unit that executed the script, automatically sending the second communication over the network to the indicated destination.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
319 words
In a computer network, which includes a plurality of servers and a plurality of interactive television receiver units, the servers and interactive television receiver units being interconnected, and wherein the interactive television receiver units can be controlled by a user in order to be coupled to any of the servers for purposes of processing return requests, a method of controlling and scheduling initial transmission of such return requests in order to reduce bottlenecking and overloading of a server with such return requests, comprising: a. receiving essentially simultaneously at a plurality of the interactive television receiver units a first communication in the form of a script that is either part of a broadcast trigger, a web page or an attachment to a web page, the script including (i) scheduling information for initiating a return request, the scheduling information being under the control of an author of the first communication and the scheduling information differing as between at least some of the interactive television receiver units at which the first communication is received, and (ii) an indication of a destination with respect to one of the servers which is intended to receive the return request; b. at least some of the plurality of interactive television receiver units where the first communication is received, executing the script with the result of preparing a second communication that represents the desired return request to be processed and that is to be sent to the indicated destination and storing the second communication at each of the interactive television receiver units executing the script; c. at each of the plurality of interactive television receiver units where the script has been executed, waiting a period of time determined by the scheduling information before attempting to initiate the return request; and d. after the period of time, each interactive television receiver unit that executed the script, automatically sending the second communication over the network to the indicated destination.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first communication is a broadcast trigger, the broadcast trigger being received by the plurality of interactive television receiver units from a one-way broadcast communication channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein during the period of time at least one of the interactive television receiver units that executed the script is not connect to the network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the scheduling information includes an indication that the second communication can be sent at a later time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the scheduling information includes a time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the time is a time after which the second communication will not be sent to the destination by the interactive television receiver units that executed the script.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the scheduling information includes a date.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the date is an expiration date after which the second communication will not be sent to the destination by the interactive television receiver units that executed the script.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the destination is identified by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the second communication is a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that is sent via the network to the destination.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the interactive television receiver units include a browser, the browser including a deferrer object and a queue, the method further comprising the script calling a method on the deferrer object such that an indication of the second communication is placed in the queue.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the browser uses information stored in the queue to determine when to send the second communication to the destination in step (d).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 11 , further comprising: (e) receiving on the interactive television receiver units that executed the script a third communication via the network from the destination; and (f) removing the indication of the second communication from the queue in response to the third communication.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: (c) receiving on the interactive television receiver units that executed the script, a third communication via the network from the destination, the third communication including an indication that the destination received the second communication; and (f) displaying on the interactive television receiver units that received the third communication, the indication that the destination received the second communication.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the indication that the destination received the second communication is a confirmation number.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein step (b) includes: a user entering information into the interactive television receiver units executing the script, the information being incorporated into the second communication.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first communication is received onto the receiver unit in step (a) from the packet-switched network.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the interactive television receiver units executing the script is not connected to the network during the period of time, and wherein the at least one of the interactive television receiver units automatically establishes a connection to the network during step (d) and sends the second communication to the destination via the network without human input after the second communication is stored in step (b).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of interactive television receiver units is coupled by a cable modem to the network, the second communication being sent in step (d) from the receiver unit to the destination via the cable.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising: including random functionality in the script so that the scheduling information at each of the plurality of interactive television receiver units executing the script produces a random period of time to wait.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the second communication is an electronic order.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
238 words
In a computer network, which includes a plurality of servers and a plurality of interactive television receiver units, the servers and interactive television receiver units being interconnected, and wherein the interactive television receiver units can be controlled by a user in order to be coupled to any of the servers for purposes of processing return requests, a method of controlling and scheduling initial transmission of such return requests in order to reduce bottlenecking and overloading of a server with such return requests, comprising: a. identifying one or more destinations for receiving return requests from the plurality of interactive television receiver units; b. generating scheduling information that indicates a destination for receiving return requests and that determines when the interactive television receiver units should initiate return requests, the scheduling information producing different results as between at least some of the interactive television receiver units receiving the scheduling information; c. creating a first communication that associates the scheduling information with a particular return request, thereby allowing the author of the first communication to control the scheduling information that is associated with the particular return request and determine when the particular return request should be initiated; and d. distributing the first communication to the plurality of the interactive television receiver units, the distribution occurring essentially simultaneously, so that the interactive television receiver units receiving the first communication may initiate return requests according to the scheduling information provided by the first communication.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
238 words
In a computer network, which includes a plurality of servers and a plurality of interactive television receiver units, the servers and interactive television receiver units being interconnected, and wherein the interactive television receiver units can be controlled by a user in order to be coupled to any of the servers for purposes of processing return requests, a method of controlling and scheduling initial transmission of such return requests in order to reduce bottlenecking and overloading of a server with such return requests, comprising: a. identifying one or more destinations for receiving return requests from the plurality of interactive television receiver units; b. generating scheduling information that indicates a destination for receiving return requests and that determines when the interactive television receiver units should initiate return requests, the scheduling information producing different results as between at least some of the interactive television receiver units receiving the scheduling information; c. creating a first communication that associates the scheduling information with a particular return request, thereby allowing the author of the first communication to control the scheduling information that is associated with the particular return request and determine when the particular return request should be initiated; and d. distributing the first communication to the plurality of the interactive television receiver units, the distribution occurring essentially simultaneously, so that the interactive television receiver units receiving the first communication may initiate return requests according to the scheduling information provided by the first communication.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as recited in claim 22 wherein the scheduling information is in the form of a script that is either part of a broadcast trigger, a web page or an attachment to a web page.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method as recited in claim 23 , wherein the scheduling information comprises a script to be executed by the interactive television receiver units, the method further comprising: including random functionality in the script so that the scheduling information at each of the interactive television receiver units executing the script produces a random period of time to wait prior to initiating the particular electronic transaction.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as recited in claim 22 wherein the destination in the scheduling information is identified by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL).
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
299 words
In a computer network, which includes a plurality of servers and a plurality of interactive television receiver units, the servers and interactive television receiver units being interconnected, and wherein the interactive television receiver units can be controlled by a user in order to be coupled to any of the servers for purposes of processing return requests, a computer program product for carrying machine-executable instructions that implement at an interactive television receiver unit a method of controlling and scheduling initial transmission of such return requests in order to reduce bottlenecking and overloading of a server with such return requests, and wherein the method is comprised of: a. receiving a first communication in the form of a script that is either part of a broadcast trigger, a web page or an attachment to a web page, the script including (i) scheduling information for initiating a return request, the scheduling information being under the control of an author of the first communication and the scheduling information differing as between at least some of the interactive television receiver units at which the first communication is received, and (ii) an indication of a destination with respect to one of the servers which is intended to receive the return request; b. executing the script with the result of preparing a second communication that represents the desired return request to be processed and that is to be sent to the indicated destination and storing the second communication at each of the interactive television receiver units executing the script; c. after the script has been executed, waiting a period of time determined by the scheduling information before attempting to initiate the return request; and d. after the period of time, the interactive television receiver unit automatically sending the second communication over the network to the indicated destination.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
299 words
In a computer network, which includes a plurality of servers and a plurality of interactive television receiver units, the servers and interactive television receiver units being interconnected, and wherein the interactive television receiver units can be controlled by a user in order to be coupled to any of the servers for purposes of processing return requests, a computer program product for carrying machine-executable instructions that implement at an interactive television receiver unit a method of controlling and scheduling initial transmission of such return requests in order to reduce bottlenecking and overloading of a server with such return requests, and wherein the method is comprised of: a. receiving a first communication in the form of a script that is either part of a broadcast trigger, a web page or an attachment to a web page, the script including (i) scheduling information for initiating a return request, the scheduling information being under the control of an author of the first communication and the scheduling information differing as between at least some of the interactive television receiver units at which the first communication is received, and (ii) an indication of a destination with respect to one of the servers which is intended to receive the return request; b. executing the script with the result of preparing a second communication that represents the desired return request to be processed and that is to be sent to the indicated destination and storing the second communication at each of the interactive television receiver units executing the script; c. after the script has been executed, waiting a period of time determined by the scheduling information before attempting to initiate the return request; and d. after the period of time, the interactive television receiver unit automatically sending the second communication over the network to the indicated destination.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer program product as recited in claim 26 wherein the method further comprises disconnecting the interactive television receiver unit form the network during the period of time.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
A computer program product as recited in claim 26 wherein the method further comprises placing an indication of the second communication in a queue.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
44 words
A computer program product as recited in claim 28 wherein the method further comprises: receiving on the interactive television receiver unit, a third communication via the network; and removing the indication of the second communication from the queue in response to the third communication.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer program product as recited in claim 26 wherein the method further comprises: a user entering information into the interactive television receiver unit; and incorporating the information into the second communication.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
257 words
In a computer network, which includes a plurality of servers and a plurality of interactive television receiver units, the servers and interactive television receiver units being interconnected, and wherein the interactive television receiver units can be controlled by a user in order to be coupled to any of the servers for purposes of processing return requests, a computer program product for carrying machine-executable instructions that implement at an interactive television receiver unit a method of controlling and scheduling initial transmission of such return requests in order to reduce bottlenecking and overloading of a server with such return requests, and wherein the method is comprised of: a. identifying one or more destinations for receiving return requests from the plurality of interactive television receiver units; b. providing scheduling information that indicates a destination for receiving return requests and that determines when the interactive television receiver units should initiate return requests, the scheduling information producing different results as between at least some of the interactive television receiver units receiving the scheduling information; c. creating a first communication that associates the scheduling information with a particular return request, thereby allowing the first communication to control the scheduling information that is associated with the particular return request and determine when the particular return request should be initiated; and d. distributing the first communication to the plurality of the interactive television receiver units, the distribution occurring essentially simultaneously, so that the interactive television receiver units receiving the first communication may initiate return requests according to the scheduling information provided by the first communication.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
257 words
In a computer network, which includes a plurality of servers and a plurality of interactive television receiver units, the servers and interactive television receiver units being interconnected, and wherein the interactive television receiver units can be controlled by a user in order to be coupled to any of the servers for purposes of processing return requests, a computer program product for carrying machine-executable instructions that implement at an interactive television receiver unit a method of controlling and scheduling initial transmission of such return requests in order to reduce bottlenecking and overloading of a server with such return requests, and wherein the method is comprised of: a. identifying one or more destinations for receiving return requests from the plurality of interactive television receiver units; b. providing scheduling information that indicates a destination for receiving return requests and that determines when the interactive television receiver units should initiate return requests, the scheduling information producing different results as between at least some of the interactive television receiver units receiving the scheduling information; c. creating a first communication that associates the scheduling information with a particular return request, thereby allowing the first communication to control the scheduling information that is associated with the particular return request and determine when the particular return request should be initiated; and d. distributing the first communication to the plurality of the interactive television receiver units, the distribution occurring essentially simultaneously, so that the interactive television receiver units receiving the first communication may initiate return requests according to the scheduling information provided by the first communication.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
50 words
A computer program product as recited in claim 31 , wherein the method further comprises including random functionality in the scheduling information so that each of the interactive television receiver units using the scheduling information produces a random period of time to wait prior to initiating the particular electronic transaction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4566030A
Cited
US5818441A
Cited
US5826242A
Cited
US5963915A
Cited
US5961601A
Cited
US5774660A
Cited
US5832223A
Cited
US5961602A
Cited
US5818935A
Cited
US6134379A
Cited
US5864823A
Cited
US6035324A
Cited
US6023726A
Cited
US6055564A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-12-10 | 2005-06-11 | 2005-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-12-10 | 2009-06-11 | 2009-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-12-10 | 2013-06-11 | 2013-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |