US6473903B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and system for implementing interactive broadcast programs and commercials
Assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
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Filing: 1996-12-30
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Granted: 2002-10-29
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Expires: 2016-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A system for implementing an interactive broadcast program which includes a transmitter for transmitting a multiplexed data stream which includes a main program and a plurality of different commercials, and a receiver (e.g., a digital television receiver) configured to receive the multiplexed data stream. The receiver includes a display device (e.g., a television monitor) and, facilities responsive to a user action for causing the display device to display a selected one of the plurality of different commercials during a commercial interruption in the main program. Also disclosed is a system for implementing an interactive broadcast program which includes a transmitter for transmitting a multiplexed data stream which includes an interactive main program comprised of a plurality of main program segments including at least a first main program segment and a plurality of different second main program segments, and a receiver. The receiver (e.g., an analog television receiver equipped with a digital set-top box) includes a display device (e.g., a CRT), and facilities responsive to a user action for causing the display device to branch to a selected one of the plurality of different second main program segments at a branching point of the first main program segment.
Inventors
- 👤 Mahesh Balakrishnan
- 👤 Prerana Vaidya
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:00
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/426; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/236; H04N21/23614; H04N21/43; H04N21/434; H04N21/4348; H04N21/44; H04N21/44016; H04N21/47; H04N21/472; H04N21/4722; H04N21/4725; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/812; H04N21/85; H04N21/858; H04N21/8583; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/445
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A receiver configured to receive a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes a main program and a plurality of commercials said commercials having a content, said receiver comprising: a display device; means for informing a user of said content of said commercials by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the main program; and means responsive to a user action for causing said display device to display a selected commercial of the plurality of commercials, said selected commercial being chosen by said user based upon said content.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A receiver configured to receive a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes a main program and a plurality of commercials said commercials having a content, said receiver comprising: a display device; means for informing a user of said content of said commercials by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the main program; and means responsive to a user action for causing said display device to display a selected commercial of the plurality of commercials, said selected commercial being chosen by said user based upon said content.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
98 words
The receiver as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said means responsive to a user action comprises: a digital signal processor for processing the multiplexed data stream in such a manner as to cause the display device to simultaneously display the multimedia hotspots indicative of respective ones of the plurality of commercials during commercial interruptions in the main program; and, a user-operated control device for enabling a user to choose a selected one of the displayed multimedia hotspots by means of the user action, to thereby cause the corresponding commercial to be displayed by the display device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The receiver as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the multiplexed data stream includes a plurality of multiplexed main programs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The receiver as set forth in claim 3 , wherein all of the main programs have synchronized commercial interruptions during which said plurality of multimedia hotspots are simultaneously displayed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The receiver of claim 1 , wherein the multiplexed data stream is comprised of a multiplexed stream of first and second types of data packets, said first type of packets comprising packets of compressed multimedia content corresponding to the main program and the multimedia hotspots, said second type of packets comprising packets of compressed multimedia content corresponding to the commercials.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The receiver as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the user action comprises pointing and clicking on the multimedia hotspot using a cursor-type control device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The receiver ads set forth in claim 5 , wherein: at least said second types of packets have packet identification codes associated therewith; and, said digital signal processor switches between different ones of said second packets by changing said packet identification code to which the receiver is tuned.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The receiver as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the receiver comprises a digital television receiver.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The receiver as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the receiver comprises an analog television receiver equipped with a digital set-top box.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The receiver as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the multiplexed data stream comprises an MPEG-encoded multimedia data stream.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The receiver as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the multiplexed data stream comprises an ATSC-encoded multimedia data stream.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
123 words
A receiver configured to receive a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes an interactive main program comprised of a plurality of main program segments including at least a first main program segment and a plurality of second main program segments each second main program segment having a content, the receiver comprising: a display device; means for informing a user of said content of said second main program segments by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the first main program segment; and means responsive to a user action for causing said display device to display a selected second main program segment of the plurality of second main program segments, said selected second main program segment being chosen by said user based upon said content.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
123 words
A receiver configured to receive a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes an interactive main program comprised of a plurality of main program segments including at least a first main program segment and a plurality of second main program segments each second main program segment having a content, the receiver comprising: a display device; means for informing a user of said content of said second main program segments by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the first main program segment; and means responsive to a user action for causing said display device to display a selected second main program segment of the plurality of second main program segments, said selected second main program segment being chosen by said user based upon said content.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
109 words
The receiver as set forth in claim 12 , wherein said means responsive to a user action comprises: a digital signal processor for processing the multiplexed data stream in such a manner as to cause the display device to simultaneously display the multimedia hotspots indicative of respective ones of the plurality of second main program segments at the conclusion of the first main program segment; and, a user-operated control device for enabling a user to choose a selected one of the displayed multimedia hotspots by means of the user action, to thereby cause the corresponding one of the second main program segments to be displayed by the display device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
134 words
A receiver configured to receive a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes an interactive main program comprised of a plurality of main program segments including at least a first main program segment and a plurality of second main program segments each second main program segment having a content, the receiver comprising: a display device; means for informing a user of said content of said second main program segments by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the first main program segment; and means responsive to a user action for causing said display device to branch to a selected second main program segment of the plurality of second main program segments at a branching point of the first main program segment, said selected second main program segment being chosen by said user based upon said content.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
134 words
A receiver configured to receive a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes an interactive main program comprised of a plurality of main program segments including at least a first main program segment and a plurality of second main program segments each second main program segment having a content, the receiver comprising: a display device; means for informing a user of said content of said second main program segments by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the first main program segment; and means responsive to a user action for causing said display device to branch to a selected second main program segment of the plurality of second main program segments at a branching point of the first main program segment, said selected second main program segment being chosen by said user based upon said content.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
103 words
A system, comprising: a transmitter for transmitting a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes a main program and a plurality of commercials, said commercials each having a content; a receiver configured to receive said multiplexed data stream, said receiver including a display device and means for informing a user of said content of said commercials by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the main program; and said receiver further including means responsive to a user action for causing said display device to display a selected commercial of the plurality of commercials, said selected commercial being chosen by said user based upon said content.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
103 words
A system, comprising: a transmitter for transmitting a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes a main program and a plurality of commercials, said commercials each having a content; a receiver configured to receive said multiplexed data stream, said receiver including a display device and means for informing a user of said content of said commercials by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the main program; and said receiver further including means responsive to a user action for causing said display device to display a selected commercial of the plurality of commercials, said selected commercial being chosen by said user based upon said content.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as set forth in claim 15 , wherein said multiplexed data stream is transmitted over a broadcast channel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
98 words
The system as set forth in claim 15 , wherein said means responsive to a user action comprises: a digital signal processor for processing said multiplexed data stream in such a manner as to cause the display device to simultaneously display the multimedia hotspots indicative of respective ones of the plurality of commercials during commercial interruptions in the main program; and, a user-operated control device for enabling a user to choose a selected one of the displayed multimedia hotspots by means of the user action, to thereby cause the corresponding commercial to be displayed by the display device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 17 , wherein said multiplexed data stream is comprised of a multiplexed stream of first and second types of data packets, said first type of packets comprising packets of compressed multimedia content corresponding to the main program and the multimedia hotspots, said second type of packets comprising packets of compressed multimedia content corresponding to the commercials.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as set forth in claim 17 , wherein said multiplexed data stream includes a plurality of multiplexed main programs.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system as set forth in claim 19 , wherein all of the main programs have synchronized commercial interruptions during which said plurality of multimedia hotspots are simultaneously displayed.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
136 words
A system, comprising: a transmitter for transmitting a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes an interactive main program comprised of a plurality of main program segments including at least a first main program segment and a plurality of second main program segments, said second main program segments each having a content; a receiver having a display device and means for informing a user of said content by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the first main program segment; said receiver further having means responsive to a user action for causing said interactive main program to branch to a selected second main program segment of the plurality of second main program segments at a branching point of the first main program segment, said selected second main program segment being chosen by said user based upon said content.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
136 words
A system, comprising: a transmitter for transmitting a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes an interactive main program comprised of a plurality of main program segments including at least a first main program segment and a plurality of second main program segments, said second main program segments each having a content; a receiver having a display device and means for informing a user of said content by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the first main program segment; said receiver further having means responsive to a user action for causing said interactive main program to branch to a selected second main program segment of the plurality of second main program segments at a branching point of the first main program segment, said selected second main program segment being chosen by said user based upon said content.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as set forth in claim 21 , wherein said multiplexed data stream is transmitted over a broadcast channel.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
109 words
The system as set forth in claim 21 , wherein said means responsive to a user action comprises: a digital signal processor for processing said multiplexed data stream in such a manner as to cause the display device to simultaneously display the multimedia hotspots indicative of respective ones of the plurality of second main program segments at the conclusion of the first main program segment; and, a user-operated control device for enabling a user to choose a selected one of the displayed multimedia hotspots by means of the user action, to thereby cause the corresponding one of the second main program segments to be displayed by the display device.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for implementing an interactive program, comprising the steps of: receiving a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes a main program and a plurality of commercials, said commercials each having a content; informing a user of said content by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the main program; and displaying a selected commercial of the plurality of commercials, said selected commercial being chosen by said user based upon said content.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for implementing an interactive program, comprising the steps of: receiving a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes a main program and a plurality of commercials, said commercials each having a content; informing a user of said content by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the main program; and displaying a selected commercial of the plurality of commercials, said selected commercial being chosen by said user based upon said content.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the step of displaying is carried out by simultaneously displaying the multimedia hotspots indicative of respective ones of the plurality of commercials during commercial interruptions in the main program, and then displaying the selected commercial of the plurality of commercials in response to the user selecting a corresponding one of the multimedia hotspots.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the multiplexed data stream is received over a broadcast channel.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for implementing an interactive program, comprising the steps of: transmitting a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes a main program and a plurality of commercials, said commercials having a content; receiving said multiplexed data stream; informing a user of said content by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the main program; and, displaying a selected commercial of the plurality of commercials during a commercial interruption in the main program, said selected commercial being chosen by said user based upon said content.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for implementing an interactive program, comprising the steps of: transmitting a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes a main program and a plurality of commercials, said commercials having a content; receiving said multiplexed data stream; informing a user of said content by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the main program; and, displaying a selected commercial of the plurality of commercials during a commercial interruption in the main program, said selected commercial being chosen by said user based upon said content.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as set forth in claim 27 , wherein said multiplexed data stream is transmitted and received over a broadcast channel.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for implementing an interactive program, comprising t he steps of: receiving a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes an interactive main program comprised of a plurality of main program segments including at least a first main program segment and a plurality of second main program segments, said second main program segments each having a content; informing a user of said content by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the first main program segment; and, branching to a selected second main program segment of the plurality of second main program segments at a branching point of the first main program segment, said selected second main program segment being chosen by said user based upon said content.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for implementing an interactive program, comprising t he steps of: receiving a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes an interactive main program comprised of a plurality of main program segments including at least a first main program segment and a plurality of second main program segments, said second main program segments each having a content; informing a user of said content by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the first main program segment; and, branching to a selected second main program segment of the plurality of second main program segments at a branching point of the first main program segment, said selected second main program segment being chosen by said user based upon said content.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method as set forth in claim 29 , wherein the step of displaying is carried out by simultaneously displaying the multimedia hotspots indicative of respective ones of the plurality of second main program segments at the conclusion of the first main program segment and then branching to the selected second main program segment of the plurality of different second main program segments in response to the user selecting a corresponding one of the multimedia hotspots.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as set forth in claim 29 , wherein said multiplexed data stream is received over a broadcast channel.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for implementing an interactive program, comprising the steps of: transmitting a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes an interactive main program comprised of a plurality of main program segments, said main program segments including at least a first main program segment and a plurality of second main program segments, said second main program segments each having a content; receiving said multiplexed data stream; informing a user of said content by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the first main program segment; and, branching to a selected segment of the plurality of second main program segments at a branching point of the first main program segment said selected segment being chosen by said user based upon said content.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for implementing an interactive program, comprising the steps of: transmitting a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes an interactive main program comprised of a plurality of main program segments, said main program segments including at least a first main program segment and a plurality of second main program segments, said second main program segments each having a content; receiving said multiplexed data stream; informing a user of said content by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the first main program segment; and, branching to a selected segment of the plurality of second main program segments at a branching point of the first main program segment said selected segment being chosen by said user based upon said content.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method as set forth in claim 32 , wherein the step of displaying is carried out by simultaneously displaying the multimedia hotspots indicative of respective ones of the plurality of second main program segments at the conclusion of the first main program segment and then branching to the selected segment of the plurality of second main program segments in response to the user selecting a corresponding one of the multimedia hotspots.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as set forth in claim 32 , wherein said multiplexed data stream is transmitted and received over a broadcast channel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-10-28 | 2006-04-29 | 2006-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-28 | 2010-04-29 | 2010-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-28 | 2014-04-29 | 2014-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |