摘要:
A system for integrating video programming with the vast information resources of the Internet (20). A computer-based system (16, 114) receives a video program and uniform resource locators (URLs). The URLs are interpreted by the system (12) to direct the system to the Web site locations to retrieve related Web pages (98). The video program signal can be displayed on a video window on a conventional personal computer screen (18). The actual retrieved Web pages can be time stamped and displayed, on another portion of the display screen (18), when predetermined related video content is displayed in the video window. The computer-based system can receive the URLs embedded in the video program (86) or directly through an Internet connection (94), at times specified by TV broadcasters in advance.
摘要:
A virtual sales agent program (18) is provided to users via the functionality of interactive television (10) programming technology, enhanced television systems which present retrieved Internet information (28) and content, and expert based programming systems. The virtual sales agent segments (18) are part of the same transmission stream (4) which broadcasts an associated commercial message. The content signals, comprising both the commercial and virtual sales agent segments, are converted into digital format for transmission. An encoder combines the various digital content signals, which may include video (22), audio, graphics, text (20), and data signals, including Uniform Resource Locators for direction to Internet content (28), into a reduced number of data streams (4) for transmission. Using a multiple-choice controller (348), a user responds to information presentations or interrogatory messages. The various information segments in the various content signals preferably relate in real-time and content so that an interactive conversation can occur as the content signal is played back and the user responds.
摘要:
A system and method for providing targeted programming to a user outside of the user's home. The method of receiving at least one of a user identification (12) and a user profile (14), selecting a program (16) based at least in part on the at least one of the user identification (12) and the user profile (14), and providing a program (16) for presentation to a user outside of the user's home (18) is disclosed. A system (20) including presentation device (24) connected to a controller (26) is also disclosed. The controller (26) receives at least one of a user identification (12) and a user profile (14), obtains a program (16) based at least in part on the at least one of the user identification and the user profile and provides a program (16) to a presentation device (24) for presentation to a user (18) outside of the user's home.
摘要:
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.
摘要:
The present invention is an interactive computer system which may operate on a computer network. Subscribers interact with a fully interactive programthrough the use of input devices and a personal computer or a television. The multiple video/audio datastreams may be received from a broadcast transmission source or may be resident in local or external storage. In response to user inputs, a personalized graphics, video and/or audio presentation is provided to the user either immediately or at a later time. If not presented immediately, the interactive computer system utilizes "trigger points" to determine when to enable multiple multimedia segments during the show. The CPU uses embedded or stored authoring commands for integrating the various multimedia elements. The interactive multimedia computer enables seamless flicker-free switching from one signal to another on the same or different channels.
摘要:
A method of programming an interactive scenario on a multitrack storage media (4) is disclosed. The interactive scenario includes a number of time-synchronized frames on separable data streams which are related in content to one another. The interactive scenario is played back on an apparatus (2) which includes means for selectively retrieving the data streams at a given time. A decision-making goal is defined for the interactive scenario. Once the goal has been defined, a set of rules is developed, preferably using knowledge derived from an expert, which lead to the defined goal. The rules relate hierarchically whereby the conclusions of at least some of the rules are premises for other rules. The rules also logically relate whereby the conclusion of a final rule or rules corresponds to the decision-making goal. If the rules require premises to be obtained, queries are generated to interactively ask for the premises.
摘要:
An interactive cable television system is disclosed which 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 (1) from the data stream, and decompresses the video signal (1) for playback. Seamless switching between video signals (1) on different channels is provided. An alternative embodiment is disclosed wherein the various signals which comprise the interactive program are switched at the head end rather than at the receiver. The multiple choice control unit selects a desired signal by relaying the multiple choice selections of the user through a relay box back to a remotely located switching station. The switching station routes the correct video signal down the appropriate cable channel for the particular user.
摘要:
An interactive cable television system is disclosed which 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 (1) from the data stream, and decompresses the video signal (1) for playback. Seamless switching between video signals (1) on different channels is provided. An alternative embodiment is disclosed wherein the various signals which comprise the interactive program are switched at the head end rather than at the receiver. The multiple choice control unit selects a desired signal by relaying the multiple choice selections of the user through a relay box back to a remotely located switching station. The switching station routes the correct video signal down the appropriate cable channel for the particular user.
摘要:
An interactive cable television system is disclosed which 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. An alternative embodiment is disclosed wherein 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 relaying 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.
摘要:
The present invention relates to an interactive digital system (1) enabling viewers full and active participation in experiencing a live broadcast event. Particularly, the presentation of the live event is personalized for the viewer through the provision of options, including multiple video streams, associated with different camera angles, for example, and integrated audio and graphic segments. Further, information obtained from related Web sites can be integrated into the live program.