公开(公告)号：WO1998000975A1

公开(公告)日：1998-01-08

申请号：PCT/US1997011518

申请日：1997-07-01

Applicant: THOMSON CONSUMER ELECTRONICS, INC. ,  SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC.

Inventor： THOMSON CONSUMER ELECTRONICS, INC. ,  SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC. ,  BROADWIN, Elliott ,  HAASS, Jon, C.

IPC: H04N07/173

CPC classification number: H04N21/4331 ,  H04N1/00204 ,  H04N1/00283 ,  H04N1/00299 ,  H04N5/4401 ,  H04N5/44513 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/4348 ,  H04N21/4351 ,  H04N21/4622 ,  H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/4722 ,  H04N21/478 ,  H04N21/6581 ,  H04N21/812 ,  H04N21/8153 ,  H04N21/8166 ,  H04N21/858

Abstract: A system and method for displaying still video images related to video content in an interactive broadcast television system. The system and method of the present invention may also be used for simulating an Internet home page on an interactive television system. The present invention thus supports hyperlinked web-like navigational capabilities in an interactive television system. According to the method of the present invention, the video delivery system provides or broadcasts one or more audio/video channels each comprising video content and also provides or broadcasts at least one still image channel comprising a plurality of still video images, preferably MPEG-2 compressed still images. The user or viewer can select options displayed on the television screen to view desired information. When the set top box receives user input selecting an option to view one of the linked still images, the set top box captures the requested image from the still image broadcast channel, stores the image in memory, and displays the captured still video image corresponding to the selection. The user can also request to view an image which is not currently being transmitted by the video delivery system. In this instance, the system provides user requested still images "on demand" on a dedicated "search" channel. The user can thus selectively navigate between the video content and stills in a web-like hyperlinked fashion.

Abstract translation: 一种用于在交互式广播电视系统中显示与视频内容相关的静止视频图像的系统和方法。 本发明的系统和方法也可以用于模拟互动电视系统上的因特网主页。 因此，本发明支持交互式电视系统中的超链接的网状浏览能力。 根据本发明的方法，视频传送系统提供或广播每个包括视频内容的一个或多个音频/视频信道，并且还提供或广播包括多个静止视频图像的至少一个静止图像信道，优选地是MPEG-2 压缩的静止图像。 用户或观众可以选择显示在电视屏幕上的选项来查看所需信息。 当机顶盒接收用户输入选择查看链接静止图像之一的选项时，机顶盒从静止图像广播频道捕获所请求的图像，将图像存储在存储器中，并显示对应于 选择。 用户还可以请求查看视频传送系统当前没有传送的图像。 在这种情况下，系统在专用的“搜索”频道上“按需”提供用户请求的静止图像。 因此，用户可以以网络状超链接的方式选择性地在视频内容和静止图像之间导航。

公开(公告)号：WO1998000976A1

公开(公告)日：1998-01-08

申请号：PCT/US1997011568

申请日：1997-07-01

Applicant: THOMSON CONSUMER ELECTRONICS, INC. ,  SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC.

Inventor： THOMSON CONSUMER ELECTRONICS, INC. ,  SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC. ,  BROADWIN, Elliott ,  HAASS, Jon, C.

IPC: H04N07/173

CPC classification number: H04N21/4331 ,  H04N7/147 ,  H04N7/163 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/235 ,  H04N21/435 ,  H04N21/4351 ,  H04N21/4622 ,  H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/4722 ,  H04N21/4782 ,  H04N21/812 ,  H04N21/8153 ,  H04N21/8166 ,  H04N21/858 ,  H04N21/8586

Abstract: A system and method for displaying still video images related to video content in an interactive broadcast television system. The system and method of the present invention may also be used for simulating an Internet home page on an interactive television system. The present invention thus supports hyperlinked web-like navigational capabilities in an interactive television system. According to the method of the present invention, the video delivery system provides or broadcasts one or more audio/video channels each comprising video content and also provides or broadcasts at least one still image channel comprising a plurality of still video images, preferably MPEG-2 compressed still images. The user or viewer can select options displayed on the television screen to view desired information. When the set top box receives user input selecting an option to view one of the linked still images, the set top box captures the requested image from the still image broadcast channel, stores the image in memory, and displays the captured still video image corresponding to the selection. The still image being displayed may have associated interactive program content for displaying further selections, wherein these selections may be for viewing other images or content, for ordering information, or purchasing products. The user can thus selectively navigate between the video content and stills in a web-like hyperlinked fashion. In one embodiment, when a user is navigating through still images, the television program or video content which was being viewed is displayed in a small window overlaid on the still image being displayed. Also, when the set top box captures a requested image from the still image broadcast channel, the set top box preferably also pre-caches or pre-loads other related still images based on the probability that these related images will be subsequently requested by the user. The invention also includes an embodiment which provides user requested still images "on demand" on a dedicated "search" channel.

Abstract translation: 一种用于在交互式广播电视系统中显示与视频内容相关的静止视频图像的系统和方法。 本发明的系统和方法也可以用于模拟互动电视系统上的因特网主页。 因此，本发明在交互式电视系统中支持超链接的网状浏览能力。 根据本发明的方法，视频传送系统提供或广播每个包括视频内容的一个或多个音频/视频信道，并且还提供或广播包括多个静止视频图像的至少一个静止图像信道，优选地是MPEG-2 压缩静止图像。 用户或观众可以选择显示在电视屏幕上的选项来查看所需信息。 当机顶盒接收用户输入选择一个链接静止图像的选项时，机顶盒从静止图像广播频道捕获所请求的图像，将图像存储在存储器中，并显示对应于 选择。 正在显示的静止图像可以具有用于显示进一步选择的相关联的交互式节目内容，其中这些选择可以用于查看其他图像或内容，用于订购信息或购买产品。 因此，用户可以以网络状超链接的方式选择性地在视频内容和静止图像之间导航。 在一个实施例中，当用户浏览静止图像时，正在观看的电视节目或视频内容被显示在覆盖在正在显示的静止图像上的小窗口中。 此外，当机顶盒从静止图像广播频道捕获请求的图像时，机顶盒还优选地基于随后由用户请求这些相关图像的概率来预先缓存或预加载其他相关的静止图像 。 本发明还包括在专用“搜索”频道上“按需”提供用户请求的静止图像的实施例。