716 results about "Internet television" patented technology

An interactive television system is provided in which a user can use an interactive television application to access and request media-on-demand programming. The interactive television application may display customized interface display screens that include video-on-demand programs and categories that may be of particular interest to the user. These programs and categories of interest may be based on the user's personal profile. Once a list of programs and categories based on a user's personal profile is generated, one or more of these programs may be incorporated in a menu interface template to generate a video-on-demand menu customized for the user.

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 probabilty 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.

A service gateway provides a proxy between a client protocol and a plurality of standard communication protocols. The service gateway provides asymmetrical routing, data compression and encryption to optimize client processing power and communication link bandwidth. The service gateway enables content translation between clients and service providers. The service gateway keeps track of client available memory and sequence numbers in messages to generate error codes when applicable. A store and forward message capability is provided along with abstract session identifiers. The service gateway supports user datagram protocol.

A service gateway provides a proxy between a client protocol and a plurality of standard communication protocols. The service gateway provides asymmetrical routing, data compression and encryption to optimize client processing power and communication link bandwidth. The service gateway enables content translation between clients and service providers. The service gateway keeps track of client available memory and sequence numbers in messages to generate error codes when applicable. A store and forward message capability is provided along with abstract session identifiers. The service gateway supports user datagram protocol.

A common communication language that can address all the applications running in a multitude of set top boxes (STBs) or client devices and application servers. The present invention, DATP protocol encapsulates a meta language that provides a generic portable communication application programmer interface that requires light processor utilization and is well-suited for a typical STB possessing limited processing power. DATP requires relatively few processing cycles compared to typical Internet communication protocols. DATP reduces the overhead of the communication protocol handler at the STB and makes the communication protocol handler common for all STBs applications. The preferred DATP protocol is portable for all STBs since it is written in a native language that interfaces with the underlying operating system of the STB. A SGW (SGW) performs as a DATP server. The SGW translates between DATP messages and standard communication protocols. SGW enables SP clients at STBs utilizing DATP to communicate with service applications using a variety of communication protocols. A content converter is provided to convert standard Web content into content suitable for display on a client viewing device, e.g., a TV.

Embodiments of the present invention allow a user to replace unwanted content, such as advertisements, in data distributed over a network with wanted content. Data include Web pages, Internet television broadcasts, Internet radio broadcasts, or any other kind of data that contains content. The data, such as a Web page, is ultimately presented on the user's system, presenting the user with the wanted content. Wanted content includes, among other things, personal photographs, advertisements that the user has expressed interest in, and even advertisements for which the user is compensated for viewing or listening to. In accordance with the present invention, a user opts in to a system that replaces unwanted content with wanted content. The user opts in by providing information that helps determine (a) what content he does not want to see and thus will likely ignore if presented to him and (b) what content he would likely find interesting and thus likely view. This information includes URLs for Web sites; personal information, such as age, income, hobbies, and vacation plans; and work information, such as salary and job title.

A common communication language that can address all the applications running in a multitude of set top boxes (STBs) or client devices and application servers. The present invention, DATP protocol encapsulates a Meta language that provides a generic portable communication application programmer interface that requires light processor utilization and is well suited for a typical STB possessing limited processing power. DATP requires relatively few processing cycles compared to typical Internet communication protocols. DATP reduces the overhead of the communication protocol handler at the STB and makes the communication protocol handler common for all STBs applications. The preferred DATP protocol is portable for all STBs since it is written in a native language that interfaces with the underlying operating system of the STB. A SGW (SGW) performs as a DATP server. The SGW translates between DATP messages and standard communication protocols. SGW enables SP clients at STBs utilizing DATP to communicate with service applications using a variety of communication protocols. A content converter is provided to convert standard Web content into content suitable for display on a client-viewing device, e.g., a TV.

An Internet television program guide electronic-mail (e-mail) reminder system is provided. The system allows a user at a multimedia system to order and receive e-mail message reminders of scheduled television events over the Internet. The user can order e-mail reminders after selecting a program from the program listings or by supplying [a program title directly] specific user program preferences without having to consult the program listings. The user can specify when and how often the reminders will be generated and received. If desired, the user can view a list of all currently requested e-mail reminders. Entries can be added to the list or the user can cancel a previously ordered reminder. The user can order e-mail reminders for scheduled pay-per-view programs using the system. The user can also have reminder information periodically updated and available directly on the user's multimedia system.

A viewer can initiate and then defer a transaction conducted via an interactive television system. The transaction can involve obtaining information or ordering goods or services available from a network, such as the Internet, that is accessible via the interactive television system. As an example, while the viewer is watching a television commercial, the viewer can begin a transaction to order a product advertised in the commercial. If for some reason the viewer does not complete the transaction by the time the commercial has finished broadcasting, the viewer can complete the transaction at a later time. A user input device is useable to initiate the transaction, to store information related to the transaction, and then to use the stored information to complete the transaction if the transaction has been previously deferred.

A mobile device (34) capable of processing real time broadcast television signals (36) is described. Television signals (36) are received by mobile device (34) and converted to desired digital video content (47) format and then combined with output of software applications (43) running at mobile device (34) to create a combined television signal (51) that can be displayed by a television (37). Combined television signal is sent to television (37) to enable a user (48) to interact with television content using software applications (43) executing at mobile device (34).

Systems and methods are provided for customizing the display of interactive television overlays. A condition related to the display of an overlay on top of video for a television channel may be defined for each of a plurality of television channels. A default set of information types for an interactive television overlay (e.g., a FLIP overlay, a BROWSE overlay, etc.) may be defined for the plurality of television channels. When the overlay is displayed on top of video for a given television channel of the plurality of television channels, the overlay may include information of the default set of information types. One or more television channels of the plurality of television channels may be identified as channels for which the default set of information types does not apply (e.g., channels for which the overlay is not displayed or for which a custom set of information types is defined).

A method, device and system for providing Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) session mobility between end user communication devices, such as between a set-top box and a mobile communication device. IPTV session mobility is provided using a control server configured to manage and facilitate the transfer of the IPTV session in response to receiving appropriate IPTV session control information from the set-top box and / or the mobile communication device. The control server also is configured to discontinue or terminate an existing transfer of IPTV content to the mobile communication device in response to receiving appropriate IPTV session control information. The control server also is configured to allow the mobile communication device to change IPTV channels, perform trick play operations and retrieve stored content from and control various functions of the set-top box. The control server can be a network element coupled to the IP network.

A technique for obtaining digital objects (such as songs or video clips) from information providers in data communication networks (such as the Internet); the digital objects being sent through channels (such as Internet radio channels or Internet TV channels) or being otherwise made available. The end-user gains several advantages over techniques supported by the known art. For example, end-users may easily locate desired digital objects, need not be connected during object capture, can be connected through a low speed connection, does not have to have a high capacity computer, can obtain digital objects legally, can receive supplemental information associated with the digital objects, can quickly scan a vast number of digital object having been sent earlier, need not have the required storage space for the digital objects available during object capture, can easily navigate through a multitude of digital object channels, can easily obtain objects with a certain desired quality, can easily obtain objects in a certain desired format, can legally obtain digital objects at no cost and can prove that the digital objects were actually obtained legally.

A method of providing advertising from a central database server connected to a global computer network to distributed sites via interactive television. A representative icon is presented to a subscriber on a television screen indicating an advertisement. When a the icon is selected, an advertisement information detail is retrieved from storage in a local memory, or from the central database server and presented to the subscriber on the television screen.

An Internet-enabled TV can display thumbnails of audio-video content available from an Internet server for selecting content to be displayed on the TV by a user manipulating a remote control. Internet information loading rules and thumbnail navigation rules are disclosed.

A system and method for the simultaneous transmission and rendition of multiple encoded digital video signal streams in an interactive television application are disclosed. Simultaneous transmission and rendition of multiple encoded digital video signal streams in an interactive television application generally comprises modifying at least one of the multiple encoded video streams broadcast from a broadcast center for repositioning the at least one of the multiple encoded video stream for display, interleaving the modified multiple encoded video streams comprising the at least one modified encoded video stream into a single composite interleaved video stream, and outputting the single composite video stream. The method may further comprise receiving the multiple encoded video streams from a broadcast center. Each of the multiple encoded video streams is preferably encoded using MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 compression technology.

A gateway screen for interactive television includes a television content panel and an internet content panel. The gateway screen is displayed by an interactive television (ITV), e.g., when the ITV is turned on. The gateway screen allows a user to quickly and easily view information from multiple sources, e.g., a Web site, a television signal source, and an ITV system server, at a glance. This allows a consumer to gain a quick overview of the information presented by the multiple sources. The gateway screen also allows a consumer to select commonly accessed sources. The gateway screen can be tailored to fulfill a specific consumer's needs and can be established based on preferences input by the consumer.

An Internet television program guide system is provided that allows a user at a multimedia system to access information related to television programs over an Internet communications link. The user can view television program guide listings and related video stills and video clips. The user can perform database searches on the program guide listings (e.g., to search for a particular type of television program). If desired, the user can select an option that directs the multimedia system to tune directly to a television channel for a selected program or to a related television program guide or movie guide service on a television channel. The user can order pay-per-view events using the system.

A telephone interface and voice recognition driven Internet browser system and method for accessing / browsing the Internet on a cable or satellite television includes a phone for receiving a voice signal from a user. The voice signal controls a telephone interface which displays Internet contents on the television via a cable or satellite television channel. The system also includes a voice recognizer, preferably operated on a supercomputer, for recognizing / interpreting / analyzing the voice signal and generating command signals to access / browse the Internet. The voice recognizer is capable of recognizing / interpreting / analyzing voice signals transmitted from a plurality of users in real time. The system further includes a stack of computers and an Internet browser. Each of the stack of computers is capable of accessing / browsing the Internet and retrieving / organizing requested Internet contents via the Internet browser. The requested Internet contents are sent to the user via a cable or satellite television channel.

Methods and systems for selecting content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet television stream using mobile device location information. In one aspect, the methods and systems seamlessly select content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet television stream using mobile device location information and program break markers. In another aspect, the methods and systems select content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet television stream using mobile device trajectory information. In yet another aspect, the methods and systems select using mobile device location information cohabitation content for sharing a display screen on a mobile device with program content in an Internet television stream.

Disclosed is an online digital photograph processing system allowing a customer of a lodging house and an amusement park to receive and see a photograph captured by a rented digital camera through an online communication means or a television (TV). To this end, the customer rents a digital camera terminal for wirelessly transmitting image data of a digital photograph captured by the customer, together with data of the terminal's identification number. An access point device receives the transmitted data and transmits it to a central management center through an intranet. The central management center generates a user identification number of the customer; stores it to be correlated with both the terminal identification number and the identification number of the room assigned to the customer; receives the data from the digital camera terminal through the intranet; stores the received data in such a manner that the digital photograph is correlated with the user identification number; and, in response to a photograph projection request from the customer through the intranet, transmits corresponding image data to an Internet television through the intranet. An Internet protocol (IP) set-top box provides a connection between the Internet television and the intranet. A photograph editing device, connected to the central management center, provides an online photograph editor to allow the customer to edit the digital photograph stored in the central management center through the intranet. A manager personal computer (PC) transmits details on the rental of the digital camera terminal and details on the room assignment in response to the customer's check-in to the central management center through the intranet.

A method of enabling a television viewer to interact with a television programme. A television signal corresponding to said television programme is broadcast by a television corporation 1 whilst an information server 5 is synchronised to the broadcast. Messages are sent from the information server 5 to a mobile wireless terminal 7 operated by the television viewer and / or received messages received at the information server 5 from wireless terminal 7. The sending and / or receipt of messages at the information server 5 is synchronised with the broadcast television signal.

An interactive television system includes a partial font generator (38) which generates a character font file of only those fonts used by a given application program for text display. The partial font file contains the language character fonts utilized by the application program, but less than the complete character set of the language. Thus, the partial font file thus requires less time or bandwidth to transmit in the allotted transmit intervals. The partial font file may be generated by a manual process, or by an automated analysis of the fonts used by an application program.

An interactive television system is provided in which a user can use an interactive television application to access and request media-on-demand programming from one or more specific vendors. The interactive television application may display vendor-specific interface screens that allow the user to access and request content from a particular vendor. The application may generate a vendor-specific interface screen by incorporating vendor-specific interface elements into an interface template. The template may include vendor-invariant interface elements and attributes for the incorporated elements. The generated vendor-specific interface screen may then be displayed on the user equipment. The system may also include a remote server to provide vendor-specific interface elements and templates to the application, and memory on the user equipment where these elements and templates may be stored.

A set top box includes a front-end (e.g., a network interface) for receiving programming content over a broadband communication network and a processor operatively associated with the front-end. The set top box also includes a resolver operatively associated with the processor for determining a network-level multicast address corresponding to a domain name of a virtual channel on which the broadcast programming is available.

The invention relates to an intelligent household television control system and a method thereof. The intelligent household television control system comprises an intelligent household server, an intelligent television and an intelligent sofa facing the intelligent television. The intelligent sofa acquires information of a user side, the intelligent household server transmits television operation commands to the intelligent television according to results of matching and judging information of the user side and local-storage reference information, the intelligent television can be turned on and off, or relative parameters, such as volume and channels and the like can be adjusted according to the television operation commands. A user does not need to operate the television by hands, can control on and off of the television and adjust volume and brightness and the like automatically by patting the sofa or speaking and the like. Besides, the intelligent household television control system has study and memory functions and can record favorite programs of different users and television set parameters, such as brightness, volume and the like, so that favorite parameters or television programs of the users can be adjusted automatically, user experience is improved greatly, comfortableness of user watching the television is improved and energy sources are saved simultaneously.