Interactive television browsing and buying method
OwnerMarc Abrahamsinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method thereof for interactively browsing and buying products shown in television programs. The apparatus displays a program to be interactively viewed on a video display. The viewer can select various products shown within the program for further information or to purchase a product. When a product is selected, a window containing hypertext links corresponding to that selection is superimposed onto the video display. The viewer can then select the links to receive additional information or order the product. The apparatus can be used to select a single product, all currently displayed products, or products within a general area on the display.
Claims16
A method for interactively browsing and buying products shown in television programs, comprising the steps of:
- displaying a program to be interactively viewed on a video display;
- selecting an object within the displayed program using a pointer displayed on said video display;
- identifying the selected object on the basis of selection information by searching a database of prestored program selection information;
- superimposing a window onto the displayed program;
- said window displaying at least one link corresponding to the identified object;
- selecting said link using said pointer;
- and
- performing a link operation corresponding to the selected link.
An apparatus for interactively browsing and buying products shown in television programs, comprising:
- a video display for displaying a program to be interactively viewed;
- a selector for selecting an object within the displayed program using a pointer displayed on said video display;
- an identifier for identifying the object on the basis of selection information by searching a database of prestored program selection information;
- a window display for superimposing a window onto the displayed program;
- said window displaying at least one link corresponding to the identified object;
- said selector also for selecting said link using said pointer;
- and
- operating means for performing a link operation corresponding to the selected link.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.