Method and apparatus for providing interactive retrieval of TV still frame images and audio segments

A method for providing interactive video image selection, from a library containing a plurality of video images, by a plurality of library end users, comprising,

• providing a head end that is geographically located at the site of less than all end users, the remainder of said end users being located at a different geographic location,
• providing a library of video images at said head end, said library comprising the number X of video images each of said video images having a unique identifier,
• selecting the number Y of said library video images to be continuously transmitted to said plurality of end users in carousel fashion, where said number Y is less than said number X, and where each of said Y video images is transmitted with a unique identifier,
• providing first means whereby an end user may request a carousel video image from said Y number of images in said carousel, by using the unique identifier for said requested carousel image, whereupon said requested carousel image is captured from said transmission by said requesting end user,
• providing second means whereby an end user may request a non-carousel video image that is not contained in said Y number of images in said carousel, by using the unique identifier for said requested non-carousel image, whereupon said requested non-carousel image is retrieving from said library, is addressed to said requested end user, and is transmitted to all end users, but is captured from said transmission only by said requesting end user,
• providing in said library a plurality of audio segments corresponding to at least some of said X video images, and in the event that an audio segment corresponds to a requested image, transmitting said audio segment to said requesting end user,
• providing a head end extension at said different geographic location, and
• providing a library of said audio segments at said head end extension,
• whereupon, when one of said less than all end users requests a video image having a corresponding audio segment, said image and segment are transmitted from said head end, and
• when one of said remainder of end users requests a video image having a corresponding audio segment, said image is transmitted from said head end, and said audio segment is transmitted from said head end extension.

A method for providing interactive communication between a plurality of TV-image users and a data base, comprising;

• providing a data base having
• (1) a library comprising a plurality of still-frame video images,
• (2) an audio sound segment corresponding to at least certain ones of said plurality of video images,
• (3) two-way telephone communication port means, and
• (4) one-way video image output port means, providing for each one of said plurality of users
• (1) two-way telephone communication port means,
• (2) still-frame video memory means, the video memory means for each of said plurality of users having an address that is unique to each of said plurality of users, and
• (3) video display means connected to receive an input from said video memory means,
• connecting the telephone communication port means of each of said plurality of users to the telephone communication port means of said data base, to thereby establish a two-way telephone communication link between each of said plurality of users and said data base,
• connecting the video memory means of each of said plurality of users to the video output port means of said data base, to thereby establish a one-way video communication link between said data base and each one of said plurality of users,
• whereupon selection of a still-frame video image from said library by at least one of said plurality of users causes
• (1) said selected video image to be placed on the video output port means of said data base for transmission to all of said plurality of users,
• (2) accompanied by the unique address of said at least one user,
• whereupon the video memory means of said at least one user is operable to recognize said unique address, and to thereupon store said selected video image in the addressed one of said plurality of video memory means, and in the event that an audio sound segment corresponds to said selected video image, said selection of a still-frame video image by said at least one user causes said corresponding audio sound segment to be transmitted to said at least one user by way of said two-way telephone communication link, and
• utilizing said two-way telephone link to select a plurality of users to whom said requested image will be addressed.

A device adapted to receive TV still-frame images and audio signals for presentation of the images and signals to a TV receiver, comprising

• input video signal port means,
• by-pass switch means having first input means connected to said input video signal port means, second input means, first output means adapted to be connected to a TV receiver, and second output means,
• said by-pass switch means having a first mode of operation wherein said first input means is connected to said first output means, having a second mode of operation wherein said first input means is connected to said second output means, and having a third mode of operation whereby said second input means is connected to said first output means,
• RF demodulator means having first and second output means, and having input means connected to the second output means of said by-pass switch means,
• RF modulator means having first and second input means, and having output means connected to the second input means of said by-pass switch means,
• video memory means,
• video A/D convertor means connecting to the first output means of said RF demodulator means to said video memory means,
• video D/A converter means connecting said video memory means to the first input means of said RF modulator means,
• controllable telephone interface means having input means adapted to be connected to a telephone line, and having output means,
• audio switch means having first, second and third input means, and having first and second output means,
• means connecting the first input means of said audio switch means to the output means of said telephone interface means to thereby present audio signals received on said telephone line to the first input means of said audio switch means,
• means connecting the first output means of said audio switch means to the second input means of said RF modulator means,
• digital memory means for storing audio signals,
• audio A/D converter means connecting the second output means of said audio switch to said digital memory means,
• audio D/A convertor means connecting said digital memory means to the second input means of said audio switch means,
• means connecting the third input means of said audio switch means to the second output means of said RF demodulator means,
• first control means connected to control said by-pass switch means to selectively provide said three modes of operation of said by-pass switch means, whereby in said first mode of operation of said by-pass switch means a video signal present at the first input means of said by-pass switch means is connected to a TV receiver by way of the first output means of said by-pass switch means, in said second mode of operation of said by-pass switch means a video signal present at the first input means of said by-pass switch means is connected to the input means of said RF demodulator means and said video signal is stored in said video memory means, and in said third mode of operation of said by-pass switch means the second input means of said by-pass switch means is connected to the first output means of said by-pass switch means and a video signal stored in said video memory means is connected to a TV receiver by way of said RF modulator means, and
• second control means connected to control said audio switch means to selectively provide three modes of operation of said audio switch means, whereby in said first mode of operation of said audio switch means the output means of said telephone interface means is connected to the second input means of said RF modulator means, and in said second mode of operation of said audio switch means the second output means of said RF demodulator means is connected to said digital memory means by way of said audio A/D convertor means, and in said third mode of operation of said audio switch means said digital memory means is connected to the second input means of said RF modulator means by way of said audio D/A convertor means.