US 5,663,757 AGranted

Software controlled multi-mode interactive TV systems

OwnerFernando Moralesinventor

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Abstract

A wide range interactive two way communication video system operable nation-wide over satellite links has comprehensive local data processing stations for network subscribers that give a wide range of choices for customizing system features. In particular the system is soft-ware controlled by a programmable computer that comprehensively interconnects one or more interactive features or modes of operation in a local subscriber's unit that may be licensed to or chosen by individual subscribers. Such optionally selected features include data bases, audience response, instantaneous purchase and billing, channel and program selections, restructuring of system operation, and video games. Multiple slot software capability for receiving chips, discs or other software storage units are provided for customizing data bases, fiscal transactions, access to network facilities and remote stations, operational menus and program selection menus from broadcast, and cable or satellite communications. Subscriber participation is done from an armchair by flicking a finger without interrupting the viewing of program materials, without telephone lines or writing implements. A typical interactive transaction would be instantaneous response to an advertisement in a video broadcast program with a purchase decision which orders a product or service, pays, ships and reorders into inventory the product at different local sites in far-off cities.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A local subscriber's data processing station for a wireless television program communication network coupling together a set of interactive subscriber television receiver stations, comprising in combination,

an operation control system in said data processing station for controlling video signals, system operating modes and interactive communications available to the subscriber,
a television receiver with a video display screen, program control means and television program channel selection means,
a plurality of sources of video text and television program channels available from said network for individual presentation on said display screen in response to operator control by way of said operation control system,
a programmable computer interconnected with said television receiver and said operation control system,
radio wave transmission and reception means for sending and receiving video and interactive control signal information wirelessly to and from the subscriber television receiver stations in said network including messages with subscriber identification, video text and control signals for said television receiver,
said operation control system providing local station organization and operation in different operating modes permitting various degrees of interactive participation by a local subscriber, including network communication interconnection between the subscriber television receiver stations, television program viewing options, fiscal transactions and audience response modes,
subscriber manual control means for interactive participation and operation of said operation control system over an authorized range of optional features,
monitoring means for generating video displays of instructions and interactive menus on said video screen related to said operating modes,
self contained software programs operable with said operation control system at the subscriber's data processing station for identifying program and operating mode options individually authorized to the subscriber for controlling the local station options by means of said software programs,
replaceable software means located at the subscriber station for storing at least one replaceable software control program defining authorized operating conditions for that station, and operating means for programming said computer with said software control program to establish optional operating mode conditions authorized to said subscriber at the local data processing station as defined by the software control program.

7 more elements

an operation control system in said data processing station for controlling video signals, system operating modes and interactive communications available to the subscriber,
a television receiver with a video display screen, program control means and television program channel selection means,
a plurality of sources of video text and television program channels available from said network for individual presentation on said display screen in response to operator control by way of paid operation control system,
a programmable computer interconnected with said television receiver and said operation control system,
radio wave transmission and reception means for sending and receiving video and interactive control signal information wirelessly to and from the subscriber television receiver stations in said network including messages with subscriber identification, video text and control signals for said television receiver,
said operation control system providing local station organization and operation in different operating modes permitting various degrees of interactive participation by a local subscriber, including network communication interconnection between the subscriber television receiver stations, television program viewing options, fiscal transactions and audience response modes,
subscriber manual control means for interactive participation and operation of said operation control system over an authorized range of optional features,
monitoring means for generating video displays of instructions and interactive menus on said video screen related to said operating modes,
self contained software programs operable with said operation control system at the subscriber's data processing station for identifying program and operating mode options individually authorized to the subscriber for controlling the local station options by means of said software programs,
means responsive to said self contained software for establishing a mode of operation for selection of one of a plurality of authorized television program channels wherein a channel selection menu identifying authorized channels is displayed automatically on said video screen,
means establishing a first menu directed to different interactively selectable program theme subsets available from said authorized television program channels and means for causing selected themes to automatically display a second menu displaying available television programs relating to that selected theme, means responsive to said subscriber manual control means for selecting a preferred theme from said different themes presented when said first menu is displayed on said screen, and means in said control system for identifying on said second menu said television programs available relating to the selected theme.

8 more elements

an operation control system in said data processing station for controlling video signals, system operating modes and interactive communications available to the subscriber,
a television receiver with a video display screen, program control means and television program channel selection means,
a plurality of sources of video text and television program channels available from said network for individual presentation on said display screen in response to operator control by way of said operation control system,
a programmable computer interconnected with said television receiver and said operation control system,
radio wave transmission and reception means for sending and receiving video and interactive control signal information wirelessly to and from the subscriber television receiver stations in said network including messages with subscriber identification, video text and control signals for said television receiver,
said operation control system providing local station organization and operation in different operating modes permitting various degrees of interactive participation by a local subscriber, including network communication interconnection between the subscriber television receiver stations, television program viewing options, fiscal transactions and audience response modes,
subscriber manual control means for interactive participation and operation of said operation control system over an authorized range of optional features,
monitoring means for generating video displays of instructions and interactive menus on said video screen related to said operating modes,
self contained software programs operable with said operation control system at the subscriber's data processing station for identifying program and operating mode options individually authorized to the subscriber for controlling the local station options by means of said software programs,
means controlled by replaceable software means operable with said operation control system for establishing and controlling a mode of operation that records historical operating data of the local subscriber's data processing station.

7 more elements

an operation control system in said data processing station for controlling video signals, system operating modes and interactive communications available to the subscriber,
a television receiver with a video display screen, program control means and television program channel selection means,
a plurality of sources of video text and television program channels available from said network for individual presentation on said display screen in response to operator control by way of said operation control system,
a programmable computer interconnected with said television receiver and said operation control system,
radio wave transmission and reception means for sending and receiving video and interactive control signal information wirelessly to and from the subscriber television receiver stations in said network including messages with subscriber identification, video text and control signals for said television receiver,
said operation control system providing local station organization and operation in different operating modes permitting various degrees of interactive participation by a local subscriber, including network communication interconnection between the subscriber television receiver stations, television program viewing options, fiscal transactions and audience response modes,
subscriber manual control means for interactive participation and operation of said operation control system over an authorized range of optional features,
monitoring means for generating video displays of instructions and interactive menus on said video screen related to said operating modes,
self contained software programs operable with said operation control system at the subscriber's data processing station for identifying program and operating mode options individually authorized by means of said software programs,
means controlled by replaceable software means operable with said operator control system for establishing and controlling fiscal transactions with a further local station in said network of interactive communications, and means for establishing an accounting mode of operation for maintaining and reporting fiscal transactions incurred in the operation of the local subscriber's data processing station.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/674,169Filed 25 Mar 1991 · continuation in part
Priority: 14 Jul 1989
Granted: 2 Sep 1997
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

H04H 20/38
Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast: arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers,…
H04H 60/63
Arrangements for services using the result of monitoring, identification or recognition covered by groups H04H60/29-H04H60/54: for services of sales
H04N 7/03
Systems for the transmission of digital non-picture data, e.g. of text during the active part of a television frame: subscription systems therefor
H04N 7/0882
The inserted signal being digital: for the transmission of character code signals, e.g. for teletext

Family

Serial379,921Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 14 Jul 1989
Serial390,073Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 7 Aug 1989
US 5,036,389 AParent of this continuation-in-part · filed 30 Jul 1991
US 5,101,267 AParent of this continuation-in-part · filed 31 Mar 1992
US 5,663,757 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.