US 7,243,139 B2 · Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated Internet information segments

Abstract

A system for integrating video programming with the vast information resources of the Internet. A computer-based system receives a video program with embedded uniform resource locators (URLs). The URLs, the effective addresses of locations or Web sites on the Internet, are interpreted by the system and direct the system to the Web site locations to retrieve related Web pages. Upon receipt of the Web pages by the system, the Web pages are synchronized to the video content for display. The video program signal can be displayed in a video window on a conventional personal computer screen. The actual retrieved Web pages are time stamped to also be displayed, on another portion of the display screen, when predetermined related video content is displayed in the video window. As an alternative, the computer-based system receives the URLs directly through an Internet connection, at times specified by TV broadcasters in advance. The system interprets the URLs and retrieves the appropriate Web pages. The Web pages are synchronized to the video content for display in conjunction with a television program being broadcast to the user at that time. This alternative system allows the URLs to be entered for live transmission to the user.

Claims32

Dependent claims

A system for providing a programming signal containing a program and at least one address identifying online content relating to the program from an online information source, the system comprising:

an encoder, wherein the encoder encodes the address, the program, and timing indicia for controlling when the address is used for retrieving online content relating to the program into the programming signal;
and
a transmitter for transmitting the programming signal;
wherein, the address can be used to automatically retrieve and play online content to a user in conjunction with the program and the timing indicia controls when the address is used for retrieving online content relating to the program into the programming signal.

1 more element

A method for transmitting to a viewer video programming and at least one address useable for retrieving over a network from at least one server on the network on-line information segments having content related to the video programming for viewing in respective predetermined timing relationship with the video programming, comprising the steps of:

providing the at least one address;
generating a signal carrying the video programming;
encoding the signal to carry the at least one address, and timing indicia for controlling when the address is used for retrieving online content relating to the program in respective specified timing relationship with the video programming;
and
transmitting the signal encoded with the at least one address to a viewer, wherein, the address can be used to automatically retrieve and play online content to the user in conjunction with the program, wherein the timing indicia controls when the address is used for retrieving online content relating to the program into the programming signal.

2 more elements

A system for transmitting to a viewer video programming and at least one address for retrieving over a network from at least one network server on the network on-line information segments having content related to the video programming for viewing in respective predetermined timing relationship with the video programming, comprising:

a source of the at least one address;
a source of a signal carrying the video programming;
an encoder responsive to the source of the at least one address for encoding the signal carrying the video programming to carry the at least one address and timing indicia for controlling when the address is used for retrieving online content relating to the program in respective specified timing relationship with the video programming;
and
a broadcast system for transmitting the encoded signal to a viewer, wherein the address can be used to automatically retrieve on-line information segments over the network from the at least one server for viewing in respective predetermined timing relationship with viewing of the video programming, wherein the timing indicia controls when the address is used for retrieving online content relating to the program into the programming signal.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated Internet information segments

Life of this patent

Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated Internet information segments

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims32