Patent · US Active

Interactive content with enhanced network operator control

US8418196B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by
91References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 30, 2003
Grant dateApr 9, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 14, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04N21/858
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus are described that provide enhanced network operator control. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method comprises determining at a head-end and data center whether to inform one or more users of an interactive television service of available content, the one or more users connected with head-end and data center via a network. Responsive to determining to inform the one or more users of the available content, generating a hot key signal indicating availability and a location of the alternate content. The hot key signal is inserted into a content signal transmitted to the one or more users from the head-end and data center via the network.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.