Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TELEVISION SYSTEM WITH DOWNLOADABLE FEATURES
10
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Several methods for downloading television-related
information are currently available. This information is often
associated with television schedule guides. Many different
transmission schemes are also available for providing the
information required for a television schedule guide. For
example, a direct broadcast satellite system ("DBS") can
provide television program schedule information via a satellite
dish in conjunction with a set-top receiver. In addition,
conventional satellite dishes, coax cable, telephone lines,
fiber optic cable, antenna, etc. are often used to distribute
television program schedule information. For example, the
vertical blanking interval ("VBI") within a television channel,
or an independent television channel can be used to provide the
television program schedule information.
U.S. Patent No. 5,353,121 is representative of
systems which present television schedule guide information,
and has found wide success in the industry.
There are also systems which allow a subscriber to
select video(s) for display at the subscriber's location. One
such system utilizes a touch tone telephone keypad to input the
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subscriber's selection(s). These systems are sometimes
available on cable television, and they are often referred
to as pay-per-view video systems.
Sometimes the software in a television becomes
outdated, or perhaps even non-functional, due to new
developments in the technology. Thus, adding new features,
updating software and correcting software problems is
sometimes desirable. Moreover, an incompatibility may arise
due to newly-purchased units in the television system
(e.g., a remote infrared code needed for a new VCR). In
these situations, a serviceperson is needed to enter the
consumer's home in order to perform a repair or update, or
the consumer must bring or send the device to a retail
location where the device can be serviced. In both of these
situations, the consumer is exposed to a certain degree of
inconvenience. Therefore, a more convenient way of
providing this type of service is desirable. Additionally,
when newly developed features are desired, consumers
sometimes replace a still functioning unit with a new one
in order to obtain those features.
Finally, manufacturers can communicate directly with
their customers, but this communication is limited and
costly. For example, a manufacturer can send out a mailing,
make a phone call, distribute advertisements, or broadcast
a commercial. While a manufacturer can direct mailings and
telephone calls to consumers who have purchased a
particular product, they cannot direct their television
commercials in the same manner. Therefore, a system which
allows for advertisements to be placed on certain
consumer's televisions is desirable. Moreover, as set forth
above, a system which allows manufacturers to update,
replace or add television system software without the need
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for a repairperson is also desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the preferred embodiment, the present invention is
directed to providing upgradeable features, and more
particularly to providing these features to identified
receiving locations in a television system.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a television
system, comprising: a distribution location for transmitting
data associated with at least one upgradeable feature not
implemented in a receiving location to the receiving location,
wherein the data includes identification information of at
least one receiving location and information about the at
least one upgradeable feature; the receiving location
comprising: a processor; a receiver for receiving data
associated with the at least one upgradeable feature
characterized in that: the processor determines whether the
identification information included in the data corresponds to
identification information of the receiving location; the
processor provides a user with an opportunity to select at
least one of the at least one upgradeable feature to implement
in the receiving location when the identification information
included in the data corresponds to the identification
information of the receiving location; and the processor
implements the selected at least one upgradeable feature in
the receiving location in response to the user selection to
implement the selected at least one upgradeable feature.
The present invention also provides a television system,
comprising: a distribution location for transmitting data
associated with at least one upgradeable feature not
implemented in a receiving location to the receiving location,
wherein the data includes identification information of at
least one receiving location and information about the at
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least one upgradeable feature; the receiving location
comprising: a receiver comprising at least one computer
storage device coupled to the receiving location, said
computer storage device retrieving data associated with the at
least one upgradeable feature from a computer disk; and a
processor; characterized in that: the processor is associated
with the receiving location; the processor determines whether
the identification information included in the data
corresponds to identification information of the receiving
location; the processor uses data from said computer disk to
implement the at least one upgradeable feature in the
receiving location when the identification information
included in the data corresponds to the identification
information of the receiving location; the processor provides
a user with the opportunity to select at least one of the at
least one upgradeable feature to implement in the receiving
location; and the processor implements the selected at least
one upgradeable feature in the receiving location in response
to the user selection to implement the selected at least one
upgradeable feature.
The present invention also provides a television system
receiving location comprising: a receiver for receiving at
least one upgradeable feature and data associated with an
upgradeable feature, said data including identification
information of at least one receiving location; and a
processor configured to: determine whether the identification
information included in the data corresponds to identification
information of the receiving location; provide a user with the
opportunity to select at least one of the at least one
upgradeable feature to implement in the receiving location
when the identification information included in the data
corresponds to the identification information of the receiving
location; and implement the selected at least one upgradeable
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feature in the receiving location in response to the user
selection to implement the selected at least one upgradeable
feature.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a
method for providing an upgradeable media system, comprising:
generating a media guidance application display for a user;
generating a display of a list of available features on the
media guidance application not currently available on the
media system; receiving a user selection of one of the
features from the list in the display to upgrade the media
guidance application by implementing the selected feature on
the media guidance application not currently available to the
user; and upgrading the media guidance application with the
feature in response to the user selecting to upgrade the media
guidance application with the feature.
In a further aspect, there is provided an upgradeable
media system, comprising a processor configured to: receive a
media guidance application from a distribution location;
generate a display of a list of available features on the
media guidance application not currently available on the
media system; receive a user selection of one of the features
from the list in the display to upgrade the media guidance
application by implementing the feature on the media guidance
application not currently available to the user; and upgrade
the media guidance application with the feature in response to
the user selecting to upgrade the media guidance application
with the feature.
In a further aspect, there is provided a system with
downloadable software upgrades, comprising: a receiver
associated with a receiving location of multiple receiving
locations, each receiving location receiving data associated
with said software upgrades transmitted to the multiple
receiving locations, said data including an identifier
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identifying at least one of said receiving locations, wherein
each receiving location comprises one of the group of a media
display device, a set-top box, a media recorder and a
combination media display-recording device; a memory
associated with each of said receivers for storing data
associated with said software upgrades, each said memory only
storing said data when said identifier identifies said
associated receiving location; and a processor associated with
each of said receiving locations, each processor coupled to
said memory and at least one of said receivers, said processor
using said data to implement said software upgrades in said
receiving locations in response to a user instruction to
implement at least one of said software upgrades.
In a further aspect, there is provided a system with
downloadable software upgrades, comprising: a receiver
associated with a receiving location of multiple receiving
locations, each receiving location receiving data associated
with said software upgrades transmitted to the multiple
receiving locations, said data including an identifier
identifying at least one of said receiving locations, wherein
each receiving location comprises one of the group of a media
display device, a set-up box, a media recorder and a
combination media display-recording device; a memory
associated with each of said receivers for storing data
associated with said software upgrades, each said memory only
storing said data when said identifier identifies said
associated receiving location; and a processor associated with
each of said receiving locations, each processor coupled to
said memory and at least one of said receivers, said processor
using said data to implement at least one of said software
upgrades in at least one of said receiving locations in
response to a user instruction to implement at least one of
said software upgrades; characterized in that the data
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associated with the software upgrade includes information
describing the software upgrade, to enable a system user to
choose whether they wish to have the software upgrade
downloaded into or enabled in their system.
In a further aspect, there is provided a system with
downloadable software upgrades, comprising: a receiver
associated with a receiving location of multiple receiving
locations, each receiving location receiving data associated
with said software upgrades transmitted to the multiple
receiving locations, said data including an identifier
identifying at least one of said receiving location, wherein
each receiving location comprises one of the group of a media
display device, a set-top box, a media recorder and a
combination media display-recording device; a memory
associated with each of said receivers for storing data
associated with said software upgrades, each said memory only
storing said data when said identifier identifies said
associated receiving location; and a processor associated with
each of said receiving locations, each processor coupled to
said memory and at least one of said receivers, said processor
using said data to implement at least one of said software
upgrades in said receiving locations in response to a user
instruction to implement at least one of said software
upgrades in response to a user instruction to implement at
least one of said software upgrades; characterized in that the
identifier is structured to identify receiving locations by
one of the group of a model, a brand, date run and a product
type.
In a further aspect, there is provided a method of
providing a system with downloadable software upgrades,
comprising: receiving data associated with said software
upgrades with a receiver at a receiving location of multiple
receiving locations, wherein said data is transmitted to the
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multiple receiving locations, said data including an
identifier, said identifier identifying at least one of said
receiving locations; storing said data in said receiving
locations, said storing only occurring in said receiving
locations identified by said identifier; and using said data
stored in said receiving locations identified by said
identifier to enable said software upgrades in said receiving
locations in response to a user instruction to implement at
least one of said software upgrades.
In a further aspect, there is provided a method of
providing a system with downloadable software upgrades,
comprising: receiving data associated with said software
upgrades with a receiver at a receiving location of multiple
receiving locations, wherein said data is transmitted to the
multiple receiving locations, said data including an
identifier, said identifier structured to identify receiving
locations by one of the group of a model, a brand, a
production, date run and a product type; storing said data in
said receiving locations, said storing only occurring in said
receiving locations identified by said identifier; and using
said data stored in said receiving locations identified by
said identifier to enable said software upgrades in said
receiving locations in response to a user instruction to
implement at least one of said software upgrades.
There is also provided a method for providing an
upgradeable media system, comprising: processing media
guidance application software to display a media guide that
includes at least one program listing; identifying a list of
features that are not currently available to a user;
generating a display of an indication of the identified
features that are not currently available to the user as a
result of the identifying; receiving a user selection of at
least one of the features; in response to receiving the user
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selection of the at least one of the features, downloading
additional media guidance application software related to the
feature selected by the user; and modifying the media guidance
application software with the additional media guidance
application software to make available the feature selected by
the user.
There is still further provided an upgradeable media
system, comprising a processor configured to: process media
guidance application software to display a media guide that
includes at least one program listing; identify a list of
features that are not currently available to a user; generate
a display of an indication of the identified list of features
that are not currently available to the user as a result of
identifying; receive a user selection of at least one of the
features, in response to receiving the user selection of at
least one of the features, downloading additional media
guidance application software related to the feature selected
by the user; and modifying the media guidance application
software with the additional media guidance application
software to make available the feature selected by the user.
Upgradeable features may be
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desired by the manufacturer for (1) correcting software
defects, (2) adding or updating software, or (3) meeting
compatibility requirements. Features may also be ordered by
consumers who respond to solicitations or advertisements for
these features in response to advertising in the television
system. For example, advertisements can be electronically
delivered via a network to specific consumer's televisions (or
other electronic products) based on the products' electronic
serial number. These features can also add functionality to a
television system. The data related to these features are
compiled and sent from a main location to consumer's electronic
products (e.g., televisions) in multiple receiving locations.
The data are then stored in the identified receiving locations,
and software is used to install the stored feature. This
storing is usually done in a non-volatile or flash RAM. Each
of the receiving locations has a receiver, a memory, and a
processor. The receiver receives data associated with the
features. These data include an identifier which identifies at
least one of the receiving locations. The memory at each
receiving location only stores the received data when the
data's identifier identifies the associated receiving location.
The processor at each receiving location uses the saved data to
load, save or implement the features into the receiving
locations.
These and other advantages will become apparent to
those skilled in this art upon a reading of the following
detailed description of the invention, which should be taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a system for broadcasting and receiving
features;
Figure 2 reveals the basic components of a receiving
television;
Figure 3 is a portion of a packet of data which shows
the relevant feature fields; and
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Figure 4 reveals how information related to a feature
is shown on the television screen, and how a remote can be used
to gain additional information.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
Types of Features
The present invention provides a scheme for
downloading features in a television system. A wide number of
downloadable features are available in the present invention.
These downloadable features usually fall into one of two
categories. The first category includes software defect
corrections, compatibility requirement fixes, and software
updates or additions which are provided by television
manufacturers or third party suppliers. For example, a
television manufacturer may encounter software problems after a
certain model of television has been sold and distributed. In
order to correct this problem without disturbing the consumers
who purchased the affected television models, the manufacturer
can easily download new software which corrects the software
problem. In this arrangement, a serviceperson/go-between is
not required. In another example, infrared ("IR") codes may be
incorrect or obsolete. IR codes can be used to allow
interaction between a television and a VCR with a single remote
control. Therefore, the correct IR codes are needed for a
television remote control to control both a television and a
VCR. In this scenario, the manufacturer can easily download
new IR codes so that the consumer can use their existing
television remote control to control a newly purchased or
previously incompatible VCR, set-top box, etc. Again, a
serviceperson is not required and the remote control or product
does not need to be sent in for service.
In the second category of features, the consumer
chooses which features they wish to have downloaded into or
enabled in their television system. For example, the consumer
may want enhancements to their user interface such that their
television on-screen menu or guide contains more options.
Other examples of these types of features include (1) picture-
in-picture enhancements, (2) channel identification in a
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picture-in-picture screen, (3) the display of graphic network
logos and icons with channel identification on the screen,
(4) extended data service (EDS) enhancements, (5) stock
= quotation services, (6) virtual channel services, (7) news
5 services, (8) weather services, and (9) sports score services.
= Many of the above-identified features are already
present in a television as sold, and only need to be enabled in
the television system. For example, when a user selects to
have the icon with the channel identification displayed, this
icon is displayed in the upper left-hand corner whenever the
user switches to a new channel. These icons with channel
identification are usually included in the ROM of the
televisions when the televisions are sold, but the icons are
only activated when the proper software is present. The
present invention allows this software to be easily downloaded
at a later time. The downloaded software can also be used to
provide additional icons for new networks.
Finally, advertisements for available features may be
sent to a consumer or a group of consumers. The advertisements
and information related to these advertisements can be viewed
on any device with a screen (e.g., a television or a computer
monitor).
Hardware Configuration
Figure 1 is a system for broadcasting and receiving
features. In the preferred embodiment, data associated with
the above-described features are compiled in main location 20.
Main location 20 may be, for example, a television
manufacturer, a guide provider, or the like. The data are then
sent over communication line 22 to distribution location 30.
Line 22 can be any form of medium. In the preferred
embodiment, line 22 is a telephone line. In an alternative
embodiment, the compiled data are placed on a laser disk, video
tape or compact disk, and sent to distribution location 30 via
overnight mail or courier.
In the preferred embodiment, distribution location 30
works in conjunction with satellite 40 to broadcast data to
receiving locations 46, 48 and 50. The data, in the preferred
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embodiment, are transported on the vertical blanking interval
("VBI") of a certain dedicated channel. As an alternative, the
data can be broadcast on a dedicated television or radio
frequency channel, with or without other data. The data can
also be broadcast in a hi-speed digital environment. In the
preferred embodiment, the broadcast is done every night, so the
receiving locations can be programmed to receive and, if
needed, save the received data. Receiving locations 46, 48 and
50 include, for example, VCR(s) 46, miscellaneous box(es) 48
and television(s) 50. Miscellaneous box 48 could be, for
example, a set-top box (e.g., a cable box) or a TVCR
(television and VCR combined into one unit). In the preferred
embodiment, the receiving locations are multiple televisions 50.
and VCRs 46 located within households. These receiving
locations 46, 48 and/or 50 could be linked to other
devices/products in order to provide updates or downloads of
data to those other devices/products.
In another embodiment of the present invention, data
associated with the above-described features are compiled in
main location 20 and placed on a computer disk (e.g., laser
disk, compact disk, floppy disk, or the like). This disk is
then sent, in the preferred embodiment, via overnight mail to
consumers located at receiving locations 46, 48 and/or 50. The
consumer can then insert the computer disk into computer
storage device 52 in order to download the data related to the
above-described features into the memory within one of the
receiving locations 50. Computer storage device 52 can be any
commercially available disk drive. In yet another embodiment,
data can be provided on a video cassette tape (or other similar
media) which is then shipped to the consumer via overnight
mail, so that the consumer can use their VCR 46 to download the
data related to their selected feature. In this arrangement,
data is read from the VBI of the video tape. Finally, the
compiled data can be sent via transmission line 42.
Transmission line 42 may be, for example, coax cable, telephone
lines, fiber optic cable, terrestrial antenna, or the like.
When data are broadcast, as shown in the first
embodiment, the data contains an indicator address which
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indicates at least one of the available receiving locations 46,
48 and/or 50 within system 10. As stated above, these
receiving locations 46, 48 and 50 can be, for example,
television, VCRs, set-top boxes, TVCRs and/or the like. Thus,
a certain feature can be sent to all televisions manufactured
by a particular manufacturer by placing an indicator address in
the associated data which indicates such manufacturers. Each
of the receiving locations 46, 48 and 50 have an exclusive
identification number. This identification number, in the
preferred embodiment, has sub-identification fields which
include: (1) TV brand, (2) model/series number, (3) customer
serial number, and (4) region number. When data are received
by one of the receiving locations 46, 48 or 50, the indicator
address in that data is read. If the indicator address matches
the appropriate portion(s) of the identification number for one
of receiving locations 46, 48 or 50, then data associated with
that indicator address is saved within corresponding receiving
location 46, 48 or 50. Each indicator address subfield can
contain a wildcard indicator which identifies all categories
which can be indicated in that subfield. For example, if the
customer serial number subfield contains a wildcard indicator,
all customers with the indicated television brand, etc., will
save the associated data. Therefore, the indicator address can
be structured to identify a specific unit, a specific model or
serial number group, a specific brand, a specific production or
date run, or a specific product type (i.e., television, TVCR,
VCR, or set-top box)
Figure 2 reveals the basic components of a receiving
television. As stated above, in the preferred embodiment, the
receiving locations are televisions 50. The broadcast data are
received by tuner 54, video processor 60 and data decoder 61,
within television 50. In order to receive the broadcast data,
= microprocessor 62 causes tuner 54 to tune to the channel which
carries the feature related data. When the received data
contains an indicator address which corresponds to the
appropriate portion(s) of the television's identification
number, those data are saved in RAM 58. microprocessor 62
monitors the received data at the time of broadcast for the
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correct indicator address. In some embodiments, after data are
saved in RAM 58, on-screen display ("OSD") 64 displays messages
related to the available features on the television screen.
RAM 58 is a non-volatile, battery backed-up, or flash
=
memory such that a continual primary power supply is not
required to maintain the RAM. RAM 58 contains a TV control
section, a loader program, and an advanced program. In another
embodiment, ROM 59 may contain a loader program and a TV
control section. The TV control section is a basic program
which allows television 50 to interact with remote control 100.
Signals transmitted by remote control 100 are received by IR
receiver 68. The loader program is used for changing the
advanced program. The advanced program may or may not be
included in the television when the television is initially
purchased. The advanced program can be later added when data
implementing a new feature are received, or portions of the
advanced program can be replaced or enabled in order to provide
a new feature when data implementing that feature is received.
Thus, the data sent for implementing a feature includes
advanced program data.
The hardware and software within television 50 (see
Figure 2) can also be located within VCR 46 or set-top box 48.
When this occurs, the control section (corresponding to the TV
control section described above) is a VCR control section or a
set-top box control section. Accordingly, features can be
implemented into VCR 46 and set-top box 48 in the same manner
as they are implement into television 50.
Software
Figure 3 is a portion of a packet of data which shows
the relevant feature fields of one particular embodiment of the
invention. In the preferred embodiment, the data associated
with the features is broadcast in a packet format. Within each
packet of data, information related to at least one feature is
provided. For example, in Figure 3 a portion of a particular
packet for assigning IR codes is provided.
The IR Codes command specifies the control codes to
be used by the remote control in order to control a specific
.
-
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peripheral device. In the preferred embodiment, peripheral
devices include VCRs, set-top boxes, TVCRs and televisions.
Transmission of this command normally occurs when a consumer
has a remote control which is incompatible with one of their
peripheral devices. As with other features, IR codes may be
= sent either addressed to a specific unit via its serial number
or to groups of units which have a given product code, device
type (e.g., VCR), and/or a device ID.
The IR Codes command presented in Figure 3 includes
multiple fields. The first field, field 0, includes Command
Type 70. Command Type 70 identifies the command as an Assign
IR Codes command. Flag 72 is also included in field 0. Flag
72 indicates if the current command has been encrypted.
Decryption Key ID 74, also included in field 0, identifies
which of two current program decryption keys should be used to
decrypt this command, if needed. Fields 1 and 2 contain
Command Length 76. These fields provide the total number of
bytes contained in this command. Fields 3 through 7 contain
Serial Number 78. Serial Number 78 is the consumer unit's
serial number to which the command is addressed. If Serial
Number = 0, then the command is addressed to all consumer units
having a Product Code, Device Type, and Device ID corresponding
to the one in this command.
Fields 8 and 9 include Product Code 80, and field 10
includes Interconnect Configuration 82. Interconnect
Configuration 82 contains a number corresponding to the way the
components controlled by the peripheral devices are connected.
Field 11 contains Vendor-Specific field 84. This field
includes a byte value whose use value depends upon the product
to which this command is addressed. For example, when this
command is addressed to a particular manufacturer's television,
this value is the tuning method index to be used with the
downloaded IR Codes for that specific manufacturer's
television. Product Code 80 contains the number identifying
6 35 the type/model of consumer unit to which this command is
addressed. This number also correlates with the type of remote
controller for the peripheral device. This command is ignored
by the consumer unit if this number does not match its Product
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Code when the Serial Number field = 0. In addition, this field
is ignored when the Serial Number field is non-zero.
Device Type 86 identifies the type of device (VCR,
cable box, TV, IRD, etc.) that can recognize the IR Codes.
2
5 Device ID 88 contains the code group number for the device that
recognizes the IR Codes. The consumer unit (only if it has a
=
matching address) replaces whatever group number it currently
has for the given Device Type with this number. Thus, main
location 20 can directly set the code group for a specific
10 user. This is not done if the Serial Number field in this
command is 0. In this case, the command is only processed if
the consumer has already entered a code number that matches the
Device ID for the same Device Type.
Field 15 contains IR Version 90 which has the version
number for the IR Codes in this command. The identified
peripheral device saves the version number for each Device Type
and only processes those assign IR Codes commands addressed to
groups of consumers if its version number is greater than the
previously stored version number. Thus, the system does not
re-process IR Codes commands. Fields 16 and 17 include IR
Codes Length 92. IR Codes Length 92 contains the number of
bytes in the IR Codes Fields. If this value equals 0, then
only Device ID is used to update the code group for the
specified Device Type and the field with the IR Codes is empty.
Therefore, no downloading occurs if this field equals 0.
Fields 18 through n include the IR Codes 94. IR Codes 94
contain information (normally IR Codes) to be used by the
remote control to control devices of the specified type.
Structure within fields 18 through n is determined by the
remote control manufacturer.
In summary, when the appropriate field within a
feature packet corresponds to the appropriate portion(s) of an
identification number in a receiving location, microprocessor
62 saves that packet in RAM 58. The loader program then
=
inserts data from the appropriate fields of the feature packet
into the advanced program. Thus, software in the receiving
location is used in conjunction with the feature command
portion of the received packet to integrate a new feature.
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Television Display
In the preferred embodiment, feature related data are
sent in the above-described manner under three circumstances.
= First, data are sent when a manufacturer wants to update a
device or wants to automatically fix a software problem.
Consumer interaction may not be required in this situation.
Thus, the data may be downloaded into the consumer's television
system without the consumer's knowledge for regular maintenance
purposes. If desired, a consumer can be provided with a
description of all the data downloaded into their television
system. If interaction is needed, remote 100 is used as
described below. Second, data are sent when a new feature is
available for consumer selection. In this scenario, the data
is usually in the form of an advertisement. Third, data is
sent to implement a feature after the feature has been
ordered/purchased by a consumer. As set forth above, these
features can be utilized for VCRs, televisions, TVCRs, set-top
boxes, etc. When the feature data is send to a receiving site
which is not a television, a television may still be used to
display information related to that feature.
Figure 4 reveals how information related to a feature
is shown on the television screen, and how a remote can be used
to gain additional information. In order to interact with
television system 10, the consumer uses remote control 100 in
response to messages on television screen 110. In the
preferred embodiment, remote control buttons 102, 104 and 106
are initially blank. These buttons 102, 104 and 106 correspond
to graphically-generated buttons 112, 114 and 116 on television
screen 110. If the remote control sold with television 50 does
not provide the required special buttons 102, 104 and 106, a
new remote control can be sent to the consumer via overnight
mail.
When data are sent to advertise a new feature to the
consumer, a mailbox icon 120 is usually used to inform the
consumer that the new feature is available for selection. A
consumer can eliminate the display of the mailbox icon 120
when/if desired. The consumer can also receive more
information related to a new feature by pressing any of special
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remote control buttons 102, 104 or 106 when prompted by
generated buttons 112, 114 and 116.
In the preferred embodiment, when mailbox icon 120 is
full (e.g., a flashing icon 120 may indicate a full mail box),
the consumer can receive information related to a newly-
available feature on television screen 110. This information
may be provided as a demonstration after the consumer presses
one of the special remote control buttons 102, 104 or 106. At
the end of this short demonstration, the consumer is then
prompted to either order the feature or to receive more
information by pressing one of remote control buttons 102, 104
or 106. For example, an advertising message may include the
following: "Now available to RCA TV owners -- Deluxe digital
picture-in-picture with network IDs! Call 1-800-STAR-NOW to
order today. Just $19.95." The consumer is also provided with
a feature ID number for ordering. In addition, at any time
during the demonstration related to the newly-available
feature, the consumer can return to the regular television mode
by pressing button 108 on remote control 100. Button 108 can
be, for example, the pre-channel button on a remote control.
When data are downloaded into a television, VCR,
TVCR, or cable box to provide the consumer with a consumer-
ordered feature, the consumer may have to interact with the
television system 10 in order to fully integrate the new
feature. For example, after the feature has been downloaded
into the consumer's VCR, a different mailbox icon 120 or on-
screen message may be used to alert the consumer that
information is required to implement the ordered feature.
Again, the consumer begins the interactive process when desired
by pressing any of the special remote control buttons 102, 104
or 106. Microprocessor 62 in conjunction with OSD 64 provides
the necessary information on television screen 110 by using
generated buttons 112, 114 and 116. These buttons solicit the
required information from the consumer. The consumer responds
to the various questions on television screen 110 by pressing
b
the corresponding remote buttons 102, 104 and 106. For
example, the placement and/or size of a second picture in a
picture-in-picture display may need to be selected by the
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consumer for a picture-in-picture enhancement-type feature.
Additionally, when data is downloaded to provide the consumer
with a new feature (or features): (1) the new feature can be
displayed almost immediately automatically, (2) the data or the
new feature can be temporarily stored until the consumer
requests the display of the feature, and (3) the data for
multiple new features can be stored so that a group of features
is later displayed at one time. If desired, consumers can
select between these modes of displaying new features with
remote control 100 and prompts 130 on television screen 110.
In the preferred embodiment, a telephone key pad at
the consumer's location is used to order a desired feature.
For example, an automated call response system may be utilized
in conjunction with a touch tone keypad to receive the
consumer's credit card number, consumer's identification number
and the desired feature number such that the ordering can be
done automatically. In an alternative embodiment, a two-
way/interactive set-top box at the consumer's location is used
to order the desired features with remote control 100. If this
set-top box is a cable box, the cable company can then transmit
the order to main location 20, and the cable company can also
assist in the billing process. When ordering, the consumer's
identification number may be needed so that the feature can
later be saved in the correct consumer television system. This
identification number is not needed in the interactive set-top
box systems which can track an ordering consumer's location.
In another embodiment of the present invention,
receiving location 48 is a computer, and information from an
off-site database can be ordered for downloading into
computer 48. For example, a particular article, news story,
etc. may be advertised on an on-screen display. The customer
could then order that particular article, news story, etc. for
downloading into computer 48. Additionally, if desired, the
consumer could order advertised software programs for computer
48 from the off-site database. These articles, news stories,
software programs, and the like are sent to receiving locations
in the same manner as described above.
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While a full and complete disclosure of the invention
has been provided hereinabove, it will be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may
be made.
