EP1500267A4

EP1500267A4 - Interactive television ticker having pvr-like capabilities

Info

Publication number: EP1500267A4
Application number: EP03746037A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Larry B Weber; David P Billmaier; Michael J Markman
Original assignee: Digeo Inc
Current assignee: Vulcan Ventures Inc
Priority date: 2002-03-29
Filing date: 2003-03-07
Publication date: 2006-02-08
Also published as: WO2003085980A1; AU2003225694A1; EP1500267A1

Abstract

A ticker (406) to display information is implemented (Fig. 5) in an interactive television system (100). The ticker (406) has user controllable display features, such as fast forward, rewind, speed control, skip, slow motion, or pause. If an item of interest has scrolled by too quickly, the user can initiate a rewind operation to view the previously displayed item, instead of waiting for the ticker (406) to re-display the item during a next cycle. Fast forward or skip operations give the user the ability to quickly cycle through items in the ticker (406) that are of less interest. Slow motion or pause operations give the user sufficient time to view an item at length. Speed controls allow adjustment of the scroll speed of the ticker (406). The user controllable features are implemented in a dynamic manner by the user while viewing the ticker (406) and can be readily changed, as compared to static settings made through a configuration screen.

Description

INTERACTIVE TELEVISION TICKER HAVING PVR-LIKE CAPABILITIES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This disclosure relates generally to presentation of information on a display device, and in particular but not exclusively, relates to an interactive television "ticker" having user controllable display features, such as personal video recorder (PVR)-like capabilities including fast forward, rewind, pause, slow motion, skip, and speed control.

Description of the Related Art

It is relatively common to see television programs accompanied by a scrolling "ticker." The term "ticker" derives from the fact that information in the ticker scrolls sequentially across the bottom of a television screen in a manner analogous to a stock market ticker tape. However, instead of simply including stock market information, current tickers carry a wide variety of other types of information. For instance, tickers that are present on sports channels typically scroll game scores or game schedules. Tickers that are present on news channels scroll the latest headlines, weather reports, or brief news updates.

Tickers are generally encoded in the same analog or digital signal as the television signal. For instance, with Motion Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) digital encoding, the ticker information is included along with the MPEG stream. A graphics generator or other mechanism generates the ticker information at a production studio (or other location) and then combines the ticker information with the television signal. The television signal is then broadcast to viewers. Obviously, with this current implementation, viewers have no control over the content, format, layout, or other presentation aspect of the ticker on their television (including whether or not to even display the ticker), since the production studio maintains such control and since the ticker information is integrated with the received television signal.

Because of this lack of control, viewers share common frustrations with tickers. For example, most tickers scroll from left to right at the bottom of the television screen at a certain speed set by the production studio. Many times, a stock price or sports score of interest to the viewer has scrolled by during a moment that the viewer was not looking at the television screen or was otherwise distracted, thereby causing the viewer to miss the ticker item. As a result, the viewer has to wait until the ticker item scrolls by again. This can be an annoying wait for the viewer if there are a large number of ticker items to scroll through before the item of interest reappears.

As other examples, some viewers find that current tickers may move too slowly or too fast. If they move too fast, then the viewer may miss items of interests. If they move too slowly, then the viewer is forced to wait and view all items in the ticker until an item of interest is displayed — this can be very inconvenient if the viewer is in a rush and cannot afford the spend time to watch a ticker. Some tickers "freeze" a displayed item momentarily before moving on to display the next item, so as to give the viewer a somewhat extended opportunity to read the item before it is taken off the screen. However, some viewers may find this feature to be "too fast" in that the item of interest is taken off the screen before the viewer may have the chance to write down the information, point out the item to another viewer, etc. Of course, in some instances where the viewer is interested only in a particular ticker item, that viewer may find this ticker implementation to be "too slow" since the ticker has to pause on the screen for each and every item.

Interactive television is increasing in use and popularity. With interactive television, viewers can now access the Internet through their television sets, as well as being able to receive interactive programming and content. Using interactive television tickers, interactive service providers can deliver national news, sports, entertainment, weather, and business feeds to interactive television subscribers. Although such interactive television tickers provide some user/viewer control, such as being able to select subjects of interest, the ticker itself behaves in much the same way as a broadcast television ticker — the viewer has little control over the presentation of information in the ticker (e.g., if the viewer misses an item, the viewer usually has to wait until that item scrolls by again).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of an example interactive video casting system that can implement tickers in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating example components that can be included in the system of Figure 1 to provide tickers in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a client terminal that can be used in the system of Figure 1 to present tickers.

Figures 4-6 illustrate ticker operation according to various embodiments of the invention.

Figure 7 is a block diagram of components involved in implementation of user control of ticker display features in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating operation of a ticker having user controllable display features in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Embodiments of a ticker having user controllable display features, such as PVR-like capabilities that affect or otherwise change movement of the ticker (including speed control, fast forward, rewind, pause, lock, skip, slow motion and the like) are described herein. In the following description, numerous specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Moreover, the term "ticker" as used herein is intended to generally describe a presentation of information on a display screen, such as a display screen for a television, and is not intended to be limited solely to implementations where the information is presented in a manner to exactly mimic a stock market ticker. In one embodiment, the ticker can comprise text and graphics that are scrolled or otherwise presented in a region of the display screen, along with a television image (such as an image from a live broadcast or from a recorded program). Various embodiments will be described herein in the context of "scrolling" the ticker information. It is to be appreciated that the term "scrolling" is merely illustrative of a technique to present dynamic ticker information, and that this term, in some embodiments, can encompass implementations where the ticker information is presented via screen segments of information, text segments, one- sentence-at-a-time, one-line-at-a-time, one-word-at-a-time, and the like, rather than the traditional format of one-character-at-a-time typically associated with stock market tickers. Moreover, the term "scrolling" is used generically herein to refer not only to vertical movement from bottom to top, but also movement from right to left (often referred to as "crawl") or movement in other directions. As an overview, an embodiment of the invention provides a ticker that can be implemented in a television system, such as an interactive television system. The ticker has user controllable display features, such as PVR-like capabilities of fast forward, rewind, skip, slow motion, or pause. Thus, if an item of interest (such as text) has scrolled by too quickly, the user can initiate a rewind operation to view the previously displayed item, instead of waiting for the ticker to re-display the item during a next cycle. As another example, fast forward or skip operations give the user the ability to quickly cycle through items in the ticker that are of less interest. Slow motion or pause operations give the user additional time, if needed, to view an item before it completes its scrolling. Various speed controls are available to allow adjustment of the scroll speed of the ticker. In an embodiment, the various user controllable features are implemented in a dynamic manner by the user as the user views the ticker, as compared to static settings made through a configuration screen.

Figure 1 shows an example of an interactive video casting system 100 for distributing ticker content, Internet content, and television content according to an embodiment of the invention. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 can be integrated with a cable television distribution system to provide interactive television tickers. It is to be appreciated that in another embodiment, tickers having user controllable features may be implemented in systems that are not necessarily interactive in nature. The system 100 includes an Internet 102, a plurality of content sources 104, a plurality of distribution centers (depicted as the head-ends or H/Es 106), and a plurality of client terminals 108 (depicted as set top boxes). In addition, a content source 104 is depicted as receiving data from data feeds 112, advertisement servers 114, image sources 116, and streaming video sources 118. The content source 104 may also receive content from a broadcast video source. For the sake of clarity and to avoid clutter, not all of these sources are shown in Figure 1 for each content source 104.

The plurality of content sources 104 is coupled to the Internet 102.

For example, a content source 104 may comprise a web site portal such as Go2Net.com™, ora news web site such as CNN.com™, or other types of sources.

Each content source 104 may have various data feeds 112, servers 114, and sources 116/118 coupled to it.

For example, news or stock quote feeds 112 (including data for tickers) may be fed into the content source 104. Servers 114 may provide advertisements for insertion into multimedia content delivered by the content source 104. Sources 116 and 118 may provide images 116, streaming video 118, and other content to the content source 104. Various other feeds, servers, and sources may also be coupled to the content source 104 of Figure 1. An example configuration of components that can be integrated with the system 100 to provide ticker information to client terminals 108 is shown in Figure 2.

The Internet 102 comprises a network of networks and is well known in the art. Communications over the Internet 102 can be accomplished using standard protocols such as transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), file transfer protocol (FTP), or other protocols. The Internet 102 is coupled to the plurality of distribution centers 106, and each distribution center 106 is in turn coupled to a plurality of client terminals 108, which may comprise a set top box, a PC, an interactive television set, or another type of communication device or display device.

In alternative or in addition to the Internet 102 being used to distribute multimedia content (including ticker data) from the content sources 104 to distribution centers 106, communications channels or networks 120 (which can include satellite delivery sources/networks) apart from the Internet 102 may couple one or more content sources 104 to one or more distribution centers 106. One example of such an alternate path for communications is illustrated by a first dashed line 120 in Figure 1. Alternately or additionally, peering connections may exist between distribution centers 106. One example of such peering is illustrated by a second dashed line 122 in Figure 1. Other communications configurations are also possible and are included within the scope of the present invention.

Caches 110 may be provided at (or otherwise coupled to) the distribution centers 106. Such caches 110 may be used to increase the performance in the delivery of multimedia content (including ticker data) to the client terminals 108. For example, larger files for video and other high bandwidth content may be stored in such caches 110, which may be closer-in-time to the client terminals 108 than to the content sources 104. In addition, reliability and guaranteed bandwidth may be provided because the Internet 102 is not in-between such caches 110 and the client terminals 108. In one embodiment, the caches 110 or other storage media in the system 100 can store ticker information, rather than or in addition to having such information buffered, cached, or otherwise stored at the client side.

In an embodiment, servers may be present in the distribution centers 106, with such servers including or being coupled to the caches 110 or other storage media. Alternatively or in addition, these servers may be located remotely from but still communicatively coupled to the distribution centers 106, via the Internet 102 or other communications channels or networks. Examples of such servers that can be used in connection with providing ticker information to client terminals 108 are shown in Figure 2.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, different or multiple portals may be used to access the information provided through the interactive video casting systems of Figure 1 , based on the type of client terminal being used by the end user. That is, for example, a television portal may be provided for an end user that uses a television set coupled to the client terminal 108 to access the information. A PC portal may be provided for an end user that uses a PC to access the information. Portals can be provided for end users that use cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), audio devices, and the like to access the interactive video casting system 100 of Figure 1. Such portals may be provided in several possible ways. In one embodiment, the client terminal (e.g., the end user's display device or audio device) can be suitably configured with an adapter that includes hardware and software. The adapter converts the television signals, the Internet or web page content, or other information provided from the interactive video casting system into a digitized format or other format that is compatible with the operational features of the particular client terminal 108.

In another embodiment, a cable service provider can deliver signals having different formats to the various client terminals 108, with the client terminals not necessarily having special adapters. Therefore, as an example, the cable service provider or other party can generate/deliver information (e.g., television programming, web page content, ticker information, and the like) having a format that is compatible for end users that receive the information via a television set. The cable service provider or other party can also generate/deliver the same information (e.g., simultaneously with the television portal on the same communication link, separately on a different communication link, on-demand independent of the television portal, and the like) using a format that is compatible with end users that receive the information via PCs, PDAs, cellular telephones, and the like. Thus, the term "interactive video casting system" is used to describe generally a system that can deliver video information and other information over any network and any network-compatible device by broadcasting, multicasting, or unicasting. An "interactive television system" is one type of or one means of access to an "interactive video casting system."

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating example components that can be included in the system 100 of Figure 1 to provide tickers in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The data feeds 112 include a plurality of different ticker data feeds 200 that provide a variety of different topical data that can be displayed in a ticker. For instance, the different ticker data can include sports data, weather data, national news, and so forth. The sources that can provide this data can include entities such as Reuters™, The Sporting News™ (TSN), Associated Press™ (AP)™, and others. In one embodiment, the ticker data from the data feeds 200 comprises "raw" unformatted data (e.g., data with minimal or no formatting or graphics). The raw ticker data is provided to a feed server 202. In an embodiment, the feed server 202 operates as a content aggregator that pulls or otherwise receives the raw ticker data from the data feeds 200. The feed server 202 also performs data manipulation on the received ticker data to manipulate the data into a database format so that the data can be indexed and stored. A feed engine 204, which can be embodied in software or other machine-readable instructions stored on one or more machine-readable media according to an embodiment, can reside and run in the feed server 202 to perform at least some of this data manipulation. The feed server 202 is coupled to provide the manipulated ticker data to a production server 206. The production server 206 includes or is otherwise coupled to a database 208. The feed engine 204 calls on the database 208, and instructs the database 208 where to place the various ticker data. For example, the database 208 can include a plurality of database code objects 210 that cooperate with ticker tables 212 (such as a sports table 214, a weather table 216, and so forth) to index or store ticker data. The feed engine 204 calls the database 208 and identifies the database code objects and ticker tables where the ticker data is to be stored.

The various components of the database 208, such as the ticker tables 212, can also be configured in a manner that optimizes the organization and distribution of the ticker data. For example, ticker data unique to various geographic regions can be segregated from or otherwise identifiable from each other, so that ticker data that is relevant to only particular client terminals 108 need not be broadcast to all client terminals. For instance, California weather information can be segregated from Oregon weather information in the database 208 in a manner that client terminals 108 of California users do not receive Oregon weather information, unless specifically requested. This feature improves transmission efficiency and transmission time, since the bandwidth of communication paths to certain client terminals 108 are not clogged by non- relevant ticker data. In an embodiment, the production server 206 can also perform data manipulation, such as before the data is stored in the database 208, while it is stored in the database 208, or after the data is retrieved from the database 208 for transmission to client terminals 108. For instance, the production server 206 can perform data manipulation to place the ticker data into a format that is "consumable" or otherwise compatible with operating software of the client terminals 108. For instance, the production server 206 can place the ticker data into formats such as hypertext markup language (HTML), extensible markup language (XML), or other suitable formats. The production server 206 is coupled to provide ticker data from the database 208 to one or more distribution servers 218, which may be located in or otherwise communicatively coupled to a distribution center 106 (such as a headend). The distribution server 218 operates to provide the ticker data to the client terminals 108 via several possible communication paths or channels, as will be described with reference to Figure 3. In one embodiment, the distribution server 218 or other server(s) at the distribution center 106 can also perform manipulation of the ticker display (such as fast forward, rewind, pause, and so on) alternatively or in addition to having such user controllable operations performed at a client terminal 108. This implementation may be present, for example, where a particular client terminal 108 may have limited software, storage, and processing capacity to perform the appropriate user controllable operations — therefore, the operations are performed remotely at a server rather than locally at that client terminal 108, and then a ticker presentation reflecting the user controlled operation (e.g., a paused ticker item) is sent from the server to the client terminal 108 for display.

It is to be appreciated that the components shown in Figure 2 are merely illustrative of the various components of one embodiment that can be used to provide ticker information. For example, other embodiments can use more or fewer servers, as well as different components, to perform the various operations. Moreover, the various servers and their components (such as the feed engine 204 and the database 208) can be distributed elsewhere in the system 100, instead of or in addition to the locations shown in Figure 2. There may be multiple feed servers 202, production servers 206 and databases 208, distribution servers 218, and so on to account for load balancing, redundancy in case of outages or broken connections, and other factors that can affect distribution of ticker information. Figure 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a client terminal

108 for the system 100 of Figure 1 that can implement an embodiment of the invention to present tickers. For the sake of simplicity of illustration and explanation, only the components that are germane to understanding an embodiment of the invention are shown in Figure 3. It is understood that the embodiment of the client terminal 108 shown in Figure 3 can have other components different than or in addition to what is shown. Moreover, the various illustrated components may be suitably combined in some embodiments, instead of being separate. It also should be noted that the client terminal 108 is only one embodiment of the invention and that some or all of the components described as embodied in the client terminal 108 can be incorporated into a client television rather than in a separate device. A bus 301 is shown symbolically to depict coupling between the various components.

To briefly describe a client-side embodiment (as opposed to a server- side embodiment mentioned above), the client terminal 108 receives ticker data from the distribution server 218, and then performs the appropriate processing of the data to allow the data to be displayed in a ticker on a display screen of a television set. The client terminal 108 can be passive in that it receives the ticker data (as well as updates) when the data is sent by the distribution server 218, independently of whether the client terminal 108 requested the ticker data (e.g., the distribution server 218 "pushes" the ticker data to client terminals 108). Alternatively or in addition, the client terminal 108 can poll or otherwise explicitly request the ticker data from the distribution server 218, including polling the distribution server 218 for updated data (e.g., the client terminal 108 "pulls" the ticker data from the distribution server 218). In some embodiments, both push and pull mechanisms may be involved. Once it receives the ticker data from the distribution server 218, the data can be buffered or cached (if appropriate), and processed for presentation on the display screen of the television set. In an embodiment, software in the client terminal 108 can use a ticker template to display the ticker data in the appropriate scrolling layout, format, locations, time intervals, and so forth. This software in the client terminal 108 can also provide the user controllable PVR-like display features (such as fast forward, rewind, pause, skip, and the like), as well as process the corresponding operations that are performed by the user. In one embodiment where the ticker data is obtained from the Internet 102, this software can comprise browser-based software or other software capable to cooperate with a web browser. According to various embodiments, the ticker can be generated and made interactive through Flash, C++, Java, HTML, or other suitable code or software.

The client terminal 108 comprises a first tuner 300 to tune to a Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) stream 302 or other video source. The stream 302 may include video, live transmission, and/or application code, including corresponding text and graphic resources. In an embodiment where tickers are provided in an integrated manner along with the video signal, the ticker can be received by way of the stream 302. One skilled in the art will recognize that there will be a plurality of streams 302, depending on the number of channels and programs that the cable service provider makes available to the client terminal 108.

The first tuner 300 is coupled to a decoder 306 that decodes the video, application, and/or audio into a format that is compatible with a television set coupled to the client terminal 108. The client terminal 108 may include a second tuner 310. The second tuner 310 can work in conjunction with a cable modem 312 to obtain ticker data 314 from the Internet 102, such as via a Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS) connection with the distribution server 218. In addition to the ticker data 314, Internet content can also be received by the client terminal 108 by way of the DOCSIS connection through the second tuner 310 and the cable modem 312. In addition, the client terminal 108 includes or is coupled to an input interface 315, through which other sources 316 of ticker data can be provided to the client terminal 108. An example of the input interface 315 comprises an out-of- band tuner that can be used to tune to ticker data that is provided from the distribution server 218 via an out-of-band channel. In an embodiment, the out-of- band channel(s) can comprise one or more low-bandwidth frequencies carried on the same coaxial cable used to provide the MPEG streams and the Internet content. The out-of-band channel(s) tuned to by the input interface 315 to receive ticker data can be used alternatively or in addition to the DOCSIS channel tuned to by the second tuner 310 in such an embodiment.

Further alternatively or in addition, the input interface 315 can comprise another television broadcast tuner (such as the first tuner 300) to tune to* one or more channels that may be carrying ticker data. For example, ticker data (including updates) may be broadcast in one or more channel frequencies specifically dedicated for transmission of ticker data to client terminals 108. Thus, as an illustration, the first tuner 300 can tune to a channel showing a television program, while the input interface 315 is tuned to receive ticker data (in the form of packets, for example) from a ticker channel to allow a ticker to be simultaneously shown on the same television screen as the television program. Yet another example of the input interface 315 is an interface to receive outputs of recording devices such as a PVR or a digital video recorder (DVR) that may have ticker data stored therein, which may be received via download. Alternatively or in addition, the input interface 315 can comprise a communication interface, such as an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line modem, a wireless communication interface, and so forth, which can provide a link to the server 218 to receive ticker data, for instance.

An embodiment of the client terminal 108 may include a processor 320 to control operation of the various components shown in Figure 3. The processor 320 may work in conjunction with ticker software or other machine- readable instructions stored on at least one machine-readable storage medium 322. Such software may cooperate with the processor 320 to present ticker data in a ticker template or other screen interface or user interface, configure the format and layout of the ticker displayed on the display screen of the television, control the scroll speed of the ticker, process received user commands, perform the PVR- like operations of the ticker, obtain ticker data (and updates) from the distribution server 218, and other operations. In an embodiment, the ticker software can be pre-installed in the client terminal 108. In another embodiment, the ticker software may be installed by way of download from the system 100.

An audio and video output subsection 308 of the client terminal 108 receives decoded video and/or other applications (including ticker templates and the ticker data presented therein), and provides the decoded information to a television set. A wireless interface 318 operates to receive commands from a user input device (such as a wireless remote control). Such commands can include the PVR-like commands to fast forward, slow motion, rewind or back up, pause, etc. the ticker. The wireless interface 318 provides these commands to the processor 320 so that the processor 320 can cooperate with the ticker software to perform the corresponding operation.

In an embodiment of the invention, the storage medium 322 can also store user data 324 comprising user settings related to operation of the ticker. For instance, the user data 324 can include explicitly saved settings for ticker speed, "learning mode" data collected from the user related to ticker speed and other playback features, which ticker categories to skip and which to pause, and so forth. This data can also be stored in other suitable locations in the system 100. In any of these storage locations, multiple sets of user data 324 may be stored, such as in implementations where multiple users in a household log into a same client terminal 108 and where each user may have different preferences as to how they wish to view a ticker.

The storage medium 322 can include cache(s), buffer(s), or other types of storage locations where ticker data may be stored. For example, received sports scores can be stored in the storage medium and retrieved during the appropriate times during the course of the scrolling of the ticker. The ticker data stored in the storage medium 322 can be replaced as updates are received from the distribution server 218. In one embodiment, less time-dependent ticker information (e.g., information that need not necessarily be updated several times per day), including graphics for weather displays, game schedules, and the like, can be downloaded to the storage medium 322 during non-peak television viewing periods (such as late at night), and then retrieved from the storage medium 322 when that piece of information is appropriate for presentation in the ticker.

In an embodiment, some of the ticker data can be retrieved from the storage medium 322 when the PVR-like operations are performed. For instance, when performing a rewind or back-up of the ticker, the previously displayed ticker information can be retrieved from a cache or buffer in the storage medium 322, and then re-displayed. When pausing the ticker, upcoming ticker data can be buffered in the storage medium 322 until the pause is released by the user. Because an embodiment of the ticker scrolls through a complete cycle before repeating, the ticker data can be stored in sequential locations in the storage medium 322 for subsequent playback, and these locations can be selectively accessed to obtain the data therein when performing a fast forward, skip ahead, or speed adjustment.

Figures 4-6 are television screen shots illustrating ticker operation according to various embodiments of the invention. For simplicity of explanation, not all of the possible PVR-like operations are depicted, as such other possible operations can be ascertained by examination of the operations specifically shown in Figures 4-6. Moreover, it is to be appreciated that the format, layout, direction, content, and other characteristics of the ticker shown in Figures 4-6 are merely illustrative and that variations are possible. In Figure 4, a television set 400 is coupled to the client terminal 108 in a manner that allows a display screen 402 of the television set to show a television program 404. The television program 404 in this example is a video image of a basketball game. A ticker 406 is shown scrolling across the bottom of the display screen 402. The ticker 406 can be an overlay over the television program 404, or the television program 404 may be scaled appropriately on the display screen 402 to avoid the need for an overlay. In the example of the ticker 406, the ticker 406 is scrolling from right to left (as symbolically depicted by an arrow 408). It is to be appreciated that in other embodiments, the ticker 406 may be scrolling in different directions and may also be positioned differently on the display screen 402. For the sake of illustration, the ticker 406 is shown as being in a cycle when it is presenting sports scores (e.g., "Rams 3, Patriots 14" is the current ticker item that is being displayed under a "Sports" category tab 405) or other moving text items. There may be any suitable number of categories and subcategories through which the user can navigate via tabs 407. As described above, the ticker 406 can be presented via use of ticker software that places received ticker data into a ticker template or other user interface.

A user input device, such as a wireless remote control 410, is in communication with the client terminal 108 (via the wireless interface 318) to perform conventional television-viewing operations and also to control operation of the ticker 406 according to an embodiment of the invention. The remote control 410 includes a numeric keypad 412 that the viewer can use to select television channels from a plurality of available television channels. In an embodiment, the remote control 410 can include a ticker button 414, which if pressed, causes a command to be sent to the client terminal 108 to instruct the ticker software to render the ticker 406 on the display screen 402. If the ticker button 414 is pressed again, the ticker 406 is taken off the display screen 402. Alternatively or in addition, a TV button 422 can be pressed to dismiss the ticker 406. The ticker 406 could be invoked and dismissed via a number of ways-such as by voice command(s), by gesture(s), by touching the ticker screen interface (e.g., touch- screen functionality), or by presence-detect (e.g., sensing a remote control being picked-up), among others. It is to be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited by the particular type of technique to invoke and dismiss the ticker 406.

The remote control includes arrow keys 416. Pressing these arrow keys 416 allows the user to change channels or volumes, navigate through categories and menus of the ticker 406, and perform other operations. In an embodiment, ticker speed control can be performed by holding down an appropriate one of the arrow keys 416. For instance, the arrow keys 416 can operate analogously to a "gas pedal" for the ticker 406~the scroll speed of the ticker 406 accelerates if the user holds down the "forward" arrow key. Once that key is released, the ticker 406 can return instantaneously to an initial speed or it can decelerate more gradually. In an embodiment, wireless commands sent from the remote control 410 to the client terminal 108 can be processed by the ticker software to detect that an arrow key is being held down and being released, thereby allowing the ticker software to perform the responsive ticker speed adjustment. An embodiment of the remote control 410 can also include a plurality of buttons 418 similar in appearance to the fast forward, rewind, pause, slow motion, skip ahead, etc. buttons to control a PVR or other recording device. If the ticker 406 is active and if one of these buttons 418 is pressed, the corresponding command is sent to the client terminal 108. The ticker software in the client terminal 108 can interpret the command and then perform the appropriate PVR- like operation on the ticker 406. Alternatively or in addition, "soft" on-screen buttons 420 for the PVR-like operations can be displayed on the display screen 402. The user can navigate through these on-screen buttons 420 using the arrow keys 416. Figure 5 illustrates a rewind or back-up operation. For instance, if a ticker item has scrolled too quickly or if the user wishes to view a previously displayed item again, the user can press one of the buttons 418 on the remote control 410. As depicted in Figure 5, the ticker 406 is rewound (shown symbolically by the arrow 408 being pointed in a different direction than as shown in Figure 4) so as to display a previously scrolled score 500 ("Bills 7, 49ers 10") that had scrolled out of view on the display screen 402, while an adjacent ticker item 502 ("Rams 3, Patriots 14" from Figure 4) is also "backed up" to the point that the score may not entirely appear on the display screen 402. Analogous to a recording device, the user can rewind the ticker 406 back to any point, while a subsequent action (such as a button press to fast forward or "play") stops the rewind and allows to the ticker 406 to scroll in the opposite direction. Figure 6 illustrates a pause operation (depicted by the absence of the directional arrow 408 that symbolically shows movement of the ticker 406), in a manner that the user can choose to pause ticker items for extended viewing. For instance, the user can pause the ticker 406 so as to freeze the "Rams 3, Patriots 14" ticker item 502, while subsequent ticker items 600 are also paused or grayed out. While a ticker item is paused, the succeeding ticker items can be buffered and updated as needed prior to being displayed, such that when the ticker 406 resumes scrolling, the most recently updated ticker items will be scrolled.

Somewhat related to pausing in one embodiment of the invention is "locking." With locking, the viewer can choose certain categories, subcategories, or items to lock. Once locked, the ticker 406 will cycle through (and repeat presentation of) only that locked category, subcategory, or item, and will not cycle through non-locked categories, subcategories, or items. While cycling through locked components, the ticker 406 will scroll updated information, if available. Examples of techniques to perform locking are disclosed in U.S. Application Serial No. 10/091 ,364, entitled NAVIGATION IN AN INTERACTIVE TELEVISION TICKER, filed March 4, 2002, assigned to the same assignee as the present application, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Figure 7 is a block diagram of components involved in implementation of user control of ticker display features in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The various components shown in Figure 7 can be embodied in hardware, software, or a suitable combination thereof. Some of the components may be embodied in modules, layers, or subroutines of the ticker software installed in the storage medium 322 for client-side implementations. For server-side implementations, at least some of the components shown in Figure 7 may be located at the distribution server 218 or other location remote from the client terminal 108.

A buffer 700 or other storage unit, which can be located in the storage medium 322, receives ticker data from the distribution server 218. As described above, this ticker data can be tuned to via the first tuner 300, the second tuner 310, the input interface 315, or other component of the client terminal 108. The buffer 700 can hold not only constantly changing (e.g., time-sensitive) ticker data, but also more static information such as graphics.

The ticker data in the buffer 700 is provided via a link 702 to a ticker template or other suitable ticker user interface (Ul) 704. Alternatively or in addition, the received ticker data may be provided to the user interface 704 by way of an application program interface (API) 708. A software controller 706 (such as a feed manager) selects which ticker data in the buffer 700 to provide to the ticker template 704 and when. The controller 706 also controls the API 708 for the ticker template 704. By providing instructions to the API 708, the controller 706 can control operational features of the ticker 406, such as speed, categories and subcategories to display, direction of movement, pausing, and other features.

Another buffer 710 may also be coupled to the controller 706 and to the ticker user interface 704. In one embodiment, the buffer 710 is accessible by the user interface 704 via a link 712 to receive ticker items that have already been displayed, so that such data may be provided to the buffer 700 to be re-displayed in the next scrolling cycle of the ticker 406. The link 712 is two-way in that if a rewind operation is performed, the software controller 706 can instruct the API 708 to retrieve the previously presented data from the buffer 710 and provide that data to the ticker template 704. It is to be appreciated that in one embodiment, the buffers 700 and 710 comprise the same buffer, or a single data structure from which ticker data may be retrieved and replayed.

A command processing block 714 (which can include the wireless interface 318, the processor 320, and associated software) receives and interprets signals or other commands sent from the remote control 410, or initiated via the on-screen buttons 420. For example, a wireless signal encoded with a ticker command can be processed at the block 700 to determine if the command is a fast forward, skip, speed adjustment, rewind, and so forth. In one embodiment, the command processing block 714 comprises part of the user interface 704, such that the viewer can view ticker data and enter commands related to that ticker data through the same interface. Once the particular command 716 is identified, that command is sent to the software controller 706 in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the command is sent from the user interface 704 to the API 708. If the command relates to speed control (e.g., to speed up the ticker 406), the software controller 706 can send the appropriate commands to the API 708 to increase the scroll speed of the ticker 406 and also ensure that data is fed from the buffer 700 to the ticker template 704 at the correct rate. As another example, if the command relates to a rewind operation, the software controller 706 can de-couple the buffer 700 from the ticker template 704, cause the buffer 710 to output its data (corresponding to the buffer locations when the receive command was received) to the user interface 704, and instruct the API 708 to reverse the direction of the ticker 406.

Figure 8 is a flowchart 800 illustrating operation of a ticker 406 having user controllable display features in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. At least some of the elements of the flowchart 800 can be embodied in software or other machine-readable instruction stored in a machine-readable medium, such as at the client terminal 108 or remotely at a server. Moreover, it is appreciated that the various operations shown in the flowchart 800 need not necessarily occur in the exact order shown. Beginning at a block 802 ticker software, including upgrades or new components, are installed in the client terminal 108, for instance. In one embodiment, the ticker software can include some of the components shown in Figure 7, and may be factory installed or installed via download. According to an embodiment, components of the ticker software may already be installed, but are not activated until the user subscribes to the ticker service with the cable service provider. Once the ticker software is installed and once the user has subscribed to receive the ticker service, non-time-sensitive ticker information (such as graphics, updated menu selections, less-frequently updated ticker items, and so on) can be downloaded at a block 804. The download at the block 804 can occur during low-bandwidth-utilization hours (such as late at night), during commercial breaks, while the television set 400 is turned off, or other convenient times. Ticker data is received at a block 806 via the techniques and communication paths described with reference to Figure 3. It is also determined at the block 806 whether new ticker data to replace older ticker data is received, such as updated sports scores or weather reports. In an embodiment, the software controller 706 polls the distribution server 218 for new data, does a comparison to see if the new data should replace the existing data, and if so, passes the data to the API 708 so that the API 708 can instruct the user interface 704 to render the new data. If no new ticker data is received or if there is no new data, the previously received ticker data is scrolled at a block 808. New ticker data is rendered at a block 810, such as via the user interface 704. In an embodiment, the rendering at the block 810 is performed according to default settings for speed, direction, sequence, and the like. If user settings have been saved, the rendering at the block 810 is based on the applicable user settings.

While scrolling the ticker 406 at the block 810, commands corresponding to user controllable PVR-like actions may be issued by the user. At a block 812, the ticker software (such as the user interface 704) identifies the specific action requested, and then provides the corresponding command to the software controller 706 or to the API 708 of Figure 7. The software controller 706 causes the PVR-like action to be implemented at a block 814, or the API 708 causes the user interface 704 to implement the PVR-like action, according to various embodiments.

If desired, the user can save a setting at a block 816 that corresponds to the PVR-like action. For example, if the user has increased the speed of the ticker, the user can save that speed setting at the block 816. Alternatively or in addition, speed adjustments, user reaction times to perform a PVR-like action on scrolling ticker items, viewing habits or click history of the user, and the like can be saved or learned at the block 816.

At a block 818, the ticker software monitors whether the user wishes to resume to an original ticker presentation operation. For instance, after fast forwarding the ticker 406, the user can press one of the buttons 418 on the remote control 410 to return to the original ticker scrolling speed. Alternatively or in addition, the user can "let up on the gas pedal" by releasing one of the arrow buttons 416 being held down to speed up or slow down the ticker speed.

If such "resume" actions are not detected, then the current PVR-like action continues at the block 814. If the resume action is detected, however, the flowchart 800 returns to the block 806 to determine if new ticker data has been received (which may be performed by the software controller 706 in one embodiment), so that the new data can be presented in the ticker 406 that resumes back to its original operation.

The above description of illustrated embodiments of the invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention and can be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, an embodiment can apply user controllable features to conventional tickers that are encoded along with the television signal. In such an embodiment, the combined signal having the television image and the ticker information can be received at the client terminal 108 and processed in a manner to separate the ticker information from the television signal. This post-processed ticker information can then be stored in the storage medium 322 or other suitable storage location (such as a cache or buffer) of the client terminal 108 (or a recording device) and then played back for the user. The user controllable features, such as rewind or fast forward, can then be applied to the displayed ticker information as it is played back from the storage location. As another example, a satellite television (TV) delivery system may be implemented alternatively or in addition to a cable distribution system. A satellite TV delivery system may comprise a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) system. A DBS system may comprise a small 18-inch satellite dish (which is an antenna for receiving a satellite broadcast signal); a digital integrated receiver/decoder (IRD), which separates each channel, and decompresses and translates the digital signal so a television can show it; and a remote control. Programming for a DBS system may be distributed, for example, by multiple high- power satellites in geosynchronous orbit, each with multiple transponders. Compression (e.g., MPEG) is used to increase the amount of programming that can be transmitted in the available bandwidth. A digital broadcast center (e.g. , analogous to the head-end 106) may be used to gather programming content, ensure its digital quality, and transmit the signal up to the satellites. Programming may come to the broadcast center from content providers (TBS™, HBO™, CNN™, ESPN™, etc.) via satellite, fiber optic cable, and/or special digital tape. Satellite-delivered programming is typically immediately digitized, encrypted and uplinked to the orbiting satellites. The satellites retransmit the signal back down to every earth-station-or, in other words, every compatible DBS system receiver dish at customers' homes and businesses.

Some programs may be recorded on digital videotape in the broadcast center to be broadcast later. Before any recorded programs are viewed by customers, technicians may use post-production equipment to view and analyze each tape to ensure audio and video quality. Tapes may then be loaded into a robotic tape handling system, and playback may be triggered by a computerized signal sent from a broadcast automation system. Back-up videotape playback equipment may ensure uninterrupted transmission when appropriate. These and other modifications can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. The terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined entirely by the following claims, which are to be construed in accordance with established doctrines of claim interpretation.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method, comprising: receiving data from an interactive video casting system; presenting the data received from the interactive video casting system as a corresponding plurality of moving text items on a display screen; while presenting the data, receiving a user command related to presentation of the moving text items on the display screen; and responsive to the received command and while presenting the data, changing movement of at least one of the moving text items on the display screen.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the data is presented as the corresponding plurality of moving text items on the display screen in response to a first user activation of a button on a user input device, and wherein a second user activation of a button on the user input device removes the moving text items from the display screen.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising presenting graphics along with the moving text items.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein changing movement of at least one of the moving text items comprises changing a speed of movement of the plurality of moving text items.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein changing movement of at least one of the moving text items comprises changing a direction of movement of the plurality of moving text items.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein changing the direction of movement comprises at least one of fast forwarding, rewinding, skipping ahead, and skipping back of the plurality of moving text items.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein changing movement of at least one of the moving text items comprises pausing that text item.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein changing the speed of movement of the plurality of moving text items is performed responsive to holding down a button on a user input device.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: resuming an original movement of the plurality of moving text items; and including moving text items, corresponding to updated data received from the interactive video casting system, in the resumed movement of the plurality of moving text items.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the data received from the interactive video casting system comprises time-sensitive data, the method further comprising: receiving non-time-sensitive information from the interactive video casting system separately from the time-sensitive data; storing the non-time-sensitive information in a storage medium; and presenting the non-time-sensitive from the storage medium in a user interface along with the received time-sensitive data represented as the plurality of moving text items.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising saving a setting corresponding to the command related to presentation of the moving text items.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein changing movement of at least one of the moving text items includes: retrieving a text item stored in a storage location; and presenting the text item retrieved from the storage location on the display screen.

13. An article of manufacture, comprising: a machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions to: present data received from an interactive video casting system as a corresponding plurality of moving text items on a display screen; and change movement of at least one of the moving text items on the display screen in response to a received user command related to presentation of the moving text items on the display screen and during presentation of the data.

14. The article of manufacture of claim 13 wherein the instructions to change movement of at least one of the moving text items include instructions to pause the plurality of moving text items.

15. The article of manufacture of claim 13 wherein the instructions to change movement of at least one of the moving text items include instructions to change a speed of movement of the plurality of moving text items.

16. The article of manufacture of claim 15 wherein the instructions to change the speed of the plurality of moving text items include instructions to change the speed based on a continued activation of a button on a user input device.

17. The article of manufacture of claim 13 wherein the instructions to change movement of at least one of the moving text items include instructions to change a direction of movement of the plurality of moving text items.

18. The article of manufacture of claim 13 wherein the instructions to change movement of at least one of the moving text items include instructions to provide stored text items from a storage location to a user interface.

19. An apparatus for an interactive video casting system, the apparatus comprising: a means for receiving data from a source in the interactive video casting system; a means for presenting the data received from the interactive video casting system as a corresponding plurality of moving text items on a display screen; a means for receiving a user command related to presentation of the moving text items on the display screen, while presenting the data; and a means for changing movement of at least one of the moving text items on the display screen, responsive to the received command and while presenting the data.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the means for changing movement of at least one of the moving text items is located at a server in the interactive video casting system.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the means for changing movement of at least one of the moving text items is located at a client terminal in communication with the interactive video casting system.

22. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the means for changing movement of at least one of the moving text items includes a means for changing at least one of a direction of movement and a speed of movement of the plurality of moving text items, including a means to pause movement of the plurality of text items.

23. A ticker for a video casting system, the ticker comprising: a plurality of movable text items corresponding to data received from the video casting system; a user interface displayable on a display screen to present the movable text items; and a plurality of user controllable display features to change movement of the movable text items displayed in the user interface during presentation of the movable text items by the user interface.

24. The ticker of claim 23, further comprising a plurality of on-screen controls corresponding to operations associated with the user controllable display features.

25. The ticker of claim 23 wherein the user controllable display features include at least one of a fast forward, skip ahead, skip back, slow motion, speed control, rewind, and pause feature.

26. The ticker of claim 23 wherein the user interface is capable to resume presentation of movable text items corresponding to updated data subsequent to termination of the user controllable display feature.

27. The ticker of claim 23 wherein the plurality of movable text items are organized according to a plurality of different user-selectable categories.

28. The ticker of claim 23 wherein the user interface is configured to be displayed on the display screen in response to user activation of a button on a user input device.

29. The ticker of claim 23 wherein the user controllable display feature includes a speed control feature to change a speed of the plurality of movable text items, the speed of the plurality of movable text items being responsive to and corresponding to constant activation of a button on a user input device.

30. The ticker of claim 23 wherein the video casting system comprises an interactive television system.

31. An apparatus for a video casting system, the apparatus comprising: an interface to receive data sent from the video casting system; a storage medium coupled to the interface to store at least some of the received data and to store a software program; a processor, coupled to the storage medium and to the interface, to cooperate with the software program to format the received data as a corresponding plurality of movable text items; and an output section to provide the plurality of movable text items to a display screen configured to present the plurality of movable text items, the software program including code to change movement of the plurality of movable text items in response to a user command and while the plurality of text items are displayed in the display screen.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the code to change movement of the plurality of movable text items include code to change a direction of movement of the plurality of moving text items.

33. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the code to change movement of the plurality of movable text items include code to change a speed of movement of the plurality of moving text items.

34. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the storage medium includes a first buffer to store the data sent from the video casting system and a second buffer to store text items previously displayed on the display screen, the apparatus further comprising: a user interface configured to receive the data stored in the first buffer and to present that data as the plurality of movable text items, the user interface being further configured to provide previously displayed movable text items to the second buffer; an application program interface (API) in communication with the user interface to control operation of the user interface with regards to presentation of movable text items; and a controller in communication with the API to cause the API, in response to received user commands, to change movement of the movable text items presented via the user interface, the controller further being coupled to the first and second buffers to allow the buffers to provide stored data that corresponds to the changed movement of the movable text items.

35. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the processor and the storage medium are located in a server in the video casting system.

36. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the processor and the storage medium are located in a client terminal in communication with the video casting system.

37. A video casting system, comprising: a source of data; and an apparatus coupled to the source, the apparatus including: an interface to receive data sent from the source; a storage medium coupled to the interface to store at least some of the received data and to store a software program; a processor, coupled to the storage medium and to the interface, to cooperate with the software program to format the received data as a corresponding plurality of movable text items; and an output section to provide the plurality of movable text items to a display screen configured to present the plurality of movable text items, the software program including code to change movement of the plurality of movable text items in response to a user command and while the plurality of text items are displayed in the display screen.

38. The system of claim 37 wherein the apparatus comprises a server.

39. The system of claim 37 wherein the apparatus comprises a client terminal.

40. The system of claim 37 wherein the code to change movement of the plurality of movable text items include code to change at least of a direction of movement or a speed of movement, including a pause, of the plurality of moving text items.

41. The system of claim 37 wherein the storage medium includes a first buffer to store the data sent from the source and a second buffer to store text items previously displayed on the display screen, the apparatus further comprising: a user interface configured to receive the data stored in the first buffer and to present that data as the plurality of movable text items, the user interface being further configured to provide previously displayed movable text items to the second buffer; an application program interface in communication with the user interface to control operation of the user interface with regards to presentation of movable text items; and a controller in communication with the API to cause the API, in response to received user commands, to change movement of the movable text items presented via the user interface, the controller further being coupled to the first and second buffers to allow the buffers to provide stored data that corresponds to the changed movement of the movable text items.

42. The system of claim 37 wherein the source of the data comprises: a feed server to receive a plurality of feeds of data and having a feed engine to manipulate the data received from the feeds; a production server coupled to the feed server to receive the data manipulated by the feed engine, and coupled to a database having tables for the manipulated data received from the feed server, the production server being capable to change a format of the manipulated data to a format compatible with client terminals configured to present the movable text items on the display screen; and a distribution server to send the manipulated data having the format compatible with the client terminals, the movable text items displayed on the display screen corresponding to that manipulated data.

43. A method usable in a video casting system, the method comprising: receiving data from the interactive video casting system, wherein a client terminal for a television for the interactive video casting system is coupled to present the received data on a display screen of the television as a corresponding plurality of moving text items, wherein the interactive video casting system includes a plurality of sources, which provide the data, communicatively coupled to a plurality of broadcast centers, wherein the broadcast centers are coupled to a server capable to provide the data from the sources to the client terminal, and wherein the interactive video casting system is capable to provide the data to the client terminal via different communication channels, including at least one of a plurality of television broadcast channels, an out-of-band channel, and a communication channel with a communication network; presenting the data received from the interactive video casting system as the corresponding plurality of moving text items on the display screen; while presenting the data, receiving a user command related to presentation of the moving text items on the display screen; and responsive to the received command and while presenting the data, changing movement of at least one of the moving text items on the display screen.

44. The method of claim 41 wherein the broadcast center comprises part of a satellite television delivery system.

45. The method of claim 41 wherein the video casting system comprises an interactive television system.

46. A video casting system, comprising: a source of data including: a feed server to receive a plurality of feeds of data and having a feed engine to manipulate the data received from the feeds; a production server coupled to the feed server to receive the data manipulated by the feed engine, and coupled to a database having tables for the manipulated data received from the feed server, the production server being capable to change a format of the manipulated data to a format compatible with client terminals configured to present the movable text items on a display screen; and a distribution server to send the manipulated data having the format compatible with the client terminals, the movable text items displayed on the display screen corresponding to that manipulated data; and an apparatus coupled to the distribution server of the source, the apparatus including: an interface to receive data sent from the source; a storage medium coupled to the interface to store at least some of the received data and to store a software program; a processor, coupled to the storage medium and to the interface, to cooperate with the software program to format the received data as a corresponding plurality of movable text items; and an output section to provide the plurality of movable text items to a display screen configured to present the plurality of movable text items, the software program including code to change movement of the plurality of movable text items in response to a user command and while the plurality of text items are displayed in the display screen.

47. The system of claim 46 wherein the apparatus comprises one of the client terminals.

48. The system of claim 46 wherein the apparatus comprises a server remote from the client terminals.

49. The system of claim 46 wherein the software program further includes code to lock at least some of the movable text items in cycled presentation in a manner that other movable text items that are not locked are not presented.