Patent ID: 6502242
Filing Date: 2002-12-31
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A device for allowing a viewer to switch a display device from displaying a first program transmitted over a first channel to a second program transmitted over a second channel upon selection by the viewer, the second program being interactive, the device comprising:a receiver for receiving a signal from a point of origin, the signal including the first program, identifying code for the interactive second program and information relating to an indicator for display on a display device associated with the receiver while the display device displays the first program, the indicator indicating availability of the interactive second program; the receiver being capable of being adjusted from receiving the first program on the first channel to receiving the interactive second program over the second channel; the display device functionally connected to the receiver for displaying the indicator while displaying the first program; a means for transmitting a viewer request that the device switch to the interactive second program; and a processor, functionally connected to the receiver, the display device, a means for receiving the viewer request, at least one storage means and a network, the network being further connected to at least one video service provider capable of providing the interactive second program over the second channel and the processor being operative to: process the transmissions received by the receiver to detect the availability of the interactive second program and identifying code of the interactive second program; detect the viewer request to switch to the interactive second program; upon detecting the viewer request, transmit a request over the network to the video service provider, the request indicating the identifying code for the interactive second program; receive a responsive transmission from the video service provider including the interactive second program and the identity of the second channel; upon receipt of the transmission including the interactive second program and the identity of the second channel, relay the transmission to the receiver over the second channel, store the identity of the first channel and cause the receiver to switch to the second channel receiving the interactive second program; wherein the video service provider is functionally connected to at least one interactive server capable of storing interactive programs, associating a unique identifying code for the stored interactive program, and retrieving the stored interactive second program upon receiving a request from the video service provider; wherein the video service provider is capable of including in the request to the interactive server the identifying code for the second program; and wherein the processor is further operative to: receive a request from the viewer to terminate the interactive second program; detect the completion of the interactive second program; upon detection of either the request for termination or completion of the interactive second program retrieve the identity of the first channel from the storage means, erase the identifying code associated with the interactive second program; and cause the receiver to switch to the first channel receiving the first program.