Patent ID: 6593972
Filing Date: 2003-07-15
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An interactive display system, for use with (i) a program source from a video player device providing an associated video output signal and a digital data stream, the digital data stream being modulated on the video output signal to provide control data for user interaction with the program source, and (ii) a monitor in communication with the program source for displaying the output, the display system comprising:(a) a data decoder, for separating the digital data stream from the video output signal; (b) a viewer control box having (i) a user input for receiving user selections; (ii) a data input in communication with the decoder for receiving the digital data stream; and (iii) a program execution module in communication with the user input and the data input; and (c) a visual status display, removably attachable to the monitor, in communication with the program execution module, for displaying the current state of the module so as to enable real time user interaction with the program source.