INTERACTIVE TELEVISION SYSTEM AND METHOD HAVING ON-DEMAND WEB-LIKE NAVIGATIONAL CAPABILITIES FOR DISPLAYING REQUESTED HYPERLINKED WEB-LIKE STILL IMAGES ASSOCIATED WITH TELEVISION CONTENT

Abstract: A system and method for displaying still video images related to video content in an interactive broadcast television system. The system and method of the present invention may also be used for simulating an Internet home page on an interactive television system. The present invention thus supports hyperlinked web-like navigational capabilities in an interactive television system. According to the method of the present invention, the video delivery system provides or broadcasts one or more audio/video channels each comprising video content and also provides or broadcasts at least one still image channel comprising a plurality of still video images, preferably MPEG-2 compressed still images. The user or viewer can select options displayed on the television screen to view desired information. When the set top box receives user input selecting an option to view one of the linked still images, the set top box captures the requested image from the still image broadcast channel, stores the image in memory, and displays the captured still video image corresponding to the selection. The user can also request to view an image which is not currently being transmitted by the video delivery system. In this instance, the system provides user requested still images "on demand" on a dedicated "search" channel. The user can thus selectively navigate between the video content and stills in a web-like hyperlinked fashion.

Description: TITLE: INTERACTIVE TELEVISION SYSTEM AND METHOD HAVING ON-DEMAND WEB-LIKE NAVIGATIONAL CAPABILITIES FOR DISPLAYING REQUESTED HYPERLINKED WEB-LIKE STILL IMAGES ASSOCIATED WITH TELEVISION CONTENT Field of the Invention The present invention is related to interactive video delivery mediums such as interactive television. and more particularly to a system and method for generating and displaying requested hyperlinked web-like still video images in an interactive broadcast television system. The present invention is also related to a system and method for emulating Internet web pages in an interactive broadcast television system. Description of the Related Art The Internet is an international network based on vaπous standard protocols and transfer mechanisms which supports thousands of computer networks The basic transfer protocol used by the Internet is referred to as TCP/IP (Transfer Control Protocol / Internet Protocol), which was a transfer protocol originally used in the Unix operating system The Internet essentially provides an interactive image and document presentation system which enables users to selectively access desired information and or graphics content The Internet has grown to form an information superhighway or information backbone with anv and vaπed commercial uses The Internet includes vaπous server types, including World Wide Web (WWW) servers which offer hypertext capabilities. Hypertext capabilities allow the Internet to link together a web of documents, which can be navigated using a convenient graphical user interface (GUI) WWW servers use Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) to identify documents, where a URL is the address of the document that is to be retπeved from a network server. The WWW, also referred to as the "web", also uses a hvpcrtext language refeπed to as the hypertext mark-up language (HTML) HTML is a scπpting or programming language which allows content providers or developers to place hyperlinks within web pages which link related content or data. The web also uses a transfer protocol referred to as the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) When a user clicks on a link in a web document, the link icon in the document contains the URL which the client employs to initiate the session with the server stoπng the linked document HTTP is the protocol used to support the information transfer. Interactive television is an interactive audio/video delivery medium which provides broadcast audiovisual content to a number of subscribers. Interactive television provides broadcast video and audio to users and also provides a return path for the user to interact with the content, e g., to make selections or order desired products, etc. Unlike the Internet, interactive television is pπmaπly a broadcast medium which generally requires that the same audiovisual content be delivered to each user or subscπber One element of interactive television is the ability to provide electronic program guides and/or electronic catalogs which allow viewers to order programming or merchandise An advertiser may advertise his product through interactive television, and the user may view and make selections to order the product or receive more information on the product. It is clearly desired to provide a convenient and easy mechanism which enables a user or viewer in an interactive television system to more effectively select and view information with which the viewer is interested. For example, it is desired to provide a convenient advertising mechanism in an interactive broadcast television system which enables advertisers to more effectively display advertisements It is more generally desired to enable the user or viewer to more conveniently navigate through information in a eb-like fashion in an interactive television medium One problem in providing web-like capabilities in an interactive television system is the broadcast nature of the system The Internet is essentially a multi-point to multi-point network where each user can selectively retπeve different information or view different selected content In contrast, the broadcast television medium is pπmaπly a point to multi-point network where every user is generally required to receive the same content Therefore, an improved interactive television system and method is desired which provides web-like capabilities in a pπmanly broadcast environment An improved interactive television system and method is also desired which provides on-demand web-like capabilities for displaying requested images in a pπmaπlv broadcast environment Summary of the Invention The present invention compπses a system and method for displaying sϋll video images related to video content in an interactive broadcast television system The present invention thus provides hvperhnked web-like capabilities in an interactive television system The interactive television svstem compπses a video delivery system for providing a plurality of channels of video and/or image content, and at least one subsenber television including a display screen, wherein the subsenber television is coupled to the video delivery svstem The subsenber television further includes a set top box or interactive decoder logic which receives the pluralm of channels and selectively displays a channel based on user input According to the method of the present invention, the video delivery system provides or broadcasts one or more audio/video channels each compπsmg video content The video delivery svstem also provides or broadcasts at least one still image channel compnsing a plurality of still video images, preferablv MPEG-2 compressed still images One or more of the audio/video channels compπse AVI (audio video interactive) signals which include an audiovisual data stream as well as interactive program content The interactive program content is executable to display selection options which reference or link to MPEG stills transfeπed on the still image channel The MPEG stills may also include interactive program content used to selection options which reference or link to other MPEG stills According to the mvenuon. when the television is displaying video content from an AVI signal which includes interactive program content, the interactive program content is executed by the set top box or interactive decoder to display vaπous selection options on the television One or more of the selection options each corresponds to respective compressed still video images broadcast on the still image channel The user or viewer can select one of the options to view desired informauon When the set top box receives user input selecting an option to view one of the linked still images, the set top box captures the requested image from the still image broadcast channel, stores the image in memory, and displays the captured still video image corresponding to the selection The still image being displayed may have associated interactive program content for displaying further selections, wherein these selections may be for viewing other images or content, for ordenng information, or purchasing products The user can thus selectively navigate between the video content and stills in a web-like hyperlinked fashion In one embodiment when a user is navigating through still images the television program or video content which was being viewed is displayed in a small window overlaid on the still image being displayed In this embodiment, the audio portion of the program image mav also be presented while still images arc displayed This provides a continuous television presence in addition to the web-like hvperhnked navigational capabilities When the set top box captures a requested image from the still image broadcast channel, the set top box preferably also pre-caches or pre-loads other related still images based on the probability that these related images will be subsequently requested by the user Thus, when an image is requested that has been pre- cached, the image is retπeved from memory, instead of having to wait for the next broadcast of the image This reduces the navigation latency and improves system performance In one embodiment, the interactive television system of the present invention further compπses a media server or web server which stores a plurality of still images which mav be requested on demand " In this embodiment the broadcast center utilizes one or more channels which are reserved for user requests and thus provide still images "on demand " Thus when the set top box receives user input indicating a request to receive additional still video images related to a certain video content and these requested still images arc not cuπentlv being broadcast on the still image channel, the set top box provides the request to the media server The media server receives the request and provides the requested images to the broadcast center for transmission The requested still video images related to the video content are then broadcast on the dedicated still image channel The requesting set top box may then capture and display the requested images on the subsenber television Alternatively, the requested images are provided directh from the media server to the set top box via the return channel The present invention thus compπses an interactive television system with web-like navigational capabilities As one example, the present invention provides an improved svstem and method for displaying advertising content in an interactive television system A user viewing the television can select an option which displays the advertising content of a respective advertiser or vendor When the user selects this option the television hyperlinks to one or more high quahtv compressed \ ideo stills which are being broadcast on the dedicated one or more still image channels which display the advertiser s goods or services In the preferred embodiment, the video stills are presented in a format similar to Internet pages The still images mav include thumbpπnt images which link to other stills The user may select respective thumbpπnts to view a full-screen image of the thumbpπnt image Still images mav also include a selection which enables the user to order a product or to provide an indication that the user desires to receive more information The present invention thus enables advertisers to more intuitively provide advertising content in an interactive television medium Therefore, the system and method of the present invention provides a more convenient and a more informative method for users or viewers to access or navigate information in an interactive broadcast television svstem The present invention provides an improved method which enables users to navigate through information content in an interactive television svstem using web-like images and hyperlinks to simplify information selections Brief Description of the Drawings A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed descπption of the preferred embodiment is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which Figures 1 illustrates an interactive television system according to the present invention, Figure 2 illustrates the interactive television svstem of Figure 1 which includes a remote network that provides programming content Figure 3 is a block diagram of the interactive decoder of Figures 1 and 2, Figure 4 is a flowchart diagram illustrating operation of the video delι\erv system of Figures 1 and 2, Figures 5 and 6 are flowchart diagrams illustrating operation of the interactive decoder of Figures 1 and 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention Figures 7 - 9 are a flowchart diagram illustrating operation of the interactive decoder of Figures 1 and 2 according to another embodimeni of the present invention, wherein the interactive decoder pre-caches still images related to a selected still image for improved performance, Figure 10 illustrates an interactive television svstem which provides on demand" still images according to the present invention Figure 11 is a flowchart diagram illustrating operation of the video erv svstem of Figure 10 according to the present invention Figures 12 - 14 illustrate operation of the interactive decoder of Figure 10 according to the present invention, Figure 15 illustrates a screen shot of a television displaying a program which includes selections that reference MPEG still images according to the present invention, Figure 16 illustrates an MPEG still image being displayed which includes one or more selections for viewing other stills or making orders according to the present invention Figures 17 and 18 illustrate a channel advertising selection guide which references still images according to the present invention Figure 19 illustrates a magazine subscπption example which utilizes linked images according to the present invention, Figure 20 illustrates a sweepstakes example which utilizes linked images according to the present invention, and Figures 21 - 24 illustrate a data feed application of the present invention Detailed Description of the Embodiments Interactive Television Svstem eferπng now to Figure 1 , a block diagram of an interactive television svstem according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown It is noted that Figure 1 is illustrative only, and other interactive television svstem embodiments may be used, as desired As shown, the interactive television system employs a broadcast center 100 for generating audiovisual content, including interactive audiovisual content The broadcast center 100 includes an audio / video source 102 for providing the audiovisual content The audiovisual content mav compπse movies, sports, news, sitcoms or other audiovisual programming, as is normally seen on television The audiovisual content also preferably compπses compressed still video images The audio / video source 102 may include video compression logic for compressing still video images into compressed still video images As shown m Figure 2, the audiovisual content may also be supplied by a remote network 170 or a live feed, as desired The broadcast center 100 also includes an application server 104 for creating and/or generating interactive application content The interactive application content compπses application code and data which is designed to be executed by a processor within a set top box or television to suppoπ an interactive television feature The application server 104 is preferably configured for generating or providing 'OpenTV interactive applications The application server mav also provide "Java " applets or other interactive program content, as desired An Encoder / Multiplexer 1 6 combines the interactive application content with the audiovisual content to produce an audio-video-interactive (AVI) signal The Encoder / Multiplexer 106 also synchronizes the interactive application content with the audiovisual content to ensure that the interactive application content is insetted in the proper position within the audiovisual content It is noted that certain channels may compπse non-interactive programming content In other words, certain audiovisual content mav not have associated interactive content The Encoder / Multiplexer 106 preferably multiplexes a plurality of signals including AVI signals and optionally non-interactive signals, together for transmission The broadcast center 100 also includes an uplink satellite 108 for transmitting the broadcast signal for receipt by end-users or a subsequent distπbution link It is noted that Figure 1 illustrates a satellite network example where a satellite is used to transmit the broadcast signal However, it is noted that other transmission methods may be used, including cable distπbution through coaxial cable, fiber optic transmission, microwave transmission or other means The broadcast signal is received from broadcast center 100 via a satellite downlink 120 The broadcast signal is then provided to a plurality of subscπbers As noted above, the broadcast signal includes one or more AVI signals on respective channels, and mav include one or more non-interactive program signals As shown, each end user or subsenber preferably includes a set top box or interactive decoder 140 as well as a television set 150 The set top box or interactive decoder 140 is coupled to the television set 150 It is noted that the interactive decoder logic may be compπsed in the television 150 instead of being compπsed as a separate unit 140 Also, the television mav compπse a general purpose programmable computer having a display screen, or other viewing device, as desired In the present disclosure, the term "subsenber television" is intended to include the television set 150 or other viewing device, such as a computer, and may include associated decoder logic for executing interactive programs For example, in one embodiment, the subsenber television compπses the television set 150 coupled with the interactive decoder or set top box 140 The television 150 includes a remote control 152 which facilitates user interaction with the television 150 and/or interactive decoder 140 The user can select desired television channels for viewing The signal on the selected television channel is decoded by the interactive decoder 140 which provides an output to the television set 150 The interactive decoder 140 preferably executes a real time operating system, such as OpenTV from Thomson Electronics Where the channel being viewed compnses an AVI signal, the interactive decoder 140 also executes an interactive application program conveyed within the selected AVI signal to enable an interactive television feature A return channel 156 interconnects the interactive decoder 140 to a transaction sener 160 which monitors certain selections by the user and responds according , as desired The return channel 156 preferably utilizes a standard POTS (plain old telephone system) phone line and associated modems (not shown) for communication Other return channel options, such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable ADSL (Assymetπc Digital Subsenber Line), ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode), or others, mav be used as desired The broadcast center 100 provides a plurality of program channels each comprising audiovisual content One or more program channels compπse AVI signals including audiovisual content and associated interactive applications and/or still image link data The link data is preferablv HTML (hypertext markup language) data According to the present invention, the broadcast center 100 also provides at least one channel referred to as a still image channel, compπs g a plura tv of still video images, preferabh MPEG compressed stills In the preferred embodiment, the still image channel transmits 25 still images per second here the images repeat every 3 seconds Thus a total of 75 different still images are transmitted on one still image channel The interactive applications provided on an AVI signal are executable to display one or more selections on the television in conjunction with the audiovisual content According to the present invention, certain of these selections reference respective MPEG stills which are transmitted on the one or more still image channels and are related to the video content Certain selections mav also be used to order information or products via the transaction server 160 At least a subset of the broadcast still video images also include associated interactive applications and/or link data which are executable to display one or more selections on the television in conjunction with the respective MPEG still These selections mav reference other MPEG stills, or mav be used to order information or products In one embodiment, one or more selections mav be used to transmit a request to a media server for additional "on demand" MPEG stills Figure 3 - Interactive Decoder Referπng now to Figure 3, a block diagram illustrating the interactive decoder 140 is shown As shown the interactive decoder 140 includes an input for receiving a broadcast signal over a channel The broadcast signal preferablv compπses a plurality of channels compπsing programming content, such as movies, sports, television shows, news, advertising, etc At least a subset, 1 e , one or more, of the program channels compπses an AVI (audio video interactive) signal which compπses an audiovisual component as well as an interactive program component as descπbed above The broadcast channel signal is provided to a demultiplexer 302 in the interactive decoder 140 The demultiplexer 302 operates to separate the audio/video component from the interactive component In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the interactive component compnses an interactive application and/or data which is compliant with the OpenTV standard promulgated by Thomson Electronics However, it is noted that other types of interactive applications may be included in the AVI signal, as desired The demultiplexer 302 provides the audio/video component to an audio/video decoding block 304 The decoding block 304 operates to decode the compressed audiovisual data stream to produce decompressed data In the preferred embodiment, the broadcast channel transports MPEG-2 compressed data Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the decoding process block 304 preferably includes an MPEG-2 decoder for decompressing or decoding the encoded data The decoding process block 304 provides an audio/video output which is preferably provided to the television 150 The interactive program component which is provided by the output of the demultiplexer 302 is provided to a memory 312. preferablv a random access memory (RAM) which stores the interactive application, l e . the OpenTV application A CPU 314 is coupled to the interactive application RAM 312 Thus, the interactive application from the AVI signal is stored m the RAM 312. and the CPU 14 can read the application from the RAM 312 and execute the application The interactive decoder 140 also preferably includes a second memorv 16. preferablv a read only memorv (ROM) which stored the interactive application operating svstem The operating svstem is preferablv the OpenTV operating svstem from Thomson Electronics The ROM 16 which stores the OpenTV operating svstem is also coupled to the CPU 314 Thus, the CPU 314 reads the OpenTV operating system from the ROM 316, whereby the operating system controls the operation of the CPU 314 The CPU 314 also reads the interactive application from the RAM 312. which was provided with the AVI signal, and executes this interactive application under control of the OpenTV operating svstem stored in ROM 316 The CPU 314 provides an output to a graphic on-screen display block 322 The graphic on-screen display block 322 is coupled to provide an output in conjunction with the audio/video output provided bv decoder 304 The graphic on-screen display block 322 orgamzes the data in a format which can be overlaid on top of the audio/video output of the decoder 304 Thus, the CPU 314 executes an interactive application and generates on-screen graphics which are provided in conjunction with the audio/video stream being output from the decoder 1 0 Thus, for example, if the interactive application is wπtten to cause one or more selection options to be displayed or overlaid on top of a television program or still image, the CPU 314 executing the application provides the appropπate output to the graphic on-screen display block 322, and the block 322 causes the respective selection buttons to be overlaid on top of and/or displayed with the audio/video output of the decoder 304 The interactive decoder 140 also includes an input for receiving user input This user input is provided to an input of the CPU 314 This user input may be provided from vaπous devices, preferably from remote control 152 or from buttons on the TV 150 or the interactive decoder 140 The user input provided to the CPU 314 enables a user to interact with the interactive application For example, the user or viewer may choose a selection or button displayed on the screen to view a linked still image according to the present invention The user or viewer may also choose a selection or button to order a product or order information, provide answers to a television game show, etc The interactive decoder 140 also includes a modem 324 which provides information on the return channel 156 for user interactivity As shown in Figure 3, the CPU 314 is coupled to the modem 324. and the modem 324 is coupled to a return channel output of the interactive decoder 140 In the embodiment shown in Figure 3. the modem 324 may be used for bi-directional communication As shown in Figure 1 , the return channel 156 preferably couples to a transaction server 160 Thus, if the user selects an option to order information, or purchase a product, the transaction server 160 receives this order and processes the order for fulfillment In one embodiment, as discussed below with respect to Figure 9. the return channel 156 is also coupled to a media server, and the return channel 156 is used to select additional MPEG still images for display which are provided "on demand", as described further below Figures 4 - 6 Interactive Television Svstem Figures 4 - 6 illustrate a method for displaying web-like still video images related to video content in an interactive television system according to the present invention The method of the present invention provides hyperlinked web-like capabilities in an interactive television system As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the interactive television system compπses a video delivery system or broadcast center 100 for providing video content, and at least one subsenber television 150 including a display screen \\ herein the subsenber television is coupled to the video delivery svstem Figure 4 - Video Delivery Svstem Flowchart Diagram Figure 4 is a flowchart diagram illustrating operation of the broadcast center of Figure 1 , also referred to as the video delivery system As shown, in step 402 the video delivery system provides a plurality of program channels each compπsing video content or audiovisual content At least one of the plurality of channels compπses an AVI signal which includes an audiovisual signal as well as an interactive program included with the audiovisual signal In step 404 the video delivery system 100 provides at least one channel compπsing a plurality of still video images This at least one channel is referred to as a still image channel As mentioned above, the still video images are preferably MPEG or MPEG-2 compressed stills At least one of the plurality of still video images includes an interactive program associated with the respective still In the preferred embodiment, each of the still images includes an interactive program which displays a selection to return to viewing the video content of the AVI signal Each interactive program mav also include other selections which reference other still images or other options It is noted that the still image channel(s) compπsing a plurality of still video images is a different channel from the plurality of program channels compπsing audiovisual content Also, it is noted that the video delivery system 100 provides the program channels m step 402 and the at least one still image channel in step 404 substantially simultaneously as a single broadcast, and the transmission of these channels is shown as separate steps for illustrative purposes Figures 5-6 Interactive Decoder Flowchart Diagram Referπng now to Figures 5 - 6, a flowchart diagram illustrating operation of the interactive decoder 140 according to the present invention is shown In an embodiment where the interactive decoder logic is compπsed in the television 150. the steps in Figures 5 - 6 are executed by the television 150 Although operation of the interactive decoder 140 is shown in Figures 5 -6 in flowchart form, it is noted that certain of the steps may occur substantially simultaneously In step 412 the interactive decoder 140 receives the plurality of program channels each compπsing video content In step 414 the interactive decoder 140 receives the at least one channel compπsing the plurality of still video images In the preferred embodiment, the interactive decoder 140 receives the plurahrv of program channels each compπsing video content in step 412 and the at least one channel compπsing the plurality of still video images in step 414 substantially simultaneously from a broadcast network as a single broadcast transmission It is also noted that the interactive decoder 140 receives the plurahrv of channels each compπsing video content in step 412 and the at least one channel compπsing the plurality of still video images in step 414 substantially continuously, I e . as a continuous broadcast transmission The broadcast network is preferablv a satellite broadcast network Examples of satellite broadcast networks include "DirecTV", among others The interactive decoder 140 mav also receive these channels from other types of broadcast or point to multi-point networks, including a cable distnbuϋon svstem or microwave networks In step 422 the interactive decoder 140 decodes a selected channel and displavs the audiovisual content of the selected channel on the television 150 Thus in step 422 the subsenber television 150 displavs video content from one of the channels based on a user channel selection In other words the user preferablv uses the remote control 152 or presses a button on the television 150 to select a desired channel for viewing In response to the user channel selection, in step 422 the interactive decoder 140 tunes to the respective channel decodes or decompresses the MPEG compressed audiovisual stream and displavs the audio-video content from the selected channel on the subsenber television 150 The selected channel preferabh compπses an AVI signal which includes an audiovisual stream, preferablv an MPEG-2 compressed audiovisual stream, and interactive program content according to the present invention In step 424 the interactive decoder 140 receives the interactive program or content from the AVI signal being displayed and executes this interactive program Execution of the interactive content causes the interactive decoder 140 to display one or more selection options on the television screen 150 in step 426 (Figure 6) In step 426 the one or more selection options are displayed on the screen with the related video content The one or more selection options are preferably overlaid on top of the video content currentlv being displayed At least a subset of the one or more selection options preferablv corresponds to respective still video images being transmitted in the still image channel Also, in this embodiment, one of the selection options mav be used for other interacts e selections The still video images referenced by the interactive program are preferablv related bv subject matter to the audiovisual content being displayed which included the interactive program In other words, if the video content being displayed relates to a first subject matter, then the still video images referenced by the selection options also relate to that subject matter For example, if the AVI signal compπses a commercial for a Sun SparcStation computer, then the interactive program displays selection options which reference MPEG stills of related products Figure 15 illustrates a television screen-shot of an advertisement for a Sun SparcStation which includes selection options that reference respective MPEG still images according to the present invention As shown in Figure 15, these stills include a close-up of the Sun SparcStation as well as related products including a modem, laptop computer, video monitor, and optical dπve The selection options in the embodiment of Figure 15 are thumbpπnt images of the image that is referenced Thus the one or more selection options are linked to a first set of still video images, wherein the first set of still video images have video content related to the subject matter of the audiovisual content being displayed If the user selects an option, such as the laptop computer then the laptop computer image is presented as shown in Figure 16 This operation is discussed further below As another example if the AVI signal compπses a commercial for Chevrolet trucks, then the interactive program displays selection options which reference MPEG stills of Chevrolet trucks or other vehicles Each of the selection options is linked to at least one of the still video images, preferablv through a hyperlink These links mav be created, for example, bv HTML (hpertext mark-up language) code in the interactive application transmitted in the AVI signal Thus, when the user selects a selection option preferably using the remote control 152, the interactive application executing on the interactive decoder 140 reads the appropπate link data or HTML data associated with the selection and retπcvcs the corresponding MPEG still for display Steps 422 - 426 repeat and/or are continuously executed until user input is received making a selection It is noted that steps 424 and 426 are onlv executed if the signal on the selected channel is an AVI signal which includes interactive content Also, if no user input is received within a certain peπod of time the interactive program completes Thus if no user input is received as determined in step 428 operation returns to step 422 If user input is received in step 428, i e . if the interactive decoder 140 receives user input selecting one of the selection options then operation advances to step 430 In this case, no option is presented to return to the video content of the AVI signal, since the video content of the AVI signal is currently being viewed, and operation proceeds directly to step 432 In step 432 the interactive decoder 140 determines which of the plurality of still video images corresponds to the user selection As mentioned above, this involves the interactive application executing on the interactive decoder 140 examining link data or HTML data to determine which of the pluralm of still video images corresponds to the user selection In step 434 the interactive decoder 140 displays a still video image on the television screen corresponding to the user selection In step 434 the interactive decoder 140 captures the still image that is being broadcast on the still image channel, preferably stores the still image in memory, such as memory 312. and displays the still image on the television screen Thus the still video image is displayed in response to step 432 determimng that the respective still video image corresponds to the selection received from the user in step 424 In one embodiment, the video program content of the AVI signal, 1 e , the television content on the channel being watched, is displayed in an inset window of the still image displayed in step 434 In addition or alternatively, the audio from the AVI signal or television program is presented with the still image This allows a continuous television program presence to be maintained while the user is navigating through the web-like stills The respective still video image is displaved on the same channel that the user or viewer was previously watching Thus, from the user's perspective, one or more selections appear dunng a certain audiovisual television program, the user selects one of the selections, and a related or corresponding still image, referred to as a first still image, appears on the television on the same channel that the viewer was watching As discussed above, the first still image is related to the subject matter of the television program which was being viewed when the selection was made Also, an inset of the television program mav be maintained, as descπbed above It is noted that the first still video image displayed in step 434 also preferablv includes an associated interactive program that is transmitted with the still video image As shown, in step 436 the interactive program or content associated with the still image being displa ed is executed bv the interactive decoder 140 Execution of the interactive content again causes the interactive decoder 140 to displav one or more selection options on the television screen 150 in step 426 The one or more selection options are displayed on the screen with the related MPEG still The one or more selection options are preferablv overlaid on top of the video content or still image currenllv being displayed One or more selection options preferablv correspond to other related ones of the still video images being transmitted At least one of the selection options mav be used to return to watching the audiovisual component of the AVI signal, I e . to return to watching the telev ision program Referring again to the example of Figures 15 and 16 if the user selects the laptop image selection in Figure 15 the laptop image is captured from the still image channel and displayed on the screen As shown in Figure 16 one or more selection options are presented with the still image These selection options include other related ones of the still video images being transmitted One of the selection options mav be used to return to watching the audiovisual component of the AVI signal i e to return to watching the television program If a user selection is received in step 428 which indicates a desire to return to viewing the video content of the AVI signal as determined in step 430. l e . to return to watching the television program or commercial being presented, then the interactive decoder 140 returns to step 422 If the user selection indicates a desire to view another one of the MPEG stills, then operauon advances to step 432. and the seleαed image is determined, captured from the broadcast, and displayed in steps 432 and 434 Also, anv interactive content is executed in step 436 Thus, after the interactive program content associated with the still image being displaved is executed bv the interactive decoder 140 in step 436, then steps 426 - 436 repeat as descπbed above Thus one or more seleαions options are displaved in step 422, and the user may possiblv view other still images, or mav return to the television program that was being watched Figures 7 - 9 Pre-Caching Embodiment Refernng now to Figures 7 - 9, a flowchart diagram illustrating operation of the interactive decoder 140 according to an alternate and preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown The embodiment of Figures 7 - 9 is similar to the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6 However, in the embodiment of Figures 7 - 9, the interactive decoder 140 operates to pre-cache or pre-load still images which are related to a still image selected by the user to enable faster and more efficient display of these images should these images be subsequently requested by the user As noted above with respect to Figures 5 - 6 the operation of the interactive decoder 140 is shown in Figures 7 - 9 in flowchart form, and it is noted that certain of the steps mav occur substantially simultaneously In this embodiment, steps 412-432 of Figures 7 and 8 are performed in a substantially similar manner to steps 412-432 of Figures 5 and 6 as descπbed above However, as shown in Figure 8 in step 432 after the interacuve decoder 140 has determined which of the plurahrv' of still video images corresponds to the user selection, in step 442 the interactive decoder 140 determines if the respective sull image that has been requested is cached in the memory 312 of the interactive decoder 140 If the sull image is determined to be cached in the interactive decoder 140. then in step 444 the interacuve decoder 140 retπeves the still image from the memory, and operation advances to step 434 of Figure 9 If the sull image is determined to not be cached in the memory 312 of the interacuve decoder 140, then in step 446 the interactive decoder 140 retπeves the still image from the rcspecuve still image channel where the image is being transmitted bv the broadcast network Tlus retπeved still image is stored in the memorv 312 for displav In step 448 the interactive decoder 140 pre-caches or pre-loads other still images which are related to the still image selected by the user These related still images are also preferablv stored in the RAM 312 of the interactive decoder 140 Thus, in the example of Figures 15 and 16 used above, if the user selects the laptop computer option in Figure 15 to view the laptop still image as shown in Figure 16 the interactive decoder 140 preferablv stores or pre-caches the other respecUve MPEG still images, including the images of the Sun SparcStation, the modem, the video monitor, and the optical dπve Thus, if the user selects an option to view one of these other images, these images are already stored in memorv and can be quickly retπeved As another example if the user is viewing a Chevrolet truck commercial, and selects one of four possible images showing a Chevrolet truck, in this embodiment the interactive decoder 140 pre-caches or pre-loads the other three still images of Chevrolet trucks based on the assumption that the user will also subsequently desire to view these images After the related images are stored in step 448. operation then advances to step 434 (Figure 9) In step 434 (Figure 9). the interactive decoder 140 displays the still video image on the television screen In step 434. the interactive decoder 140 captures the selected still image that is being broadcast on the sull image channel, preferably stores the still image in memory, such as memorv 312. and displays the sull image on the television screen If the still image includes an interactive program, then in step 436 the interacuve decoder 140 executes the interactive program associated with the still image as previously descπbed Operation then returns to step 426 as previously descπbed Therefore, in this embodiment the interactive decoder 140 operates to pre-cache or pre-load the still images which are related to a selected still image, based on the likelihood that the user will subsequently request these cached still images This enables the interactive decoder 140 to provide these images much more quickly, thus reducing latency and providing greater responsiveness Figure 10 - Interactive Television Svstem with Media Server Referring now to Figure 10, a diagram illustrating an interactive television system and including a media server 180 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 10 is similar to Figure 1, and elements in Figure 10 which are similar or identical to elements in Figure 1 have the same reference numerals for convenience. As shown. Figure 10 is similar to Figure 1 except that the embodiment of Figure 10 includes a media server 180 which is coupled to the return channel 156 of the interactive decoder 140 In this embodiment, when the user has viewed all of the available MPEG stills related to a certain subject matter that are being broadcast from the broadcast center 100, and the user desires to view further stills and/or obtain other information, the user can select an option which causes a request to be made for further stills or information ' on demand" In this embodiment, when the user requests further information, the request is provided from the interacuve decoder 140 to media server 180. In one embodiment, the media server 180 provides the requested still images to the broadcast center 1 0. and the broadcast center 100 broadcasts the desired stills on a pre-designated channel reserved for user requests, referred to as the search channel It is noted that the user requests are only made once the user has exhausted all other available MPEG stills Thus, in this embodiment, it is presumed that the vast majoπty of users will be satisfied with the MPEG stills that are being broadcast on the regular MPEG still broadcast channel However, for those small number of users who desire more information, these users can make a request which is provided to the media server 180, and additional MPEG stills are provided by the broadcast center 100 "on demand" on the predefined search channel In another embodiment of the present invention, when the interactive decoder 140 transmits a request to the media server 180 for additional MPEG stills, the media server 180 provides these additional stills back through the return channel 156 to the interactive decoder 140, instead of providing the request to the broadcast center 100 for broadcast over the pre-defined channel The modem 324 in the MPEG decoder 140 receives the requested sull image, and the still image is stored in memory and provided through the decoder 304 for display on the television 150 Thus, in this embodiment, the media server 180 acts much like a web-server which receives the requests and provides the requested MPEG still directly to the interactive decoder 140 through the return channel 156 Thus, in this manner the media server 180 provides the desired MPEG stills directly to the interacuve decoder 140 of the requesting user, and the MPEG stills are not required to be broadcast on a special pre-defined channel reserved for this use. Figures 11 - 14 Interactive Television Svstem with Media Server Figures 11 - 14 illustrate a method for displaying web-like still video images related to video content in an interactive television system with additional user request capabilities according to the present invenUon The present invention thus provides hyperlinked, on demand, web-like capabilities in an interacuve television system The embodiment of Figures 11 - 14 is similar to the embodiment of Figures 4 - 6 However, this embodiment allows a user or viewer to request and receive additional still images, thus providing more web- like capabilities. As shown in Figure 10, the interactive television system of this embodiment compπses a video delivery system 100 for providing video content, and at least one subsenber television 150 including a screen, wherein the subsenber television is coupled to the video delivery system The interactive television system also compπses a media server or web server 180 for handling user requests Figure 11 - Video Delivery System Flowchart Diagram Figure 11 is a flowchart diagram illustrating operauon of the broadcast center of Figure 10, also referred to as the video delivery system As shown, in step 502 the video delivery system provides a plurality of program channels each compnsing video content or audiovisual content At least one of the plurahrv of channels compπses an AVI signal which includes an audiovisual signal as well as an interactive program included with the audiovisual signal In step 504 the video delivery system 100 provides at least one channel compπsing a plurality of still video images This at least one channel is referred to as the still image channel As mentioned above the sull video images are preferablv MPEG or MPEG-2 compressed stills At least one of the plural of still video images includes an interactive program associated with the respective still In the preferred embodiment each of the still images includes an interactive program which displavs a selection to return to viewing the video content of the AVI signal Each interactive program may also include other selecUons which reference other still images or other options It is noted that the still image channel(s) compπsing a of still video images is different from the plurality of program channels compπsing audiovisual content In step 506 the video delivery system provides at least one channel compπsing a plurahtv of requested still video images, referred to as a search channel The channel provided in step 506 compπses a search channel which is dedicated for providing MPEG sϋll images on demand " . 1 e . based on user s requests It is noted that the video delivery system 100 provides the program channels in step 502, the at least one still image channel in step 504. and the search channel m step 506 as a single broadcast and the transmission of these channels is shown as separate steps for lllustraUve purposes Figures 12 - 14 Interactive Decoder Flowchart Diagram Refemng now to Figures 12 - 14, a flowchart diagram illustrating operation of the interactive decoder 140 according to the present invention is shown In an embodiment where the interactive decoder logic is compnsed in the television 150, the steps in Figures 12 - 14 are executed by the television 150 Although operation of the interactive decoder 140 is shown in Figures 12 -14 in flowchart form, it is noted that certain of the steps mav occur substantially simultaneously In step 512 the interactive decoder 140 receives the plurahtv of program channels each compπsing video content In step 514 the interactive decoder 140 receives the at least one still image channel compπsing the plurality of sull video images In step 516 the interactive decoder 140 receives the at least one search channel compnsing the plurahtv of requested still video images As noted above, the still images transferred on this latter search channel are provided "on demand" based on user s requests In the preferred embodiment, the interactive decoder 140 receives the plurahtv of channels each compπsing video content in step 512, the at least one channel compπsing the plurality of still video images in step 514, and the at least one channel compπsing requested s ll images in step 516 substantially simultaneously from a broadcast network, such as a satellite broadcast network Examples of satellite broadcast networks include "DirecTV", among others The interactive decoder 140 may also receive these channels from other types of broadcast or point to multi-point networks, including a cable distnbution svstem or microwave networks It is also noted that the interactive decoder 140 receives the plurahrv of channels each compπsing video content in step 512 and the channels compπsing the plurahtv of still video images in steps 514 and 516 substantially continuously In step 522 (Figure 13) the interactive decoder 140 decodes a selected channel and displays the audiovisual content of the selected channel on the television 150 Thus in step 522 the subsenber television 150 displays video content from one of the channels based on a user channel selecuon In other words, the user preferablv uses the remote control 152 or presses a button on the television 150 to select a desired channel for viewing In response to the user channel selection, in step 522 the interactive decoder 140 tunes to the respective channel, decodes or decompresses the MPEG compressed audiovisual stream, and displavs the audio-video content from the selected channel on the subsenber television 150 The selected channel preferablv compnses an AVI signal which includes an audiovisual stream, preferablv an MPEG-2 compressed audiovisual stream, and interactive program content according to the present invention In step 524 the interactive decoder 140 receives the interactive program or content from the AVI signal being displaved and executes this interactive program Execution of the interactive content causes the interacuve decoder 140 to display one or more selection options on the television screen 150 m step 526 In step 526 the one or more selection options are displayed on the screen with the related video content The one or more selection options are preferablv overlaid on top of the video content currentlv being displaved, as shown in the example of Figure 15 At least a subset of the one or more selection options preferablv corresponds to respective still video images being transmitted on the still image channel As desenbed above, the still video images referenced by the interactive program are preferablv related by subject matter to the audiovisual content being displayed which included the interactive program In other words if the video content being displaved relates to a first subject matter then the still video images referenced bv the selection options also relate to that subject matter Each of the selection options is linked to at least one of the sull video images, preferablv through a hyperlink These links may be created, for example, bv HTML (hpertcxt mark-up language) code in the interactive application transmitted in the AVI signal Thus, when the user selects a selection option, preferablv using the remote control 152, the interactive application executing on the interactive decoder 140 reads the appropπate link data or HTML data associated with the selection and retneves the corresponding MPEG still for displav Steps 522 - 526 repeat and/or are conUnuously executed unul user input is received making a selecuon It is noted that steps 524 and 526 are only executed if the signal on the selected channel is an AVI signal which includes interactive content Also, if no user input is received within a certain peπod of time, the interacuve program completes Thus if no user input is received as determined in step 528 then operation returns to step 522 If user input is received m step 528, 1 e , if the interacuve decoder 14ϋ receives user input selecung one of the selection opUons. then operauon advances depending on whether the user desires to view an image currently being broadcast, the user requests more information and/or stills that are not currentlv being broadcast, or the user opts to return to viewing the television program It is noted that, where the user is currently viewing a television program, l e , the video content of the AVI signal, returning to view the television program is generally not an opUon If the user is currently viewing a still image and the selection indicates a desire to return to viewing the video content of the AVI signal, I e . to return to watching the television program or commercial being presented, then the interactive decoder 140 returns to step 522 If the user selecuon indicates a desire to view one of the MPEG stills currently being broadcast, then operation advances to step 532 (Figure 14) If the user selection is a request to view one or more MPEG stills or other information that is not currentlv being broadcast, then operation advances to step 542 (Figure 14) If the user selecuon indicates a desire to view one of the MPEG stills currently being broadcast, in step 532 the interactive decoder 140 determines which of the plurahtv of still video images corresponds to the user selection As mentioned above, this involves the interactive application executing on the interactive decoder 140 examining link data or HTML data to determine which of the plurality of still video images corresponds to the user selection In step 514 the interactive decoder 140 displavs a still video image on the television screen corresponding to the user selection In step 534, the interactive decoder 140 captures the still image that is being broadcast on the still image channel, preferablv stores the still image in memory, such as memory 312, and displays the still image on the television screen Thus the still video image is displaved in response to step 532 determimng that the respective still video image corresponds to the selection received from the user in step 528 The respective still video image is displayed on the same channel that the user or viewer was previously watching Thus, from the user s perspective, one or more selections appear dunng a certain audiovisual program, the user selects one of the selections, and a related or corresponding still image, referred to as a first still image, appears on the television on the same channel that the v lewer was watching As discussed above, the first still image is related to the subject matter of the telev lsion program which was being viewed when the selection was made It is noted that the still video image displayed m step 534 may also include an associated interactive program that is transmitted with the still video image As shown, in step 536 the interactive program or content associated with the still image being displayed is executed by the interactive decoder 140 Execution of the interactive content again causes the interactive decoder 140 to display one or more selection opUons on the television screen 150 in step 526 The one or more selection opUons are displayed on the screen with the related MPEG sull, as discussed above with respect to the example of Figure 16 The one or more selection opUons are preferably overlaid on top of the video content or still image currently being displayed At least one of the selecuon opUons may be used to return to watching the audiovisual component of the AVI signal, l e . to return to watching the television program One or more selecuon options preferably correspond to other ones of the still video images being transmitted After the interactive program content associated with the still image being displaved is executed bv the interactive decoder 140 in step 536, then steps 526 - 528 repeat as descnbed above Thus one or more selections opUons are displayed m step 526, and the user mav possiblv view other s ll images, request other images, or may return to the television program that was being watched If the user selection is a request to view one or more MPEG stills or other lnformauon that is not currently being broadcast, then operation advances to step 542 (Figure 14) In step 542 the interactive decoder 140 transmits a user selection to the media server 180 The media server 180 preferably provides the requested sull images to the broadcast center 100, and the broadcast center 100 broadcasts the desired stills on the pre- designated search channel reserved for user requests In step 544 the interactive decoder 140 receives one or more still images from the broadcast center 100 in response to the request made in step 542 The one or more still images from the broadcast center 100 are preferably provided on a search channel, which is a channel dedicated to " on demand" MPEG still images that are requested by users In step 546 the interactive decoder 140 displays the one or more requested sull video images on the television screen corresponding to the user request In step 546 the interactive decoder 140 captures the still image that is being broadcast on the search channel, preferablv stores the still image in memory, such as memory 312. and displays the still image on the television screen Thus the still video image is displaved in response to the user request in step 542 The respective still video image is displayed on the same channel that the user or viewer was previously watching Thus, from the user s perspective, one or more selections appear during a certain audiovisual program, the user selects one of the selections, and a related or corresponding still image, referred to as a first still image, appears on the television on the same channel that the viewer was watching As discussed above, the first still image is related to the subject matter of the television program which was being viewed when the selecuon was made It is noted that the still video image displayed in step 546 may also include an associated interacuve program that is transmitted with the still video image As shown, in step 548 the interactive program or content associated with the still image being displayed is executed bv the interactive decoder 140 Execution of the interacuve content again causes the interactive decoder 140 to displav one or more selection options on the television screen 150 in step 526 The one or more selection options are displayed on the screen with the related MPEG still, preferablv overlaid as described above At least one of the selection options may be used to return to watching the audiovisual component of the AVI signal, l e . to return to watching the television program One or more selection opUons preferably correspond to outer ones of the still video images being transmitted After the interactive program content associated with the still image being displayed is executed by the interacuve decoder 140 in step 548 then steps 526 - 528 repeat as descπbed above Thus one or more selections opUons are displayed in step 526, and the user may possibly view other still images, request new images be transmitted for viewing, or may return to the television program that was being watched Figure 15 - Television Program with User Selections Figure 15 illustrates a screen shot of a television program or commercial which includes vaπous user selections for selecting still images according to the present invention As shown, the selections are overlaid on top of the normal program These selections may compπse thumbpnnt images which indicate the nature of the still image referenced, much like a web home page The selections mav also be used to order information or products Thus when the user is viewing a respective channel or respective advertising which includes interactive programming according the invention, the decoder 140 displays one or more user selecuon options which reference still images being broadcast These user selection options may take the form of thumbpπnt images Figure 16 - Still Image with User Selections Figure 16 illustrates a screen shot of a still image which includes vaπous user selections As shown the selections are overlaid on top of the image These user selections may be used for selecting other still images according to the present invention As mentioned above, these selections may compπse thumbpπnt images which indicate the nature of the still image referenced, much like a web home page The selections displayed with the sull image may also be used to order information or products return to viewing the television program, or otherwise interact with the image being displayed Figures 17 and 18 - Advertising Channel Selection Guide Referπng now to Figure 1 , a diagram illustrating an advertising channel selection guide displaved on a user ' s television in the interactive television system of Figure 1 according to one embodiment of the mvenuon is shown As shown, the selection guide may include a plurality of channels, such as channels 200- 207 As shown, each of the channels are reserved for a respective advertiser It is noted that the system of the present invenUon may be used for any of vaπous types of advertising content as desired In the example of Figure 17, each channel is reserved for a special auto manufacturer, e g , channel 200 is reserved for a Tovota Sale-A-Thon. channel 201 is reserved for Nissan, channel 202 is reserved for Mitsubishi Motors, channel 203 is reserved for Chrvsler Corporation, channel 204 is reserved for Plvmouth. channel 205 is reserved for Chevrolet, channel 206 is reserved for Saturn, and channel 207 is reserved for Ponuac, etc As discussed further below, each of the names beside the respective channels in Figure 17 are hyperlinked to one or more corresponding MPEG stills These MPEG stills are preferably being continuously broadcast on a channel reserved for this purpose, as descπbed above In other words, when a user selects a respecUve channel or respective advertiser, MPEG stills which include other advertising content of the respecuve advertiser are captured and displayed Referπng now to Figure 18, a diagram lllustra ng the web-like capabilities of the interacuve television system of the present invenuon is shown As shown, when the user selects a respecUve channel or respective advertising which includes interactive program according the invention, the decoder 140 displays the corresponding sull image The still image mav compnse one or more thumbpπnt images or stills as well as one or more user selecuon opuons As shown in Figure 18, when user selects the channel 203 and/or selects Chrysler, an image is displayed which includes one or more thumbpπnts of stills which the user may select and view, as well as one or more possible opUons The thumbpπnts may be selected to a full size image of the respective thumbpπnt Thus, when one of the thumbpπnts is selected, the corresponding MPEG still, which is continuously being transferred by the interactive television broadcast system, is captured and stored in the memory of die decoder 140, and this s ll image is displayed on the user s television In the example of Figure 18, the options shown in the hyperlink page compπse a send brochure opUon, and an exit option The "send brochure" opUon may be selected for the user to indicate the desire to receive a brochure on the automobiles displayed in the respec e image The exit option may also be selected to return to the main channel selection menu shown in Figure 17 The frame may also include an option to see additional pages with addiUonal thumbpπnt images or other user options for viewing as desired Thus, the user may easily navigate among different erusers and different advertising content using an Internet-based or web-based methodology m an interactive television system Tlus provides a more simplified mechanism for displaying interactive advertising content, as well as a simplified mechanism for enabling the user to navigate through interactive advertising content in an interactive television svstem Figures 19 - Sweepstakes Example Figure 19 illustrates an example where an MPEG still image is used to provide advertising and/or an entry form for a sweepstakes or contest As shown, Figure 19 illustrates an MPEG still which compnses a sweepstakes entry form which can be filled out by the user or viewer The information entered by the viewer on the still image form is then transmitted by the interactive decoder 140 to the transaction server 160 to enter the viewer in the sweepstakes Figure 20 - Magazine Subscπption Example Figure 20 illustrates an example where an MPEG still image is used to provide advertising regarding magazine subscπptions As shown, Figure 19 illustrates an MPEG still which shows a number of possible magazine subscπptions The MPEG still shown in Figure 20 preferably includes a plurahtv of thumbpπnts which show the covers of magazines which may be ordered by the viewer of the interactive television svstem The MPEG still in Figure 20 also includes a 'more" selection which allows the user to advance to another MPEG still which shows other magazine subscπption options Each of the thumbpnnt images in Figure 20 may be selected to view a full-size image of a respective magazine as well as an option to order the respective magazine When the user orders a respective magazine subscπpuon, information is provided from the MPEG decoder 140 to the transaction server 160 to order the respective magazine for the user Figures 21 - 24 Informauon Data Feeds Figures 21 -24 illustrate use of the interactive television system of the present invention to selectively provide vaπous data fees to a number of users In this embodiment, one or more channels are reserved solely for MPEG stills that are related to data fees which mav be desired by viewers The first MPEG still which is displaved may show a desktop which includes sports, news, and stock options Each of these selections in turn references further MPEG stills as shown in Figures 22-24 for sports, news, and stock information, as shown The interacuve television system of the present invention thus enables a user to subscπbe to a form of video content, such as a magazine, i e , Sports Illustrated, Wired, etc , as opposed to subscπbmg to two channels of traditional broadcast programming Thus, for example, the interacuve television system provider may charge a first certain amount of money per subsenber per month per channel to allow the prospective provider to provide advertising content through the interacuve television svstem Still Image Bandwidth In the preferred embodiment, the compressed video stills are preferably MPEG stills, preferably MPEG-2 compressed video stills Also, in the preferred embodiment, the interactive television system includes a 4 Megabit per second (Mbit/sec) channel and transfer rate, which is equivalent to 5 Mbit/sec of data transfer Each MPEG-2 compressed still image preferably compnses approximatelv 20 kilobytes Thus, the interactive television system in the prcfeπed embodiment is capable of transferπng 25 still images per second In other words, 5 Mbit/sec divided by 20 kilobvtc/still image equals 25 still images per second In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the interactive television delivery broadcast system includes a carousel of images with a 3 second maximum latency Assuming a 3 second maximum latency, the svstem of the present mvenUon preferablv stores and delivers up to 75 different images This mav correspond to for example, 25 advertisers, each with 3 hyperlinked pages Each of the users or viewers has full-time access to each of these pages through a channel guide with hyperlinks to the vaπous advertisement as descπbed above In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, interactive television system includes an 8 second latency In this embodiment, the svstem stores a possible 400 different images wherein these images may be assigned, for example, as four pages per advertiser for 100 advertisers As mentioned above, each compressed video image compnses 20 kilobytes per still image, thus, 4 times 20 kilobytes is 80 kilobytes for each advertiser, umes 100 advertisers equals 8 megabytes Conclusion Therefore, the present invention compπses and improved system and method for providing interactive web-like content in an interactive television system The system and method of the present invention dedicates one or more channels for transferπng MPEG stills and utilizes hyperlinks to enable users to navigate within these stills in a similar manner to an Internet web page Selections are hvperhnked to respective MPEG compressed video stills which provide further content or information The MPEG stills further include interactive programming which provides options for the user to select more information or purchase products as desired

Claims: Claims 1 A method for displaying still video images related to video content in an mteracUve television system, wherein the interacuve television system compπses a video delivery SΛ stem for providing video content, and at least one subsenber television including a display screen, wherein the subsenber television is coupled to the video delivery system, wherein the system further compnses a media server which stores a plurality of still images, the method compnsing the video delivery system broadcasting a plurality of channels each compπsing video content, the subsenber television receiving said plurality of channels each compπsing video content, displaying on the screen one or more selecuon options, wherein said one or more selection opUons includes a first selection option which indicates a request to view at least one still image which is not cunenth being broadcast bv said video delivery system, receiving user input selecting said first selection option which indicates a request to view at least one still image which is not cunentlv being broadcast bv said video delivery system the subsenber television providing said request to the media server the media server providing one or more still images to the video delivery svstem in response to said request, the video delivery svstem broadcasting said one or more still video images on a first channel in response to receiving said one or more still images from the media server, and the subsenber television displaying on the screen said one or more still images received on said first channel 2 The method of claim 1. further compnsing the video delivery svstem broadcasting at least one second channel compnsing a plurality of still video images, the subsenber television receiving said at least one second channel compπsing said plurahtv of still video images, wherein said first selection option indicates a request to view at least one still image which is not being broadcast on said at least one second channel 3 The method of claim 1, wherein said first channel compπses a plurality of still images, the method further compnsing determimng which of said plurality of sull video images on said first channel conesponds to said user input after said video delivery system broadcasts said one or more sull video images on said first channel. wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more additional s ll images received on said first channel is performed in response to said determimng 4 The method of claim 1. wherein said first selection option indicates a request to view at least one first still image, wherein the media server providing one or more still images to the video delivery system in response to said request compnses the media server providing said at least one first still image to the Λ ideo delivery system in response to said request. wherein the video delivery system broadcas ng said one or more still video images on a first channel compnses the video delivery system broadcasting said at least one first still image on said first channel, and wherein the subsenber television displaying on the screen said one or more still images received on said first channel compπses the subsenber television displaying on the screen said at least one first still image received on said first channel 5 The method of claim 4, further compnsing displaying on the screen video content from one of said one or more channels each compπsing video content. wherein said displaying on the screen one or more selection options occurs dunng said displaying on the screen said video content 6 The method of claim 5, wherein said displaying on the screen video content compnses displaying on the screen first video content related to a first subject matter, and wherein said at least one first still image has video content related to said first subject matter 7 The method of claim 6. further compπsing receiving user input selecting one or more selection options which indicate requests to view one or more still images cunentlv being broadcast by said video delivery svstem which relate to said first subject matter, wherein said user input selecting said one or more selection options is received pπor to said user input selecting said first selection option, and the subsenber television displaying on the screen said one or more still images cunently being broadcast by said video delivery system which relate to said first subject matter 8 The method of claim 1. wherein said displaying on the screen video content compnses displaying on the screen said video content on a second television channel, and wherein said second television channel is different than said first television channel 9 The method of claim 8, wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more still images received on said first channel displays said one or more still images on said second television channel 10 The method of claim 1, wherein the video delivery svstem broadcasting a plurality of channels each compπsing video content compnses the video delivery svstem broadcasting interactive program data with one or more of said channels, wherein the method further compnses the subsenber television executing said interactive program data, wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more selection options is performed in response to the subsenber television executing said interactive program data associated with said video content from said one of said one or more channels 11 The method of claim 10, wherein the system further compnses a set top box coupled to the subsenber television, wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more selection options compnses the set top box receiving said interactive program data associated with said video content from said one of said one or more channels and displaying on the screen said one or more selection opuons in response to said interactive program data 12 The method of claim 1, wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more still video images conesponding to said first selection includes displaying on the screen a second set of selection op ons, wherein at least one of said second set of selection options corresponds to other sull video images 13 The method of claim 12, wherein the video delivers' system broadcasts a plurality of still video images on said first channel wherein the video delivery system broadcasting said first channel compπses the video delivery system broadcasting interactive program data with each of said plurality of still video images, wherein said displaying on the screen said second set of selection options is performed in response to receiving interactive program data associated with said one or more still video images 14 The method of claim 12. further compπsing receiving user input selecting a second selecUon of said second set of selecuon opuons, wherein said second selecUon indicates a request to view a second still image which is cinrently being broadcast by said video delivery system, and displaying on the screen said second sull video image conesponding to said second selecUon in response to said receiving user input selecUng said second selection of said second set of selection options 15 The method of claim 12, further compπsing receiving user input selecting a second selecUon of said second set of selection options, wherein said second selecUon indicates a request to view a second sull image which is not cunently being broadcast by said video delivery system, the subsenber television svstem providing said request to the media server, the media server providing said second still image to the video delivery svstem in response to said request, the video delivery system broadcasting said second still video image on said first channel in response to receiving said second still image from the media server, and the subsenber television displaying on the screen said second still image received on said first channel 16 The method of claim 1, wherein said still video images are compressed still video images 1 The method of claim 1, wherein said media server is an Internet server for providing video content on the Internet 18 A method for providing web-like navigaUonal capabilities in an interacuve television svstem wherein the interactive television system compnses a video delivery system for providing video content, and at least one subsenber television including a display screen, wherein the subsenber television is coupled to the video delivery svstem, wherein the system further compnses a media seπ'er which stores a plurality of still images, the method compnsing the video delivery system broadcasting a plurality of channels each compπsing video content the subsenber television receiving said plurality of channels each compπsing video content, displaying on the screen one or more selection options wherein said one or more selection options includes a first selection option which indicates a request to view at least one still image which is not cunently being broadcast by said video delivery system, receiving user input selecting said first selecUon option which indicates a request to view at least one still image which is not cunentlv being broadcast by said video delivery svstem, the subsenber television svstem providing said request to the media server, the media server providing one or more still images to the video delivery system in response to said request, the video delivery system broadcasUng said one or more still video images on a first channel in response to receiving said one or more still images from the media server, and the subsenber television displaying on the screen said one or more still images received on said first channel 19 The method of claim 18, further compπsing the video delivery system broadcasUng at least one second channel compnsing a plurality of still video images, the subsenber television receiving said at least one second channel compπsing said plurality of sull video images, wherein said first selection opUon indicates a request to view at least one still image which is not being broadcast on said at least one second channel 20 The method of claim 18. wherein said first channel compπses a plurality of still images, the method further compπsing determining which of said plurality of sUll video images on said first channel conesponds to said user input after said video deliver}' svstem broadcasts said one or more still video images on said first channel, wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more additional still images received on said first channel is performed in response to said determining 21 A method for displaying still video images related to video content in an interactive television system wherein the interactive television svstem includes a subsenber television including a displav screen, the method compnsing receiving a plurality of channels each compnsing video content receiving at least one channel compnsing a plurality of requested still video images, displaying on the screen video content from one of said plurality of channels, displaying on the screen one or more selection opUons, wherein said one or more selection options includes a first selection option which indicates a request to view at least one still image which is not cunenth being received by said subsenber television, receiving user input selecting said first selection option which indicates a request to view at least one still image which is not cunently being received by said subsenber television, the subsenber television svstem transmitting said request to a media server, the subsenber television receiving one or more still images on a first channel in response to said transmitting said request, and ihe subsenber television displaying on the screen said one or more still images received on said first channel 22 The method of claim 21. further compπsing the subsenber television receiving at least one second channel compπsing a plurality of still video images, wherein said first selection option indicates a request to view at least one sull image which is not being broadcast on said at least one second channel 23 The method of claim 21. wherein said first channel compnses a plurality of still images, the method further compnsing determimng which of said plurality of sull video images on said first channel corresponds to said user input after said subsenber television receives said one or more still video images on said first channel, wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more additional sUll images received on said first channel is performed in response to said determimng 24 The method of claim 21, wherein said first selection option indicates a request to view at least one first still image, wherein the subsenber television displaying on the screen said one or more still images received on said first channel compnses the subsenber television displaying on the screen said at least one first still image received on said first channel 25 The method of claim 24, further compπsing displaying on the screen video content from one of said one or more channels each compπsing video content, wherein said displaying on the screen one or more selection options occurs dunng said displaying on the screen said video content 26 The method of claim 25. wherein said displaying on the screen video content compπses displaying on the screen first video content related to a first subject matter, and wherein said at least one first still image has video content related to said first subject matter 27 The method of claim 26, further compπsing receiving user input selecting one or more selection options which indicate requests to view one or more still images cunentlv being received which relate to said first subject matter, wherein said user input selecting said one or more selection options is received prior to said user input selecting said first selection opuon, and the subsenber television displaying on the screen said one or more still images cunentlv being received which relate to said first subject matter 28 The method of claim 21, wherein said displaying on the screen video content compnses displaying on the screen said video content on a second television channel, and wherein said second television channel is different than said first television channel 29 The method of claim 28, wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more still images received on said first channel displays said one or more still images on said second television channel 30 The method of claim 21 , wherein subsenber television system receives interactive program data with one or more of said plurality of channels, wherein the method further compnses the subsenber television executing said interactive program data, wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more selection options is performed in response to the subsenber television executing said interactive program data associated with said video content from said one of said one or more channels 31 The method of claim 30 wherein the svstem further compnses a set top box coupled to the subsenber television, wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more selecuon options compπses the set top box receiving said interactive program data associated with said video content from said one of said one or more channels and displaying on the screen said one or more selection options in response to said interactive program data 32 The method of claim 21 wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more still video images conesponding to said first selection includes displaying on the screen a second set of selection options wherein at least one of said second set of selection options conesponds to other still video images 33 The method of claim 32 wherein the subsenber television receives a plurality of still video images on said first channel wherein the subsenber television receives interactive program data ith each of said plurality of still video images, wherein said displaying on the screen said second set of selection opUons is perfoπned in response to receiving interactive program data associated with said one or more still video images 34 The method of claim 32, further compnsing receiving user input selecting a second selection of said second set of selection options herein said second selection indicates a request to view a second still image which is cunentlv being received bv said subsenber television, and displaying on the screen said second still Λ ideo image conesponding to said second selection in response to said receiving user input selecting said second selecUon of said second set of selection options 35 The method of claim 32, further compπsing receiving user input selecting a second selection of said second set of selection options, wherein said second selection indicates a request to view a second still image which is not cunently being received by said subsenber television system, the subsenber television system providing said request to a media server, the subsenber television svstem receiving said second still image in response to said request, and the subsenber television displaying on the screen said received second still image 36 The method of claim 21, wherein said still video images are compressed still video images 37 The method of claim 21. wherein said media server is an Internet server for providing video content on the Internet 38 An interactive television svstem which displays still video images related to video content, the svstem compnsing a video delivery system for providing a plurality of channels each compπsing video content and for providing a first channel compnsing requested still video images, at least one subsenber television including a display screen, wherein the subsenber television is coupled to receive video data from the video delivery system, wherein the subsenber television receives said plurality of channels each compnsing video content and displays video content from one of said plurality of channels, wherein said subsenber television also receives said at least one channel compπsing said requested still video images, wherein said subsenber television is adapted to displav one or more selection options dunng displav of video content, wherein said one or more selection options includes at least one first selection which requests a still video image which is not cunently being broadcast bv said video dcliverv svstem wherein said subsenber television is adapted to receive user input selecting said at least one first selection. a media server coupled to the subsenber television and to the video delivery which stores one or more still images, wherein the media sener is adapted to provide one or more still images to the video delivery system in response to requests received from the subsenber television, wherein the subsenber television svstem is adapted to provide requests to the media server, wherein the video delivery system is adapted to broadcast one or more still video images on said first channel in response to receiving one or more still images from the media server, and wherein the subsenber television is adapted to display one or more requested still images received on said first channel 39 The interactive television system of claim 38. wherein the video delivery system is adapted to broadcast at least one second channel compπsing a plurality of still video images, wherein said subsenber television is adapted to display said at least one first selection which requests a sull video image which is not cunentlv being broadcast by said video delivery system wherein said first selecUon option indicates a request to view at least one still image which is not being broadcast on said at least one second channel 40 The interacuve television svstem of claim 38, wherein said first channel compnses a plurality of still images, means for determimng which of said plurality of still video images on said first channel conesponds to said user input. 41. The interactive television system of claim 38, wherein the video deliver,' system is adapted to broadcast interacuve program data with one or more of said plurality of channels; and wherein said subscriber television includes a processor for executing said interactive program data. wherein said subscriber television displays one or more selection options in response to executing said interactive program data. 42. The interactive television system of claim 41 , wherein the system further comprises a set top box coupled to the subscriber television. wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more selection options comprises the set top box receiving said interactive program data associated with said video content from said one of said one or more channels and displaying on the screen said one or more selection options in response to said interacuve program data. 43. The interactive television system of claim 38. wherein the video delivery system is adapted to broadcast a plurality of still video images on said first channel wherein the video delivery system is adapted to broadcast interactive program data with one or more of said plurality of still video images on said first channel; wherein the subscriber television is adapted to display a second set of selection options in response to executing said interactive program data associated with said one or more of said plurality of still video images, wherein at least one of said second set of selection options conesponds to other still video images 44. The interactive television system of claim 38. wherein said still video images are compressed still video images. 45. The interactive television system of claim 38. wherein said media server is an Internet server for providing video content on the Internet. 46. The interactive television system of claim 41 , wherein said still video images are compressed still video images; wherein the subscriber television comprises: a set top box coupled to the video delivery system, wherein the set top box includes decompression logic for decompressing said compressed still video images and displaying said decompressed still images on said subscriber television. 47. The interacuve television system of claim 46. wherein the set top box is further adapted for executing interactive programs received from the video delivery system. 48 An interactive television system which displavs s ll video images related to video content, the svstem comprising a subsenber television including a displav screen, wherein the subsenber television receives a plurality of channels each compnsing video content and displays video content from one of said plurality of channels wherein said subsenber television also receives at least one channel compπsing a plurality of still video images, wherein said subsenber television is adapted to display one or more selection options dunng display of video content, wherein said one or more selection options includes a first selection option which indicates a request to view at least one still image which is not cunently being received by the subsenber television wherein said subsenber television is adapted to receive user input selecting said first selecuon option which indicates a request to view at least one still image which is not cunentlv being received bv the subsenber television, wherein said subsenber television is adapted to provide a request to view said at least one still image which is not cunentlv being received bv the subsenber television wherein said subsenber television is adapted to receive and displav said at least one still video image in response to said request 49 The interactive television system of claim 48 wherein the subsenber television is adapted for coupling to a video delivery system 50 The interactive television system of claim 48, wherein the subsenber television receives at least one first channel compnsing a plurality of still video images, wherein said first selection option indicates a request to view at least one still image which is not being broadcast on said at least one first channel 51 The interactive television svstem of claim 48 wherein said subsenber television displays a sUll video image on the same channel as said video content 52 The interactive television system of claim 48 wherein the subsenber television receives interactive program data with one or more of said plurality of channels, and wherein said subsenber television is adapted to display said one or more selection options in response to receiving interacuve program data associated with said video content from said one of said plurality of channels 53 The interactive television system of claim 52 wherein the interactive television system further compnses a set top box coupled to the subsenber television, wherein the set top box is adapted to receive interactive program data associated with video content from one of said plurality of channels and display one or more selection options on the subsenber television in response to said interacuve program data 54 A method for displaying still video images related to content in an interactive television svstem, wherein the interactive television system compπses a video delivery system for providing video content and a media server stoπng still video images, the method compnsing the video delivery system broadcasting a plurality of channels each compnsing video content, the media server receiving a request to view at least one still image hich is not cunentlv being broadcast by said video delivery system, the media server providing one or more still images to the video delι\ erv svstem in response to said request and the video delivery system broadcasting said one or more still video images on a first channel in response to receiving said one or more still images from the media server 55 The method of claim 54. further compnsing the video delivery svstem broadcasting at least one second channel compπsing a plurality of still video images, wherein said request received by the media sen'er is request to view at least one still image which is not being broadcast on said at least one second channel 56 The method of claim 54, wherein the video delivery system broadcasting a plurality of channels each compπsing video content compπses the video deliven system broadcasting interactive program data with one or more of said channels 57 The method of claim 54 wherein the video delivery svstem broadcasts a plurality of still video images on said first channel wherein the video delivery svstem broadcasting said first channel compπses the video delivery svstem broadcasting interactive program data with each of said plurahtv of still video images 58 A video delivery system for displaying still video images related to video content in an interacuve television system, wherein the video delivery svstem includes a broadcast system for broadcasting a plurality of channels each compπsing video content wherein the broadcast system broadcasts at least one channel compπsing a plurality of sUll video images, wherein said plurality of still images are related to one or more of said plurality of channels each compπsing video content. a media server stoπng still video images, wherein the media server is adapted for receiving requests to view still images which are not being broadcast by said broadcast svstem, wherein the media server is configured to provide one or more still images to the broadcast system in response to a received request, and wherein the video delivery system is adapted to broadcast one or more sull video images on a first channel in response to receiving said one or more still images from the media server 59 The video delivery system of claim 58, further compπsing a video compression means coupled to the broadcast system for compressing still video images into compressed still video images; wherein the broadcast system broadcasts a plurality of compressed still video images on said at least one channel.

Inventors: BROADWIN ELLIOTT, HAASS JON C, BROADWIN, ELLIOTT, HAASS, JON, C.
Applicants: SUN MICROSYSTEMS INC, THOMSON CONSUMER ELECTRONICS, SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC., THOMSON CONSUMER ELECTRONICS, INC.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: H04N7
IPC codes: H04N1, H04N5, H04N7