Patent Publication Number: US-2013254818-A1

Title: Interactive Content with Enhanced Network Operator Control

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/611,454 filed on Jun. 30, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The various embodiments of the disclosure described herein relate generally to the field of interactive television. More particularly, these embodiments relate to providing enhanced network operator control. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Advances in telecommunications and computing technology have led to the use of interactive television (TV) services on a large scale. Where such services are available, users are not only able to access television content by passively receiving it, but are also beginning to interact with the service providers by communicating requests and/or commands to the service providers. These requests and/or commands may be communicated to the service provider via the same path over which the programming services are provided or even via other paths. 
     Interactive television may be provided over any number of paths, including coaxial cable or optical fiber, hybrid fiber/coaxial, or any other suitable path that accommodates sufficient bandwidth for desired video channels as well as other telecommunications services. Content providers may include, for example, providers of over-the-air programming such as commercial television stations, cable programming such as weather, travel and entertainment channels, game channels, and other interactive services of various types. 
     Generally, TV service provides a user or user a variety of options such as: traditional broadcast and cable television programming; video services, such as pay-per-view (PPV), near video-on-demand (NVOD), video-on-demand (VOD), promo channels, electronic program guides, etc.; cable delivered PC-based services; and interactive services through the use of a combination of compression and digital video technologies. TV services may also provide menuing capabilities and upstream signaling from users to service providers. 
     The combination of broadcast and interactive applications over interactive TV (e.g., interactive content) creates a possible mode of communication in which a user, if informed of the availability of alternate interactive content relating to a subject matter of interest, may invoke the alternate content to investigate that subject matter more thoroughly and according to his or her own tastes. However, television viewers, who are accustomed to choosing at will between the available transmitted channels with instantaneous results, will expect to be informed of the alternate content in a convenient and timely manner and to pass from one medium to another seamlessly. 
     SUMMARY 
     A method and apparatus are described that provide enhanced network operator control. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method comprises determining at a head-end and data center whether to inform one or more users of an interactive television service of available content, the one or more users connected with head-end and data center via a network. Responsive to determining to inform the one or more users of the available content, generating a hot key signal indicating availability and a location of the alternate content. The hot key signal is inserted into a content signal transmitted to the one or more users from the head-end and data center via the network. 
     Other features of the present disclosure will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The appended claims set forth features of embodiments of the disclosure with particularity. The disclosure, together with its advantages, may be best understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrate a television displaying a picture containing a hot key for informing a user of available alternate content and redirecting the user to the alternate content responsive to selection of the embedded hot key according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary network over which interactive television signals containing embedded hot key signals may be transmitted according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a head-end and data center system where hot key signals may be added to a transmitted signal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating head-end and data center processing for adding hot key signals to a transmitted signal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating one possible format for a hot key data packet according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a user side system to redirect a user to alternate content responsive to selection of an embedded hot key according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating processing on a user side system for redirecting a user to alternate content responsive to selection of an embedded hot key according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure include various processes, which will be described below. The processes may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor or logic circuits programmed with the instructions to perform the processes. Alternatively, the processes may be performed by a combination of hardware and software. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided as a computer program product which may include a machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a process. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, floppy diskettes, optical disks, Compact Disk Read-Only Memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, Read-Only Memories (ROMs), Random Access Memories (RAMs), Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memories (EPROMs), Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memories (EEPROMs), magnetic or optical cards, flash memory, or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. Moreover, embodiments of the present disclosure may also be downloaded as a computer program product, wherein the program may be transferred from a remote computer to a requesting computer by way of data signals embodied in a carrier wave or other propagation medium via a communication link (e.g., a modem or network connection). 
       FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrate a television displaying a picture containing a hot key for informing a user of available alternate content and redirecting the user to the alternate content responsive to selection of the embedded hot key according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. These figures represent respectively a process of viewing content, receiving a hot key, accepting a hot key, and redirecting to alternate content. 
     Specifically,  FIG. 1A  illustrates an example of viewing content. Here, a video program  101  is being displayed on television  100 . Alternatively, a user may be viewing other types of interactive TV content such as pay-per-view video content, interactive games, etc. 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates an example of receiving a hot key. In this example, the user is tuned to the same video program  101  on television  100  as in the previous example of  FIG. 1A . However, in this example an icon  103  or other graphic has been displayed to indicate to the user that a hot key has been received. The hot key indicates that alternate content is available for the user&#39;s consumption. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the alternate content may be in the form of another video program with content related to the video program  101  being viewed by the user. 
       FIG. 1C  illustrates an example of accepting a hot key. In this example, the user is tuned to the same video program  101  as in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . Icon  105 , displayed to indicate to the user that a hot key has been received, now indicates a manner in which the user may accept or decline the alternate content. In this example, icon  105  indicates that the user may press 1 to accept the alternate content or 2 to decline the alternate content. 
     Of course, other methods of accepting or declining the alternate content may be used. For example, different single or even multiple buttons on a remote control may be pressed by the user to accept or decline the alternate content. According to one embodiment, a single “hot key button” may be present on the user&#39;s remote control that may be pressed by the user whenever a hot key icon is present on the television display. Pressing the hot key button may be a manner in which the user accepts the alternate content and is redirected to that content without further interaction from the user. According to another embodiment, the user may decline the alternate content by taking no action at all. That is, after some time period during which no action is taken by the user to accept the alternate content, the hot key may simply time out and expire. Various other methods of accepting or declining the alternate content may also be used. 
     Regardless of the exact operation used to accept the alternate content,  FIG. 1D  illustrates redirecting a user to alternate content responsive to the hot key being accepted. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the alternate content may be another video program with content related to the video program  101  being viewed by the user. Therefore, television  100  in  FIG. 1D  illustrates an alternate video program  107  being displayed. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the alternate video program  107  may present content related to the original content the user was viewing. For example, if the user was viewing a television program related to travel, the alternate video program may also be related to travel. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the alternate video program may be commercial in nature. For example, the television program may be related to sports. In such a case, the alternate video program may be a pay-per-view sporting event of the same type or an advertisement for an upcoming pay-per-view event. In another example, the alternate video program may be an “infomercial” selling merchandise related to some aspect of the original video content. 
     Therefore, content providers and/or service providers may be able to sell hot keys just as they currently sell time for commercial spots. For example, a provider of pay-per-view video content may wish to purchase from a content provider a hot key that redirects users to his content or an advertisement of upcoming events during a television program related to that content. Alternatively, content providers may charge users to receive a hot key service or even to block some or all hot key signals. Content providers and/or service providers may thus be able to realize an additional source of revenue. 
     As will be described below, a system over which interactive television signals containing embedded hot key signals may be transmitted according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented over different types of networks. These different types of networks include, but are not limited to, cable, satellite, Fiber-to-the-Curb (FTTC), Fiber-to-the-House (FTTH), Very high speed Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL), and others. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary network over which interactive television signals containing embedded hot key signals may be transmitted according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. This example illustrates, at a high-level, an architecture of a service provider&#39;s system  200  that includes head-end and data center  201 , Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS)  203 , cable modem network  204 , and user premises  206  that also contains cable modem  207 , Set Top Box (STB)/Gateway  208 , one or more televisions  209  and  210 , and possibly other devices such as personal computer (PC)  211 . 
     An interactive TV service provider typically operates and maintains a head-end and data center  201  equipped to receive signals  202  from one or more content providers. Content providers may be any original or secondary source of programming or information generally including, for example, interactive or non-interactive over-the-air programming such as commercial television stations, cable programming such as weather, travel and entertainment channels, game channels, and other interactive services of various types. Head-end and data center  201 , after receiving content from one or more content providers, may then transmit the interactive content to user premises  206 . Further details of the hardware comprising the head-end and data center  201  as well as the processing performed therein will be discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, hot key signals indicating the availability of alternate content may be provided to head-end and data center  201  along with and embedded in interactive TV signals  202  from the content providers. For example, the hot key signals may be generated at the content provider&#39;s location by an operations team when preparing and scheduling content for transmission to various service providers. As will be discussed below, interactive TV signals with these embedded hot key signals are transmitted from head-end and data center  201  and are received and used by STB/gateway  208  or PC  211  at user premises  206  to inform the user of the availability of alternate content and to guide the user to this content if he chooses to accept it. Details of the hot key signals will be discussed below with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, hot key signals indicating the availability of alternate content may be generated at head-end and data center  201 . For example, the hot key signals may be generated at head-end and data center  201  by an operations team when preparing and scheduling content for transmission to users. As will be discussed below, these embedded hot key signals are transmitted from head-end and data center  201  and are received and used by STB/gateway  208  or PC  211  at user premises  206  to inform the user of the availability of alternate content and to guide the user to this content if he chooses to accept it. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a signal carrying interactive TV content is transmitted from head-end and data center  201  through CMTS  203  and onto cable modem network  204 . Typically, transmissions over cable modem network  204  may be made in a digital form. For example, the content may be transmitted as a Motion Pictures Experts Group Standard 2 (MPEG-2) data stream using a network protocol such as Internet Protocol (IP). Therefore, the content may be transmitted from head-end and data center  201  as IP data packets or in another similar format. One possible example of such a packet will be discussed below with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     Regardless of the format of the transmission, a signal carrying the interactive TV content is received at user premises  206  via cable modem  207 . Connected with cable modem  207  may be some form of terminal device. In the example illustrated by  FIG. 2 , two possible types of terminal devices, STB/Gateway  208  and PC  211  are shown. The terminal device, STB, Gateway, PC or other device, performs functions such as exchanging messages (including video-related data) over a network with head-end and data center  201 , receiving messages from a user input device, such as a hand-held remote control unit or keyboard, translating video signals from a network-native format into a format that can be used by televisions  209  and  210  or other display devices, and providing a video signal to televisions  209  and  210  or other display devices. STB/Gateway  208  and PC  211  may also be capable of performing other functions, such as inserting alphanumeric or graphical information into the video stream in order to “overlay” that information on the video image, providing graphic or audio feedback to a user, or routing a traditional broadcast signal to a viewing device to which another STB is connected. Additional details of the hardware of STB/Gateway  208  and the processing performed therein will be discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     In use, STB/Gateway  208  or PC  211  may receive hot key signals embedded in the interactive TV signals by either the content providers or the service provider. STB/Gateway  208  or PC  211  may then notify the user of available alternate content as discussed above with reference to  FIG. 1 . STB/Gateway  208  or PC  211  may then receive some form of user feedback indicating that the user accepts or declines the alternate content. If the user accepts the alternate content, STB/Gateway  208  or PC  211  may then redirect the user to this alternate content as will be discussed further below with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, head-end and data center  201  may also be connected with the Internet  213  or other network via a high-speed connection  212  such as a fiber optic connection to provide access to a number of web sites  214 - 216 . Through this connection  212 , head-end and data center  201  may supply alternate content to users from one or more of the number of web sites  214 - 216 . 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a head-end and data center system where hot key signals may be added to a transmitted signal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. This example illustrates head-end and data center system  201  comprising content reception, distribution, and switching portion  304 , head-end transport portion  305 , and hot key generation system  315 . 
     Content reception, distribution, and switching portion  304  is connected with one or more of satellite receiver  301 , over the air transmission receiver  302 , fiber optical feed  303 , and other types of links (not shown) to receive signals from one or more content providers. Content reception, distribution, and switching portion  304  comprises equipment that that is commonly used to receive transmitted signals, demodulate the transmitted signals to separate the content signals from a carrier signal if necessary, distribute and arrange the content from the content providers to fit a programming schedule of the service provider, and provide switching of these signals between the various components of the head-end and data center  201 . 
     Head-end transport portion  305  comprises a plurality of encoders  306 - 312 , optional back-up encoder  313 , multiplexor system  314 , modulation system  318 , up converters  319 , and transport system  321 . Encoders  305 - 312  and optional back-up encoder  313  receive interactive TV content signals from content reception, distribution, and switching portion  304  and encode the content signals into any of a variety of well known formats such as Motion Pictures Experts Group Standard 2 (MPEG-2), Motion Pictures Experts Group Standard 4 (MPEG-4), DivX, or any other format. Encoders  305 - 312  and optional back-up encoder  313  each provide an individual encoded data stream representing the content signal of a single channel to multiplexor system  314 . 
     Hot key generation system  315  is also connected with multiplexor system  314  of head-end transport  305 . Hot key generation system  315  receives content  323  from content reception, distribution, and switching portion  304 , trigger programming information  316 , and event data feed  317 . Trigger programming information  316  provides an indication of the time, date, etc. that given content will be played out. Event data feed  317  provides live content rather than content that is programmed and played out at a scheduled time. Using content  323 , trigger programming information  316 , and event data feed  317  hot key generation system  315  generates hot key signals associated with content to be transmitted from head-end and data center  201  and outputs the hot key signals to multiplexor system  314 . Exemplary processes for generating hot key signals as may be performed by hot key generation system  315  will be discussed below with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     Multiplexor system  314  may comprise a primary as well as an optional back-up multiplexor. Multiplexor system  314  combines the encoded content signals from encoders  305 - 312  and optional back-up encoder  313  and hot key signals from hot key generation system  315  to provide an output stream. The output stream of multiplexor system  314  comprises the individual encoded data streams representing the content signals of the individual channels as well as any associated hot key signals. 
     The output stream of multiplexor system  314  may be applied to a modulation system  318 . Modulation system  318  may comprise a primary as well as an optional back-up modulator. Modulation system  318  uses the output stream of multiplexor system  314  to modulate a carrier frequency for transmission from the head-end system  201 . 
     Modulation system  318  supplies the modulated carrier signal to up converters  319 . Up converters  319  may comprise primary as well as optional back-up converters. Additionally, up converters  319  may comprise multiple stages of converters. The function of up converters  319  is to increase the modulated carrier frequency to a range that is suitable for transmission. Up converters  319  then transmit the modulated carrier signal from head-end and data center  201  via network  320  to users. 
     Optionally, or in addition to modulation system  318 , the output of multiplexor system  314  may be applied to transport system  321  that may comprise a primary as well as an optional back-up transport system. The function of the transport system  321  is to prepare the output stream of multiplexor system  314  for transmission over network  322 . That is, transport system  321  places the output stream of multiplexor system  314  into a format and protocol appropriate for network  322 . For example, the output stream of multiplexor system may be placed into Internet Protocol (IP) packets or placed into an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) channel by transport system  321 . 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating head-end and data center processing for adding hot key signals to a transmitted signal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. This process may be performed by a system such as the hot key generation system of the head-end and data center described above with reference to  FIG. 3  or any other system with similar capabilities. 
     First, at decision block  400 , the system determines whether a hot key signal should be added to the current content. This determination may be made at head-end and data center  201 . For example, hot key generation portion  315  may perform a search of electronic program guide or other programming information to find related content. If head-end and data center  201  is connected to the Internet, hot key generation portion  315  may extend this search to web sites. That is, a search of Internet sites may be performed based on information related to content detected from an electronic program guide or from another search. For example, a search of electronic program guide information may detect a professional football game including the names of the teams. A search may then be done on the rest of the electronic program guide for another professional football game or other sports. Additionally, a search of Internet sites may be done for sites related to professional football or the teams involved. 
     Alternatively, hot key generation portion may be triggered to generate a hot key signal by information or operation performed by human operators. For example, an operation team, generating a programming schedule may at the same time identify related content and thereby indicate that a hot key signal should be generated for that content. 
     If a hot key signal is to be added to the current content, the hot key signal may be generated at processing block  405 . According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hot key signal may comprise a special purpose Internet Protocol (IP) packet as described below with reference to  FIG. 5 . Alternatively, the hot key signal may be any other type of digital signal or packet suitable for transmission over the type of network being used and capable of carrying information similar to that shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Finally, at processing block  410 , the hot key signal is inserted into the content signal. That is, the hot key IP packet or other signal is multiplexed with the content data stream as described above with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, alternate content may be pre-loaded or cached on the user&#39;s equipment prior to transmission of the hot key signal. That is, the head-end and data center may first send available alternate content to the user&#39;s equipment such as an STB or gateway. The user&#39;s equipment may cache the alternate content on a hard drive or other large capacity storage device. Once the alternate content is cached, a hot key informs the user of the availability of the content. The user may then view the content, reject the content, choose to view the content at a later time, or other possible options. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating one possible format for a hot key data packet according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. This example illustrates an IP data packet  500 . The IP data packet includes a header  501  and a body  502 . 
     Header  501  includes a number of fields  503 - 511  that are typically found in IP data packets. These fields include a source port  503 , a destination port  504 , a sequence number  505 , an acknowledgement number  506 , a data offset  507 , a reserved field  508 , a window field  509 , checksum data  510 , and an urgent pointer  511 . It should be noted that such an IP data packet  500  may be sent to multiple address using IP multicasting. Multicasting therefore allows efficient transmission of the hot key signals from the head-end and data center to users. 
     Body  502  may also include a number of fields  512 - 515 . These fields may include a hot key type  512 , a content type  513 , a content location  514 , and optionally a message field  515 . In various applications, the number of fields used, size of the fields, type of data presented, format of the data, content of the fields, etc. may vary. For example, in some cases not all of the fields presented here may be used. In other cases, additional data may be presented such as additional graphical or textual information. Additionally, the data may be presented in a wide variety of formats such as plain American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) text, other binary representations or even encrypted. 
     Regardless of format, hot key type field  512  may represent the type of hot key signal being used. For example, the hot key signal represented by IP data packet  500  may indicate that alternate content is available on another channel or on a web site. Alternatively, the hot key signal may indicate that alternate content is available to be cached on the user&#39;s terminal device. 
     Content type field  513  may represent the type, genre, or other details about the alternate content. For example, this field  513  may be used to indicate that the alternate content is a sporting event or movie. Of course, additional details may also be included. For example, the field  513  may indicate that the alternate content is an action movie and name the actors and director. This information may be used by the user&#39;s terminal device to judge the relevance of the hot key signal to the user as will be discussed below. 
     Content location field  514  may indicate where the alternate content is located. For example, this field  514  may indicate another channel, a web site URL or indicate that the content has been cached on the user&#39;s terminal device. 
     Optional message field  515  may include additional textual or graphical information regarding the hot key or the alternate content. For example, the message field  515  may contain a text message to be displayed to the user providing details of the alternate content. This message may be presented to the user automatically or at his option to help the user decide whether to accept or decline the hot key. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a user side system to redirect a user to alternate content responsive to selection of an embedded hot key according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As discussed above, the user side system may vary significantly. The user side system comprising a terminal device, STB, Gateway or similar device, performs functions such as exchanging messages (including video-related data) over a network with head-end and data center, receiving messages from a user input device, such as a hand-held remote control unit, translating video signals from a network-native format into a format that can be used by televisions or other display devices, providing a video signal to televisions or other display devices, and other functions. 
     The functionality of the user side system may reside in a stand-alone device, literally a box that can be placed on, or at least near, the television, that is similar in outward form to conventional devices for receiving cable programs. The user side system functionality could alternatively be performed by hardware resident elsewhere, such as within the television or display console, or by any suitably equipped terminal device. Since the hardware may be proprietary to the service provider and may generally be a physically independent device, the term set top box is used here, but any type of terminal device with similar functionality may be used. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the user side system comprises a STB  208 . The STB  208  comprises a tuner, receiver, demodulator  601 , a demultiplexor  602 , a decoder  603 , a graphics processor  604 , a central processing unit (CPU)  605 , an optional hard disk drive  606  or other mass storage device, a memory  607 , and various possible inputs and outputs  608 . 
     The tuner, receiver, demodulator  601  receives signals from the service provider network  204  over any of a variety of media as discussed above. Specifically, the tuner, receiver, demodulator  601  receives signals of a frequency band to which it is tuned and demodulates the signals to remove content signals from a carrier signal if any. Demodulated content signals are then supplied by the tuner, receiver, and demodulator  601  to the demultiplexor  602 . 
     The demultiplexor  602  receives the demodulated content signals from the tuner, receiver, demodulator  601  and separates the content into multiple data streams representing various channels. The multiple data streams are then supplied as an input to the decoder  603 . 
     The decoder  603  receives the multiple data streams from the demultiplexor  602  and decodes or decompresses the data streams using an appropriate algorithm. For example, if the head-end and data center compressed the video signals into an MPEG-2 data stream, the decoder  603  will decode the MPEG-2 data stream from the demultiplexor  602  to form a standard video signal. The video signal from the decoder  603  is then supplied to the graphics processor  604 . 
     The graphics processor  604  receives the decoded video signals from the decoder  603  and processes the video signals to reduce noise, provide amplifications, etc. Processed video signals from the graphics processor  604  are supplied to the input/output module  608 . The input/output module  608  may provide a variety of possible output types. For example, outputs may include but are not limited to audio/video (A/V), radio frequency (RF), Sony/Phillips digital interface (SPDIF), universal serial bus (USB), and others. 
     The input/output module  608  also receives control signals from the user. These control signals are typically infrared (IR) or RF signals from a remote control unit. Control signals from the user are then fed back from input/output module  608  to the CPU  605 . 
     The CPU  605  executes instructions stored in the memory  607 . The memory  607  may comprise a random access memory (RAM) such as flash memory, or other non-volatile memory. The instructions stored in the memory  607 , when executed by the CPU  605  cause the CPU  605  to perform various functions such as controlling the various elements of the STB  208 , receiving hot key signals, and switching to alternate content responsive to selection of an embedded hot key as will be described below with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
     Generally, a hot key signal will be received at the tuner, receiver, demodulator  601  along with and embedded in content signals from the head-end and data center and transmitted over service provider network  204 . The CPU  605  monitors the demultiplexed data streams from the demultiplexor  602  for the presence of relevant hot key signals. 
     The STB  208  may also contain an optional hard disk drive  606  or other mass storage device. The hard disk drive  606  allows the STB  208  to cache alternate content for later viewing by the user. If the CPU  605  detects hot key signals instructing content to be cached, the demultiplexed data stream from the demultiplexor  602  may be saved on the hard disk drive  606 . The still compressed content is stored on the hard disk drive  606  until the user chooses to view it. Once the user chooses to view the cached content, the CPU  605  may retrieve the content from the hard disk drive  606  and provide the compressed data stream to be decoded by the decoder  603 , processed by the graphics processor  604 , and output through the input/output module  608 . 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating processing on a user side system for redirecting a user to alternate content responsive to selection of an embedded hot key according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. This process may be performed by a system such as described above with reference to  FIG. 6  or any other system with similar capabilities. 
     First, at processing block  700 , the system receives a hot key signal from the service provider&#39;s network. As discussed above, the hot key signal may be in the foam of a specialized IP packet or another type of signal embedded in the content signal from the service provider. 
     At decision block  705  a determination is made as to whether the hot key signal is relevant to the particular user. Since numerous hot key signals may be transmitted at any particular time, the signals may be filtered before being presented to the user. Such filtering may be based on any number of possible algorithms and criteria. For example, only hot key signals related to a channel that is presently being viewed may be considered relevant. Another criteria for determining relevance of a hot key signal may be choices of content types or genres which have been selected by the user. Regardless of the algorithm or criteria used to judge relevance, if the hot key signal is determined at decision block  705  to not be relevant, no further processing is performed. 
     If the hot key signal is determined at decision block  705  to be relevant to the user, a hot key icon or other indication is displayed to the user at processing block  710 . As mentioned above, this indication may be in the form of an icon placed on the screen, a text message, a tone or even a verbal alert. Regardless of the exact form, some indication is given to the user that a hot key has been received. 
     At decision block  715  a determination is made as to whether the user has accepted the hot key. As discussed above, the user may use any of a variety of means to indicate acceptance of the hot key. For example, different single or even multiple buttons on a remote control may be pressed by the user to accept or decline the alternate content. According to one embodiment, a single “hot key button” may be present on the user&#39;s remote control that may be pressed by the user whenever a hot key icon is present on the television display. Regardless of the exact means of accepting or declining the hot key, if it is determined at decision block  715  the user did not accept the hot key, no further processing is performed. 
     If, at decision block  715 , the user accepts the hot key, the user is redirected to the alternate content at processing block  720 . 
     At decision block  725  a determination is made as to whether the user has finished consuming the alternate content. This determination may be based on any of a variety of possible criteria. For example, the user may press a button or series of buttons on a remote control to indicate that he has finished viewing the presented material. Alternatively, the user may use a mouse or other pointing device of a remote control to select a graphic on the display to indicate that he has finished viewing the presented material. 
     Once a determination is made at decision block  725  that the user is finished with the alternate content, a return process is entered at processing block  730 . This return process may include simply returning the user to the previous content. Alternatively, the return process may comprise presenting to the user other available content based on other hot key signals. Another alternative may include presenting a user with a number of choices of how to proceed.