Abstract: A telecasting service is provided that offers video programs upon viewer demand, and which includes an interactive interface for facilitating viewer selection of video programs. The interactive interface allows the viewer to scan through a list of video programs available on the demand telecasting service. The interactive interface also provides the viewer with still images, full-motion previews, and textual descriptions of the available programs. The demand telecasting service distinguishes subscribers from non-subscribers, and provides an interactive facility for allowing non-subscribers to subscribe to the system.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 4, 1997
Date of Patent:
November 6, 2001
Assignee:
Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P.
Inventors:
John K. Billock, Craig D. Cuttner, Kevin C. Dowdell, Elizabeth B. Flanagan, James E. Granger, Henry C. Hsu, Robert I. M. Martin, Robert May, Nicolas Peck, Michael S. Pontecorvo, Bruce E. Probst, Marc D. Rosenberg, Debra R. Smul, Dennis P. Wilkinson, Robert M. Zitter