Abstract: The method of the present invention allows a viewer/listener to schedule a future event based on information which is embedded in a multimedia presentation, such as a promotional commercial. The viewer or the viewer's equipment, on the basis of the viewer's preferences, causes the event to be scheduled at the appropriate time. The types of events that can be scheduled include: scheduling the reception of a future television/radio/data download program, including turning the processing device on and switching to a correct channel or station; scheduling play of audio or visual reminders for informing of the imminent start of a scheduled program; scheduling the recordation of future program or data imbedded in such a program on a recording device, e.g., VCR, audio recorder, computer medium recorder; and schedule the downloading of data.

Abstract: The method of the present invention allows a viewer/listener to schedule a future event based on information which is embedded in a multimedia presentation, such as a promotional commercial. The viewer or the viewer's equipment, on the basis of the viewer's preferences, causes the event to be scheduled at the appropriate time.

Abstract: A method for displaying an enhanced multimedia presentation including personalized supplementary audio, video, and graphic content selectable by a user and rendered by a receiving device, comprises the steps of: communicating a multimedia presentation file to the receiving device, the multimedia presentation file comprising base multimedia presentation content and, frame-synchronized information including starting frame timing identifier, ending frame timing identifier, starting frame spatial coordinates, ending frame spatial coordinates, and motion vector specifications for describing frame-accurate location, motion and timing of the personalized supplementary audio, video, and graphic content, the frame-synchronized information indicating one or more free areas of the multimedia presentation absent significant base multimedia content; extracting the frame-synchronized information from the multimedia presentation file; retrieving the personalized supplementary content from the receiving device; decoding the

Abstract: A system is presented for two-way digital multimedia broadcast services, enabling a variety of interactive and other applications. These applications include: navigation from one video program to another by selection of objects in the current video; creation and transmission of records of user viewing selection histories; iterative video-based data search and retrieval; dynamic customization of coordination between video content of the broadcast stream and data embedded therein; and the dynamic creation of “personalized” programs by the user without, through the broadcast and selection of overlapping program segments which are themselves customized for a particular user or group of users.

Abstract: A user interface is presented for the interaction, by a viewer, with the content of a multi media presentation and functions related to this content. The user interface enables the navigation, by a viewer, among dynamic selectable regions (hot spots) within a multi media presentation. These hot spots are defined prior to the video's presentation, and are used to allow the viewer to invoke functions associated with the multi media presentation. The user interface allows the viewer to move from one hot spot to another with a simple interface, such as a tab key on a remote control. The user interface constrains the possible locations of an on-screen cursor to the hot spot locations. Properties of the hot spots, such as priority, region size, and display parameters are modifiable and customizable by the viewers's system automatically or through interaction with the viewer.

Abstract: A system architecture enables the distribution, to users connected to a digital broadcast medium, of supplementary information, which is presented and accessed in the context of the viewing of a video program. This ancillary, or "follow-up" information (FUI) is embedded in the same transport stream (digital multimedia broadcast stream) as the digital video and audio content. The FUI may take the form of video, audio or text. Alternatively, the transport stream may carry pointers to follow-up information (PFUI) instead of the information itself. In the latter case, the pointers are saved and used subsequently in the selection of FUI from a channel which carries data exclusively. In the former case, the user selects the FUI (supplementary information) which is to be extracted from the broadcast stream as it is transmitted.