Abstract: A method and system for providing text-to-audio conversion of an electronic book displayed on a viewer. A user selects a portion of displayed text and converts it into audio. The text-to-audio conversion may be performed via a header file and pre-recorded audio for each electronic book, via text-to-speech conversion, or other available means. The user may select manual or automatic text-to audio conversion. The automatic text-to-audio conversion may be performed by automatically turning the pages of the electronic book or by the user manually turning the pages. The user may also select to convert the entire electronic book, or portions of it, into audio. The user may also select an option to receive an audio definition of a particular word in the electronic book. The present invention allows a user to control the system by selecting options from a screen or by entering voice commands.

Abstract: A television delivery system is disclosed having an operations center that packages programs, generates program control information, and sends the programs and control information to a subscriber. The system also includes a set top terminal associated with the subscriber that receives the television signal and extracts from the signal individual programs for display on a user's television associated with the terminal. The terminal receives a selection of a program or interactive feature from an interactive electronic program guide displayed on the television. An interactive electronic program guide is disclosed for use with a television delivery system. The guide includes a plurality of interconnected menus having display information. The guide also includes a cursor controlled by the user input device for sequencing through the menus and selecting a menu item.

Abstract: A viewer for displaying an electronic book and providing for electronic commerce. In conjunction with viewing an electronic book, a user can view information about products and services, view an on-line electronic catalog, and receive samples of products available for purchase. By entering a purchase request, the user can purchase products or services. In the case of a digital product, the user can download the purchased product directly into the viewer. The viewer also records statistics concerning purchase and information requests in order to recommend related products or services, or for directing particular types of advertisements to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method provide optimum packaging of programs for delivery over a television program delivery system. The apparatus includes a central processor unit (CPU) that is used to select program categories and identify external and internal programs. For packaging. The CPU includes advanced features to weight programs according to established criteria including previous buying history, programs watched data, and viewer demographics. The CPU formats a menu having a program lineup and assigns transponder space. Other advanced features include the use of multiple operations centers to support the packaging, delivery of the packaged programs to cable television headends, insertion of local avails, and direct transmission of program packages to individual television terminals.

Abstract: A system and method for switching targeted advertisements is described. In one embodiment one primary advertisement is assigned to a first channel, where the first channel carries a program. At least one alternate advertisement is assigned to one or more alternate channels. Selected set top terminals switch to one or more of the alternate channels to display alternate advertisements, where the selection of the alternate channel is based on information related to users of the set top terminals.

Abstract: An electronic book having various features for manipulating text or other information. The subscriber may highlight, cut and paste, copy and paste, and annotate information within an electronic book. A multiple page view feature permits the subscriber to simultaneously view any plurality of pages of an electronic book, and a multiple screen feature permits the subscriber to view one or more pages on a viewer having multiple screens. A picture-in-picture feature permits the subscriber to simultaneously view a page of an electronic book along with other content, such as a television program or information from another electronic book. The picture-in-picture feature may display an electronic book page as a main image wrapped around an inset image.

Abstract: An electronic book having various features for manipulating text or other information. The subscriber may highlight, cut and paste, copy and paste, and annotate information within an electronic book. A multiple page view feature permits the subscriber to simultaneously view any plurality of pages of an electronic book, and a multiple screen feature permits the subscriber to view one or more pages on a viewer having multiple screens. A picture-in-picture feature permits the subscriber to simultaneously view a page of an electronic book along with other content, such as a television program or information from another electronic book. The picture-in-picture feature may display an electronic book page as a main image wrapped around an inset image.

Abstract: A viewer for displaying an electronic book and providing for electronic commerce. In conjunction with viewing an electronic book, a user can view information about products and services, view an on-line electronic catalog, and receive samples of products available for purchase. By entering a purchase request, the user can purchase products or services. In the case of a digital product, the user can download the purchased product directly into the viewer. The viewer also records statistics concerning purchase and information requests in order to recommend related products or services, or for directing particular types of advertisements to the user.

Abstract: An electronic book selection and delivery system distributes text to subscribers. The system provides for on-demand and virtual on-demand delivery of electronic books. Specified electronic books may be broadcast to a set of subscribers. Alternatively, a first section of the specified electronic books may be broadcast. A second section of each of the electronic books is then available for later delivery, upon order by a subscriber. The second sections, as well as first sections, and true on-demand electronic books may be loaded into one or more queues. The queues may then be emptied based on a priority model. Electronic books in an on-demand queue may be given priority for delivery over electronic books in other queues.

Abstract: An electronic book having various features for manipulating text or other information. The subscriber may highlight, cut and paste, copy and paste, and annotate information within an electronic book. A multiple page view feature permits the subscriber to simultaneously view any plurality of pages of an electronic book, and a multiple screen feature permits the subscriber to view one or more pages on a viewer having multiple screens. A picture-in-picture feature permits the subscriber to simultaneously view a page of an electronic book along with other content, such as a television program or information from another electronic book. The picture-in-picture feature may display an electronic book page as a main image wrapped around an inset image.

Abstract: An electronic book selection and delivery system distributes text to subscribers. The system includes the ability to use electronic links as well as a system for creating electronic links between specific electronic books and other electronic files. The links may be used or accessed by a menu system or by operation of a cursor and a select button. The other electronic files could be portions of a specific electronic book, such as a Table of Contents. The other electronic files could also exist external to a specific electronic book. For example, definitions provided in an electronic English-language dictionary could be linked to terms contained in an electronic book. The electronic links may be created by the book publisher or may be subscriber-defined. The links may use standard programming language such as hypertext markup language (HTML). The links may be established through use of a relational database.

Abstract: A novel multiple channel architecture is designed to allow targeted advertising directed to television terminals connected to an operations center or a cable headend. Advertisements are displayed during commercial breaks in the television programs. Such advertisements may be broadcast on the same channel as the television program. In addition, feeder channels may carry alternate advertising that may be better suited for certain viewing audiences. The operations center or the cable headend generate a group assignment plan that assigns the television terminals to groups, based on factors such as area of dominant influence, household income and other demographic data, and programs watched data gathered by the television terminals. A switching plan is then generated that instructs the television terminals to remain with the program channel or to switch to one of the alternate feeder channels during the program breaks.

Abstract: The invention, an electronic book selection and delivery system, distributes electronic text and graphics to subscribers. The system contains an operations center, a video distribution system or a variety of alternative distribution systems, a home subsystem, and a billing and collection system. The operations center and/or distribution points perform the functions of manipulation of text data, security and coding of text, cataloging of books, message center, and uplink functions. The home subsystem connects to a video distribution system or variety of alternative distribution systems, generates menus and stores text, and transacts through communicating mechanisms. A portable book-shaped viewer is used for viewing the text. The billing system performs the transaction, management, authorization, collection and payments utilizing the telephone system or a variety of alternative communication systems.

Abstract: A set top terminal is disclosed for use with a television delivery system. The terminal receives a television signal and extracts from the signal individual programs for display on a user's television associated with the terminal. The terminal receives a selection of a program or interactive feature from an interactive electronic program guide displayed on the television. An interactive electronic program guide is disclosed for use with a television delivery system. The guide includes a plurality of interconnected menus having display information. The guide also includes a cursor controlled by the user input device for sequencing through the menus and selecting a menu item. The menus include an introductory menu displayed when the guide is started, a main menu that allows access to program submenus and interactive submenus, and during program menus. The during program menus include both overlay menus that are displayed during a program and hidden menus that are not displayed.

Abstract: A novel network controller for use with a digital cable headend capable of monitoring and controlling set top terminals in a television program delivery system is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for a network controller that manages a configuration of set top terminals in a program delivery system. Specifically, the invention modifies a program control information signal at the cable headend before the modified signal is transmitted to each set top terminal. This signal is used with polling methods to receive upstream data from the set top terminals. The invention initiates such upstream data retrieval, gathers all data received and compiles viewer demographics information and programs watched information. The invention processes this data and information to generate packages of advertisements targeted towards each set top terminal. The invention uses upstream data reception hardware, databases and processing hardware and software to accomplish these functions.

Abstract: A set top terminal is disclosed for creating a favorites menu of television programs available for viewing, based on a user's preferences. The terminal receives a television signal from an operations center, extracts individual programs from the signal, and sends one or more of the individual programs to a television for display, based on a selection by the user. The terminal generates an interactive electronic program guide for the selection of programs. The favorites menu of the guide narrows the list of available programs to those most likely of interest to the user. The terminal receives and stores user information, including general demographic information and viewing preference information. The viewing preference information may be received directly from the user, for example by querying the user. Alternatively, it may be learned by tracking the user's viewing habits.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are used to target interactive virtual objects to subscribers in a television delivery system. Programs are selected and virtual object locations are defined in the selected programs. The virtual objects available for targeting are categorized and the categories are correlated to subscriber information to determine the optimum targeting of the virtual objects. The invention uses upstream data reception hardware, databases and processing hardware and software, and corresponding features in the televisions to accomplish these functions.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are used to place virtual objects in video programs. Programs are selected and virtual object locations are defined in the selected programs. The available virtual objects available are categorized and the categories are correlated to subscriber information. When a frame of a program includes a virtual object location, a default or an alternate virtual object is displayed. The virtual object location may change over space or time. The virtual object may be interactive, and may be used to link a subscriber to a remote location, such as an Internet web site. An operations center or a cable headend may generate a group assignment plan that assigns the subscribers' terminals to groups, based on factors such as area of dominant influence and household income. A placement plan may instruct the television terminals to display the desired virtual object.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are used to target interactive virtual objects to subscribers in a television delivery system. Programs are selected and virtual object locations are defined in the selected programs. The virtual objects available for targeting are categorized and the categories are correlated to subscriber information to determine the optimum targeting of the virtual objects. The invention uses upstream data reception hardware, databases and processing hardware and software, and corresponding features in the televisions to accomplish these functions.

Abstract: The invention, an electronic book selection and delivery system, is a new way to distribute books and other textual information to bookstores, libraries and consumers. The primary components of the system are a subsystem for placing text in a video signal format and a subsystem for receiving and selecting text that is placed in the video signal format. The system configuration for consumer use contains additional components and optional features that enhance the system, namely: (1) an operations center, (2) a video distribution system, (3) a home subsystem, including reception, selection, viewing, transacting and transmission capabilities, and (4) a billing and collection system. The operations center and/or video distribution points perform the functions of manipulation of text data, security and coding of text, cataloging of books, messaging center, and uplink functions. The electronic books may be provided to an intermediate point such as a library or a bookstore.