Abstract: An interactive system and method allows game participants to engage in a contest that is subsequently broadcast with a time delay to game observers. The broadcast signal may be for the purpose of a pure entertainment source or may be an enticement to play the shown or other interactive games. The games may be computer simulation games, role-playing games, strategy games, question and answer games, casino games, or other games as desired. The broadcast signals may show a specialized view of the game being played and may contain live commentary or other enhancements. The games may be played with set top boxes connected to a television, a broadcast network, and a server system.

Abstract: The present invention is an interactive system and method whereby participants may engage in a contest that is simultaneously or subsequently broadcast. The broadcast signal may be for the purpose of a pure entertainment source or may be an enticement to play the shown or other interactive games. The games may be computer simulation games, role-playing games, strategy games, question and answer games, casino games, or other games as desired. The broadcast signals may show a specialized view of the game being played and may contain live commentary or other enhancements. The games may be played with set top boxes connected to a television, a broadcast network, and a server system.

Abstract: In response to an advertising event signal, rendering of an active media stream is automatically paused. A new window is opened and forced to full screen size. Advertising is presented in the new window. Some window controls may be disabled such that the advertising window may not be easily resized, closed, or obscured by another window. When advertising is complete, the new window is closed. Rendering of the media stream is resumed. Alternatively, advertising is presented in a video presentation window wherein the size of the window may be adjusted and controls disabled during presentation of an advertising message. Advertising may also comprise text, graphics and images that overlay a video image. As such, the video image may be adjusted to a predetermined size and video presentation window controls may be disabled.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for analyzing waveforms to determine the existence of certain patterns in those waveforms. The existence of certain patterns can be used by investors to make decisions regarding the purchase or sale of stocks. The processes include a determination of the formation of a base, whether the pattern formed in the base is a cup or saucer, whether there is a double bottom in the base, if a base has broken out and if a handle exists on a cup, as well as other patterns.

Abstract: A media player, as may be employed in conjunction with a streaming media enhancement authoring application, is embedded in a browser window. A software program, operable to detect and extract information describing enhancements contained within an enhanced streaming media file and operable to generate HTML or other browser enhancement code to render the enhancements within the browser window as the enhanced streaming media file is played, is also embedded in the browser. The software program may be further operable, in response to enhancement information contained in a streaming media file, to pause a streaming media presentation, open a separate browser window, display a streaming media advertisement in the window, close the window, and resume display of the streaming media presentation. An editor is employed to perform any changes and the modified enhancement may be again viewed prior to viewing a next enhancement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for generating a graphics window that is capable of emulating enhanced video from a combined video and interactive content stream. The set-top emulator can randomly access the combined video and interactive content stream to provide an easy manner of randomly accessing portions of the combined video and interactive stream for quality control purposes. Random access allows selective viewing of the enhanced video which saves time. Additionally, the combined video and interactive content stream can be simultaneously viewed as it is being produced to allow immediate feedback to an interactive television producer.

Abstract: A text based script file describing enhancements is parsed to produce platform dependent enhancement files that may be employed to produce enhancements on a set top box, enhanced television, or computer display. A script file may be of XML format and a parser may be an XSL translator. A parser may import HTML and Javascript from other applications. A parser may support a media player for emulation to view video and enhancements. Trigger data for rendering enhancements may be formatted into a javascript array. Trigger events may be employed to replace graphic pointers or text values. Multiple parsers, each supporting a specific platform, allow a single script file to be employed across multiple platforms. New platforms or versions of platforms are supported through new or updated parsers.

Abstract: A graphical user interface, providing local drag and drop functions, is employed to position text and graphic elements on a video frame image. Frame number, element position, and element attributes are employed to create an enhancement file. The enhancement file is employed to embed a trigger, comprising information that identifies a video frame to be enhanced and a locator indicating where enhancement information may be accessed, into a streaming media file to create and enhanced streaming media file. An HTML/Javascript page embeds a media player and includes software to detect a trigger, access enhancement information, and to render the enhancement information in response to the trigger.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a platform independent enhancement file for television employs a web based editor with local functions for repositioning and sizing of displayable elements. Elements comprise text, graphics, images, or imported HTML files. Trigger information associated with elements controls the time and actions performed when rendering the displayable elements. A database comprises data representing elements, element attributes, trigger information and project information. A file generation process queries the database and produces a platform independent XML compatible script file. The script file may be parsed and the resultant HTML/Javascript file may be previewed employing a web browser. The script file may be parsed with other tools to provide HTML files for specific platforms without modification of the script file.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for defining, transmitting, creating, and displaying a dynamic hot spot on a video stream. Two or more trajectory points can define a dynamic hot spot. The trajectory points may be used to interpolate the position of the hot spot during the course of its movement.

Abstract: A media player, as may be employed in conjunction with a streaming media enhancement authoring application, is embedded in a browser window. A software program, operable to detect and extract information describing enhancements contained within an enhanced streaming media file and operable to generate HTML or other browser enhancement code to render the enhancements within the browser window as the enhanced streaming media file is played, is also embedded in the browser. The software program may be further operable, in response to enhancement information contained in a streaming media file, to pause a streaming media presentation, open a separate browser window, display a streaming media advertisement in the window, close the window, and resume display of the streaming media presentation. An editor is employed to perform any changes and the modified enhancement may be again viewed prior to viewing a next enhancement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for generating affinity data, i.e. data that indicates the interest of a viewer or user in broadcast information such as a video, audio or data broadcast. Automated or manual selection can be made either at an upstream site or at the set-top box for selecting alternative sources of content based upon the affinity data. Return channels can be provided through upstream transmissions through a cable, Internet connections, etc. to an origination site which may comprise a content provider, a TV studio, a head-end, or other upstream location. Affinity data can be remotely sensed by sensors, that are built in or connected, to the set-top box. Further, affinity data can be manually generated by the viewer or user, by various methods such as manually entering data in response to trigger icons that appear on a video broadcast or audio transmission.

Abstract: Viewers of broadcast content are awarded points for responding to events contained in or presented during the broadcast. Points are accumulated and additional points may be awarded for viewing a plurality of episodes or presentations of an advertisement. Points may be redeemed for products or services. Broadcast content may be enhanced to include point event indicators. A software program, downloaded to a receiving unit, processes viewer responses and transfers response information to a server. Processing viewer responses may include a time period in which a viewer response is accepted. Reponses entered at other times, or responses greater than or equal to a predetermined number may be rejected. A website may provide viewer point information and awards information. A tool set allows simplified implementation of a points award program including specification of program name, broadcast content, schedule, events, point values, response time periods, data stored, schedule of storage and storage destination.

Abstract: A video stream may be edited such that hot spots and their attributes may be added to the video stream. Hot spots and their attributes may be stored in a generic database. A translator may generate the hot spot information in a specific code for a specific application, such as properly formatted for a specific set top box hardware configuration, a specific language, or a specific look and feel of the hot spots. Additionally, a template may be used to define selected parameters of the hot spots, and the template may be changed such that the translator can create enhanced video streams in several different formats based on the templates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for generating HTML code for various HTML interfaces such as various set-top boxes using non-technical personnel. The system employs a graphic user interface such as wizard to allow a non-technical user to enter content data to be displayed on the HTML page. The content data is translated my a XML translator into XML code. An XSL parser for a particular HTML interface is used to translate the XML code into HTML code for each particular HTML interface.

Abstract: A set of rules containing constraints and limitations of media display platforms is employed to define options in an enhancement-authoring program. Authoring actions implemented via the authoring program are checked to determine if a rule exists for the action. If a rule exists, a step associated with the rule is executed. The step may comprise issuing warnings, providing recommended values, providing suggestions, or indicating a set of permissible values. A rules based post processing routine may be employed to check file sizes, color relationships, or other enhancement aspects. The present invention may be implemented in conjunction with an authoring program, in conjunction with a display platform, or both. In one embodiment, rules are utilized by a display platform to convert enhancement variables to those suited to the display platform. The set of rules of the present invention may be implemented in a text file and may be compliant with XML.

Abstract: A graphical user interface, providing local drag and drop functions, is employed to position text and graphic elements on a video frame image. Frame number, element position, and element attributes are employed to create an enhancement file. The enhancement file is employed to embed a trigger, comprising information that identifies a video frame to be enhanced and a locator indicating where enhancement information may be accessed, into a streaming media file to create and enhanced streaming media file. An HTML/Javascript page embeds a media player and includes software to detect a trigger, access enhancement information, and to render the enhancement information in response to the trigger.

Abstract: A text based script file describing enhancements is parsed to produce platform dependent enhancement files that may be employed to produce enhancements on a set top box, enhanced television, or computer display. A script file may be of XML format and a parser may be an XSL translator. A parser may import HTML and Javascript from other applications. A parser may support a media player for emulation to view video and enhancements. Trigger data for rendering enhancements may be formatted into a javascript array. Trigger events may be employed to replace graphic pointers or text values. Multiple parsers, each supporting a specific platform, allow a single script file to be employed across multiple platforms. New platforms or versions of platforms are supported through new or updated parsers.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a platform independent enhancement file for television employs a web based editor with local functions for repositioning and sizing of displayable elements. Elements comprise text, graphics, images, or imported HTML files. Trigger information associated with elements controls the time and actions performed when rendering the displayable elements. A database comprises data representing elements, element attributes, trigger information and project information. A file generation process queries the database and produces a platform independent XML compatible script file. The script file may be parsed and the resultant HTML/Javascript file may be previewed employing a web browser. The script file may be parsed with other tools to provide HTML files for specific platforms without modification of the script file.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system that allows a video program to be broken up into video segments using markers that mark the beginning/end of each segment. Each video segment is then associated with a tag that describes the content and other information such as rating information relating to the subject matter of the video segment. Video segments can then be selected or excluded during either real time or nearly real time broadcast or on delayed broadcast to exclude the viewing of certain video clips based on user preferences or to allow the viewing of only certain chosen subject matter in accordance with user preferences.