Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a t-commerce platform, which is linked to the content from a video signal that the user is currently watching. At some point during the broadcast of the content, a close-up of the product is shown. Simultaneous with this, a VBI-based trigger is added to the video signal of the broadcast. This trigger causes the television, a set-top box, or a similar device to capture in a memory, a “freeze-frame” of the image being shown. This action is transparent to the user while the video being displayed on the television is continuing normally. If the user chooses to perform an interactive “buy” transaction the saved image data is used as part of the interactive screen display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for extracting digital content using an interactive television application. The interactive television application may allow the user to record programs on a set-top box. The interactive television application may also allow the user to extract the audio from one of the recorded programs and transfer the extracted audio to removable media (e.g., a CD-R). The interactive television application also be configured to perform a future transfer of digital content to removable media. The future transfer may occur without requiring any further user interaction.

Abstract: Interactive media guidance systems, devices, and methods that enable media content delivery and/or control by a media content user via a user equipment device capable of interfacing with a media content source using a backchannel network.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide application on an interactive television system that determines approximated information using historical content is provided. The interactive television program guide application may retain and store interactive television program guide information. Using the available information, the interactive television program guide application may determine approximated information when information is not available or has not been received.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide application is provided that displays real-time information to a user. The interactive television program guide application may display alerts for indicating to the user the availability of real-time information. The interactive television program guide application may also display program listings with real-time information. In response to the user selecting a program listing, the interactive television program guide application may provide the user with an indication that real-time content related to the selected listing is available. In some embodiments, the real-time content is not the program corresponding to the selected program listing.

Abstract: A television system provides access to Internet data simultaneously with a displayed television program. Data units including data address sites available through a networked computer system such as the Internet are embedded in a television signal along with a television program. Information representing the data address site, such as an icon or descriptive text, is displayed simultaneously with the television program on the television. If the user selects the data address site, a data retrieval terminal in two-way communication with the network and associated with the television establishes a connection with the network and requests the data corresponding to the selected data address site. The retrieved information is then formatted for display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for extracting digital content using an interactive television application. The interactive television application may allow the user to record programs on a set-top box. The interactive television application may also allow the user to extract the audio from one of the recorded programs and transfer the extracted audio to removable media (e.g., a CD-R). The interactive television application also be configured to perform a future transfer of digital content to removable media. The future transfer may occur without requiring any further user interaction.

Abstract: A television system provides access to Internet data simultaneously with a displayed television program. Data units including data address sites available through a networked computer system such as the Internet are embedded in a television signal along with a television program. Information representing the data address site, such as an icon or descriptive text, is displayed simultaneously with the television program on the television. If the user selects the data address site, a data retrieval terminal in two-way communication with the network and associated with the television establishes a connection with the network and requests the data corresponding to the selected data address site. The retrieved information is then formatted for display.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a t-commerce platform, which is linked to the content from a video signal that the user is currently watching. At some point during the broadcast of the content, a close-up of the product is shown. Simultaneous with this, a VBI-based trigger is added to the video signal of the broadcast. This trigger causes the television, a set-top box, or a similar device to capture in a memory, a “freeze-frame” of the image being shown. This action is transparent to the user while the video being displayed on the television is continuing normally. If the user chooses to perform an interactive “buy” transaction the saved image data is used as part of the interactive screen display.

Abstract: An interactive television system in which a URL representing an Internet web site is encoded in a television signal. The user may link to the web site by selecting an icon (95) displayed on the television screen.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing programming and other information to television viewers for enabling them to control their respective television receivers. A central broadcasting computer and associated memory gathers and stores the information to be provided, and broadcasts it in a viewing area. An information receiver positioned in close proximity to the television is linked to said central broadcasting computer to receive signals representing said information from said central broadcasting computer. The received signals are converted video displays viewable on the television receiver's screen, and the user can use the displays to control the television receiver and other devices, such as video cassette recorders, used with the television receiver.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing programming and other information to television viewers for enabling them to control their respective television receivers. A central broadcasting computer and associated memory gathers and stores the information to be provided, and broadcasts it in a viewing area. An information receiver positioned in close proximity to the television is linked to said central broadcasting computer to receive signals representing said information from said central broadcasting computer. The received signals are converted video displays viewable on the television receiver's screen, and the user can use the displays to control the television receiver and other devices, such as video cassette recorders, used with the television receiver.

Abstract: An intelligent cache memory system and associated method for reducing a central processing unit (CPU) idle time. The system performs prefetches based on data fetching characteristics of the CPU. The system includes cache control logic, a first and a second cache memory, each having a number of cache lines, and a first and a second cache tag array, each having cache tag entries corresponding to the cache lines. The cache tag entries comprise cache tags and valid bits. The cache tag entries of the second cache tag array further comprise interest bits. In addition to their traditional functions, the cache tags and the valid bits, in conjunction with the interest bits, are used to track the data fetching history of the CPU. For each read cycle, the cache control logic returns the data being fetched by the CPU from either the first or the second cache memory or the main memory. Additionally, the cache control logic initiates prefetch and updates the data fetching history conditionally.

Abstract: The method and apparatus provides a parity bit for every m multiples of b bits, a group of b bits being the smallest number of bits that can be manipulated by the CPU. The parity bit is computed for the entire m x b bits during a write operation, even if only a subset of the m multiples of b bits is being stored. The write operation is implemented as a read-modify-write operation of the entire m x b bits, with parity error reporting suppressed for the read portion of the operation. However, the parity bit is set factoring in whether a parity error is detected during the read portion of the operation. The parity bit for the entire m x b bits is checked during a read operation, even if only a subset of the m multiples of b bits is needed. Any detected parity error is reported to the CPU. As a result, hardware cost is substantially reduced with minimal degradation to data integrity. Furthermore, the method and apparatus is completely transparent to the CPU and the operating system.

Abstract: A video computer system and methods are disclosed for displaying video graphics on a video display screen. The video computer system employs two alternative video graphics controllers. A first graphics controller is typically one that has been previously available to consumers and which also has a substantial library of graphics programs which are designed to be executed compatibly thereon. The second graphics controller is typically not compatible with the first graphics controller, and accordingly executes a second type of graphics programs which also may not be compatibly executed on the first controller. A select circuit and methods are disclosed which automatically determine the type of graphics program presented to the system, and correspondingly selects the compatible graphics controller to execute the program.