Abstract: Employee candidate computer and web-based interactive assessment software providing a system and method of evaluating a potential employee's competency and skill via the employ of web-based streaming video applications or desktop computer applications to present potential candidates with a series of employee-customer scenarios and related questions requiring interactive responses, wherein the type of responses submitted enable employers to more efficiently select potential employees whom they believe possess the requisite level of skill for a particular job position/application.

Abstract: The method, computer program and system enable a broadcaster to provide real-time questions to a remote audience and to receive real-time feedback from that audience. The method comprises broadcasting a performance and an index of selectable subjects that may be included in the performance to an audience, receiving audience votes for the selectable subjects, tabulating the votes for the selectable subjects, and scheduling the selectable subjects within the broadcast performance based upon the tabulated votes. Feedback from viewers can be received, tabulated and utilized for programming decisions while a performance or presentation is still in progress. In order to improve accessibility and participation in the voting process, preferably the viewer/listener feedback is accommodated through a number of communications media, such as through a telephone call by a viewer/listener to a special number, a smart cable box, or a web-based index.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for giving feedback in an educational environment using networked devices. Initially, an image stimulus is displayed to a plurality of individual group members regarding material being presented by a group leader utilizing a plurality of networked devices operated by the group members. Thereafter, feedback is received from the individual group members in response to the image stimulus utilizing the networked devices. The feedback is then aggregated after which the aggregated feedback is transmitted to the networked device operated by the group leader. Such aggregated feedback reflects the feedback received from each of the individual group members for allowing the group leader to view the aggregated feedback.

Abstract: An effective, entertaining and rewarding way to advertise. Transforms advertising from something Consumers avoid to a drawing card that attracts the Consumers. Communicates Consumer Rewarded Advertising Vehicle Immersive Ad Bundles (“CRAV Ads”). The CRAV Ads include a Vignette, a Query, an optional Alert, and an optional Answer. Promoters can sell CRAV Ads to Advertisers. Promoters or Advertisers can use the Broadcast Network to promote future CRAV Ads. Promoters can use the Broadcast Network, the Device, the Information Gathering System, and the Data Storage Center to communicate the CRAV Ads to Consumers and to interact with Consumers. Promoters or Advertisers can use the Device, the Information Gathering System, and the Data Storage Center to gather Consumers'responses to CRAV Ads. Promoters can edit and/or distribute registration and response information to Advertisers. Promoters can select winners and distribute prizes.

Abstract: An interactive video system is provided that includes an input device configured to produce an input signal, and a video-mixing device configured to interpret the input signal and to receive a video-source signal. The video-mixing device includes a video-image processor configured to selectively alter the video-source signal based on the interpreted input signal and transmit a selectively altered-video signal.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing viewer group enjoyment of a TV program. An input device is used to input reviews of a televised program, with each viewer having his or her own icon and with a viewer's review being superimposed on the TV program (including an electronic program guide) along with the icon as the review is input or at a later, more appropriate time.

Abstract: An enhanced system and method for carrying out online transactions and auctions using a “shopping games” mechanism module is disclosed. The shopping games system provides for a mechanism scheme allowing “game moves” as well as bidding and message exchanging moves. The participants of the system may engage in game play in conjunction with an auction process, wherein the game play affects the auction process to provide a entertaining and amusing environment for participants to carry out online transactions without limiting the participants to traditional auction “moves”.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing an interactive television broadcast. The viewer is provided with a decoder wherein is stored a programme or interactive application for masking certain video sequences (43, 44, 45) received via satellite, with OSD masking images (46) generated by the decoder. The selection of video sequences to be masked is carried out on the basis of signals derived from a remote control unit in response to a prior selection (42) of the user.

Abstract: A system for testing audiovisual stimuli, such as television series, commercials, etc. from a complex of interactions between stimuli, consumers and environmental factors includes: one or more sources of audiovisual stimuli; a part connected to the sources for presenting the stimuli to respondents; a switching part to be operated by the respondents for issuing commands such as a command to end the presentation of a stimulus; a part for registering the moments at which the switching parts are operated; a generator for generating further stimuli, such as textual information including questions, messages, commands and instructions; a part to be operated by the respondents for providing responses to the further stimuli such as providing answers to questions and providing reasons, such as reasons for ending the presentation of stimuli; and a part for registering the responses provided by the respondents.

Abstract: An interactive television system configured to display an animated character which has an appearance indicative of a viewer's interaction and time spent watching a particular television program. In one embodiment, the character is a genie which appears more healthy when the viewer's watching/interaction increases and less healthy when it decreases. Various features of the genie, such as hair color, clothing and name, are viewer-selectable. The genie may prompt the viewer for responses, which responses result in the awarding of points to the genie, which in turn make it appear more healthy or give it certain powers or characteristics. The genie is implemented in an interactive application which is transmitted to a set-top box coupled to the viewer's television. Transmission of related data through a return path to the broadcast station which originated the application enables the viewer to participate in lotteries and other special promotions.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically linking DVD text to recommended viewing, based on a viewer selection of a word or phrase displayed in a DVD-based program. A microprocessor in a PVR associated with the TV can automatically record TV programming or recommend additional products and/or programs based on the selected word or phrase from the DVD text.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses sending content descriptors from a server to a client in a content distribution broadcast system. In one aspect, a signal is sent prior to the sending of a content descriptor file. The signal indicates when the content descriptor file will be sent. In another aspect, a unique identifier is assigned to the content descriptor file by the server. The content descriptor file is sent to the client and the client identifies the content descriptor file by the unique identifier. In yet another aspect, a general purpose identifier is assigned to the the content descriptor file. The content descriptor file is sent to the client and then a signal is sent to the client afterwards indicating that the content descriptor file has been sent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing client feedback to a broadcast source to provide content on demand in broadcast systems. Client systems may tune-in to a stream of content descriptors that describe content in consideration for future broadcasting, and provide feedback in the form of ranking feedback or rating feedback to the broadcast source such that a list of desired content may be constructed in order to send content to the client systems on an as-needed basis or in batches.

Abstract: An audience rating survey system registers user IDs which specify viewers/listeners of a network-distributed program in association with characteristic parameters that indicate characteristics of the viewers/listeners; acquires a user ID, a device ID, and a program ID; and carries out an audience rating survey of the network-distributed program based on the acquired user ID, device ID and program ID, and the characteristic parameters associated with the user ID, thereby allowing for an effective and accurate audience rating survey of, for example, an Internet-broadcasted program.

Abstract: A computer controlled system and method for creating an interactive television show incorporates audience feedback gathered by way of Internet software. Selected inputs include e-mail, as well as telephone and telecopy with these inputs influencing various levels of the script of upcoming episodes. The system provides for enhanced entry of comments and feedback, gathered by way of a calculated overlapping of questions, to allow structured incorporation of such feedback into the complex process for producing weekly and other episodic television shows. This invention further includes means for optimizing advertising revenues through Internet data gathering and dynamic feedback by character webmasters.

Abstract: A portable recorder which is carried by a sample subject for a radio listener rating survey has a display unit and an input unit mounted on the front of a case and a processor built in the case. The processor comprises a data memory, data entry support means, data recording means, and a data readout means. The data entry support means displays the current date and time, a tuned station candidate and a place-of-listening candidate on the display unit, thereby supporting a user in his entering the listening start date and time, the name of the tuned station, the place of listening and the listening stop date and time via the input unit when he listened to a radio program at home or outdoors. The data recording means electronically records the radio listening status data containing values of respective items entered under the support of the data entry support means and finally determined by the user.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for polling interactive television viewers by preparing a set of polling requests, connecting to one or more set top systems of one or more interactive television viewers, sending the set of polling requests to the one or more set top systems of the one or more interactive television viewers, receiving responses to the set of polling requests, evaluating the responses to the set of polling requests, and preparing a new polling request including two or more elements selected based on the evaluation of the response to the set of polling requests.

Abstract: A system for utilizing metadata created either at a central location for shared use by connected users, or at each individual user's location, to enhance user's enjoyment of available broadcast programming content. A variety of mechanisms are employed for automatically and manually identifying and designating programming segments, associating descriptive metadata which the identified segments, distributing the metadata for use at client locations, and using the supplied metadata to selectively record and playback desired programming.

Abstract: A method and system for providing advertising services to an entity is provided. The method comprises the steps of presenting a question to a user to which advertisements are directed, the question being about a product or service being advertised by the entity; soliciting an answer to the question from the user; and providing an incentive to the user if the user answers the question correctly. The step of presenting a question may further comprise presenting a question about a feature of the product or service being advertised. The step of soliciting an answer may further comprise directing the user to the entity's web page to find the answer to the question. And the step of providing an incentive may further comprise providing gaming credits to the user, and the user can use the game credits to play games online.

Abstract: An advertising service presents an interactive advertisement to a customer, such as via a television commercial. If the customer indicates an interest in the advertised product by responding to the advertisement, then the advertising service or other mechanism identifies the customer, correlates the customer to a merchant, and then automatically connects the customer to the merchant (or triggers connection of the merchant to the customer). The customer may be identified by extracting an identification number, address, or other identifying information associated with a client terminal that the customer used to respond to the advertisement. Correlation of the customer to the merchant may be performed by a database lookup to match customer information to merchant information. Thereafter, the merchant can be notified by the advertising service to contact the customer to fulfill the customer's response in a personalized and interactive manner.

Abstract: An interactive entertainment system (game) that provides rewards to a player by accumulating clues, wherein one or more clues provide a revenue node is described. Revenue nodes from various sources provide financial incentive for game generation, while complexity of play, team interaction, and rewards provide incentive for player involvement. A game engine is provided to provide core functionality for the use of game developers including the players themselves, thereby creating their own games.

Abstract: A mechanism for enabling interactive communications between mass media operators and mass media audiences is described. The mechanism associates an interactive prompt with a communication over a communications medium so that the prompt is received by a member of a mass media audience member and receives a response from the mass media audience member in response to the interactive prompt from a communications device.

Abstract: The present invention enables participation of a large number of widely dispersed viewers in an auction program while maintaining a real time feeling of the program. A broadcast station 2 broadcasts program data of a pre-recorded auction program and report information data and EPG data for the information to be reported to the viewers in the program multiplexed as broadcast data. A TMS 3 system receives the broadcast data broadcast from the broadcast station 2 and distributes it to mobile phones 1. When the users of the mobile phones 1 input bids etc. for the auction while viewing the program, the mobile phones 1 transmit input price information to the TMS 3. The TMS 3 transfers the input price information to the broadcast station 2, and the broadcast management server 21 of the broadcast station 2 updates the report information data based on the information.

Abstract: A Universal Interactive Service system which allows sponsors of electronic media advertising (such as radio, television advertising) to interact with its audience in real time that are exposed to their advertising and to facilitate the purchasing and selection of electronic media advertising by advertising buyers, such as advertisers and ad agencies. This is accomplished through a number of methods and devices, which include a Universal Interactive Service (UIS) that is used with the Internet and a wireless service provider. An improved method of multiphase prioritized user registration technique (M-PURT) for easier user registration and meaningful sentence query logic (MSQL) for a buyer to search for advertising defined by a specific search criteria are also included as part of these systems and methods.

Abstract: An automated survey kiosk which is easy to install at a location, does not require access to standard telephone lines, can be easily reprogrammed, has unlimited language capabilities, which permits open-ended answers to inquiries or questions and whose survey responses can be sent directly to a client. The automated survey kiosk for administering a survey includes a touch screen for displaying the survey and for receiving survey responses, the touch screen being operatively connected to a general purpose computer for storing the survey, the general computer including a memory for storing the survey responses, operatively connected to the touch screen; and a wireless modem for transmitting the survey responses at a remote location at predetermined intervals. The automated survey kiosk is programmed to prompt a user for a desired language and then administer the survey in the chosen language.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus to collect and provide viewer feedback to broadcasts. According to one aspect of the present invention, a rating is generated for a broadcast by a server system. The rating is based at least in part on viewer feedback to the broadcast, and the rating indicates a likelihood of interest in the broadcast for potential subsequent viewers. Access to the rating is then provided so that predications can be made as to whether or not the broadcast will be of interest to potential subsequent viewers. According to another aspect of the present invention, the rating is provided from the server system to an entertainment system, and the broadcast can be selected for viewing at an entertainment system based on the rating generated by the server system. In one embodiment, the viewer feedback is received at the entertainment system in response to a feedback questionnaire.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment control system having back-channel capabilities to provide an interactive feature for capturing, collecting, and storing passenger response data. In one embodiment, the system includes a system control unit for controlling the devices in the system. The system also includes a back-channel server unit that provides the interactive content to the passengers over the system, capturing and collecting passenger response data via the back-channel. The interactive feature includes display units located throughout a cabin of a vehicle for displaying questions, and a control unit at the passengers' seats. The questions displayed on the display units and the passenger response data are synchronized, and the passenger response data is collected by the server unit. The back-channel is a bi-directional bus that allows passengers to provide passenger response data using the control unit. The back-channel also allows passengers to select and control audio channels and adjust the volume.