초록 ▼

In association with an interactive television system, a method and system for displaying an interactive program having intervening informational segments. When additional information is available, an additional information marker is displayed on the display screen and is selected by manipulating a r

In association with an interactive television system, a method and system for displaying an interactive program having intervening informational segments. When additional information is available, an additional information marker is displayed on the display screen and is selected by manipulating a remote control. When the additional information marker is selected, the display of the interactive program is terminated, and an intervening informational segment, a short segment of information, is displayed in its place. When the intervening informational segment is terminated, the interactive program is displayed beginning from a predetermined return point. The return point is dependent on the time, relative to the beginning of the interactive program, at which the additional information marker was selected. Each return point is located during a pause or a natural break in the audio and video of the interactive program such that the resumption of the program after the intervening informational segment is smooth. When an intervening informational segment is terminated, the time at which the additional information marker associated with the intervening informational segment was selected is compared to a table storing the predetermined return points. Once the predetermined return point is obtained, the interactive program is displayed beginning at the return point.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for displaying an interactive program with intervening informational segments on a display screen, comprising the steps of:predetermining return points in the interactive program by preprocessing the interactive program to identify natural breaks in the audio or

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for displaying an interactive program with intervening informational segments on a display screen, comprising the steps of:predetermining return points in the interactive program by preprocessing the interactive program to identify natural breaks in the audio or video of the interactive program:displaying the interactive program on the display screen;displaying at least one additional information marker on the display screen during the display of the interactive program;accepting the selection of one of the additional information markers from a user of the interactive program;terminating the interactive program after accepting the selection of one of the additional information markers:displaying an intervening informational segment on the display screen associated with the selected additional information marker;upon termination of the intervening informational segment, redisplaying the interactive program beginning at one of said predetermined return points.