초록 ▼

A system interactively controlled by a TV viewer remote control transmitter displays current or future programming information superimposed over the normal programming displayed on any channel accessible to the viewer's display screen. Identification signal data are accessed and generated by the com

A system interactively controlled by a TV viewer remote control transmitter displays current or future programming information superimposed over the normal programming displayed on any channel accessible to the viewer's display screen. Identification signal data are accessed and generated by the computer for durations defined in the identification signal data either automatically or in response to the TV viewer remote. Information signal data are accessed and generated by the computer in response to the TV viewer remote. A signal combiner superimposes the identification signal or the information signal over the viewer usable signal of any selected channel from the tuner. The identification signal may include data defining an icon or textual matter alerting a viewer to the availability of information data. The information signal may include program descriptive data, schedule data, pricing data and/or payment authorization and recording prompt data and the like sequenced for interactive control of the computer by the viewer. The identification signal may be specially dedicated to a normal programming information channel so that the viewer can interact with respect to specific programs identified without changing from the programming information channel. Thus, the viewer is able to receive an automatic alert to availability of current and future programming and to elect to interactively exercise a variety of options with respect to such current and future programming without interruption of presently viewed programming.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for accessing a television event, comprising:automatically displaying, without user input, an indicator that indicates the availability of the television event with a first television program displayed on a television;receiving a first user input in response to t

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for accessing a television event, comprising:automatically displaying, without user input, an indicator that indicates the availability of the television event with a first television program displayed on a television;receiving a first user input in response to the indicator displayed;displaying information relating to the television event upon receipt of the first user input;receiving a second user input in response to the information displayed;determining if the television event is a current event; anddisplaying on the television the television event if the television event is determined to be a current event and the second user input is received.