초록 ▼

A system and method for displaying still video images related to video content in an interactive broadcast television system. The system and method of the present invention may also be used for simulating an Internet home page on an interactive television system. The present invention thus supports

A system and method for displaying still video images related to video content in an interactive broadcast television system. The system and method of the present invention may also be used for simulating an Internet home page on an interactive television system. The present invention thus supports hyperlinked web-like navigational capabilities in an interactive television system. According to the method of the present invention, the video delivery system provides or broadcasts one or more audio/video channels each comprising video content and also provides or broadcasts at least one still image channel comprising a plurality of still video images, preferably MPEG-2 compressed still images. The user or viewer can select options displayed on the television screen to view desired information. When the set top box receives user input selecting an option to view one of the linked still images, the set top box captures the requested image from the still image broadcast channel, stores the image in memory, and displays the captured still video image corresponding to the selection. The still image being displayed may have associated interactive program content for displaying further selections, wherein these selections may be for viewing other images or content, for ordering information, or purchasing products. The user can thus selectively navigate between the video content and stills in a web-like hyperlinked fashion. In one embodiment, when a user is navigating through still images, the television program or video content which was being viewed is displayed in a small window overlaid on the still image being displayed. Also, when the set top box captures a requested image from the still image broadcast channel, the set top box preferably also pre-caches or pre-loads other related still images based on the probabilty that these related images will be subsequently requested by the user. The invention also includes an embodiment which provides user requested still images "on demand" on a dedicated "search" channel.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for displaying still video images related to video content in an interactive television system, wherein the interactive television system comprises a video delivery system for providing video content, and at least one subscriber television including a display s

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for displaying still video images related to video content in an interactive television system, wherein the interactive television system comprises a video delivery system for providing video content, and at least one subscriber television including a display screen, wherein the subscriber television is coupled to the video delivery system, the method comprising:the video delivery system providing one or more channels comprising video content;the subscriber television receiving said one or more channels comprising video content;the video delivery system providing at least one channel comprising a plurality of still video images;the subscriber television receiving said at least one channel comprising said plurality of still video images;displaying on the screen video content from one of said one or more channels comprising video content;displaying on the screen one or more selection options, wherein each of said one or more selection options corresponds to one of said still video images;receiving user input selecting a first selection of said one or more selection options; andwherein in response to said receiving said user input selecting said first selection of said one or more selection options the method further comprises capturing from said still video image channel and displaying on the screen a first one of said still video images corresponding to said first selection.