Case 1:24-cv-01301-CFC Document 16-4 Filed 02/18/25 Page 1 of 35 PageID #: 526
`
`Exhibit D
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`
`
`
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`
`
`

`

`ee"TTTTAT
`
`US007055169B2
`US007055169B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`US 7,055,169 B2
`a2) United States Patent
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 7,055,169 B2
`(0) Patent No.:
`Delpuch et al.
`May 30, 2006
`(45) Date of Patent:
`May30, 2006
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Delpuchetal.
`
`(54)
`(54)
`
`(75)
`(75)
`
`(73)
`(73)
`(*)
`(*)
`
`(21)
`(21)
`(22)
`(22)
`
`(65)
`(65)
`
`(60)
`(60)
`
`(51)
`(51)
`
`(52)
`(52)
`
`(58)
`(58)
`
`SUPPORTING COMMONINTERACTIVE
`SUPPORTING COMMON INTERACTIVE
`TELEVISION FUNCTIONALITY THROUGH
`TELEVISION FUNCTIONALITY THROUGH
`PRESENTATION ENGINE SYNTAX
`PRESENTATION ENGINE SYNTAX
`
`Inventors: Alain Delpuch, Les Essarts le Roi
`Inventors: Alain Delpuch, Les Essarts le Roi
`(FR); James Whitledge, Naperville, IL
`(FR); James Whitledge, Naperville, IL
`(US); Jean-Rene Menand, Los Altos,
`(US); Jean-Rene Menand,Los Altos,
`CA (US); Emmanuel Barbier, Paris
`CA (US); EmmanuelBarbier, Paris
`(FR); Kevin Hausman, Naperville, IL
`(FR); Kevin Hausman, Naperville, IL
`(US); Debra Hensgen, Redwood City,
`(US); Debra Hensgen, RedwoodCity,
`CA (US); Dongmin Su, Santa Clara,
`CA (US); Dongmin Su, Santa Clara,
`CA (US)
`CA (US)
`Assignee: OpenTV, Inc., San Francisco, CA (US)
`Assignee: OpenTYV, Inc., San Francisco, CA (US)
`Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 160 days.
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 160 days.
`Appl. No.: 10/419,621
`Appl. No.: 10/419,621
`Filed:
`Apr. 21, 2003
`Filed:
`Apr. 21, 2003
`(Under 37 CFR 1.47)
`(Under 37 CFR 1.47)
`Prior Publication Data
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2004/O13948O A1
`Jul. 15, 2004
`US 2004/0139480 Al
`Jul. 15, 2004
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Provisional application No. 60/373,883, filed on Apr.
`Provisional application No. 60/373,883, filed on Apr.
`19, 2002.
`19, 2002.
`
`Int. Cl.
`Int. C.
`(2006.01)
`HO)4N 7/173
`(2006.01)
`HOAN 7/173
`(2006.01)
`H04N 7/6
`(2006.01)
`HOAN 7/16
`U.S. Cl. ........................ 725/100; 725/91. 725/138;
`US. C1. cece 725/100; 725/91; 725/138;
`725/139
`725/139
`Field of Classification Search .................. 725/91,
`Field of Classification Search.................. 725/91,
`725/100, 109, 112, 135,139; 709/217, 223,
`725/100, 109, 112, 135, 139; 709/217, 223,
`709/225, 226, 231: 710/48, 266
`709/225, 226, 231; 710/48, 266
`See application file for complete search history.
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,790,198 A
`8/1998 Roop et al.
`5,790,198 A
`8/1998 Roopetal.
`6,184,878 B1
`2/2001 Alonso et al.
`6,184,878 Bl
`2/2001 Alonso etal.
`(Continued)
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0 839 599 A2
`4/1998
`O 839 599 A2
`4f1998
`
`EP
`EP
`
`(Continued)
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`“CSS3 Module: The Box Model’; W3C Working Draft, Jul.
`“CSS3 Module: The Box Model”; W3C Working Draft, Jul.
`26, 2001; This version: http://www.w3.org/TR/2001/WD
`26, 2001; This version: http://(www.w3.org/TR/2001/WD-
`css3-box-20010726; Latest version: http://www.w3.org/TR/
`css3-box-20010726; Latest version: http://www.w3.org/TR/
`css3-box: Editor: Bert Bos; Copyright (C) 2001 W3CR (MIT,
`css3-box; Editor: Bert Bos; Copyright © 2001 W3C® (MIT,
`INRIA, Keio); pp. 1-104.
`INRIA, Keio); pp. 1-104.
`Primary Examiner Kieu-Oanh Bui
`Primary Examiner—Kieu-Oanh Bui
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Meyertons Hood Kivlin
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Meyertons Hood Kivlin
`Kowert & Goetzel, P.C.; Rory D. Rankin
`Kowert & Goetzel, P.C.; Rory D. Rankin
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method and mechanism for enabling the creation and/or
`A method and mechanism for enabling the creation and/or
`control of interactive television content using declarative
`control of interactive television content using declarative-
`like directives such as HTML, scripting languages, or other
`like directives such as HTML,scripting languages, or other
`languages. A a centrally located proxy server is configured
`languages. A a centrally located proxy server is configured
`to receive, transcode and convey transcoded web based
`to receive,
`transcode and convey transcoded web based
`content to client devices. Upon detecting directives which
`content to client devices. Upon detecting directives which
`indicate particular resources required for a presentation are
`indicate particular resources required for a presentation are
`prerequisites, the proxy server conveys signals to a client
`prerequisites, the proxy server conveys signals to a client
`device that these particular resources are prerequisites. In
`device that these particular resources are prerequisites. In
`response to receiving the conveyed signals, the client device
`responseto receiving the conveyedsignals, the client device
`may take actions to prefetch these resources. The client
`may take actions to prefetch these resources. The client
`device is further configured to prohibit initiation of the
`device is further configured to prohibit
`initiation of the
`presentation until the prerequisite resources are acquired.
`presentation until the prerequisite resources are acquired.
`
`23 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`23 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`Proxy receives
`presentation
`Proxy receives
`
`directives
`presentation
`$02
`directives
`502
`
`
`Convey
`corresponding
`Convey
`
`indication to client
`corresponding
`506
`
`indication to client
`38
`
`Prerequisite
`directives detected?
`Prerequisite
`504
`directives detected?
`54
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Client
`has prerequisite
`Ciet
` resources?
`
`
`has prerequisite
`resources?
`
`
`Case 1:24-cv-01301-CFC Document 16-4 Filed 02/18/25 Page 2 of 35 PageID #: 527
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Presentation
`
`is perrnitted
`Presentatin
`518
`is permitted
`
`518
`
`Convey
`presentation
`Convey
`
`
`directives
`presentation
`to client
`directives
`
` S16
`to client
`
`Proxy conveys:
`presentation
`Proxy conveys
`directives to client
`presentation
`512
`directives to client
`512
`
`prerequisites
`obtained?
`prerequisites
`514
`obtained?
`14
`
`

`

`Case 1:24-cv-01301-CFC Document16-4
`
`Filed 02/18/25
`
`Page 3 of 35 PagelD #: 528
`
`US 7,055,169 B2
`US 7,055,169 B2
`Page 2
` Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`6,188.401 B1
`2/2001 Peyer
`6,188,401 Bl
`2/2001 Peyer
`6,345,307 B1
`2/2002 Booth
`6,345,307 Bl
`2/2002 Booth
`6,415,303 B1
`7/2002 Meier et al.
`6,415,303 Bl
`7/2002 Meieret al.
`6,539,359 B1
`3/2003 Ladd et al.
`6,539,359 Bl
`3/2003 Ladd etal.
`2002/0010798 Al*
`1/2002 Ben-Shaul et al.
`......... 709/247
`2002/0010798 A1
`1/2002 Ben-Shaul et al. ......... 709/247
`2002/0088011 A1* 7, 2002 Lamkin et al. ............. 725 142
`2002/0088011 Al*
`7/2002 Lamkin et al... 725/142
`
`2002/01942.19 A1* 12/2002 Bradley et al. ............. 707 506
`2002/0194219 Al* 12/2002 Bradley et al. «0.00.0... 707/506
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`GB
`GB
`WO
`WO
`
`2 332 803
`2 332 803
`WO O2, 17639 A2
`WO 02/17639 A2
`
`6, 1999
`6/1999
`2, 2002
`2/2002
`
`* cited by examiner
`* cited by examiner
`
`Case 1:24-cv-01301-CFC Document 16-4 Filed 02/18/25 Page 3 of 35 PageID #: 528
`
`

`

`Case 1:24-cv-01301-CFC Document 16-4
`
`Filed 02/18/25
`
`Page 4 of 35 PagelD #: 529
`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 30, 2006
`May30, 2006
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`US 7,055,169 B2
`US 7,055,169 B2
`
`Bel
`99 ||
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`Case 1:24-cv-01301-CFC Document 16-4 Filed 02/18/25 Page 4 of 35 PageID #: 529
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`

`Case 1:24-cv-01301-CFC Document 16-4
`
`Filed 02/18/25
`
`Page 5 of 35 PagelD #: 530
`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 30, 2006
`May30, 2006
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`US 7,055,169 B2
`US 7,055,169 B2
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`Case 1:24-cv-01301-CFC Document 16-4 Filed 02/18/25 Page 5 of 35 PageID #: 530
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`Case 1:24-cv-01301-CFC Document 16-4 Filed 02/18/25 Page 6 of 35 PageID #: 531
`Page 6 of 35 PagelD #: 531
`Filed 02/18/25
`Case 1:24-cv-01301-CFC Document 16-4
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May30, 2006
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
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`US 7,055,169 B2
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`Case 1:24-cv-01301-CFC Document 16-4 Filed 02/18/25 Page 7 of 35 PageID #: 532
`Page 7 of 35 PagelD #: 532
`Filed 02/18/25
`Case 1:24-cv-01301-CFC Document 16-4
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May30, 2006
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
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`US 7,055,169 B2
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`

`Case 1:24-cv-01301-CFC
`
`Document16-4_
`
`Filed 02/18/25
`
`Page 8 of 35 PagelD #: 533
`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 30, 2006
`May 30, 2006
`
`Sheet S of 5
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 7,055,169 B2
`US 7,055,169 B2
`
`Proxy receives
`Proxy receives
`presentation
`presentation
`directives
`directives
`502
`502
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Convey
`
`
`Convey
`
`corresponding
`corresponding
`
`Prerequisite
`
`Prerequisite
`indication to client
`indication to client
`directives detected?
`directives detected?
`506
`
`506
`504
`504
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`Convey
`Convey
`presentation
`Prefetch
`Prefetch
`presentation
`
`Resources
`directives
`Resources
`directives
`
`
`
`510
`to client
`510
`to client
`
`516
`
`516
`
`Proxy conveys
`Proxy conveys
`presentation
`presentation
`directives to client
`directives to client
`512
`512
`
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`Client
`Client
`has prerequisite
`has prerequisite
`resources?
`resources?
`508
`508
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`Case 1:24-cv-01301-CFC Document 16-4 Filed 02/18/25 Page 8 of 35 PageID #: 533
`
`
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Presentation
`Presentation
`
`prerequisites
`
`is permitted
`prerequisites
`
`
`is permitted
`obtained?
`obtained?
`518
`518
`
`514
`
`
`514
`
`F.G. 5
`FIG. 5
`
`

`

`Case 1:24-cv-01301-CFC Document 16-4
`
`Filed 02/18/25
`
`Page 9 of 35 PagelD #: 534
`
`US 7,055,169 B2
`US 7,055,169 B2
`
`1.
`1
`SUPPORTING COMMONINTERACTIVE
`SUPPORTING COMMON INTERACTIVE
`TELEVISION FUNCTIONALITY THROUGH
`TELEVISION FUNCTIONALITY THROUGH
`PRESENTATION ENGINE SYNTAX
`PRESENTATION ENGINE SYNTAX
`
`Priority of provisional application No. 60/373,883, filed
`Priority of provisional application No. 60/373,883, filed
`on Apr. 19, 2002 is claimed under 35 U.S.C. SS 119(a)-(e)
`on Apr. 19, 2002 is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §§ 119(a)-(e)
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`2
`2
`The pieces of information, or data objects, in a carousel
`The pieces of information, or data objects, in a carousel
`may be intended to be combined in a single object data
`may be intended to be combined in a single object data
`stream to form a program. This program may also contain
`stream to form a program. This program may also contain
`streaming data such as audio or video. For example, an
`streaming data such as audio or video. For example, an
`interactive television game show may combine television
`interactive television game show may combine television
`audio and video with interactive content Such as application
`audio and video with interactive content such as application
`code which allows users to answer questions. Another
`code which allows users to answer questions. Another
`example would be a news program which combines audio
`example would be a news program which combines audio
`and video with application code that inserts current stock
`and video with application code that inserts current stock
`prices in a banner at the bottom of the screen. Typically, each
`prices in a bannerat the bottom of the screen. Typically, each
`program is associated with a corresponding channel and,
`program is associated with a corresponding channel and,
`when a channel containing a particular program is selected
`when a channel containing a particular program is selected
`by the interactive television receiver, the data which is being
`by the interactive television receiver, the data which is being
`broadcast on that channel is downloaded and the program is
`broadcast on that channel is downloaded and the program is
`started.
`started.
`AS television receivers become more Sophisticated, and
`Astelevision receivers become more sophisticated, and
`include the ability to access a wider range of data and
`include the ability to access a wider range of data and
`resources, efforts have been made to develop mechanisms to
`resources, efforts have been made to develop mechanismsto
`handle these additional resources. For example, the DVB
`handle these additional resources. For example, the DVB
`MHP 1.1 specification and DAVIC 1.4.1 Part 9 specification
`MHP1.1 specification and DAVIC 1.4.1 Part 9 specification
`define a URL schemeto access broadcast services. Since
`define a URL scheme to access broadcast services. Since
`DAVIC broadcast networks carry Service Information (SI)
`DAVIC broadcast networks carry Service Information (SI)
`that contains globally unique parameters for locating the
`that contains globally unique parameters for locating the
`services in a broadcast network, their URL scheme is able to
`services in a broadcast network, their URL schemeis able to
`address services in a physical network independent manner.
`address services in a physical network independent manner.
`Unfortunately, such schemes may not work on ATSC
`Unfortunately, such schemes may not work on ATSC
`networks or other networks that define different or even
`networks or other networks that define different or even
`proprietary signaling formats. Therefore, a new more flex
`proprietary signaling formats. Therefore, a new more flex-
`ible schemeis desired.
`ible scheme is desired.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`A method and mechanism are described which enable
`A method and mechanism are described which enable
`content authors to use directives, such as HTML, Scripting
`content authors to use directives, such as HTML,scripting
`languages, or other languages, with television extensions to
`languages, or other languages, with television extensions to
`create and/or control
`interactive television content. The
`create and/or control interactive television content. The
`method and mechanism may be utilized with digitally
`method and mechanism may be utilized with digitally
`recorded programs as well as with live broadcasts.
`recorded programs as well as with live broadcasts.
`In one embodiment, a device in an interactive television
`In one embodiment, a device in an interactive television
`system is configured to receive one or more directives
`system is configured to receive one or more directives
`provided by a content author which describe or otherwise
`provided by a content author which describe or otherwise
`indicate an audio and/or video presentation. Included among
`indicate an audio and/or video presentation. Included among
`these directives are one or more directives which indicate
`these directives are one or more directives which indicate
`that a particular Subset of resources required for the presen
`that a particular subset of resources required for the presen-
`tation are deemed prerequisites. In response to detecting
`tation are deemed prerequisites. In response to detecting
`these directives, the providing of the presentation is with
`these directives, the providing of the presentation is with-
`held until the prerequisite resources are obtained.
`held until the prerequisite resources are obtained.
`In one embodiment, the directives are received by a
`In one embodiment,
`the directives are received by a
`centrally located proxy server which may be configured to
`centrally located proxy server which may be configured to
`receive, transcode and convey transcoded web based content
`receive, transcode and convey transcoded web based content
`to client devices. Upon detecting directives which indicate
`to client devices. Upon detecting directives which indicate
`prerequisite resources for a presentation, the proxy server
`prerequisite resources for a presentation, the proxy server
`separately conveys to the client devices signals, or some
`separately conveys to the client devices signals, or some
`other indication, that these resources are prerequisites. In
`other indication, that these resources are prerequisites. In
`response, the client device receiving the conveyed signals
`response, the client device receiving the conveyed signals
`may take actions to prefetch these resources.
`maytake actions to prefetch these resources.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a diagram of one embodiment of a broadcast
`FIG. 1 is a diagram of one embodiment of a broadcast
`television system.
`television system.
`FIG. 2 is a diagram of one embodiment of a headend.
`FIG. 2 is a diagram of one embodimentof a headend.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a client
`FIG.3 is a block diagram of one embodimentofa client
`device.
`device.
`FIG. 4 is a diagram of one embodiment of a television
`FIG. 4 is a diagram of one embodimentof a television
`system.
`system.
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`1. Field of the Invention
`The invention relates generally to interactive television
`The invention relates generally to interactive television
`systems and more particularly to a system and method for
`systems and more particularly to a system and method for
`creating and controlling interactive television content.
`creating and controlling interactive television content.
`2. Description of Related Art
`2. Description of Related Art
`Interactive television systems provide a means to deliver
`Interactive television systems provide a meansto deliver
`interactive content as well as ordinary television audio and
`interactive content as well as ordinary television audio and
`video to a large number of subscribers. Programs broadcast
`video to a large numberof subscribers. Programs broadcast
`by these systems may incorporate television audio and
`by these systems may incorporate television audio and
`Video, still images, text, interactive graphics and applica
`video, still images, text, interactive graphics and applica-
`tions, and many other components. They may also provide
`tions, and many other components. They may also provide
`a number of services, such as commerce via the television,
`a numberofservices, such as commercevia the television,
`electronic program guides (EPGs), video-on-demand, and
`electronic program guides (EPGs), video-on-demand, and
`other interactive applications to viewers. The interactive
`other interactive applications to viewers. The interactive
`content of the interactive television signal may therefore
`content of the interactive television signal may therefore
`include application code, data associated with the audio and
`include application code, data associated with the audio and
`Video, control signals, raw data and many other types of
`video, control signals, raw data and many other types of
`information. This information can be combined into a single
`information. This information can be combinedinto a single
`signal or several signals for transmission to a receiver
`signal or several signals for transmission to a receiver
`connected to the viewer's television or the provider can
`connected to the viewer’s television or the provider can
`include only a subset of the information.
`include only a subset of the information.
`The interactive functionality of the television is generally
`Theinteractive functionality of the television is generally
`controlled by an integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) or simi
`controlled by an integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) or simi-
`lar mechanism, frequently incorporated into a set-top box,
`lar mechanism, frequently incorporated into a set-top box,
`connected to the television. The IRD receives the signal
`connected to the television. The IRD receives the signal
`provided by a broadcast service provider or system operator
`provided by a broadcast service provider or system operator
`and separates the interactive portion from the audio-video
`and separates the interactive portion from the audio-video
`portion. The IRD uses the interactive information to, for
`portion. The IRD uses the interactive information to, for
`example, execute an application while the audio-video infor
`example, execute an application while the audio-video infor-
`mation is transmitted to the television. The IRD may com
`mation is transmitted to the television. The IRD may com-
`40
`bine the audio-video information with interactive graphics
`40
`bine the audio-video information with interactive graphics
`or audio generated by the interactive application prior to
`or audio generated by the interactive application prior to
`transmitting the information to the television.
`transmitting the information to the television.
`Interactive content Such as application code or informa
`Interactive content such as application code or informa-
`tion relating to television programs may be broadcast in a
`tion relating to television programs may be broadcast in a
`cyclical or repeating format. The pieces of information
`cyclical or repeating format. The pieces of information
`which are broadcast in this manner form what may be
`which are broadcast
`in this manner form what may be
`referred to as a "carousel.” A carousel may include multiple
`referred to as a “carousel.” A carousel may include multiple
`modules of data, including a directory module which indi
`modules of data, including a directory module which indi-
`cates the particular modules which correspond to a given
`cates the particular modules which correspond to a given
`application. Frequently, a single carousel is transported as a
`application. Frequently, a single carousel is transported as a
`contiguous data stream. However, it is also possible to
`contiguous data stream. However,
`it
`is also possible to
`multiplex two or more carousels in a single data stream. As
`multiplex two or more carousels in a single data stream. As
`an alternative to using a carousel format, some systems may
`an alternative to using a carousel format, some systems may
`utilize a return path to request and/or receive interactive
`utilize a return path to request and/or receive interactive
`content.
`COntent.
`Broadcast systems may transmit information in a carousel
`Broadcast systems may transmit information in a carousel
`format in order to allow receivers in the system to selectively
`format in order to allow receivers in the system to selectively
`obtain particular pieces of information in the carousel with
`obtain particular pieces of information in the carousel with-
`out requiring a return path from the receivers to the server.
`out requiring a return path from the receivers to the server.
`If a particular receiver needs a particular piece of informa
`If a particular receiver needs a particular piece of informa-
`tion, it can simply wait until the next time that piece of
`tion,
`it can simply wait until the next time that piece of
`information is broadcast, and then extract the information
`information is broadcast, and then extract the information
`from the broadcast data stream. By employing carousels to
`from the broadcast data stream. By employing carousels to
`broadcast information, the system may eliminate the need to
`broadcast information, the system may eliminate the need to
`connect each of the receivers with a server and further
`connect each of the receivers with a server and further
`eliminate the need for the server to process individual
`eliminate the need for the server to process individual
`requests for information.
`requests for information.
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`Case 1:24-cv-01301-CFC Document 16-4 Filed 02/18/25 Page 9 of 35 PageID #: 534
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`

`

`Case 1:24-cv-01301-CFC Document 16-4
`535
`535
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`Filed 02/18/25
`
`Page 10 of 35 PagelD #:
`
`US 7,055,169 B2
`US 7,055,169 B2
`
`3
`3
`FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a method utilizing
`FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a method utilizing
`prerequisite directives.
`prerequisite directives.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`0. System Overview
`0. System Overview
`Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a television
`Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a television
`system 100 is shown. In the embodiment shown, receiving
`system 100 is shown. In the embodiment shown,receiving
`devices 30 are coupled to several Sources of programming
`devices 30 are coupled to several sources of programming
`and/or interactive content. Each of receiving devices 30 may
`and/or interactive content. Each of receiving devices 30 may
`comprise any Suitable device, such as a set-top box (STB),
`comprise any suitable device, such as a set-top box (STB),
`a television (TV), a video cassette recorder (VCR), a digital
`a television (TV), a video cassette recorder (VCR), a digital
`video recorder (DVR), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a
`video recorder (DVR), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a
`personal computer (PC), a video game console, or a mobile/
`personal computer (PC), a video game console, or a mobile/
`cell phone.
`cell phone.
`Included in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is a broadcast
`Included in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is a broadcast
`station 16 coupled to receiver(s) 30 via a transmission
`station 16 coupled to receiver(s) 30 via a transmission
`medium 17 and back channel 26. In addition, receiver(s) 30
`medium 17 and back channel 26. In addition, receiver(s) 30
`are coupled to a source 18 and source 19 via a network 20.
`are coupled to a source 18 and source 19 via a network 20.
`Further, broadcast station 16 is coupled to a remote source
`Further, broadcast station 16 is coupled to a remote source
`13, and Internet 60. In the embodiment shown, broadcast
`13, and Internet 60. In the embodiment shown, broadcast
`station 16 includes sources 14 and 15 and transmitter 22.
`station 16 includes sources 14 and 15 and transmitter 22.
`Transmission medium 17 may comprise a satellite based
`Transmission medium 17 may comprise a satellite based
`system 23, a cable based system 24, a terrestrial or multiple
`system 23, a cable based system 24, a terrestrial or multiple
`multi-point distribution service (MMDS) based system 25, a
`multi-pointdistribution service (MMDS)based system 25, a
`combination of these systems, or Some other Suitable system
`combination of these systems, or some other suitable system
`of transmission.
`of transmission.
`In the embodiment of FIG. 1, broadcast station 16 may
`In the embodiment of FIG. 1, broadcast station 16 may
`include a variety of sources of content 14, 15, and 60 to be
`include a variety of sources of content 14, 15, and 60 to be
`utilized and conveyed by transmitter 22. Content sources 14
`utilized and conveyed by transmitter 22. Content sources 14
`and 15 may include databases, application servers, other
`and 15 may include databases, application servers, other
`audio/video sources, or other data sources. In one embodi
`audio/video sources, or other data sources. In one embodi-
`ment, content may be created at a source 14 which may
`ment, content may be created at a source 14 which may
`include an authoring station configured to create such con
`include an authoring station configured to create such con-
`tent. An authoring station may include a computer worksta
`tent. An authoring station may include a computer worksta-
`tion configured with software which aids in the development
`tion configured with software which aids in the development
`of interactive content. An authoring station may be part of
`of interactive content. An authoring station may bepart of
`broadcast station 16 in which case the conveyance of the
`broadcast station 16 in which case the conveyance of the
`created content may be through a local computing network,
`created content may be through a local computing network,
`or similar configuration. Alternatively, an authoring station
`or similar configuration. Alternatively, an authoring station
`may be remotely located 13 from broadcast station 16. In an
`maybe remotely located 13 from broadcaststation 16. In an
`embodiment where authoring station is not directly coupled
`embodiment where authoring station is not directly coupled
`to broadcast station 16, the content created by a source 13
`to broadcast station 16, the content created by a source 13
`may be conveyed to broadcast station 16 via Internet,
`may be conveyed to broadcast station 16 via Internet,
`broadcast, cable, etc. In some cases, content created by at a
`broadcast, cable, etc. In some cases, content created by at a
`remote location 13 may first be transferred to a storage
`remote location 13 may first be transferred to a storage
`medium, such as a CD-RW, DVD, or flash memory device,
`medium, such as a CD-RW, DVD,or flash memory device,
`and transported to broadcast station 16 via more conven
`and transported to broadcast station 16 via more conven-
`tional means where it may be stored in a database or other
`tional means where it may be stored in a database or other
`storage device.
`storage device.
`Subsequent to its creation, content from sources 13, 14, 15
`Subsequentto its creation, content from sources 13, 14, 15
`and 60 may be delivered to receiver(s) 30 through a broad
`and 60 maybe delivered to receiver(s) 30 through a broad-
`cast transmission network. This network consists essentially
`cast transmission network. This network consists essentially
`of broadcast station 16 which assembles the content from
`of broadcast station 16 which assembles the content from
`sources 13, 14, 15 and 60 and processes the content as
`sources 13, 14, 15 and 60 and processes the content as
`appropriate (e.g., digitizes, compresses, packetizes), and a
`appropriate (e.g., digitizes, compresses, packetizes), and a
`transmission network 17 which receives the content 40 from
`transmission network 17 which receives the content 40 from
`broadcast station 16 and conveys it 42 to receiving device(s)
`broadcast station 16 and conveysit 42 to receiving device(s)
`30. In one embodiment, broadcast station 16 includes soft
`30. In one embodiment, broadcast station 16 includes soft-
`ware and/or hardware which is configured to process the
`ware and/or hardware which is configured to process the
`content conveyed by sources 13, 14, 15 and 60 as described
`content conveyed by sources 13, 14, 15 and 60 as described
`above. A second delivery mechanism may include a direct
`above. A second delivery mechanism mayinclude a direct
`point-to-point connection 138 between receiver(s) 30 and
`point-to-point connection 138 between receiver(s) 30 and
`source 18 which may be some type of server. This connec
`source 18 which may be sometype of server. This connec-
`tion 138 may be made via an ordinary telephone line, cable,
`tion 138 may be madevia an ordinary telephoneline, cable,
`wireless, or otherwise. A third delivery mechanism may also
`wireless, or otherwise. A third delivery mechanism may also
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`be a point-to-point connection 136, but transmission of the
`be a point-to-point connection 136, but transmission of the
`content from a source 19 to receiver(s) 30 is made via one
`content from a source 19 to receiver(s) 30 is made via one
`or more shared networks (e.g., over the Internet).
`or more shared networks (e.g., over the Internet).
`FIG. 1 also illustrates broadcast station 16 may be option
`FIG.1 also illustrates broadcast station 16 may be option-
`ally coupled to source 18 and/or source 19. Such a coupling
`ally coupled to source 18 and/or source 19. Such a coupling
`may enable broadcast station 16 to work cooperatively with
`mayenable broadcast station 16 to work cooperatively with
`source 18 or source 19 in conveying content to receiver(s)
`source 18 or source 19 in conveying content to receiver(s)
`30. Also illustrated in FIG. 1 is a back channel (or return
`30. Also illustrated in FIG. 1 is a back channel (or return
`path) 26 by which receiver(s) 30 may convey to and/or
`path) 26 by which receiver(s) 30 may convey to and/or
`receive data from broadcast station 16. Back channe