Case 1:20-cv-03159-AKH Document 1-5 Filed 04/21/20 Page 1 of 10
`
`Exhibit 5
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-03159-AKH Document 1-5 Filed 04/21/20 Page 2 of 10
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Malaure et al.
`
`USOO6806889B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,806,889 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Oct. 19, 2004
`
`(54) INTERAVTIVE APPLICATIONS
`
`(76) Inventors: Jason Robert Malaure, 33 Shaftesbury
`Way, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham,
`Middlesex, TW25RN (GB); Richard
`Andrew Kydd, 64 Popes Avenue,
`Strawberry Hill, Twickenham
`Middlesex. TW2.5T (GB); Simon
`Anthony Vivian Cornwell, 11 Eton
`RAY SAR"
`s
`s
`Hill, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire
`SO322BP (GB); Matthew Edward
`Tims, Robinwood Cottage, Robinwood
`Place, Kingston Vale, London SW15
`3RN (GB)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/453,665
`(22) Filed:
`Dec. 3, 1999
`(30)
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`Dec. 4, 1998
`(EP) ............................................ 983O9944
`(51) Int. Cl."
`G09G 5700; A63F 13/00
`(52) U.S. CI. ... 345,733,345,748,345.749.
`463/40
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 345/716–718,
`345/733, 740, 744, 748, 749, 753, 756,
`758; 463/40–43; 725/37-61
`
`5,630,757 A * 5/1997 Gagin et al. .................. 463/43
`5,695.400 A * 12/1997 Fennell et al. ................ 463/42
`5,838,314. A 11/1998 Neel et al.
`5,936,661. A
`8/1999 Trew .......................... 345/719
`6,014,184. A * 1/2000 Knee et al. ....
`... 348/564
`6,151,626. A 11/2000 Tims et al. .................... 725/1
`6,177,931 B1 * 1/2001 Alexander et al. .......... 345/721
`6,287,199 B1 * 9/2001 McKeown et al. ............ 463/4
`3. R 2: title et al. ..........3 ..
`6,446.262 B1
`9/2002 Malaure et al. ............. 725/141
`6,585,590 B2 * 7/2003 Malone ....................... 463/19
`
`le C al. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`2- -- 12
`
`EP
`JP
`WO
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`714684
`6/1996
`OOO905928 A1 * 3/1999
`9708892
`3/1997
`
`* cited b
`cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner Sy D. Luu
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A method of Supplying information from a central Source (1)
`to a plurality of remote user interfaces (9) relating to an
`interactive application. The method comprises:
`i) transmitting application data associated with the inter
`active application to the user interfaces (9); and,
`ii) thereafter, transmitting a real time start signal to the
`user interfaces (9) to enable the interactive application
`to begin Substantially simultaneously at each user inter
`face.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,630,119 A * 5/1997 Aristides et al. ............ 34.8/906
`12 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`'gam-era cost
`
`as - Xsecs.
`
`35
`
`tWWAY
`
`OROv)
`
`Copyright & Agreement
`
`Qom 22%22
`BFORE
`gased
`gas
`realine Start
`
`39
`
`TWOWAY
`
`OROCW)
`40-rokopay
`--OENISPA) '
`The sena was be
`The Sarre w8
`stainly
`sTARTINGsHoRTY --37
`Gr 2% www. A.
`RealTime Start
`7.30
`Actual game starts
`3 nutes later at 33.
`
`
`
`KTO PLAY
`
`STARTING Ne) MINUTEs.
`starting indiseconds
`NOTE: If you are in the How to Play
`screen and game starts, youther
`enter the GAMESTARTED routine
`
`How to PLAY
`
`42-STARTING ING MINUTES
`STARNIN
`How TortAY
`SARTIESN (7) sEcoMS
`
`41
`
`At 0s&cids,
`screen attos to game
`
`
`
`2 2222222
`GAMESTARTS
`7.33
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-03159-AKH Document 1-5 Filed 04/21/20 Page 3 of 10
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 19, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 6,806,889 B1
`
`!————
`
`– – – –]
`
`0|||
`HEAIBOETHGÐ
`
`|
`
`| | | | | | |
`
`| | | | | | | | |
`
`|Å HOWEWN
`
`| woh 9 |
`
`
`
`HOSSBOO Hd||
`
`| | | |
`
`JENEOEHH|| ||
`
`| |
`
`|
`
`T!\/H_LNEHO
`
`
`
`HETTO HINOO
`
`E HOLLS»,
`
`
`
`O
`
`E
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-03159-AKH Document 1-5 Filed 04/21/20 Page 4 of 10
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 19, 2004
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 6,806,889 B1
`
`128
`
`121
`
`GAME APPLICATION NOT AVAILABLE
`123
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SCHEDULED
`A 2.30 TWOWAY RIV
`8.00 WAR OF THE WORDS
`
`45
`A
`
`What's on
`PLAY ANYTIME
`
`WAR OF THE WOROS
`TWO WAY RV
`00
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Sct
`
`ANYTME BROADCAST TV
`22
`
`r
`SCHEDULED DANIEME O BROACAST TV
`
`124
`
`125
`
`SCHEDULED O ANYTIME O BROADASY
`
`1 Qr sists
`What's on 126
`SCHEDUED
`
`
`
`
`
`GAME APPLICATION AWALABLE
`10 minutes before start of actual game, programme name becomes highlightable.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7.30 WOWAY TRW
`Play this game for 2 and you could be
`o 20 prizewinners each winning
`O list play for fun see
`ONN
`FREE
`PAY
`
`PRIZE
`PLAY
`
`CANCE
`
`What's on
`BROADCAST TV
`
`SCHEDULED ANYME O BROADCAST TV
`
`SCHEDULED O ANYTIME O BROADGASLIY
`
`ONN
`FREE
`
`PRIZE
`
`PAY PER PLAY
`
`PAYMENT METHOD
`PAY
`MONEY
`ACCOUNT
`
`CANCE
`
`30
`1H-1
`
`PAYMENT ROUTINE
`
`-Qm 22 COPYRIGHT
`
`X Secs.
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-03159-AKH Document 1-5 Filed 04/21/20 Page 5 of 10
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 19, 2004
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 6,806,889 B1
`
`Fig.3.
`
`C
`
`COPYRIGHT
`X Secs.
`
`35
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TWO WAY
`
`(TOGROW)
`
`Copyright & Agreement
`
`2
`BEFORE
`Real Time Start
`
`C725)
`
`TWO WAY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`OKTO PLAY)
`
`S
`
`42
`
`-41
`
`NOTE: If you are in the How to Play
`screen and game starts, you then
`enter the GAME STARTED routine.
`
`
`
`STARTING IN (7) SECONDS
`
`At 0 seconds,
`Screen autos to game
`
`egs 2 GAME STARTS
`
`
`
`7.33
`
`(TO(RO(v)
`low to eas -36
`GDs 22 AFTER
`
`
`
`
`
`The game will be
`STARTING SHORTLY
`
`The game will be
`STARTING SHORTY
`
`37
`
`
`
`
`
`Real Time Start
`7.30
`Actual game starts
`3 minutes later at 7.33.
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-03159-AKH Document 1-5 Filed 04/21/20 Page 6 of 10
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 19, 2004
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 6,806,889 B1
`
`Fig.4.
`
`39
`22
`GAME STARTS
`7.33
`
`NOTE: If you are in the How to Play
`screen and game starts, you then
`enter the GAME STARTED routine.
`
`45
`
`43
`M
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TWO WAY
`
`(O(ROCW)
`
`Copyright & Agreement
`54
`
`TWO WAY
`
`HOW TO PLAY
`The game has started and you will be
`ONING IN SHORTLY
`OK TO PLA
`GAME HAS STARTED
`
`
`
`Auto to game at
`NEXGAMENTRYPOINT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-03159-AKH Document 1-5 Filed 04/21/20 Page 7 of 10
`
`1
`INTERAVTIVE APPLICATIONS
`
`US 6,806,889 B1
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The invention relates to a method and apparatus for
`Supplying information from a central Source to a plurality of
`remote user interfaces relating to an interactive application.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
`Interactive applications, Such as interactive games, are
`Supplied to a plurality of user interfaces, often in conjunction
`with a broadcast TV programme or the like with which the
`application is associated. In a conventional interactive
`System, a Scheduled TV programme is transmitted at a
`Scheduled Start time and in addition application data relating
`to the associated application is also downloaded by the user
`interfaces.
`EP-A-0714684 discloses a real-time multi-user game
`communication System for use in a cable television infra
`Structure. Games are transmitted Simultaneously to a large
`number of remote users.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,838,314 discloses an interactive video
`Service System enabling pay-per-view and Video-on-demand
`Systems to be implemented. These are not interactive appli
`cations and are not therefore directly relevant to the present
`invention.
`In particular, this is not concerned with the Simultaneous
`use of an interactive application by a large number of users.
`WO-A-97/08892 describes a system providing interactive
`entertainment in the form of a branch Structured narrative.
`Information relating to the application is downloaded to a Set
`top box and then the user can activate the application.
`However, there is no link between different users and so this
`disclosure is not relevant to the problems addressed by the
`present invention.
`The present invention is concerned with enabling the
`plurality of remote user interfaces to take part in the same
`interactive application and thus provide an opportunity for
`inter-user competition.
`A problem with conventional interactive Systems is that it
`can take a large amount of time for each user interface to
`download the application data. If a user interface Starts
`downloading the application data shortly before the Sched
`uled Start time, then there may not be enough time to
`completely download the application data before the Sched
`uled Start time.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention
`there is provided a method of Supplying information from a
`central Source to a plurality of remote user interfaces relating
`to an interactive application, the method comprising:
`i) transmitting application data associated with the inter
`active application to the user interfaces, and,
`ii) thereafter, transmitting a real time start signal to the
`user interfaces to enable the interactive application to begin
`Substantially simultaneously at each user interface.
`In accordance with a Second aspect of the present inven
`tion there is provided apparatus for Supplying information
`from a central Source to a plurality of remote user interfaces
`relating to an interactive application, the apparatus compris
`ing means for:
`i) transmitting application data associated with the inter
`active application to the user interfaces, and,
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`ii) thereafter, transmitting a real time start signal to the
`user interfaces to enable the interactive application to begin
`Substantially simultaneously at each user interface.
`The invention ensures that the application data is trans
`mitted before the application begins by enabling the appli
`cation at each user interface with a real time start signal.
`There are various different types of application with which
`the invention can be implemented. In a simple example,
`applications can be Supplied on demand. In a Second group
`of examples, an interactive application can be Scheduled to
`Start at a particular time, for example where the application
`relates to a game to be played amongst a number of different
`users. In this situation, the application data will be made
`available from a predetermined time before the interactive
`application is Scheduled to begin to allow enough time for
`the data to be downloaded if a user wishes to take part in the
`interactive application.
`In a third group, the interactive application is associated
`with a TV broadcast programme or the like scheduled to
`begin at a certain time. AS with the previous example, the
`application data will then be made available from a prede
`termined time, for example ten minutes before the Scheduled
`program Start time.
`In all cases, however, the real time start Signal must be
`received before at least the interactive part of the application
`C COCCC.
`Preferably, the method further comprises broadcasting an
`“application available” signal at the predetermined time to
`all the remote user interfaces. This may be as part of an
`electronic programme guide. Alternatively, the broadcasting
`of application data may in itself indicate the application is
`available.
`The early knowledge that an application is available
`allows users to respond before the application starts. This
`period prior to the issue of the real time Start Signal can be
`used to carry out a Statistical analysis of the user interfaces.
`For example the interactive application may comprise a pool
`betting game in which each user makes a betting payment
`and the winner of the game receives the betting payments of
`the other users. In this case, the application may perform
`certain preliminary tasks, Such as passing bets to the central
`Source where the betting payments from all of the user
`interfaces may be added up and the users informed of the
`total amount of money which will be given to the winner.
`In another example the interactive application may com
`prise a quiz game in which questions are transmitted to the
`user interfaces and the users input their answers in response.
`In this case three different quizzes may be transmitted
`simultaneously in respective categories-“NOVICE’,
`“INTERMEDIATE" and “ADVANCED’. Before the appli
`cation is started, players enter themselves and provide an
`indication of their level of expertise to the central Source
`where a check is made that there are at least a minimum
`number of players entered in each category. If the minimum
`number of playerS have not entered in, for example, the
`“NOVICE" category, then the application is only operated in
`the “INTERMEDIATE" and “ADVANCED” categories.
`Yet a further advantage of the present invention is that it
`ensures that there is enough time to perform a credit check
`routine to check the credit of one or more of the users before
`the application is started.
`The application data typically comprises a Set of rules
`and/or executable computer code. The executable program
`code can then be run as an application by the user interfaces
`in order to enable the users to interact with the application.
`Typically, following the Start of the application, a mixture
`of Video data (which may be generated live in a central
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-03159-AKH Document 1-5 Filed 04/21/20 Page 8 of 10
`
`US 6,806,889 B1
`
`3
`Studio in the form of a television program for example)
`and/or data (e.g. quiz question data) which provides input
`for the applications running on the user interfaces will be
`transmitted to the user interfaces.
`The first Substantive action in the application may occur
`after a certain period has passed following the real time Start
`Signal. This action could be the appearance of the first
`question in a quiz game.
`The user interfaces may communicate an indication of the
`time of this action to their respective users during a waiting
`interval, for instance by a countdown indicating the amount
`of time remaining or by Simultaneously indicating the time
`of the first action and the current time. These Start times may
`be indicated aurally or by Visual display.
`The interactive application may be Scheduled to Start at a
`certain time and this Scheduled Start time may be advertised
`in a TV guide magazine which is Supplied to the users in
`advance. However preferably the method further comprises
`transmitting electronic programme guide data to the user
`interfaces, the electronic programme guide data indicating
`the Scheduled Start time of the application. Typically, if the
`first Substantive action occurs after the Scheduled Start time
`this is not advertised, to discourage users from joining an
`application at the last moment. In the case of Scheduled
`applications relating to a broadcast programme, the Sched
`uled Start times of the programme rather than the application
`will normally be advertised.
`The application data may be repeatedly transmitted over
`a mass broadcast medium to enable each user interface to
`download the data when required. Alternatively the appli
`cation data may be transmitted on receipt of a request from
`one of the user interfaces.
`The user interfaces may all receive the application data
`via a Single common transmission medium or platform.
`Alternatively, the data may be transmitted on multiple
`platforms.
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`4
`the Signals on the line 5 So that they are transmitted
`Simultaneously by a transmitter 8 to remote users or players
`C. In other applications, the Signals from the central con
`troller 1 and the studio or OB 7 will be transmitted sepa
`rately.
`The Signals applied to the combiner 6 may be transmitted
`to the remote units within a vertical blanking interval (VBI)
`of the normal TV signal or on a separate radio FM-SCA
`channel or other data format Such as a cable modem, or the
`Internet. Typically, the transmitted Signals will be in digital
`form but the invention is also applicable to analogue Signals.
`Each remote user C has a home or remote unit 9 forming
`interface apparatus and implemented as a Set Top Box
`(STB) having a tunable television receiver 10 connected to
`an aerial 11 and a monitor 12. The home unit 9 includes an
`address/databuS 13 connected to the receiver 10, the bus 13
`being connected to a microprocessor 14, a memory 15, Such
`as a ROM, Storing program instructions for the processor 14,
`an infra-red receiver 16, and a memory (RAM) 17. Signals
`transmitted by the processor 14 can be communicated to the
`central controller 1 via a public Switched telephone network
`18 which is selectively accessed by a telephone interface
`unit 19 connected to the bus 13.
`Alternative media Such as cable or the internet can be used
`for the return signals (as for the Signals transmitted to the
`remote unit C). In general the return signals will be trans
`mitted over a different medium to the incoming Signals.
`In order to enable the users to communicate with the STB
`9, each user has his own handset 25-28 which is physically
`separate from the STB 9 but can communicate with the IR
`receiver 16 of the STB 9 via signals generated in the
`infra-red waveband. The IR receiver 16 then converts those
`Signals for Supply to the processor 14 along the data buS 13.
`Each remote handset 25–28 can have a variety of control
`buttons provided as is well known in the art. Each handset
`can be used to control the channel to which the receiver 10
`is tuned, the tuning being effected via the processor 14. In
`addition, each remote handset 25–28 can be used to control
`the location of a respective cursor (not shown) displayed on
`the monitor 12, movement of a button or the like on the
`remote handset generating Signals to which the processor 14
`responds by causing equivalent movement of the cursor
`about the display screen of the monitor 12. A further button
`is provided to enable the user to “select” an item indicated
`by the cursor in those applications where this is necessary.
`Each handset 25–28 has substantially the same construc
`tion which may be of the form described in EP-A-092.1657.
`The game control System A can be used to control a
`variety of games including interactive, predictive games and
`two examples of Such interactive, predictive games are
`described in EP-A-0873772 incorporated herein by refer
`ence. In the first example, play live football, the remote
`players are able to attempt to predict certain events prior to
`commencement of a live football match which is broadcast
`by the transmitter 8 and can also attempt to predict certain
`events during the live broadcast. In the Second example, a
`predictive game for use with broadcast horse racing is
`described.
`The invention is also concerned with games which can be
`played between participants at the same or different remote
`locations C. These may be, for example, games based on
`quiz shows and the like where a question is presented with
`a Set of multiple choice answers and the users at the remote
`locations C must compete together to be the first to answer
`correctly from a multiple Selection of answers. The ques
`tions may or may not be linked to a quiz show being
`broadcast Simultaneously.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`An embodiment of the present invention will now be
`described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
`which:
`FIG. 1 is a Schematic diagram of an interactive broadcast
`network, and,
`FIGS. 2 to 4 are a flow diagram illustrating a Sequence of
`images displayed during a Scheduled programme.
`
`40
`
`45
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
`The interactive broadcast network shown in FIG. 1 com
`50
`prises a game control System A at a central Site and including
`a central controller 1 which will include a computer Such as
`a PC operating a Windows based System, connected to an
`input device 2 Such as a keyboard and/or mouse and the like
`and to an output device 3 which may include a monitor
`and/or printer. A Store 4 contains a database Storing data
`relating to Service functions and remote users, which can be
`accessed and amended by the central controller 1, and a Live
`File store storing application data relating to the game (i.e.
`application) being or to be broadcast. The central controller
`1 generates data which can be converted to TV display
`Signals and other control Signals associated with various
`Service functions, on a land line 5 connected to a combining
`unit 6 defining an insertion point of a TV broadcast System
`B. The combining unit 6 receives television broadcast Sig
`nals from a studio 7 (or outside broadcast (OB) location, in
`the case of an outside live event), and combines these with
`
`60
`
`65
`
`55
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-03159-AKH Document 1-5 Filed 04/21/20 Page 9 of 10
`
`US 6,806,889 B1
`
`6
`time start” routine 136 in which the user is presented with a
`message 37 “The game will be STARTING SHORTLY”. If
`the user clicks on a “HOW TO PLAY" icon 38, the processor
`14 downloads a set of program rules from the store 17,
`forming part of the previously downloaded application data,
`which are presented to the user as a list39. If the user clicks
`on an “OK TO PLAY' icon 40 the routine returns to
`message 37.
`At the scheduled start time of 7:30 (or when an operator
`at the central controller 1 decides, for example from a visual
`cue from a TV program), an operator transmits a real time
`Start Signal from the central controller 1 which causes the
`program to jump to an “after real time Start routine 41 and
`Starts a Stream of timed messages transmitted in real time to
`the processor 14. These messages cause the processor 14 to
`display a countdown message 42 which indicates the time
`remaining until the application start time (which may be
`after the start of a broadcast TV programme with which the
`application is associated).
`It will be appreciated that the real time start signal will be
`transmitted to all STBs 9 so that all those STBs 9 partici
`pating in the application will be Synchronized to initiate the
`application at the same time.
`At the application start time of 7:33, the countdown
`finishes and the application program enters its interactive
`part starting with an “after game start” routine 43 (FIG. 4).
`The processor 14 initiates a local counter which provides a
`value of time elapsed since real-time start (7:33) ("game
`time'). If the system is in the “how to play” screen at the
`application Start time, then the monitor displays a message
`44“THE GAME HAS STARTED". Otherwise the processor
`14 automatically enters a game mode at 45 in which the user
`is presented with a Series of questions 46,47 etc and answers
`by clicking on selected answer icons 48.49 etc. The ques
`tions and answers may fill the entire monitor Screen or may
`be overlaid on a real-time television broadcast, for instance
`of a presenter reading out the questions to competitors in a
`television Studio.
`If the user is in the “how to play” mode at 7.33 then, when
`the user clicks on the “OK TO PLAY' icon 40, the routine
`jumps to a display Screen which indicates at 50 that the game
`has started and the user will be joining in shortly. At a game
`entry point (for instance between questions) the user joins
`the game at 51. The user is also given the option at 52 of
`returning to the “how to play” mode.
`AS shown in FIG. 4, the user may also enter a game after
`the application start time of 7.33. In this case, at 53 the
`system carries out the “pay per play” routine (shown at 30
`in FIG. 2). The System then displays the copyright message
`54 and jumps to the “joining in shortly display message 50.
`We claim:
`1. Apparatus for Supplying information from a central
`Source to a plurality of remote user interfaces relating to an
`interactive application, the apparatus comprising:
`i) means for transmitting application data to the remote
`user interfaces, the applications data associated with
`the interactive application, the interactive application
`relating to a television program which is broadcast
`while the interactive application is running;
`ii) means for transmitting electronic program guide data
`to the user interfaces, the electronic program guide data
`indicating the Scheduled Start time of the television
`program; and
`iii) means for transmitting a real time start signal to the
`user interfaces to cause the interactive application at
`each user interface, that Selected the interactive
`
`S
`An electronic programme guide (EPG) generator 100
`provides EPG data to the central computer system 1. The
`EPG data includes the titles and Scheduled start times of
`Scheduled programmes to be broadcast on the interactive
`channel, and also on other broadcast channels. An example
`of a conventional electronic programme guide System is
`described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,119.
`An example of an interactive application will now be
`described with reference to FIGS. 2-4, which are flow
`diagrams including a Sequence of imageS which are pre
`Sented to the user on the monitor 12.
`After turning on the STB 9 and tuning the receiver 10 to
`the interactive channel, the processor 14 obtains information
`from Signals broadcast by the transmitter 8 to cause the
`monitor 12 to display a list 121 of Scheduled programmes
`along with a clock 128 indicating the current time (in this
`case 7:12). The list 121 is compiled by the processor 14 from
`data originating from the EPG generator 100. In this case, a
`programme entitled “Two Way Triv' is scheduled at a start
`time of 7:30, “War of the Words” is scheduled at a start time
`of 8:00, and “Quick Fire' is scheduled at a start time of 9:30.
`After clicking on an "anytime' icon 122, the processor 14
`causes the monitor 12 to display a list 123 of interactive
`games (“Stinkbomb”, “War of the Words” etc.) which can be
`played at any desired time. By clicking on a “broadcast TV”
`icon 124 the user is presented in a Similar way with a third
`list 125 of scheduled programmes on broadcast TV. In this
`case, a programme entitled "Star Quiz' is Scheduled at a
`start time of 7:30 on Channel 4, and a programme entitled
`“Play Live Football” is scheduled at a start time of 7:30 on
`BBC 1.
`Ten minutes before the Scheduled start time of the “Two
`Way Triv' program (ie. at 7:20), the central controller 1
`downloads application data in the form of executable com
`puter code defining a “Two Way Triv' application from the
`Live File store 4 and also related data Such as rule
`information, and repeatedly broadcasts the data by transmit
`ting it from the transmitter 8. Before 7:20, if the user clicks
`on the “Two Way Triv' icon 126, the icon is not highlighted
`indicating that the application data cannot be downloaded.
`However from 7:20 onwards (i.e. 10 minutes before the
`Scheduled Start time), when the user clicks on the icon 126,
`the processor 14 determines that the “click” time is within a
`predetermined time (in this case set at 10 minutes) before the
`Scheduled Start time of the application corresponding to the
`icon 126 and thus downloads the “Two Way Triv' applica
`tion (as indicated at 29) the next time that it is broadcast. The
`downloaded code is saved in memory 17. In addition, the
`icon 126 is highlighted by the processor 14.
`The processor 14 then runs a preliminary Section of the
`download application which Starts with a “pay per play”
`routine 30 in which the user is first presented with a choice
`31 of prize play 32, free play 33 or cancel 34. If the free play
`icon 32 is Selected the routine jumps to a copyright message
`35 (shown in FIG. 3) which is held on screen for a prede
`termined period (X Seconds). If the prize play icon 32 is
`Selected, the user is presented with a choice of paying using
`his play account 36, money card 37, or cancelling 38. If the
`user clicks on either of the payment icons 36, 37, the
`processor 14 program jumps to a payment routine 39 in
`which the user is prompted to enter his play account pin
`number, or money card (e.g. Mondex) pin number. The play
`account pin number is transmitted to and Stored by the
`central controller 1 (FIG. 1) via the interface 19 and PSTN
`18. The processor 14 then implements a credit check routine
`and jumps to the copyright message 35 (FIG. 3).
`After the copyright message 35 times out (in this case at
`b 7.25(X=300 seconds)) the program jumps to a “before real
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-03159-AKH Document 1-5 Filed 04/21/20 Page 10 of 10
`
`US 6,806,889 B1
`
`1O
`
`7
`application, to begin at the same time after the Sched
`uled Start time.
`2. User interface apparatus for use with apparatus accord
`ing to claim 1, the user interface apparatus comprising a
`processor means for implementing an interactive application 5
`and being adapted to be responsive to the receipt of a real
`time Start signal to initiate at least the interactive part of the
`application.
`3. A method of Supplying information from a central
`Source to a plurality of remote user interfaces relating to an
`interactive application, the method comprising:
`i. transmitting application data to the remote user
`interfaces, associated with the interactive application,
`the interactive application relating to a television pro
`gram which is broadcast while the interactive appli
`cation is running;
`ii. transmitting electronic program guide data to the user
`interfaces, the electronic program guide data indicating
`the Scheduled Start time of the television program; and 2O
`iii. transmitting a real time Start Signal to the user
`interface, the real time start Signal causing the interac
`tive applications to begin at a time after the Scheduled
`Start time and at the Same time, at each user interface
`that Selected the interactive application.
`25
`4. A method according to claim 3, wherein Step i) com
`priseS repeatedly transmitting the application data from a
`predetermined time before the interactive application is to
`begin.
`5. A method according to claim 4, further comprising
`broadcasting an “application available' Signal at the prede
`termined time to all the remote user interfaces.
`
`15
`
`8
`6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the “applica
`tion available' Signal is broadcast as part of an electronic
`program guide.
`7. A method according to claim 3, wherein each user
`interface increments an application time value which is
`initiated when the application begins.
`8. A method according to claim 3, wherein the application
`data comprises a set of rules associated with the application.
`9. A method according to claim 3, wherein the application
`data comprises executable computer code.
`10. A method according to claim 3, wherein the interac
`tive application comprises an interactive game.
`11. A method of Supplying information from a central
`Source to a plurality of remote user interfaces relating to an
`interactive application, the method comprising:
`i. transmitting application data associated with the inter
`active application to the user interfaces,
`ii. advertising the Scheduled Start time of the interactive
`application; and
`iii. transmitting a real time start signal to the user
`interfaces, the real time start Signal causing the inter
`active application to begin at a time after the Scheduled
`Start time and at the Same time, at each user interface
`that Selected the interactive application.
`12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the real time
`Start Signal defines a time in the future at which the inter
`active application begins.
`
`