Intellocity USA Inc.

Open Tv Corporation

Tap Media Labs, Inc.

Omnicharts, LLC

Steven Owen Markel

Ian Zenoni

Thomas R Lemmons

Joel Gerard Hassell

Steven J Reynolds

Thomas Huber

John Mark Robinson

Theo Chitayat

Mark Margaretten

Joel Hassel

A computer-implemented method and system for seeding video programs with episodic interactive items improve computer performance by averting tracking loss. The system includes a scene map table that maintains a scene record for every scene in the video. The scene record contains boundary information for the scene and linking information to companion scenes that are visually similar. When a developer tags an episodic item in the video for interactivity, the scene record for the scene where the item is tagged is accessed in the scene map table. The boundary information from this scene record is used to track the item across the scene without tracking loss and the linking information from this scene record is used to access scene records for companion scenes, allowing the item to be tracked across the companion scenes without tracking loss.

Method and system for seeding video programs with episodic interactive items

The present invention is an interactive system and method whereby participants may engage in a contest that is simultaneously or subsequently broadcast. The broadcast signal may be for the purpose of a pure entertainment source or may be an enticement to play the shown or other interactive games. The games may be computer simulation games, role-playing games, strategy games, question and answer games, casino games, or other games as desired. The broadcast signals may show a specialized view of the game being played and may contain live commentary or other enhancements. The games may be played with set top boxes connected to a television, a broadcast network, and a server system.

Method and system for initiating an interactive game

In response to an advertising event signal, rendering of an active media stream is automatically paused. A new window is opened and forced to full screen size. Advertising is presented in the new window. Some window controls may be disabled such that the advertising window may not be easily resized, closed, or obscured by another window. When advertising is complete, the new window is closed. Rendering of the media stream is resumed. Alternatively, advertising is presented in a video presentation window wherein the size of the window may be adjusted and controls disabled during presentation of an advertising message. Advertising may also comprise text, graphics and images that overlay a video image. As such, the video image may be adjusted to a predetermined size and video presentation window controls may be disabled.

Displaying full screen streaming media advertising

Disclosed are techniques for analyzing waveforms to determine the existence of certain patterns in those waveforms. The existence of certain patterns can be used by investors to make decisions regarding the purchase or sale of stocks. The processes include a determination of the formation of a base, whether the pattern formed in the base is a cup or saucer, whether there is a double bottom in the base, if a base has broken out and if a handle exists on a cup, as well as other patterns.

System and method for analyzing a waveform to detect specified patterns

A media player, as may be employed in conjunction with a streaming media enhancement authoring application, is embedded in a browser window. A software program, operable to detect and extract information describing enhancements contained within an enhanced streaming media file and operable to generate HTML or other browser enhancement code to render the enhancements within the browser window as the enhanced streaming media file is played, is also embedded in the browser. The software program may be further operable, in response to enhancement information contained in a streaming media file, to pause a streaming media presentation, open a separate browser window, display a streaming media advertisement in the window, close the window, and resume display of the streaming media presentation. An editor is employed to perform any changes and the modified enhancement may be again viewed prior to viewing a next enhancement.

System and method for emulating enhanced and interactive streaming media delivery

Disclosed is a system for generating a graphics window that is capable of emulating enhanced video from a combined video and interactive content stream. The set-top emulator can randomly access the combined video and interactive content stream to provide an easy manner of randomly accessing portions of the combined video and interactive stream for quality control purposes. Random access allows selective viewing of the enhanced video which saves time. Additionally, the combined video and interactive content stream can be simultaneously viewed as it is being produced to allow immediate feedback to an interactive television producer.

Set-top preview program

A text based script file describing enhancements is parsed to produce platform dependent enhancement files that may be employed to produce enhancements on a set top box, enhanced television, or computer display. A script file may be of XML format and a parser may be an XSL translator. A parser may import HTML and Javascript from other applications. A parser may support a media player for emulation to view video and enhancements. Trigger data for rendering enhancements may be formatted into a javascript array. Trigger events may be employed to replace graphic pointers or text values. Multiple parsers, each supporting a specific platform, allow a single script file to be employed across multiple platforms. New platforms or versions of platforms are supported through new or updated parsers.

System and method for distribution of interactive content to multiple targeted presentation platforms

A graphical user interface, providing local drag and drop functions, is employed to position text and graphic elements on a video frame image. Frame number, element position, and element attributes are employed to create an enhancement file. The enhancement file is employed to embed a trigger, comprising information that identifies a video frame to be enhanced and a locator indicating where enhancement information may be accessed, into a streaming media file to create and enhanced streaming media file. An HTML/Javascript page embeds a media player and includes software to detect a trigger, access enhancement information, and to render the enhancement information in response to the trigger.

Method of enhancing streaming media content

A system and method for creating a platform independent enhancement file for television employs a web based editor with local functions for repositioning and sizing of displayable elements. Elements comprise text, graphics, images, or imported HTML files. Trigger information associated with elements controls the time and actions performed when rendering the displayable elements. A database comprises data representing elements, element attributes, trigger information and project information. A file generation process queries the database and produces a platform independent XML compatible script file. The script file may be parsed and the resultant HTML/Javascript file may be previewed employing a web browser. The script file may be parsed with other tools to provide HTML files for specific platforms without modification of the script file.

Growing community of inventors

Highlands Ranch, CO, United States of America

Steven Owen Markel