The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 12, 1998
Filed:
May. 05, 1995
Matthew W Dunn, Seattle, WA (US);
Other;
Abstract
An interactive entertainment network system supplies previews in an analog format while operating in a video-on-demand (VOD) mode. The previews are displayed instantaneously when a viewer switches to a designated VOD channel. The previews are played in a continuous loop to attract viewers that are switching through channels. The VOD channel therefore appears like traditional broadcast channels, as opposed to a still screen. In this manner, the viewer will be less inclined to skip past the VOD channel. If the viewer does nothing, the previews of the new releases cycle through, one after another. No digital resources are utilized to this point; rather, the analog video stream is continually transmitted in a 'broadcast' fashion. However, if the viewer actively requests information or a new set of previews while in the VOD application, the system ceases the analog presentation and transitions to a fully interactive digital system. Any requested programs or other information is supplied from the headend in a digital format. After a period of inactivity, the system reverts to playing the analog video stream of previews to further conserve digital resources.