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. 18, 1999
Filed:
Aug. 31, 1995
Frank A Lawler, Seattle, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
The present invention includes a method of delivering programming over an interactive television or televideo (IT) system. The IT system includes a central control node that delivers programming to multiple subscribers or viewers. Each viewer has a video display set (e.g., a television receiver) and an associated interactive controller in communication with the central control node and that is responsive to input from the viewer for controlling programming on the video display set. With reference to a preferred embodiment, the method of this invention includes allocating dedicated programming services among the viewers associated with the IT system. The dedicated programming services may be allocated according to the available resources of the IT system, the relative values of different dedicated programming services, or both. As a result, the method of this invention minimizes disruption of dedicated programming services and particularly those of highest value or priority.