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:
Nov. 18, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 17, 1999
Daniel J. Shoff, Issaquah, WA (US);
Joseph H. Matthews, III, Redmond, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
An interactive television system is provided with an interactive information system by which channels or services interact together. The information system provides informational messages that prompt a user to select an associated channel or service. If selected, the system transfers control to the selected channels or services. If necessary, information associated with the informational messages is provided to the selected channel or service. In a preferred embodiment the informational messages are sequentially displayed video segments. The video segments may be associated with other channels or services in the interactive viewing system. The user may use an input device, by depressing a single button, and launch another channel or service that is associated with the currently displayed video segment.