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:
Apr. 09, 2013
Filed:
Jun. 30, 2003
James Harold Gray, Ellijay, GA (US);
Thomas Jefferson Brothers, Gainesville, GA (US);
Willilam Randolph Matz, Atlanta, GA (US);
James Harold Gray, Ellijay, GA (US);
Thomas Jefferson Brothers, Gainesville, GA (US);
Willilam Randolph Matz, Atlanta, GA (US);
AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P., Atlanta, GA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus are described that provide enhanced network operator control. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method comprises determining at a head-end and data center whether to inform one or more users of an interactive television service of available content, the one or more users connected with head-end and data center via a network. Responsive to determining to inform the one or more users of the available content, generating a hot key signal indicating availability and a location of the alternate content. The hot key signal is inserted into a content signal transmitted to the one or more users from the head-end and data center via the network.