CN1355994A

CN1355994A - Interactive TV, application system with hand-held appliation device

Info

Publication number: CN1355994A
Application number: CN00808807A
Authority: CN
Inventors: W·本杰明·赫林顿; 威廉·L·托马斯; 罗伯特·L·凯利; 唐纳德·W·埃里森; 史蒂文·C·威廉姆森; 莱尔·C·安德森; 蒂莫西·B·德莫斯; 托比·德威斯; 迈克尔·D·埃里斯; 彼得·C·博伊兰三世
Original assignee: Prevue International Inc
Current assignee: TV Guide International Inc
Priority date: 1999-06-11
Filing date: 2000-06-07
Publication date: 2002-06-26
Also published as: AR026128A1; AU5791500A; CA2376936A1; BR0011497A; AR029765A1; WO2000078050A1; HK1045044A1; EP1192808A1; JP2003502921A; MXPA01012809A; TW538640B

Abstract

A hand-held application device provides users with opportunities to access television-related or other applications and to control television-related applications running on user television equipment. The hand-held application device may have a touch-sensitive screen with controls that are coordinated with the features of the television-related or other applications.

Description

Interactive TV, application system with hand-held appliation device

Background technology

The present invention relates to interactive TV, application system, more specifically, relate to such interactive TV, application system, wherein the TV applications function can be provided by handheld device, perhaps sets up corresponding relation between handheld device and user's television equipment.

Interactive television applications generally operates in user's the set-top box.The example of interactive television applications comprises interactive television program guide, Email, home shopping, lottery industry and other electronic commerce applications, financial application, TV network browser, recreation and other application program based on TV.Moving these application programs generally makes other users can not watch TV but watches this application program.In addition, the function that makes the user away from this stationary platforms the time, not visit this system in the such utilization program of operation on the stationary platforms of set-top box.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a kind of interactive TV, application system, it has the hand-held appliation device of band display.

Another object of the present invention is that interactive television application functions is being operated in the application program on user's television equipment and operating between the application program on a kind of hand-held appliation device corresponding.

Summary of the invention

These and other objects of the present invention are by providing a kind of portable hand-held application apparatus with display to realize, the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/138 that this hand-held appliation device is for example submitted on June 11st, 1999 people such as Herrington, 868, and the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/164 that submits on November 10th, 1999 of Ellis, describe in 648, the full content of this patent is contained in this for your guidance.

This hand-held appliation device can be any should handheld device, for example display remote controller, touch screen remote controller, PDA(Personal Digital Assistant), e-book or other handheld device.This hand-held appliation device is provided at when watching TV programme ability from distant place visit interactive television application functions to the user.A kind of should method in, this hand-held appliation device can move a kind of client release of interactive television applications, this PROGRAMMED REQUESTS is come the application data of the application server on self-operating and the user's television equipment.In the method that another kind is fit to, this hand-held appliation device is as the independent platform of operation interactive application, and this application program can independent operating and can be communicated with the similar interactive application that operates on the user television equipment devices.This hand-held appliation device for example can provide the portable electronic program guide, comprises interactive program guide, based on the program guide of the Internet and the various features of printing program guide.

Interactive television applications for example can comprise the relevant information of TV programme arrangement that is provided in, the interactive feature relevant with the TV programme arrangement perhaps is provided, for example, interactive TV program guide, home shopping application program, lottery industry application program, Email and commerce application program.Interactive television applications can also comprise the application program that is provided on the user television equipment devices.

This handheld mobile device can freely or with very low expense provide to the consumer, because it can be supported with advertisement.Screen or the page shown by this equipment can comprise passive or interactively advertisement.Provide this equipment to make that this equipment circulation is bigger with lower price.This can increase this equipment for gray value.In order to use this equipment, the user of this equipment needn't live in specific zone, and predetermined digital cable or the satellite service of using any kind perhaps has the Internet account.In case issued similar therewith platform, then had the possibility that continues expanded application.New software can be downloaded.It can support the market opportunity in the future, and as a kind of free or upgrading of paying, the ability of interpolation user function parts it is provided at after.

This hand-held appliation device can be the size of being convenient to be placed in pocket or the wallet.This equipment can have touch screen LCD, two-way paging interface and can come work with standard cell.This paging interface can collect the television listing data continuously and this storage in local storage.When this equipment normally used, it can also downloads ad.This for example can be by realizing from national paging service.

This equipment can have one to be renovated, and is used to protect this display not to be damaged or accident collision.Opening this renovates and can open this equipment automatically and activate its display.First displaying contents for example can be a main menu, and it comprises Interactive Advertising.A project on this menu is a TV guide.Demonstration or other guide that is fit to of selecting this guide function can forward a guide main menu, the rendition list to show.When the user selected a tabulation, this equipment can be shown in the relevant program of this tabulation and describe.Advertisement can be by program arrangement relatively, selects them may obtain more information about a program in this case, allows to be provided with prompting, perhaps any function that other is fit to.Can allow the user obtain more message or buy certain product for the advertisement of other products.

This portable hand-held application apparatus can comprise many features of interactive program guide, for example, arranges, presses channel is arranged, category is arranged, liked channel or any other guidance features by the time.It can make the user prompting is set and this prompting is presented on the display by sound and demonstration.Return by paging, for example this equipment can be used for remotely being provided with prompting or program is arranged record.This portable set can be used to collect data.For example, it can be used to send opinion poll.It can also be used to collect spectators' evaluation information.For example, by the suitable point of purchase, this equipment can be used for the distributing electronic reward voucher.

This equipment can also comprise infrared transmitter.This makes the user use this equipment to handle interactive TV program guide and other home entertainment device on television set as remote controller.For example can use a kind of paging system, come the upload device type information and download infrared code.When being used for this pattern, button may be displayed on this equipment, and the user can touch this screen and produces instruction.This button is based on mode of operation, and wherein only relevant button just shows at any time.

This portable equipment can also provide other PDA type function, may increase certain cost.For example, it can support Email, year calendar, address list, network browsing, calculator or any other appropriate application program.It can support data, services, for example news, weather, physical culture, traffic or any data, services that other is fit to.It can be used as beep-pager.By suitable hardware resource, this portable program guide can comprise advanced communication function.For example, whether it can make the user remotely monitor this this system of apparatus for household use-inspection and be unlocked, and is playing what program, or the like.It can also make the user listen to sound from selected television channel, and the sound channel perhaps is provided.This portable equipment can also be as e-book.

From accompanying drawing and hereinafter the detailed description of the preferred embodiment, other characteristics of the present invention, essence and various advantage will be clearer, and wherein identical reference number is represented identical part.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates the schematic diagram according to example system of the present invention;

Fig. 2 a-2f illustrates the interactive television-j o-application equipment that is used for Fig. 1 according to the present invention and the example structure of handheld applications program;

Fig. 3 illustrates the schematic diagram according to the hand-held appliation device of Fig. 1 of the present invention;

Fig. 4 illustrates the schematic diagram according to user's television equipment of Fig. 2 a-2f of the present invention;

Fig. 5 illustrates the more general schematic diagram according to user's television equipment of Fig. 2 a-2f of the present invention;

Fig. 6 illustrates according to illustrated menu screen of the present invention;

Fig. 7 illustrates according to example browse screen of the present invention;

Fig. 8 illustrates according to example information screen of the present invention;

Fig. 9 illustrates according to pay-per-use customization screen of the present invention;

Figure 10 illustrates according to example remote control screen of the present invention;

Figure 11 illustrates the first guide main menu screen according to example of the present invention;

The example that Figure 12 illustrates according to the rendition list of the present invention shows;

Figure 13 illustrates according to exemplary prize screen of the present invention;

Figure 14 illustrates according to example homepage of the present invention;

Figure 15 illustrates the selected page of example editor according to the present invention;

Figure 16 a and 16b illustrate " my TV " original list according to example of the present invention;

Figure 16 c illustrates according to the program pages by standard list of the present invention;

Figure 17 illustrates example according to the present invention about the page;

Figure 18 is for providing the flow chart of exemplary step related in interactive television and other application function according to of the present invention at the hand-held appliation device to Fig. 1;

Figure 19 is the flow chart of the related exemplary step in corresponding of the feature between the HELPER APPLICATIONS on primary application program in running on the interactive television application device of Fig. 1 and the hand-held access means that runs on Fig. 1; And

Figure 20 provides the flow chart of exemplary step related in the itv program guide function for the hand-held appliation device that uses Fig. 1.

Embodiment

Example system 10 according to principle of the present invention is shown in Figure 1.System 10 can comprise key facility 12.Key facility 12 provides interactive television application equipment 17 the interactive television applications data from application data program source 14 by communication link 18.Can there be a plurality of key facilities 12 to be used to a plurality of application programs that data are provided at this, but a key facility 12 only is shown in Fig. 1, to avoid making this figure overcomplicated.A plurality of interactive television application equipment 17 are preferably arranged, and each is linked to key facility 12 by communication link 18 separately, but such interactive television application equipment 17 only is shown to avoid making this figure overcomplicated in Fig. 1.Link 18 can be combination or any communication link that other is fit to of satellite link, telephone network link, coaxial cable or optical fiber link, microwave link, Internetwork link, Digital Subscriber Line, these links.In another method that is fit to, the interactive television applications data can be produced by interactive television application equipment 17, can not want key facility 12 in this case.In another method that is fit to, key facility 12 can be the interactive television applications data directly by suitable link (for example, the two-way paging frequency link) directly is provided to hand-held appliation device 24, can not want all or part interactive television-j o-application device in this case.For clarity sake, following discussion will be described a kind of method, and wherein key facility 12 is provided to one or more interactive television application equipment 17 to the interactive television applications data.

The interactive television applications data that send to interactive television application equipment 17 by key facility 12 can comprise any data that are suitable for the application program supported by key facility 12.If key facility 12 provides the interactive TV program guide data, for example, these data (for example can comprise the TV programme arranging data, program identifier, time, channel, title and description) and other data (for example, helping literal, pay-per-use information, Weather information, sport information, music channel information, relevant internet link, related software or the like) of being used for the service outside the TV program list.The interactive TV program guide data can also comprise the unique identifier that is used for representing respectively each program, (for example be used for program set, but serial, small-sized serial order program bag, network radio hookup or the like) identifier, perhaps any identifier that other is fit to.

Interactive television applications can be realized on interactive television application equipment 17 and hand-held appliation device 24." first " application program is meant the interactive application that operates on the interactive television application equipment 17 as used in this.Primary application program can be a server application, it responds one or more interapplication communications application data is offered hand-held appliation device 24, perhaps can be with operate in hand-held appliation device 24 on application version a kind of application version of cooperating mutually." second " application program is meant the interactive application that operates on the hand-held appliation device 24 as used in this.Second application program can be the client applications that obtains data from first application program, perhaps can be to cooperate mutually with first application program with obtaining the version of a kind of interactive application of application data from key facility 12.

First and second application programs can communicate by exchanging one or more interapplication communications.Interapplication communications can comprise that being adapted to pass through communication link 19 exchanges interactive application data or other data client-server or the peer-to-peer communications structure of (for example being used for by the shown digital frame of hand-held appliation device 24) between first and second application programs.Interapplication communications for example can comprise request, order, message or remote procedure call.

Interapplication communications can also relate to the complex communication between the application structure of operation on hand-held appliation device 24 and the interactive television application equipment 17.Interapplication communications for example can be based on object.The object that operates on first and second guides for example can utilize Object Request Broker (ORB) to communicate.The interactive application data for example can be encapsulated as The Component Object Model (COM) object, and remain in the data flow that sends on communication link 19.Interapplication communications for example also comprises html format identifiable language document (for example, webpage), and it exchanges between hand-held appliation device 24 and Internet service system.

6 kinds of example structure that are used for interactive television application equipment 17 and hand-held appliation device 24 are shown in Fig. 2 a-2f.As shown in the figure, interactive television application equipment 17 can comprise the distributing device 21 that is arranged in application issued facility 16, and user's television equipment 22.First application program can operate on user's television equipment 22 of the structure that adopts Fig. 2 a and 2b fully, perhaps can partly operate on user's television equipment 22 and partly to operate on the apps server 25 or Internet service system 61 that adopts suitable client-server shown in Fig. 2 c, 2d, 2e and the 2f or release processing structure.Application issued facility 16 can be any suitable issue facility, and can have distributing device 21.

Fig. 2 a, 2b, 2c, 2d, the distributing device 21 of 2e and 2f are applicable to the device that the interactive television applications data is provided to user's television equipment 22 by communication link 20.Distributing device 21 for example can comprise suitable transmission hardware, be used at the television channel sideband, in the vertical blanking interval of television channel, utilize digital signal in the frequency band, utilize the outer digital signal of frequency band, perhaps come distributing interaction formula television applications data by any data transmission technology that other is fit to.Analog or digital vision signal (for example, TV programme) from TV issue facility 29 can also be published to user's television equipment 22 by the communication link 20 of distributing device 21 on a plurality of television channels.In addition, TV can be issued facility 29 from TV and directly be published to user's television equipment 22.TV issue facility 29 can be any suitable issue facility (for example, the TV issue facility of coaxial cable system headend, broadcast distribution facility, satellite television issue facility or any other suitable type).If necessary, TV issue facility 29 can be identical facility with application issued facility 16.

Communication link 20 can be any communication link that the interactive television applications data is published to user's television equipment 22 that is applicable to.Communication link 20 for example can comprise service interface standard (DOCSIS) link, Digital Subscriber Line, paging frequency or other radio frequency link of satellite link, telephone network link, coaxial cable or optical fiber link, microwave link, Internetwork link, coaxial cable carrier data, the combination of these links or any other suitable communication link.At this a plurality of user's television equipments 22 and a plurality of relevant communication links 20 are arranged generally, but user's television equipment 22 and communication link 20 only be shown in Fig. 2 a-2f, to avoid making this figure overcomplicated that becomes.If necessary, the TV programme arrangement can provide on the communication link that separates with the interactive television applications data.

User's television equipment 22 can be communicated by letter on communication link 19 with hand-held appliation device 24.For example when hand-held appliation device 24 exclusively when the user's TV shown in Fig. 2 a, 2c and the 2e obtains application data, at this single communication link 19 is only arranged.In addition, for example when hand-held appliation device 24 directly when the application issued facility shown in Fig. 2 b, 2d and the 2f 16 obtains data, at this a plurality of communication links 19 can be arranged.In the method that another kind is fit to, hand-held appliation device 24 is independent operating and not communicating with user's television equipment 22 fully.

Communication link 19 can make any suitable wired or wireless communication link, can carry out numeral and analog communication between hand-held appliation device 24 and user's television equipment 22, interactive television application equipment 17 or the key facility 12 thereon.Communication link 19 for example (for example can comprise serial or parallel coaxial cable, dialup phone line, computer network or Internetwork link, 10Base2,10Base5,10BaseT, 100BaseT, 10BaseF, T1, T3 or the like), home network link, infrared link), radio frequency link (for example, 900MHz link, paging frequency link or other radio frequency link), satellite link or any transmission link that other is fit to or the combination of these links.Communication link 19 can comprise a docking station, and its handheld application apparatus 24 is directly connected to user's television equipment 22 or is connected to user's television equipment 22 by home network.Can adopt any suitable transmission or access scheme, for example standard series connected or communication in parallel, Ethernet, token ring, fiber distributed data interface, circuit switched cell (CSC), CDPD (CDPD), time division multiple access (TDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), any other suitable transmission or access scheme or its combination.

Imagine used transmission medium and method and will be suitable for specific application, and as multiple 19 o'clock, different media can be used for different communication link 19 with scheme.When in the family, for example, communication link 19 can be radio frequency and infrared link rather than some or a plurality of complicated link that is more suitable in the geographic area of broad enterprising line data transmission.For example when hand-held appliation device 24 directly and application issued facility 16 when communicating, communication link 19 can be to be more suitable for communication link transmitting on the address area of broad, for example Internetwork link.

If necessary, hand-held appliation device 24 and user's television equipment 22 can utilize any suitable network and transmission to communicate.They for example can utilize protocol stack, comprising ordering packet switching/Internet packet switching (SPX/IPX) layer, TCP (TCP/IP) layer, AppleTalk trade agreement/DDP (ATP/DDP) layer, wireless access protocol (WAP) layer or other any suitable network or transport layer protocol.Hand-held appliation device 24 and user's television equipment 22 can also be the parts of home network, and this home network for example is provided by the Jini procotol that is provided by Sun Microsystems company.If necessary, network and transport layer protocol can omit from this system.

Application data can use any suitable scheme to be published to user's television equipment 22 (for example shown in Fig. 2 a, 2c and the 2e) exclusively by distributing device 21, sends to user's television equipment 22 and hand-held appliation device 24 (shown in Fig. 2 b, 2d and 2f) or only sends to hand-held appliation device 24.For example, application data can provide or send at interval at reasonable time (for example, per hour) in continuous data flow.If send and to carry out continuously, then do not need the data local be stored in user's television equipment 22 or the hand-held appliation device 24.But user's television equipment 22 or hand-held appliation device 24 be " apace " extraction data as required.If necessary, application issued facility 16 can periodic polling user television equipment 22 or handheld device, to obtain information specific (for example, pay per view account information or about utilizing the local authentication techniques that produce to buy and the information of the program watched).Application data can also utilize suitable client-server method or the Internet to provide.

Fig. 2 a illustrates the example structure that is used for interactive television application equipment 17 and hand-held appliation device 24, and wherein first application program operates on user's television equipment 22 fully.Second application program that operates on the hand-held appliation device 24 obtains application data by user's television equipment 22.By application information is sent to user's television equipment 22 through communication link 19, this second application program can obtain application data from first application program as server.In the suitable method of another kind, second application program can be directly from user's television equipment 22 acquisition application datas and irrelevant with first application program.

User's television equipment 22 for example can be termly or response receive application data as the part of continuous data stream from the polling request of interactive television application equipment 17.In this method, application data can offer hand-held appliation device 24 termly, and does not need second application program to obtain to the request of sending of first application program.User's television equipment 22 for example can comprise the tap antenna (tap antenna) and the interlock circuit of demodulation and this application data signal of decoding where necessary.This tap antenna can send to hand-held appliation device 24 to data by communication link 19.In addition, user's television equipment 22 can receive the application data from application issued facility 16, and uses any transmission plan that other is fit to that these data are sent to hand-held appliation device 24.

In another proper method, this application data can be stored by user's television equipment 22, and is forwarded to hand-held appliation device 24.For example when transmission data rate did not wait at the transmission data rate between application issued facility 16 and the user's television equipment 22 and between user's television equipment 22 and hand-held appliation device 24, this method may be desirable.

Fig. 2 b illustrates the example structure that is used for interactive television application equipment 17 and hand-held appliation device 24, and wherein hand-held appliation device directly obtains application data from application issued facility 16.Application issued facility 16 can have communication equipment 27, is used to make the application data of hand-held appliation device 24 visits from distributing device 21.

Communication equipment 27 can be any suitable communication equipment that is used for communication link 19.When communication link 19 is a dialing link or Internetwork link, communication equipment 27 for example can be a modulator-demodulator (for example, any suitable analog or digital modulator-demodulator, mobile telephone modem (cellular modem) or a coaxial cable modem).For example when communication link 19 was wide area network (WAN) link or Internetwork link, communication equipment 27 can be network interface unit (for example Ethernet card, token ring network interface card or the like).When communication link 19 was wireless simulation or for example paging frequency link of digital link, communication equipment 27 can be a transceiver (for example, radio frequency or infrared transceiver or other transceiver that is fit to).Second application program that operates on the hand-held appliation device 24 can communicate with user's television equipment 22 by the communication link 19 of a separation, perhaps if necessary, can communicate with user's television equipment 22 by communication equipment 27, distributing device 21 and communication link 20.Application issued facility 16 can be a plurality of communication equipments 27.A communication equipment 27 can be used for communicating with hand-held appliation device 24, and another can be used for communicating with user's television equipment 22.Each communication equipment 27 can be used for dissimilar link 19 or 20.For example, a communication equipment 27 can be used for download application data, otherwise on paging frequency or 900MHz link, exchange accessing communication, and another communication equipment for example can be used on the coaxial cable tv link application data or out of Memory or program arrangement are sent to user's television equipment 22.

Fig. 2 c and 2d illustrate the additional example structure that is used for interactive television application equipment 17 and hand-held appliation device 24.In Fig. 2 c, the first APD branch operates on user's television equipment 22 (for example, client applications) and part operates on the application issued facility 16 of apps server 25.In Fig. 2 d, the second APD branch operates on the hand-held appliation device 24 and part operates on the application issued facility 16 of apps server 25.If necessary, can use the combination of two kinds of methods.Apps server 25 can use the appropriate combination of hardware and software that first or second application program based on client-server is provided.Apps server 25 (for example for example may operate on the suitable database engine, sql server by Microsoft exploitation), and response provide the interactive television applications data by the inquiry that first client-side program of carrying out is produced on user's television equipment 22.Apps server 25 can be positioned at key facility 12 or some other positions if necessary, for example TV issue facility 29.

First and second application programs in these methods can utilize any suitable method based on client-server to retrieve reciprocation television applications data from apps server 25.For example, this application program can be sent to apps server 25 to the SQL request as message.In another suitable method, this application program can utilize one or more remote procedure call (procedure call) to call the teleprogram that resides on the apps server 25.Apps server 25 can be carried out SQL statement (statement) to this teleprogram that calls.In another suitable method, for example can utilize an Object Request Broker (ORB) and communicate by the performed server object of apps server 25 by the performed client objects of this application program.This for example may relate to DCOM (DCOM) method of Microsoft.

If necessary, first and second application programs can utilize any suitable network and transport layer protocol to communicate with apps server 25 on communication link 20 or 19.They for example can utilize and comprise that ordering packet switching/network packet exchange (SPX/IPX) layer, TCP (TCP/IP) layer, AppleTalk trade agreement/DDP (ATP/DDP) layer, WAP, DOCSIS or other any suitable network or the protocol stack of transport layer protocol communicate.

Fig. 2 e and 2f illustrate the interactive TV, application system based on the Internet.Application issued facility 16 for example can comprise Internet service system 61.Internet service system 61 can be used any combination that can utilize method based on the Internet (for example, use on TCP (TCP/IP) type link HTTP(Hypertext Transport Protocol)) the interactive television applications data to be provided to the hardware and software of first or second application program.If necessary, Internet service system 61 can be positioned at a facility place that is separated with application issued facility 16.

If first application program is carried out on user's television equipment 22 of the interactive television application equipment 17 shown in Fig. 2 e, then Internet service system 61 (perhaps other is at the suitable equipment at application issued facility 16 places that are connected to Internet service system 61) can be provided to user's television equipment 22 to the interactive television applications data by the Internet or by the distributing device 21 that utilizes any method based on the Internet (for example, the HTTP of use on the TCP/IP link) suitably.If this first application program is the client-server application program shown in Fig. 2 e, perhaps second application program is the client-server application program that directly obtains data from the application issued facility shown in Fig. 2 f 16, and then this first or second application program can obtain the interactive television-j o-application data from Internet service system 61 by the Internet connection on

communication link

20 or 19.

The example structure that is used for hand-held appliation device 24 is shown in Figure 3.Hand-held appliation device 24 can make display remote controller, PDA(Personal Digital Assistant), e-book or other portable, hand-held device that is fit to of any adaptation.The function that hand-held appliation device 24 can offer the user can change according to its treatment circuit, telecommunication circuit and memory.Imagination hand-held appliation device 24 can be that Windows CE is compatible or based on the hand-held PDA type equipment of JAVA, perhaps can be activated by any suitable operation system of software that other is used for handheld device.Hand-held appliation device 24 can have user interface 52, treatment circuit 54, memory 56 and communication equipment 58.

User interface 52 can be any suitable equipment that inputs or outputs or system, and can comprise that LCD (LCD), touch-screen, input pen, speech recognition and combiner circuit, microphone, loudspeaker, hand push button or button, keyboard or any user that other is fit to input or output hardware and software.User interface 52 preferably includes touch-screen.Touch-screen can be reduced at the navigation in various types of interactive television applications.The peg button remote controller of program guidance system for example can have more than 40 button of reaching and select.The remote controller of these systems can replace with the hand-held appliation device 24 that touch-screen activates.The touch-screen of hand-held appliation device 24 only can need those buttons or the control of display application to specific screens, and this specific screens is watched the user or the user carries out the screen of particular task.In addition, can be changed the type of the data input that will in television applications, carry out with suitable user in interface displayed on the touch-screen.For example, can show a keyboard, show that perhaps a numeric keypad is to simplify the input of numeral so that the user can import one or more characters.User interface 52 also comprises the suitable handwriting recognition software that moves on handheld device.

In another suitable method, hand-held appliation device 24 can have the combination of button and display.This display can come each button of mark with literal or image, to show the feature relevant with this button to the user.When the different interactive application of user capture, this demonstration can change according to the application program of being visited.When interactive lottery industry program of visit, two displaying contents " lottery industry " and " information " can appear for example.When the user for example changed into interactive program guide to application program, this identical display screen can show " a last channel " and " next channel ".For each application program, press the function that given button causes carrying out appointment.Control code for example can download to hand-held appliation device 24 by the 900MHz link from user's television equipment 22, to show suitable mark and the feature for each button to hand-held appliation device 24.

Treatment circuit 54 can comprise any suitable processor, for example Intel Pentium, AMD or other microprocessor.Hand-held appliation device 24 also has memory 56.Memory 56 can be any suitable memory or other memory device, and for example RAM, ROM, fast storage or other are applicable to the memory of handheld device.

Hand-held appliation device 24 can also have communication equipment 58.Communication equipment 58 can be to be suitable for supporting any equipment of communicating by letter between hand-held appliation device 24 and user's television equipment 22 or the interactive television application equipment 17 at link 19.Communication equipment 58 for example can be a communication port (for example, serial port, parallel port, USB (USB) port or the like), modulator-demodulator (for example, any suitable analog or digital standard modem or mobile telephone modem), network interface unit (for example, Ethernet card, token ring network interface card or the like), transceiver (for example, infrared ray, radio frequency or other analog or digital transceiver that is fit to) or other communication equipment that is used for handheld device that is fit to.Especially, communication equipment 58 can be a paging frequency transceiver.If necessary, hand-held appliation device 24 can have a plurality of communication equipments 58.A communication equipment 58 can be used for communicating with application issued facility 16, and another can be used for communicating with user's television equipment 22.Each communication equipment 58 can be used for dissimilar link 19.For example, a communication equipment 58 can be used for download application data or exchange visit information on paging frequency or 900MHz link, and another communication equipment, for example infrared transmitter can be used to control user's television equipment 22 and other household entertainment devices that uses infrared ray to control.The paging frequency emitter for example can be used for upload device type information and download infrared code.When being used for this pattern, button may be displayed on this equipment, and the user can touch this screen with display command.This button can be based on mode of operation, wherein at any time only shows relevant button.

In operation, hand-held appliation device obtains user command from user interface 52, utilizes treatment circuit 54 to handle this order, and the appropriate display screen is exported to the user on user interface 52.When the user showed a function of wishing visit second application program, it required this application program or application data, and treatment circuit 54 can indicate communication equipment 58 to start and the communicating by letter of user's television equipment 22 or application issued facility 16.

Hand-held appliation device can be a size of being convenient to put into pocket or wallet.This equipment can have touch-screen LCD display, two-way paging interface, and can come work with standard cell.This paging interface can collect the television listing data continuously and this storage in local storage.It can also be when this equipment normally uses downloads ad.This for example can realize by buying the period from national paging service.

This equipment can have one to be renovated, and is used to protect display screen not to be damaged or collision unexpectedly.Opening this renovates and can open this equipment automatically and activate its display.First displaying contents for example can be a main menu, and it comprises Interactive Advertising.A project on this menu is the interactive television guide.Demonstration or other guide that is fit to of selecting this guide function can forward a guide main menu, the rendition list to show.When the user selected a tabulation, this equipment can be shown in the relevant program of this tabulation and describe.Advertisement can be by program arrangement relatively, selects them may obtain more information about a program in this case, allows to be provided with prompting, perhaps any function that other is fit to.Can allow the user obtain more message or buy certain product for the advertisement of other products.

The example structure that is used for user's television equipment 22 shown in Fig. 4.User's television equipment 22 of Fig. 4 receives analog video or digital video frequency flow from the distribution facilities of input 26.Data from application issued facility 16 also receive at input 26.Watch in the process at normal tv, the user is adjusted to required television channel (analog or digital) to set-top box 28.Then, be provided for the signal of this television channel at video output terminals 30.The signal that provides at input 30 at predetermined channel (for example generally is, channel 3 or 4) radio frequency (RF) signal, or analog demodulator vision signal, but can also be on suitable number bus (for example, adopting the bus (not shown) of IEEE (IEEE) 1394 standards), to offer TV 36.Vision signal at output 30 is received by optional second memory device 32.

First application program or first application client may operate in set-top box 28, television set 36, optional digital storage equipment 31 (if television set 36 or optional digital storage equipment 31 have suitable treatment circuit and memory) or are being connected on the suitable analog or digital receiver of television set 36.Interactive television applications can also operate on television set 36 and the set-top box 28 synergistically.The u.s. patent application serial number No.09/168 that submits on November 5th, 1998 at Ellis for example, be described in the interactive TV, application system of the collaborative interactive formula TV Guide application program of moving on the plurality of devices in 598, the full content of this patent is contained in this for your guidance.

Second memory device 32 can be the analog or digital program storage device or the player (for example, video tape recorder, digital versatile disc (DVD) player or the like) of any suitable type.Program recording and other functional part can utilize control link 34 to be controlled by set-top box 28.If second memory device 32 is video tape recorders, for example a kind of common control link 34 relates in video tape recorder and to use the infrared transmitter that is coupled to infrared remote receiver, and this video tape recorder receives the instruction from remote controller 40 usually.

Hand-held appliation device 24 can be used for controller top box 28, second memory device 32 and television set 36.Hand-held appliation device 24 for example can have different mode of operations, is used for as the interface to application program, and equally is used to control user's television equipment 22 to a remote controller.Hand-held appliation device 24 for example can program according to equipment used in user's television equipment 22.This user for example can be from the suitable type of selecting equipment the demonstration that is provided with.In another suitable method, hand-held appliation device 24 can be from operating in application program (for example, interactive TV program guide) the download configuration information on user's television equipment 22.Can also use any method that other is fit to.

If necessary, the user can be with digital form recorded program, application data or their combination on optional digital storage equipment 31.The user can be from the Internet or other medium software download to digital storage equipment 31.Digital storage equipment 31 can be a kind of light storage device of writing (for example can handle the DVD player of recordable DVD dish), magnetic storage apparatus (for example disk drive or digital magnetic tape) or any other digital storage equipment.Wherein program guide have a digital storage equipment interactive TV, application system for example at people such as Hassell and the u.s. patent application serial number No.09/157 that submitted on September 17th, 1998, describe in 256, the full content of this patent is contained in this, for your guidance.

Digital storage equipment 31 can be included in the set-top box 28, and perhaps it can make an external equipment that is connected to set-top box 28 by output port and suitable interface.If necessary, the treatment facility in set-top box 28 turns to digital file format to the video that is received, audio frequency and digital signals format.Best, this document form is a kind of file format of opening, Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) Moving Picture Experts Group-2 for example, perhaps motion JPEG (joint photographic experts group) (MJPEG) standard.The data of gained are sent to digital storage equipment 31 by suitable bus (for example, using the bus of IEEE (IEEE) 1394 standards), and are stored in the digital storage equipment 31.In the suitable method of another kind, MPEG-2 data flow or file sequence can receive and be stored in the digital storage equipment 31 from distributing device 21.For example, can store the file that utilizes remote media server to obtain by the user at the program of TV issue facility 29 records.The user is given in the playback when needed of this digital document.

Television set 36 passes through communication path 38 from second memory device, 32 receiving video signals.The medium that writes down in advance when playback (for example, but video tape recorder or digital video recording CD) vision signal on communication path 38 that produces by second memory device 32, perhaps the digital video that writes down in advance when playback (for example, be used for the video at the program that writes down on the media server long-range or in user family by the user) time vision signal on communication path 38 that produces by digital storage equipment 31 can pass through from set-top box 28, can directly offer television set 36 if second memory device 32 is not included in user's television equipment 22, perhaps can directly be received by television set 36 by set-top box 28.In normal television-viewing process, the vision signal that is provided to television set 36 is regulated the required channel of set-top box 28 corresponding to the user.When adopting set-top box 28 to put the information that is stored in the digital storage equipment 31 back and forth, perhaps when adopting set-top box 28 to come decoding digital video stream or during from the digital document of TV issue facility 29 transmissions, vision signal can be provided to television set 36 by set-top box 28.

Set-top box 28 can have and is used on communication link 20 directly and application server 25 or Internet service system 61 communicate the communication equipment 37 that perhaps communicates with hand-held appliation device 24 on communication link 19.Communication equipment 37 for example can be a communication port (for example, serial port, parallel port, USB (USB) port or the like), modulator-demodulator (for example, any suitable analog or digital standard modem or mobile telephone modem), network interface unit (for example, Ethernet card, token ring network interface card or the like), transceiver (for example, infrared ray, radio frequency or other analog or digital transceiver that is fit to) or other communication equipment that is used for handheld device that is fit to.If necessary, television set 36 can have suitable communication equipment.Specifically, communication equipment 37 can be the transceiver that works in paging frequency or 900MHz.If necessary, set-top box 28 can have a plurality of communication equipments 37.A communication equipment 37 can be used for communicating with application issued facility 16, and another can be used for communicating with hand-held appliation device 24.Each communication equipment 37 can be used for dissimilar link 20.For example, a communication equipment 37 can be used for download application data or exchange visit information on paging frequency or 900MHz link, and another communication equipment can be used to utilize infrared ray to control user's television equipment 22

More generalized embodiment of the user's television equipment 22 among Fig. 4 are shown in Figure 5.As shown in Figure 5, received from the interactive application data of application issued facility 16 (Fig. 1) control circuit 42 by user's television equipment 22.The function of control circuit 42 can utilize the set-top box structure of Fig. 4 to provide.For example, these functions can be integrated into an advanced person's television receiver (for example, digital television receiver or high definition TV (HDTV) receiver), personal computer TV (PC/TV) or any proper device.If necessary, can use the combination of this device.

User's television equipment 22 of Fig. 5 can have second memory device 47, digital storage equipment 49 or any appropriate combination that is used for recorded program.Second memory device 47 and digital storage equipment 49 can omit.Second memory device 47 can be the analog or digital program storage device (for example, video tape recorder, digital versatile disc (DVD) or the like) of any suitable type.Program recording and other functional part can be controlled by control circuit 42.Digital storage equipment 49 for example can be to write light storage device (for example, can handle the DVD player of recordable DVD CD), magnetic storage apparatus (for example, disk drive or digital magnetic tape) or any other digital storage equipment.

Memory 63 can be any or other memory device, for example combination of random-access memory (ram), read-only memory (ROM), fast storage, hard disk drive, this equipment or the like, this is suitable for storage by control circuit 42 employed first application program instructions and application datas.

User's television equipment 22 of Fig. 5 can have communication equipment 51, it is used to support communicate by communication link 20 between user's television equipment 22 and apps server 25 or the Internet service system 61, perhaps is used for supporting to communicate between hand-held appliation device 24 by communication link 19.Communication equipment 51 for example can be a communication port (for example, serial port, parallel port, USB (USB) port or the like), modulator-demodulator (for example, any suitable analog or digital standard modem or mobile telephone modem), network interface unit (for example, Ethernet card, token ring network interface card or the like), transceiver (for example, infrared ray, radio frequency or other analog or digital transceiver that is fit to) or other communication equipment that is used for handheld device that is fit to.Especially, communication equipment 51 can be the transceiver that is operated in paging frequency or 900MHz.If necessary, user's television equipment 22 can have a plurality of communication equipments 51.A communication equipment 51 can be used for communicating with application issued facility 16, and another can be used for communicating with hand-held appliation device 24.Each communication equipment 37 can be used for dissimilar link 20.For example, a communication equipment 51 can be used for download application data or exchange visit information on a cable link, paging frequency or the 900MHz link together two-way, and another communication equipment can be used for providing TV programme arrangement, application program numeral or out of Memory to hand-held appliation device 24 on infrared ray or 900HMz link.

First and second application programs can be any appropriate application program, include but not limited to: home shopping application program, web browser, task arrangement tabulation, lottery industry application program or other Any Application.For the sake of clarity, the present invention system that will be combined on interactive television application equipment 17 and the hand-held appliation device 24 operation interactive TV program guide application program describes.Be used for an appropriate configuration of this system, program guide data is published to the interactive TV program guide of carrying out at user's television equipment from key facility by the application issued facility.In another structure that is fit to, can utilize the client-server framework to realize the interactive TV program guide application program, wherein the main disposal ability of this application program is by (for example for example being positioned at application issued facility 16 or key facility 12, apps server 25) server provides, and 22 conducts of user's television equipment are by the client processor shown in Fig. 2 c or the 2d.In another structure, program guide application can obtain program guide data from the Internet, shown in Fig. 2 e and 2f.

Program guide generally is limited to user's function by locating a high-brightness region or cursor and moves to the object top that will select and select reciprocation object on the screen.For example work as the user under the situation of a hurdle the rendition list, this user can not select an interactive object by pointing to this hurdle.In addition, the user may need to carry out the operation of stroking several times and navigates to another object from an object.But on touch-screen, for example the display of hand-held appliation device 24 can be selected any zone, thereby the enhancing ability of visit interactive object is provided to the user.Hand-held appliation device 24 for example can be presented at the menu that imitates after the menu that is shown on user's television equipment 22 by the reciprocation application program.The user can be with single to the specific menu option that elects, and locatees a highlight regions and needn't resemble to carry out repeatedly to stroke the conventional remote controller.

This portable hand-held application apparatus can comprise the functional character of for example arranging, arrange by channel, category, favorite channels or any other guidance features a plurality of interactive program guides by the time.If can allow the user that prompting is set, and they are appeared on this equipment with audible alarm and demonstration.For example return by paging, this equipment can be used for remotely being provided with reminds or arranges record.This portable equipment can be used to collect data.For example, it can be used to send opinion poll.It can also collect spectators' evaluation information.For example, by the suitable point of purchase, this equipment can be used for the distributing electronic reward voucher.

Second program guide that operates on the handheld device 24 can be directly from application issued facility 16 (for example, distributing device 21, apps server 25 or Internet service system 61) obtain program guide data from first program guide application that operates on user's television equipment 22, perhaps use the combination of these methods.How no matter make, second program guide application that operates on the hand-held appliation device 24 can provide to the user on first guide function and second guide function corresponding opportunity, thereby expands the interactivity of first and second guides.

The display of hand-held appliation device 24 is preferably touch-screen, becomes an integration section of screen guide.Complementary interactivity between first and second guides can provide various program guide function and not interrupt television-viewing.For example, browse channel and time, interview show information, predetermined pay-per view program, be provided with and remind and the locking program can be carried out by the user with hand-held appliation device 24.For the functions that relate to the user more, favorite channels for example is set, watches more than one channel or general locking is set simultaneously, the demonstration of hand-held appliation device 24 can seamlessly be transformed on the remote controller, makes the user navigate first guide display screen to carry out this function.If necessary, hand-held appliation device 24 can provide the unit visit to program guide or other interactive television applications.

Fig. 6 illustrates a signal menu screen 601, and is for example when equipment 24 drives, shown by this hand-held appliation device.Menu screen 601 can comprise a plurality of icons 603, and it represents second application program and the corresponding function of first application program that operates on user's television equipment 22.Menu screen 601 also comprises icon 605, and it represents that other operates in the application program on the hand-held appliation device 24 specially.The user for example can visit second program guide application with its finger or input pen contact TV guide icon.

Fig. 7 illustrates a signal browse displays screen 701, and it is shown by second program guide that operates on the hand-held appliation device 24.Browse displays screen 701 for example can show when starting or show after menu screen 601 is selected suitable icon the user.Browse displays screen 701 can comprise browsing area 703, wherein be used for the program title 715 of the channel of browsing 717 and time slot 719 be shown.Browsing area 703 can also comprise the playing programs time relevant with this tabulation and to its evaluation.Can also show current time 711 and channel 713.

The user can be by touching to the right, left, key head 721 is browsed the program that is used for other time slot and channel up and down.The user for example can touch screen 717 and is adjusted to the channel of being browsed.When the user touched channel 717, second program guide can exchange one or more application informations by the communication link 19 and first guide, told this user of first guide to wish to be adjusted to specific channel.This first guide can make user's television equipment 22 be adjusted to specified channel.In another suitable method, hand-held appliation device 24 can be programmed the channel (Fig. 4) to utilize set-top box 28 to change on TV 36.

Control in browse displays screen 701 can also be used to carry out any other appropriate functional.The user for example can touch time 719 or channel 717 and enter by the time or by the screen of channel list.In another suitable method, the user can touch the time 719, and hand-held appliation device 24 can show numeric keypad or for example by the time list of one and a half hours time slot dividing, be used for representing that to provide one to the user user will browse the function of certain time of tabulation.The channel 717 that the response user touches, hand-held appliation device 24 can show numeric keypad or a series of channel, is used for representing that to provide one to the user user will browse the function of certain channel of this tabulation.

Browse displays screen 701 can comprise selected advertisement 705.Selectable advertisement 705 for example can comprise the writings and image of certain program or other TV or non-tv product or service being done advertisement.When the user selected a selectable advertisement 705, second guide can display message (for example, pay-per-use predetermined information, programme information or the like) or is taked other action relevant with this ad content.Second guide for example can make user's television equipment 22 be adjusted to a sales promotion type channel, shows the trailer of the pay-per view program that is used for an advertisement on this channel.In addition, second guide can use one or more application informations to select the user the such situation of advertisement of a pay-per view program to represent to first guide.This first guide can be adjusted to relevant sales promotion channel to user's television equipment 22 then.When this sales promotion channel was presented on user's television equipment 22, second guide provided the chance of predetermined this pay-per view program to the user.

Browse displays screen 701 can also comprise sign 707, and being used for provides visit to operate in the chance of first program guide on the interactive television application equipment 17 to the user.The user can touch and withdraw from icon 709, turns back to its default conditions (for example, turn off power supply, turn back to main menu screen 601, or the like) with handheld application apparatus 24.If necessary, browse displays screen 701 can comprise and is applicable to other control of browsing tabulation.Browse displays screen 701 for example can comprise next program, previous program, previous hour, back one hour, proxima luce (prox. luc), back one day and current time control.When selecting channel, browse displays screen 701 for example can comprise next and previous hobby button, so that the user is shown browse the requirement of the tabulation of liking program.Can also use any other suitable control.

Fig. 8 illustrates an example information screen 801, wherein for example when the user when the browse displays screen 701 of Fig. 7 touches program titles 715, can show second program guide.Information screen 801 can comprise the information 803 about the program of being represented by selected tabulation.Information screen 801 can also comprise selectable advertisement 705, current time 711, current channel 713, sign 707 and withdraw from chart 709.When one of user by selecting can be selected advertisement 705 and during visit information screen 801, only selecteed optional advertisement can be retained on this screen.Second program guide can provide from the chance of information screen 801 for other program guide function of being familiar with of specified programming access to the user, for example, is adjusted to this program (watching operating key 807 by touch).

Second guide can provide the chance that prompting is set to the user.The user is for example by touch reminding operating key 809 that prompting to specified screen can be set.When the user utilized hand-held appliation device 24 that prompting is set, second guide can be corresponding with first guide this prompting.By exchanging one or more application informations by link 19, this second guide for example can be set up the program of prompting to first guideline representation.Reasonable time (for example, before program begins 10 minutes), second guide can be on hand-held appliation device 24 display alarm, and first guide can be on display device 45 display alarm (Fig. 5).In order to be retained in the storage on the hand-held appliation device 24, can by first guide prompting be set by second guide, and second guide is not stored this prompting.When showing this prompting by first guide, first guide can exchange one or more application informations with second guide, and expression reminds to given program that time is up.Second guide can show a prompting accordingly.

Hand-held appliation device 24 can provide the chance that the time that shows a prompting is set to the user.The user for example can be arranged in this prompting between before the program 1 minute and 15 minutes.If necessary, this prompting can be provided with the time different default or users by hand-held appliation device 24 and user's television equipment 22 provides.In another method, this prompting can only provide by one in hand-held appliation device 24 and the user's television equipment 22.

Second guide can provide the chance that locks or do not lock program title, channel, grade or time period to the user.The user for example can show a locking appointed program or its attribute (for example, title, grade, channel or the like) by touching locking operating key 811.From the viewpoint of customer interaction, locking or do not lock title, channel, grade or time period can be function related in some program guides.Wish locking or do not lock program title, channel, grade or during the time period when the user shows, second program guide can exchange one or more application informations with first program guide, shows that to first guide user wishes to lock or do not lock given program title, channel, grade or time period.Second guide can be transformed into remote state then, and the user is navigated in head of a family's control display screen curtain of first guide.In not too relating to the guide that the head of a family controls program, this second guide can provide the chance that locks or do not lock program by title, channel, type, grade or example to the user.

Second guide also provides the chance that changes head of a family's control routine to the user.When the user changed head of a family's personal code work, second guide can utilize one or more interapplication communications to show the change of this code and new code to first guide.Then, first guide can correspondingly change head of a family's control routine.

If necessary, except controlling 807,809 and 811, information screen 801 can comprise more control.The response user touches more operating keys, and hand-held appliation device 24 can provide other function to this control.In addition, this control example is as comprising pay-per-use predetermined control, other program start time control or any other suitable control.

Second guide that operates on the hand-held appliation device 24 can provide the chance of being scheduled to pay-per view program to the user.The user for example can show the hope that will be scheduled to a pay-per view program by the optional advertisement 705 that touches a pay-per view program of advertisement.Fig. 9 illustrates the pay-per-use predetermined screen of an example.With identical by other shown display screen of second guide on hand-held appliation device 24, the pay-per-use predetermined screen can comprise brand mark 707, withdraw from control 709, current time 711 and current channel 713.Pay-per-use predetermined screen 901 can also comprise predetermined information 907.Predetermined information 907 can comprise selected program title, be used for grade and any other suitable information of selected program start time of watching, price, brief introduction, pay-per view program.

Pay-per-use predetermined screen 901 also comprises selectable advertisement 705.For example when user by selecting can be selected advertisement and visit a pay-per-use predetermined screen, can show single optional advertisement 705.Single optional advertisement may be immotile.When the user for example when selecting a pay-per view program title to visit this screen, can show that two optional advertisement 705, the second guides can show the programme information screen of the program that is used to advertise.

When screen 901 begins to show, can be for the reproduction time 911 of indicated pay-per view program in available time starteds 913 beginning of the next one.This user for example can see other broadcast start time by touch left side arrow 903 or right button head 905.When the user selects to begin different time started 913, second guide and show predetermined information 907 for the selected time started.

Second guide can provide the chance of utilizing hand-held appliation device 24 to navigate to the user in the access function of first guide and first guide.The user for example can show the hope that will visit first guide by touching sign 707.Figure 10 illustrates the remote control screen 1000 of an example.This remote control screen 1000 for example can comprise sign 707, can select advertisement 705, current time 721 and current channel 713.When the user selected icon 707 from remote control screen 1000, second guide can indicate first guide to come display program list screen (Fig. 5) on display device 54.The control of remote control screen 1000 can based on by the shown screen of first guide or other application program, on the first specific application screen highlighted rendering preferences, the information content that in first application screen, shows or type or any suitable feature, combination of features or content.

The user for example can navigate in first guide display screen by touching arrow 1003.Utilizing hand-held appliation device to navigate in program guide screens can carry out in any first guide display screen.For illustrative purposes, discuss in the first guide main menu screen and the navigation in first guide the rendition list screen.

An example first guide main menu screen 100 shown in Figure 11.Main menu screen 100 can comprise the menu 102 of optional program guide feature 106.If necessary, program guide feature 106 can be organized according to characteristic type.For example, in menu 102, program guide feature 106 is organized as three hurdles.The column that is labeled as " TV guide " is used for the feature relevant with tabulation, the column that is labeled as " MSO SHOWCASE " is used for the relevant feature with a plurality of Systems Operators (MSO), and the column that is labeled as " spectator services " is used for the feature relevant with spectators.When the user selected this feature from menu 102, interactive TV program guide can produce a display screen for specific program guide feature.

Main menu screen 100 can comprise one or more optional advertisements 108.Optional advertisement 108 for example comprises the writings and image of pay-per view program or other program or product being done advertisement.When the user selected an optional advertisement 108, program guide can display message (for example, pay-per-use information) or is taked other action relevant with ad content.If necessary, can show plain text advertisement shown in optional ad banner 110.

Main menu screen 100 can also comprise other screen elements.For example can as product brand pattern 112, represent the trade mark of this program guide product with a product brand pattern.For example can pass through service provider's pattern,, show the identity of this television service provider as service provider's pattern 114.Current time may be displayed in the clock viewing area 116.In addition, if this program guide is supported message function, then for example designator pattern 118 so suitable designators can be used for being shown with the mail arrival to subscriber's meter.In addition, the TV reminding e-mail can allow the user learn when he has the email message from the relevant electronic mail account of the Internet, in-house network or other computer.This user for example can use the dummy keyboard that is presented on the hand-held appliation device 24, by phonetic order that hand-held appliation device 24 received and handled or be connected to hand-held appliation device 24 or the suitable input equipment of user's television equipment 22 (for example, Wireless Keyboard), come to carry out interactive communication with his netwriter.

The user for example can place highlight regions 120 on the function choosing-item and select this function 106.The user for example can locate highlight regions 120 by touching arrow 1003.When the user touched arrow 1003, second guide can utilize one or more application informations to the required action of first guideline representation (for example, location highlight regions 120).This first guide can receive this application information and correspondingly highlight regions is positioned on the display device 45.

When this user was positioned at highlight regions 120 on the required function item, this user for example can select this function by definite (OK) 1005 that touches on the hand-held appliation device 24.Second guide can utilize the user one or more application informations to select the advisory of a function to give first guide.This first guide can receive this application information and carry out required function.

For example, the user may need by selecting " according to the time " function to come to check program listing with first guide.In addition, the user is for example by selecting one to show the hope that will check the rendition list according to the time option from the first guide main menu screen 100.Second guide can utilize one or more application informations that required functional character is represented to first guide, and first guide can show the rendition list screen.

In " browsing " pattern, the program overlaid that first guide can be watched the rendition list screen and user or with a part of overlaid of this program.The rendition list can utilize any suitable tabulation, form, grid or other appropriate display scheme to show.If necessary, the rendition list screen can comprise optional advertisement, product brand pattern, service provider's pictorial trademark, clock or any other suitable identifier or pattern.

Figure 12 illustrates the demonstration of the rendition list of arranging by the time.The rendition list screen 130 of Figure 12 can comprise highlight regions 151, and it makes current the rendition list 150 be highlighted demonstration.The user for example can locate highlight regions 151 by touching arrow 1003.The user for example can " determine " that 1005 are adjusted to a program by it is tabulated highlighted demonstration and touch.The user for example moves up or down beginning or end by this tabulation to highlight regions 120 by touching arrow 1003, can check other tabulation for the time slot shown in the time bar 111 (time slot).The user for example can check the rendition list for other time slot by touching right arrow and left arrow 1003.In this example, hand-held appliation device can comprise other control that is applicable to the rendition list screen 130, for example upwards page turning, page turning downwards, the previous day, one day after or any other suitable control.

Second program guide can provide the chance of otherwise navigating to the user in first program guide.Second guide can provide to the user be made as channel in second guide, in first guide or the chance of the favorite channels in these two guides.For example the user can navigate between the tabulation that is set to favorite channels by touching " FAV " 1007.In addition, in the time of on being presented at hand-held appliation device 24 or user's television equipment 22, second guide can be resequenced to the rendition list, makes favorite channels be in remarkable or the most usual position.

The user for example can back up previous first guide display screen by touching " LAST " 1009.The user for example can (MENU) 1011 turn back to the first guide main menu screen 100 by touching " menu ".The user for example can (EXIT) 709 turn back to and watches tv state by touching " withdrawing from ".The user for example can be by being positioned at highlight regions 150 that this tabulation is gone up and touching " information " (INFO) 1013 hopes that show the programme information of checking particular list.As user during from list screen or the rendition list of the highlighted demonstration of other display screen, can can comprise following control by shown other example control of second guide on the hand-held appliation device 24: promptings, locking program, predetermined pay-per view program are set, check other reproduction time of this program or are scheduled to the commodity relevant, for example the video tape of CD, program or have the clothes of this program trade mark with program.

First guide also provides to the user and checks the chance of rewarding a channel list of screen 231 as the signal of Figure 13.Second guide can change the demonstration on hand-held appliation device, is suitable for the control of this screen with demonstration.Second guide for example can show the predetermined control that is used for a predetermined channel, be used for a channel is set to the locking control that hobby control is set, is used to log on to a TV channel of favorite channels or is used to provide information Control about the information of channel.

Second guide can also provide the chance of determining always will be presented at the object on the hand-held appliation device 24 to the user.Help control, prompting hand-held appliation device 24 or the user's television equipment that the user for example can select to activate the help relevant with mode of operation received message flag, VCR button, the DVD button of Email or close all user's television equipments 22 and be connected to user's television equipment 22 equipment close button.

The function of first guide can be expanded or be corresponding with second guide, and this second guide is used for other functional character relevant with program guide of any number.This second guide can to the user provide for example use hand-held appliation device 24 send with receive Email (relevant with this guide, for example from cable TV operator's promotional messages; Perhaps irrelevant, personal messages for example) chance with this guide; By buying commodity; Bid to TV auction; The predetermined for example such reservation service of HBO; Payment cable TV bill; Carry out financial transaction (for example exchange the PPV film, perhaps carry out any other financial transaction) with the someone of different home based on guide; Carry out ecommerce (for example, predetermined commodity, participate in online auction or backhand is sold, or the like) based on the Internet; Perhaps surfing on the internet.If necessary, these and other functional character can cover in the hand-held appliation device 24 as a stand-alone device.

Can utilize hand-held appliation device 24 other corresponding function between first and second guides is the control that picture-in-picture (PIP) shows.PIP shows that the little part screen video windows overlay of the video image that is meant a channel is on the video image of the full screen display of another channel.Utilize the function of browse of second guide, the user can browse channel and the program title on the hand-held appliation device 24, and watches the same channel among the PIP, and other spectators can continue to watch the channel of being regulated on main screen.Second guide can also provide the chance of utilizing hand-held appliation device 24 to call the video image of selected film introduction segment, commercial television program and other download in pip window to the user.

Second guide (perhaps other operates in the software on the hand-held appliation device 24) can also be provided at the function of control PIP in many people video conference to the user.For example, in tripartite video conference, the user can be switched image by touching the suitable control on the hand-held appliation device 24 between two other customer locations.In both sides' video conference, for example, the user can use hand-held appliation device 24 to switch spectators' position in PIP shows.

24 can have suitable treatment circuit so that display video image.Vision signal for example can be used as the MPEG-2 data flow and is sent to hand-held appliation device 24 and is used for showing.When the user utilized second guide to browse the rendition list, video shows can also be sent to hand-held appliation device 24.In the method, video shows can comprise the video image that is used for program, and this program shows in tabulation and is played when browsing.If system resource does not allow the transmission of video image, then static photographic images can be sent to hand-held appliation device 24 from interactive television application equipment 17 and be used for showing.In another suitable method, the video image of high compression ratio can be used to solve the restriction of bandwidth.For example when the resolution of hand-held appliation device 24 was not supported high resolution video image, the video image that utilizes high compression ratio also was feasible.

Other application program may operate on the hand-held appliation device 24 specially.Hand-held appliation device 24 for example may operate in line program guide client-side program.The user for example can be by touching the online online program guide (Fig. 6) that visits of TV guide on the menu screen 601.When the user showed the online program guide of hope visit, hand-held appliation device 24 may start the Internet-browser of a standard and visit suitable network address.In addition, can start that a dedicated network browser or other remote access software visit a network address or other provides the special-purpose network address of access to netwoks for handheld device.

Figure 14 illustrates an example homepage 1401 that is used for handheld device visit network address.When the user selected the fixed signal (anchor) of hypertext link 1403 or other suitable type, hand-held appliation device 24 can utilize HTTP(Hypertext Transport Protocol) to download the hypertext markup language (html) page.Can use any other appropriate protocol.In another suitable method, hand-held appliation device 24 can use suitable remote access software, for example Windows remote access software (RAS) client is from server (that is the Internet Server of internet access, is provided by remote access client) download screen snap or the order of screen snap.Figure 15 illustrates an example page, wherein the example page that hand-held appliation device 24 can show when hand-held appliation device 24 users select " editing selected " fixed signal.

Figure 16 a and Figure 26 b illustrate the example page that hand-held appliation device 24 can show when the user selects " my television listing " fixed signal 1403.As shown in the figure, online guide client, web browser or other application program that operates on the hand-held appliation device 24 can provide the rendition list of checking according to a standard sorted in multiple user's choice criteria to the user.When user's choice criteria, online guide client, web browser or other internet access application program can be the tabulation shown in selected standard retrieval the rendition list and the displayed map 16c.If necessary, can come program downloading tabulation, thereby this user checks about the obtainable program of this user and for the rendition list in suitable time zone according to user's postcode, cable television system, satellite service or other suitable standard.The user can also limit this tabulation according to time, type, hobby or other standard that is fit to.

The online guide client, web browser or other access application that operate on the hand-held appliation device 24 can also provide the chance of checking about the information of this application program to the user.Figure 17 for example illustrate that hand-held appliation device 24 can show when the user selects " wireless about TVG " fixed signal 1403 or other fixed signal that is fit to from the homepage 1401 of Figure 14 about the page.

Figure 18-20 is for being illustrated in the flow chart that the exemplary step of unit and corresponding application features is provided on the hand-held appliation device 24.Step shown in Figure 18-20 is exemplary, and can carry out these steps by any suitable order in practice.Figure 18 is for providing the flow chart of exemplary step related in interactive television and other application features to hand-held appliation device 24.In step 1800, interactive television applications data or be used for other application's data and be provided to hand-held appliation device 24 for example.These data can directly be provided to hand-held appliation device 24 from key facility 12, be provided to hand-held appliation device 24 from key facility 12 by interactive television application equipment 17, perhaps directly be provided to hand-held appliation device 24 (that is, deriving from the data of interactive television application equipment 17) from interactive television application equipment 17.The interactive television applications data can comprise any data that are suitable for interactive television or other compatible procss.Interactive television applications for example can comprise the application program that the information relevant with the TV programme arrangement is provided or the Interactive function feature of being correlated with the TV programme arrangement is provided, for example interactive TV program guide, home shopping application program, Email, lottery industry and financial transaction application program.Interactive television applications can also comprise the application program that is provided on user's television equipment 22.As an example, when providing the functional character of application program by user's television equipment, home shopping application program and financial transaction application program can be interactive television applications.The functional character of these application programs can be provided the TV programme arrangement relevant with this feature.The home shopping application program for example can provide the function of buying commodity and service on the home shopping television channel.

Hand-held appliation device 24 receives interactive television applications data (step 1810) and the chance (step 1820) of the usefulness hand-held appliation device 24 visits application program relevant with TV is provided to the user.This interactive television applications can be used as a stand-alone application program and moves, as (for example from server, server at key facility 12 or interactive television application equipment 17) require the client of data, perhaps with operate in interactive television application equipment 17 on first application program cooperate mutually.In step 1830, hand-held appliation device 24 can provide the function of other application program of visit to the user, for example, and PDA type function.For example, it can support Email, year calendar, address list, network browsing, calculator or the like.It can support data, services, for example news, weather, physical culture, traffic or other suitable data, services.This application program can also be as the unit or the server application that operate on user's television equipment 22 and can be visited by hand-held appliation device 24.Hand-held appliation device 24 can be used as beep-pager.Utilize suitable hardware resource, and be that program guide can comprise advanced communication function.For example, whether it can allow the user remotely monitor this system of apparatus for household use-inspection and be unlocked, and is playing what channel or the like.It can also allow the user listen to from selected television channel sound or the sound channel is provided.

Figure 19 is for operating in first application program in the interactive television application equipment 17 and operating in the flow chart of the corresponding related exemplary step of functional character between the HELPER APPLICATIONS on the hand-held appliation device 24.In step 1900, key facility 12 or interactive television application equipment 17 are provided to application data first application program that operates on the interactive television application equipment 17.This first application program can be an interactive television applications or irrelevant with the TV programme arrangement.In step 1910, this first application program for example is provided to application data second application program that operates on the hand-held appliation device 24 by one or more accessing communications.In step 1920, second application program that operates on the hand-held appliation device 24 provides the demonstration of controlling with the corresponding interface of first application program.For example, interface control is corresponding to the navigation feature feature of first application program.The example remote control screen 1000 of Figure 10 for example comprises the navigational arrows 1003 corresponding to the navigation characteristic that operates in the interactive TV program guide on user's television equipment 22.User interface also comprises the control that is used for the interactive program guide feature, for example hobby, up-to-date, more information and menu.For example in home application, user interface control can comprise similar Navigation Control, and can comprise other control that is used for the home shopping feature, for example purchase, information, be put into article in the expectation tabulation or any suitable home shopping feature.In family's stock exchange application program, for example user interface control can comprise similar Navigation Control and comprise be used to buy stock, sell stock, more information or any other suitable feature its through control.In web browser application, for example can be provided for returning, advance, similar Navigation Control and other control of homepage, bookmark or other any other suitable feature.For example in the lottery industry application program, can provide user interface control to be used for lottery industry, provide about lottery industry additional information or other any suitable feature on opportunity.

Interface control can utilize the data that provided by first application program corresponding with the feature of second application program.In this manner, user interface control can dynamically be disposed according to first application program.If necessary, a standard control storehouse can be stored by hand-held appliation device 24, makes the user be provided at the uniform interface on first application program.Can download the control that is exclusively used in the first specific application program if necessary.

Is corresponding another example of feature of the interface control and first application program that first application content is provided on the hand-held appliation device 24.In the interactive program guide application program, for example when the user browsed tabulation and watch program on user's television equipment 22, hand-held appliation device 24 can the display of television programmes arrangement.

In step 1930, second application program is controlled the function of first application program according to the user by user-selected shown in hand-held appliation device 24.This for example realizes by exchanging one or more accessing communication information with first application program.In the example of Figure 10, the user can select an arrow 1003, with the highlight bar 120 or 151 of location Figure 11 and 12.For example in the home shopping application program, the purchase that the response user selects on hand-held appliation device 24 is controlled, and first application program can start the purchase program.For example in the stock exchange application program, first application program can respond the user and be chosen in selling and sell stock on the hand-held appliation device 24.For example in web browser, this system responses user selects to retreat control and gets back to the webpage of visit in the past.

Figure 20 is for being illustrated in the flow chart that utilizes hand-held appliation device 24 that the exemplary step that relates in the interactive TV program guide function is provided.In step 2100, program guide data is provided to hand-held appliation device 24.These data can directly download to hand-held appliation device 24 from key facility 12, download to hand-held appliation device 24 from key facility 12 by interactive television application equipment 17, perhaps directly download to hand-held appliation device 24 (that is, deriving from the data of interactive television application equipment 17) from interactive television application equipment 17.In step 2110, hand-held appliation device 24 provides the chance of browsing the rendition list to the user.This can be used as the client of first server application on the part that operates in interactive television application equipment 17 or the client of cooperating mutually with first application program on the part that operates in interactive television application equipment 17 and realizing independently.Hand-held appliation device 24 or user's television equipment 22 can respond the user and select institute to browse tabulation and TV programme arrangement (step 2115) is provided.

In step 2120, hand-held appliation device 24 can provide the chance that prompting is set to the user.Prompting can and show on hand-held appliation device 24 (step 2125) by audible alert.For example return by paging, this equipment can be used to utilize and resides in the interactive TV program guide on user's television equipment 22 and prompting remotely is set.

In step 2130, hand-held appliation device 24 can provide the chance of predetermined pay-per view program to the user.The user for example shows the hope that will be scheduled to pay-per view program by the advertisement on the tabulation on the selection hand-held appliation device 24, the selection hand-held appliation device or by carrying out any other appropriate functional.The pay-per view program of being scheduled to can be provided on the hand-held appliation device 24, perhaps can be provided on user's television equipment 22 (step 2135).

In step 2140, hand-held appliation device 24 provides the function of checking other program arrangement information to the user.The user is for example by selecting the rendition list, selecting advertisement (for example, as shown in Figure 9) or by selecting any other suitable control to show the hope of checking other program arrangement information.Out of Memory can be provided on the hand-held appliation device 24, perhaps can be provided on user's television equipment 22 (step 2145).

Principle of the present invention above only is described, and those skilled in the art can make various changes and do not depart from the scope of the present invention and spirit.

Claims

1. one kind is used for providing the method for utilizing hand-held appliation device that interactive television applications is conducted interviews to the user, comprising:

The interactive television applications data are provided;

The hand-held appliation device that utilization has one or more sense of touch controls receives the interactive television applications data;

The chance of utilizing the hand-held access means visit interactive television applications data with sense of touch control is provided to the user.

2. method according to claim 1 is characterized in that, providing the interactive television applications data to comprise provides the interactive television applications data from key facility that received by hand-held appliation device.

3. method according to claim 1 is characterized in that, providing the interactive television applications data to comprise provides the interactive television applications data from the interactive television-j o-application device that received by hand-held appliation device.

4. method according to claim 1 is characterized in that,

Interactive television applications is a kind of interactive TV program guide;

The interactive television applications data comprise TV program list; And

Provide the chance of utilizing hand-held access means visit interactive television applications data to comprise to the user chance of utilizing sense of touch control to browse the rendition list is provided to the user with sense of touch control.

5. method according to claim 4 wherein further is included in the TV programme that provides relevant with the rendition list of being browsed on the hand-held appliation device.

6. method according to claim 1 is characterized in that:

Interactive television applications is a kind of interactive TV program guide;

The interactive television applications data comprise TV program list; And

Provide the chance of utilizing hand-held access means visit interactive television applications data to comprise to the user chance of utilizing the sense of touch control setting to remind is provided to the user with sense of touch control.

7. method according to claim 6 wherein further is included on the hand-held access means the set prompting by the user is provided.

8. method according to claim 1 is characterized in that:

Interactive television applications is a kind of interactive TV program guide;

The interactive television applications data comprise TV program list; And

Provide the chance of utilizing hand-held access means visit interactive television applications data to comprise to the user chance of utilizing the predetermined pay-per view program of sense of touch control is provided to the user with sense of touch control.

9. method according to claim 1 is characterized in that:

Interactive television applications is a kind of interactive TV program guide;

The interactive television applications data comprise TV program list and additional program arrangement information; And

Provide the chance of utilizing hand-held access means visit interactive television applications data to comprise to provide to the user and utilize sense of touch control to visit chance for the additional program arrangement information of TV programme to the user with sense of touch control.

10. method according to claim 1 wherein further comprises:

Utilize user's television equipment to receive by the employed interactive television applications data of first application program; And

Corresponding sense of touch control with the functional character of first application program.

11. method according to claim 10 is characterized in that, be included in corresponding with the functional character of first application program of sense of touch control exchanged one or more visit informations between hand-held appliation device and the user's television equipment.

12. method according to claim 10, it is characterized in that, be a kind of interactive TV program guide, home shopping application program, family's stock exchange application program, family's lottery industry application program or the email application relevant with TV at interactive television applications.

13. method according to claim 10 wherein further comprises:

Be provided for the interactive application data of non-television applications;

Utilize hand-held appliation device to receive the interactive application data; And

The chance of utilizing hand-held access means to control visit interactive application data by sense of touch is provided to the user.

14. method according to claim 13 is characterized in that, this interactive application is year calendar, address list, web browser, calculator or task list.

15. method according to claim 10 is characterized in that:

Interactive television applications is a kind of interactive TV program guide;

The interactive television applications data comprise TV program list;

Sense of touch control corresponding with the functional character of first application program comprise the feature of sense of touch control and interactive TV program guide corresponding, and

Provide the chance of utilizing hand-held access means visit interactive television applications data to comprise to the user chance of utilizing sense of touch to control to browse the rendition list is provided to the user with sense of touch control.

16. method according to claim 15 wherein further is included in the TV programme that provides relevant with browsing the rendition list on the hand-held appliation device.

17. method according to claim 15 wherein further comprises:

Provide at least one accessing communication information to user's television equipment, wherein at least one accessing communication information is represented the rendition list of being browsed to user's television equipment; And

Respond at least one visit information the TV programme relevant with browsing the rendition list is provided on user's television equipment.

18. method according to claim 10 is characterized in that:

Interactive television applications is a kind of interactive TV program guide;

The interactive television applications data comprise TV program list;

Provide the chance of utilizing hand-held access means visit interactive television applications data to the user, prompting is set to utilize sense of touch to control with sense of touch control.

19. method according to claim 18 wherein further is included on the hand-held access means the set prompting by the user is provided.

20. method according to claim 10, wherein

Interactive television applications is a kind of interactive TV program guide;

The interactive television applications data comprise TV program list;

Provide the chance of utilizing hand-held access means visit interactive television applications data to comprise to provide to the user and utilize sense of touch to control to be scheduled to the chance of pay-per view program to the user with sense of touch control.

21. method according to claim 20 wherein further comprises:

Provide at least one accessing communication information to user's television equipment, wherein at least one accessing communication information shows the pay-per view program of utilizing hand-held appliation device to be scheduled to by the user to user's television equipment; And

Respond at least one accessing communication information and on user's television equipment, provide the pay-per view program of being scheduled to.

22. method according to claim 10, wherein

Interactive television applications is a kind of interactive TV program guide;

The interactive television applications data comprise TV program list and additional program arrangement information;

Provide the chance of utilizing hand-held access means visit interactive television applications data to comprise to the user chance of utilizing sense of touch control to visit the additional program arrangement information is provided to the user with sense of touch control.

23. method according to claim 10 is characterized in that, providing the interactive television applications data to comprise provides the interactive television applications data from key facility that received by hand-held appliation device.

24. method according to claim 10 is characterized in that, providing the interactive television applications data to comprise provides by the interactive television applications data of hand-held appliation device reception from the interactive television-j o-application device.

25. one kind is used for providing the system that utilizes hand-held appliation device that interactive television applications is conducted interviews to the user, comprising:

The device of interactive television applications data is provided;

Utilization has the device of the hand-held appliation device reception interactive television applications data of one or more sense of touch controls;

The device of the chance of utilizing the hand-held access means visit interactive television applications data with sense of touch control is provided to the user.

26. system according to claim 25 is characterized in that, provides the device of interactive television applications data to comprise to provide the device from the interactive television applications data of key facility that is received by hand-held appliation device.

27. system according to claim 25 is characterized in that, providing the interactive television applications data to comprise provides the interactive television applications data from the interactive television-j o-application device that received by hand-held appliation device.

28. system according to claim 25 is characterized in that,

Interactive television applications is a kind of interactive TV program guide;

The interactive television applications data comprise TV program list; And

Provide the device that utilizes hand-held access means visit interactive television applications modem meeting to comprise to the user device that utilizes sense of touch control to browse the chance of the rendition list is provided to the user with sense of touch control.

29. system according to claim 28 wherein further is included in the TV Festival destination device that provides relevant with the rendition list of being browsed on the hand-held appliation device.

30. system according to claim 25 is characterized in that:

Interactive television applications is a kind of interactive TV program guide;

The interactive television applications data comprise TV program list; And

Provide the device of the chance of utilizing hand-held access means visit interactive television applications data to comprise the device that the chance of utilizing the prompting of sense of touch control setting is provided to the user to the user with sense of touch control.

31. the device that is used for providing on hand-held access means by the set prompting of user wherein further is provided in system according to claim 30.

32. system according to claim 25 is characterized in that:

Interactive television applications is a kind of interactive TV program guide;

The interactive television applications data comprise TV program list; And

Be used for providing the device of the chance of utilizing hand-held access means visit interactive television applications data to comprise the device that is used for providing the chance of utilizing the predetermined pay-per view program of sense of touch control to the user with sense of touch control to the user.

33. system according to claim 25 is characterized in that:

Interactive television applications is a kind of interactive TV program guide;

Be used for providing the device of the chance of utilizing hand-held access means visit interactive television applications data to comprise to be used for to provide utilizing sense of touch control to visit device for the chance of the additional program arrangement information of TV programme to the user with sense of touch control to the user.

34. system according to claim 25 wherein further comprises:

Utilize the device of user's television equipment reception by the employed interactive television applications data of first application program; And

The functional character corresponding device of sense of touch control with first application program.

35. system according to claim 34 is characterized in that, is used for the corresponding device of functional character of the sense of touch control and first application program is comprised the device that is used for the one or more visit informations of exchange between hand-held appliation device and user's television equipment.

36. system according to claim 34, it is characterized in that, be a kind of interactive TV program guide, home shopping application program, family's stock exchange application program, family's lottery industry application program or the email application relevant with TV at interactive television applications.

37. system according to claim 34 wherein further comprises:

Be provided for the device of the interactive application data of non-television applications;

Utilize hand-held appliation device to receive the device of interactive application data; And

Be used for providing the device that utilizes hand-held access means to control the chance of visit interactive application data by sense of touch to the user.

38., it is characterized in that this interactive application is year calendar, address list, web browser, calculator or task list according to the described system of claim 37.

39. system according to claim 34 is characterized in that:

Interactive television applications is a kind of interactive TV program guide;

The interactive television applications data comprise TV program list;

Be used for the corresponding device of functional character of the sense of touch control and first application program is comprised the corresponding device of feature that is used for sense of touch control and interactive TV program guide, and

Be used for providing the device of the chance of utilizing hand-held access means visit interactive television applications data to comprise to be used for to the user device that utilizes sense of touch to control to browse the chance of the rendition list is provided with sense of touch control to the user.

40., wherein further comprise being used for the TV Festival destination device that on hand-held appliation device, provides relevant with browsing the rendition list according to the described system of claim 39.

41., wherein further comprise according to the described system of claim 39:

Be used for providing to user's television equipment the device of at least one accessing communication information, wherein at least one accessing communication information is represented the rendition list of being browsed to user's television equipment; And

Be used to respond at least one visit information the TV Festival destination device relevant with browsing the rendition list is provided on user's television equipment.

42. system according to claim 34 is characterized in that:

Interactive television applications is a kind of interactive TV program guide;

The interactive television applications data comprise TV program list;

Be used for providing the device of the chance of utilizing hand-held access means visit interactive television applications data, prompting be set to utilize sense of touch to control with sense of touch control to the user.

43., wherein further comprise the device that is used on hand-held access means, providing by the set prompting of user according to the described system of claim 42.

44. system according to claim 34, wherein

Interactive television applications is a kind of interactive TV program guide;

The interactive television applications data comprise TV program list;

Be used for providing the device of the chance of utilizing hand-held access means visit interactive television applications data to comprise to be used for to the user device that utilizes sense of touch to control to be scheduled to the chance of pay-per view program is provided with sense of touch control to the user.

45., wherein further comprise according to the described system of claim 44:

Be used for providing to user's television equipment the device of at least one accessing communication information, wherein at least one accessing communication information shows the pay-per view program of utilizing hand-held appliation device to be scheduled to by the user to user's television equipment; And

Be used to respond at least one accessing communication information provides the pay-per view program of being scheduled on user's television equipment device.

46. system according to claim 34, wherein

Interactive television applications is a kind of interactive TV program guide;

The functional character corresponding device of sense of touch control with first application program comprised the feature corresponding device of sense of touch control with interactive TV program guide, and

Being used for providing the device of the chance of utilizing the hand-held access means visit interactive television applications data with sense of touch control to comprise to the user is used for providing the device that utilizes sense of touch control to visit the chance of additional program arrangement information to the user.

47. system according to claim 34 is characterized in that, is used to provide the device of interactive television applications data to comprise to be used to provide the device from the interactive television applications data of key facility that is received by hand-held appliation device.

48. system according to claim 34, it is characterized in that, be used to provide the device of interactive television applications data to comprise and be used to provide by the device of hand-held appliation device reception from the interactive television applications data of interactive television-j o-application device.

49. one kind is used to utilize hand-held appliation device to provide system to the visit of interactive television applications to the user, wherein:

Be configured to provide first communication equipment of interactive television applications data; And

Hand-held appliation device comprises:

Be configured to receive the second communication equipment of interactive television applications data;

User interface with one or more sense of touch controls, it provides visit to hand over to the user

The chance of mutual formula television applications data; And

Treatment circuit, it is configured to (i) indication second communication equipment and receives interactive

Look application data, and (ii) indicate user interface to show one or more senses of touch

Control.

50., it is characterized in that first communication equipment is positioned at the key facility place according to the described system of claim 49.

51., it is characterized in that first communication equipment is positioned at interactive television-j o-application device place according to the described system of claim 49.

52., it is characterized in that according to the described system of claim 49:

The switch type television applications is a kind of interactive TV program guide;

These interactive television applications data comprise TV program list; And

Sense of touch control is further configured to the chance of browsing the rendition list is provided to the user.

53., it is characterized in that according to the described system of claim 52:

Second communication equipment further is configured to receive the TV programme relevant with browsing the rendition list; And

This user interface is further configured and is display of television programmes on hand-held appliation device.

54., it is characterized in that according to the described system of claim 49:

These interactive television applications data comprise TV program list; And

Sense of touch control is further configured to the chance that prompting is set is provided to the user.

55., it is characterized in that this hand-held appliation device is further configured to indicating this user interface that the prompting that is provided with by the user is provided according to the described system of claim 54.

56., it is characterized in that according to the described system of claim 49:

These interactive television applications data comprise TV program list; And

Sense of touch control is further configured to the chance of predetermined pay-per view program is provided to the user.

57., it is characterized in that according to the described system of claim 49:

These interactive television applications data comprise TV program list and additional program arrangement information; And

Sense of touch control is further configured to the chance of visit for TV programme ground additional program arrangement information is provided to the user.

58., it is characterized in that according to the described system of claim 49:

This system further comprises to small part and runs on first application program on user's television equipment;

First communication equipment is arranged in user's television equipment, and further is configured to receive by the employed interactive television applications data of first application program; And

This treatment circuit is further configured to corresponding with the functional character of first application program sense of touch control.

59., it is characterized in that this treatment circuit is further configured to indicating second communication equipment and user's television equipment to exchange one or more accessing communication information according to the described system of claim 58.

60. according to the described system of claim 58, it is characterized in that this interactive television applications is an interactive TV program guide, home shopping application program, family's lottery industry application program, family's stock exchange application program or the email application relevant with TV.

61., wherein further comprise according to the described system of claim 58:

First communication equipment is further configured to being provided for the interactive application data of non-television applications;

Second communication equipment is further configured to receiving the interactive application data; And

Sense of touch control is further configured to the chance of visit interactive application data is provided to the user.

62., it is characterized in that interactive application is year calendar, address list, web browser, calculator or task list according to the described system of claim 61.

63., it is characterized in that according to the described system of claim 58:

These interactive television applications data comprise TV program list;

This treatment circuit is further configured to corresponding with interactive TV program guide sense of touch control; And

64., it is characterized in that according to the described system of claim 52:

65., it is characterized in that according to the described system of claim 64:

First communication equipment is arranged in user's television equipment;

This treatment circuit is further configured to indication second communication equipment provides at least one accessing communication information to user's television equipment, and wherein at least one accessing communication information shows the rendition list of being browsed to user's television equipment; And

User's television equipment is further configured to responding at least one accessing communication information the TV programme relevant with browsing the rendition list is provided.

66., it is characterized in that according to the described system of claim 58:

These interactive television applications data comprise TV program list;

67., it is characterized in that this hand-held appliation device is further configured to indicating user interface to provide the set prompting by the user on hand-held access means according to the described system of claim 66.

68., it is characterized in that according to the described system of claim 58:

These interactive television applications data comprise TV program list;

69., it is characterized in that according to the described system of claim 68:

First communication equipment is arranged in user's television equipment;

This treatment circuit is further configured to indication second communication equipment provides at least one accessing communication information to user's television equipment, and wherein at least one accessing communication information shows the pay-per view program of utilizing hand-held appliation device to be scheduled to by the user to user's television equipment; And

User's television equipment is further configured to responding the pay-per view program that at least one accessing communication information provides and is scheduled to.

70., it is characterized in that according to the described system of claim 58:

These interactive television applications data comprise TV program list and additional program arrangement information;

Sense of touch control is further configured to the additional program arrangement information of visit about TV programme is provided to the user.

71., it is characterized in that first communication equipment is arranged in key facility according to the described system of claim 58.

72., it is characterized in that first communication equipment is arranged in the interactive television-j o-application device according to the described system of claim 58.

73., it is characterized in that according to the described system of claim 49:

First communication equipment is further configured to the interactive television applications data are provided on the 900MHz link; And

Second communication equipment is further configured to receive the interactive television applications data on the 900MHz link.