Mike J Nichols

US Patent:

59319089, Aug 3, 1999

Filed:

Dec 23, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/773263

Inventors:

George Gerba - Venice CA
Robert E. Lambert - Glendale CA
Howard Meiseles - Santa Clarita CA
Mike Nichols - Altadena CA

Assignee:

The Walt Disney Corporation - Burbank CA

International Classification:

G06F 1730

US Classification:

709219

Abstract:

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for linking real-time data with audiovisual content to enable a user to make selections, manipulate data, and to execute functions interactively through an audiovisual display unit based upon audiovisual content being displayed at the time. Audiovisual content is synchronized with the available interactive functions so that the user has the ability to interact with and perform functions related to the audiovisual content being shown at the time. In a preferred embodiment, actionable events in audiovisual programs are synchronized with associated overlay functions and interface data. A method is provided to make overlay functions available to the user through an audiovisual display during the actionable events that occur in a program being viewed by the user. A user interface for each overlay function that may be performed, which user interface may or may not be visible to the user, is overlaid on and synchronized with the program being shown. Interaction with selections may be made using any of several known methods such as a screen menu or a cursor controlled by a remote control device.