System and method for supplying supplemental information for video programs

(21) Appl. No.: 08/886,006

(22) Filed: Jul. 3, 1997

Related U.S. Application Data

(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 08/821,436, filed on Mar. 21, 1997, now Pat. No. 6,209,028.

(51) Int. CI.7 H04N 7/14; H04H 1/02

(52) U.S. CI 725/110; 725/115; 725/116

(58) Field of Search 395/200.47-200.49;

348/1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 460, 468, 553, 722; 455/2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3; 386/1, 4, 46, 52; 709/217-219

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Primary Examiner—John W. Miller

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Steven M. Santisi; Joseph F. Haag

An apparatus, method, and program for providing supplemental information related to video programs. Through a computer network interface, a user can request and receive specific supplemental audio/video information related to a video program. Alternatively, the supplemental audio/video information can be retrieved from a CD-ROM, or similar storage device. The video program can be, for example, a live broadcast television program or a time-shifted tape recording of a television program. The supplemental information is synchronized to the video program by using a time code which is integrated with the video program. This enables the supplemental information to be viewed and/or listened to in harmony with the events or action of the video program.

43 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets

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* cited by examiner