Method and apparatus for enhancing television programs with event notifications

摘要

Improved enhanced TV programming provides the capability for a TV viewer watching one channel to be notified of interesting programming events happening or about to happen on other channels. The present invention overcomes the problem addressed by “surfing TV channels” by providing notifications that alert enhanced TV viewers to other programming events happening or about to happen on different channels that are not presently being watched. This enables the viewer to watch a primary program on one channel without interruption and be timely notified about interesting programming events about to occur on other channels. The viewer then may have the option of switching to another channel based on the information included with the event notification.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
receiving a digital television stream; causing the display of a first program of a first television channel received in the television stream for viewing by a viewer using a first tuner; detecting an event notification on a third channel using a second tuner, said second tuner being different than said first tuner; notifying the viewer of viewer selected content available for viewing in a second program on a second television channel being broadcast concurrently with the first program by transmitting a notification over a third television channel; and automatically causing the changing of the channel after the event occurs to display the second program of the second channel instead of the first program.