| 摘要 |
Convergence systems described in the prior art typically focus on advancing hardware architecture. Such systems provide limited solutions as consumers are restricted to the use of proprietary networks, incur significant extra costs upgrading their equipment and pay subscription fees. General public demands low cost solutions for the consumption of the Internet media content in a traditional TV watching experience in the living room. The present invention provides a software-based solution and includes methods, systems, and software codes for a cost effective delivery and organization of multimedia content, informational feeds and interactive advertisements transmitted over the Internet to the user's TV and/or entertainment system already present in the user's home or office. This invention will further advance the convergence of the Internet, portable screen-based media devices, land line and mobile telephones, and traditional television communication channels. Media content will freely migrate from infinite number of providers/multi-platform environment per consumers' demand, anytime and anywhere. A software program installed on a computer allows users to select from a list of channels obtained from an Internet database. The system accesses the corresponding URL of media content via the Internet. A separate URL is accessed at the same time as the main broadcast with each channel's program information which can be displayed on demand. The system sends the output to the user's AV system. A computer keyboard or a wireless remote control can be used to navigate channels and perform interactive functions of the user interface. Users can select different geographical areas to access local TV channels and radio stations. All channels have a designated alpha-numeric channel ID. Clickable images, video, captions, scrolling ticker or other content which may represent informational feeds or advertisements can be displayed on the screen at any time based on the information obtained from a remote URL. Statistics and user feedback can be sent to a remote URL.
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