| abstract |
A closed caption tagging system provides a mechanism for inserting tags into an audio or video television broadcast stream prior to or at the time of transmission. The tags contain command and control information that the receiver translates and acts upon. The receiver receives the broadcast stream and detects and processes the tags within the broadcast stream which is stored on a storage device that resides on the receiver. Program material from the broadcast stream is played back to the viewer from the storage device. The receiver performs the appropriate actions in response to the tags. Tags indicate the start and end points of a program segment. The receiver skips over a program segment during playback in response to the viewer pressing a button on a remote input device or it automatically skips over program segments depending on the viewer's preferences. Program segments such as commercials are automatically replaced by the receiver with new program segments that are selected based on various criteria. Menus, icons, and Web pages are displayed to the viewer based on information included in a tag. The viewer interacts with the menu, icon, or Web page through an input device with the receiver performing the associated actions. If a menu or actions requires that the viewer exits from the playback of the program material, then the receiver saves the exit point and returns the viewer back to the same exit point when the viewer has completed the interaction session. Menus and icons are used to generate leads, generate sales, and schedule the recording of programs. A one-touch recording option is provided. An icon is displayed to the viewer telling the viewer that an advertised program is available for recording at a future time. The viewer presses a single button on an input device causing the receiver to schedule the program for recording. |