How Interactive Television Systems Send Applications Alongside Video Streams
A system for broadcasting interactive software applications alongside video programs so that a television or set-top box can run them in real-time.
Original patent title: “USRE44685E1 - Apparatus for transmitting and receiving executable applications as for a multimedia system, and method and system to order an item using a distributed computing system”
A system for broadcasting interactive software applications alongside video programs so that a television or set-top box can run them in real-time. Granted to OpenTV Inc in 2013 with 63 claims and 1 forward citation.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent describes a way to bundle interactive software with a video broadcast. It uses a data stream where video packets and application packets are mixed together using time-division multiplexing. A client device, like a set-top box, acts as a filter; it identifies which packets belong to the video and which belong to the application code. It then assembles the application and runs it, allowing the software to overlay graphics or sound directly onto the video program, creating an interactive experience for the viewer.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover applications delivered solely over the internet via standard HTTP/IP protocols.
- Does not cover video-on-demand systems where the application is not bundled in the same multiplexed stream as the video.
- Does not cover non-interactive video broadcasting where no auxiliary application code is executed.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The system repetitively broadcasts the application code independently of the client's state, meaning a viewer can tune into a channel at any time and the set-top box will eventually catch the full application cycle to start the interactive features.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Early digital cable set-top boxes
Interactive electronic program guides (EPG)
Broadcast-based interactive television services
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This technology was foundational for the transition from passive television to interactive digital television. It allowed cable and satellite providers to offer features like on-screen program guides, interactive advertisements, and simple games that felt integrated into the broadcast signal.
Filed
July 10, 2001
Granted
December 31, 2013
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
OpenTV, now part of Nagra, remains a key player in the digital television middleware market. Traditional cable and satellite operators continue to use similar multiplexing concepts for delivering interactive content to legacy hardware.
Market impact
This patent helped define the technical architecture for the digital television era. It enabled the creation of the interactive television market, allowing broadcasters to monetize their airtime beyond simple commercials by offering integrated, interactive experiences.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent describes a way to bundle interactive software with a video broadcast. It uses a data stream where video packets and application packets are mixed together using time-division multiplexing. A client device, like a set-top box, acts as a filter; it identifies which packets belong to the video and which belong to the application code. It then assembles the application and runs it, allowing the software to overlay graphics or sound directly onto the video program, creating an interactive experience for the viewer.
The clever bit
The system repetitively broadcasts the application code independently of the client's state, meaning a viewer can tune into a channel at any time and the set-top box will eventually catch the full application cycle to start the interactive features.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover applications delivered solely over the internet via standard HTTP/IP protocols.
- Does not cover video-on-demand systems where the application is not bundled in the same multiplexed stream as the video.
- Does not cover non-interactive video broadcasting where no auxiliary application code is executed.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
6/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
20/20
Very broad protection
Recency
5/20
Granted 10–20 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$14K – $46K
Midpoint $29K · expired or expiring · industry ×1.6
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
63 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Dureau, V., Delpuch, A., Joseph, K., & Jessup, A. W. (2013). How Interactive Television Systems Send Applications Alongside Video Streams (U.S. Patent No. RE44,685). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/RE44685/noise-cancelling-headphones
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Interactive Television Systems Send Applications Alongside Video Streams cover?
A system for broadcasting interactive software applications alongside video programs so that a television or set-top box can run them in real-time.
Who owns patent US RE44685?
OpenTV Inc owns this patent, granted in 2013.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on December 31, 2033, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US RE44685 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This technology was foundational for the transition from passive television to interactive digital television. It allowed cable and satellite providers to offer features like on-screen program guides, interactive advertisements, and simple games that felt integrated into the broadcast signal.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover applications delivered solely over the internet via standard HTTP/IP protocols.
Patent monitoring