Interactive Content with Enhanced Network Operator Control

Abstract

A method includes receiving, at a media device, a content signal sent to the media device from a data center via a network. The content signal includes a hot key signal indicating availability of alternate content. The method includes determining, at the media device, that the hot key signal is relevant to content sent by the media device to a display device. The method also includes sending, via the media device to the display device, a hot key associated with the hot key signal to the display device to be displayed with the content.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, at a media device, a content signal sent to the media device from a data center via a network, wherein the content signal includes a hot key signal indicating availability of alternate content;   determining, at the media device, that the hot key signal is relevant to content sent by the media device to a display device; and   in response to determining that the hot key signal is relevant to the content, sending, via the media device to the display device, a hot key associated with the hot key signal to the display device to be displayed with the content.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sending the alternate content to the display device in response to receiving an acceptance of the hot key. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising returning to display of the content after receipt of an indication that viewing of the alternate content is complete. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing an option to the display device that enables display of information from a message field of the hot key signal to facilitate a decision by a user about acceptance of the hot key. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising automatically displaying information from a message filed of the hot key signal to the display device to facilitate a decision by a user about acceptance of the hot key. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a determination that the hot key signal is relevant to the content is based on information from a content type field of the hot key signal. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the media device is a set-top box. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the media device is a gateway. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the media device is a computer. 
     
     
         10 . A system comprising:
 a processor;   a memory accessible to the processor, the memory comprising instructions that are executable by the processor to:
 receive a content signal from a data center via a network, wherein the content signal includes a hot key signal indicating availability of alternate content; 
 send content derived from the content signal to a display device; 
 determine that the hot key signal is relevant to the content sent to the display device; and 
 in response to determining that the hot key signal is relevant to the content, send a hot key associated with the hot key signal to the display device to be displayed with the content. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a mass storage device, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to cache the alternate content to the mass storage device. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the hot key is sent to the display after the alternate content is cached. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to receive acceptance of the hot key and to send the alternate content to the display device. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the alternate content comprises an advertisement. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein a content location field of the hot key signal provides content location information to enable retrieval of the alternate content. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the hot key signal is determined to be relevant to the content based on information in a content field of the hot key signal. 
     
     
         17 . A processor readable storage device comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations including:
 receiving a content signal from a data center via a network, wherein the content signal comprises a hot key signal indicating availability of alternate content;   sending content based on the content signal to a display device;   determining that the hot key signal is relevant to the content sent to the display device; and   in response to determining that the hot key signal is relevant to the content, sending a hot key associated with the hot key signal to the display device to be displayed with the content.   
     
     
         18 . The processor readable storage device of  claim 17 , wherein the operations further include:
 receiving an initial selection of the hot key via a remote control device; and   sending a hot key icon to the display in response to the initial selection, wherein the hot key icon provides instructions for a user to accept the alternate content via the remote control device.   
     
     
         19 . The processor readable storage device of  claim 18 , wherein the operations further include sending the alternate content to the display device in response to receiving a signal from the remote control device that indicates acceptance of the alternate content. 
     
     
         20 . The processor readable storage device of  claim 17 , wherein the hot key overlays a portion of the content at the display device.