Importance

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Abstract

A number of participants communicate via their personal computers over a telephone network with an on-line service that provides a chat capability. A server connects to the telephone network at the on-line service provider. A chat formatter at this server formats and transmits the chat over an associated data channel. This server accommodates both text and audio chat. A television program is combined with the associated data at a broadcast transmitter. The encoded television signal is broadcast over the airways by way of a broadcast tower, satellite or cable. A consumer receives the encoded television signal at a television antenna, satellite dish or cable connection. Software at the consumer's computer reads the broadcasted chat and formats it such that it appears on the computer screen as if the consumer were a participant in the chat. This software is tied to the broadcast of a particular television program. Seamless integration with a low-bandwidth data is back channel allows the consumer to view broadcast television program and chat, and participate in the chat by sending replies over the back channel.

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First Claim