ENHANCED "TICKER" APPLICATION

1 . A method ( 300 ) of transmitting a television signal including an information ticker, comprising:

embedding ( 310 ) a ticker, including first ticker data, into a video stream;

including ( 320 ) second ticker data in a separate data stream;

multiplexing ( 330 ) the video stream and the separate data stream to create a digital television transport multiplex;

broadcasting ( 340 ) a broadcast television signal including the digital television transport multiplex, the digital television transport multiplex further including the video stream and the separate data stream, wherein the ticker including the first ticker data is embedded in the video stream, and wherein the second ticker data is included in the separate data stream.

2 . The method ( 300 ) of claim 1 , wherein broadcasting a broadcast television signal including the transport multiplex includes:

modulating the digital television transport multiplex onto a carrier signal using 8-VSB modulation to create a broadcast television signal; and

terrestrially broadcasting the broadcast television signal.

3 . The method ( 300 ) of claim 1 , wherein broadcasting a broadcast television signal including the transport multiplex includes:

modulating the digital television transport multiplex onto a carrier signal using M-QAM modulation to create a broadcast television signal; and

broadcasting the broadcast television signal over a cable television system.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein broadcasting a broadcast television signal including the transport multiplex includes:

modulating the digital television transport multiplex onto a carrier signal to create a broadcast television signal; and

broadcasting the broadcast television signal over a satellite transmission system.

5 . The method ( 300 ) of claim 1 , wherein the data stream includes an enhanced ticker application that can be recovered and executed by a receiver for controlling display of the second ticker data in response to a viewer instruction.

6 . The method ( 300 ) of claim 5 , wherein the enhanced ticker application is adapted to create a second ticker that overlays the first ticker, wherein the enhanced ticker application is adapted to pause, fast forward, and reverse display of the second ticker.

7 . A method ( 400 ) of processing ticker information received with a broadcast television signal, comprising:

receiving ( 405 ) a broadcast television signal comprising a digital television transport multiplex, including a video stream and a separate data stream, wherein a first ticker including first ticker data is embedded in the video stream, and wherein second ticker data is included in the separate data stream;

recovering ( 410 ) the video stream from the digital television transport multiplex, and producing therefrom a video signal for display, including the embedded first ticker;

recovering ( 420 ) the second ticker data from the data stream of the digital television transport multiplex;

creating ( 425 ) a second ticker including at least a selected portion of the second ticker data;

combining ( 425 ) the second ticker with the video signal to produce a modified video signal, wherein the modified video signal includes the second ticker next or in place of the first ticker; and

providing ( 430 ) the modified video signal to a display device to display the second ticker.

8 . The method ( 400 ) of claim 7 , wherein the data stream includes an enhanced ticker application, and further comprising:

extracting ( 415 ) the enhanced ticker application from the data stream; and

executing ( 435 ) the enhanced ticker application to control the second ticker.

9 . The method ( 400 ) of claim 7 , further comprising:

receiving ( 440 ) an instruction from a viewer to select a data item in the second ticker and to perform an additional operation with respect to the selected data item; and

performing ( 445 ) the additional operation with respect to the selected data item.

10 . The method ( 400 ) of claim 9 , wherein the additional operation comprises displaying additional data associated with the selected data item, wherein the additional data is included in the second ticker data.

11 . The method ( 400 ) of claim 9 , wherein the additional operation comprises performing a transaction with the viewer with respect to the selected data item.

12 . The method ( 400 ) of claim 9 , wherein the second ticker data includes time-delayed stock market quote data and real-time stock market data, and wherein the additional operation comprises enabling the real-time stock market data to be displayed to the viewer.

13 . The method ( 400 ) of claim 7 , further comprising:

receiving ( 450 ) an instruction from a viewer to alter a speed or direction of the second ticker; and

in response thereto, altering ( 455 ) a speed or direction of the second ticker.

14 . A broadcast television transmitter ( 100 ) for transmission of a television signal including an information ticker, said transmitter comprising:

a means ( 130 , 140 ) for embedding a ticker, including first ticker, into a video stream;

a means ( 160 ) for including second ticker data in a separate data stream;

a multiplexing means ( 170 ) for multiplexing the video stream and the separate data stream to create a digital television transport multiplex;

a broadcasting means ( 180 , 190 , 195 ) for broadcasting a broadcast television signal including the digital television transport multiplex, the digital television transport multiplex further including the video stream and the separate data stream, wherein the ticker including the first ticker data is embedded in the video stream, and wherein the second ticker data is included in the separate data stream.

15 . A broadcast television receiver ( 200 ) for processing ticker information received with a broadcast television signal, said receiver comprising:

a means ( 201 , 210 ) for receiving a broadcast television signal comprising a digital television transport multiplex, including a video stream and a separate data stream, wherein a first ticker including first ticker data is embedded in the video stream, and wherein second ticker data is included in the separate data stream;

a means ( 220 , 240 ) for recovering the video stream from the digital television transport multiplex, and producing therefrom a video signal for display, including the embedded first ticker;

a means ( 220 ) for recovering the second ticker data from the data stream of the digital television transport multiplex;

a means ( 250 ) for creating a second ticker including at least a selected portion of the second ticker data;

a means ( 240 ) for combining the second ticker with the video signal to produce a modified video signal, wherein the modified video signal includes the second ticker in place of the first ticker; and

a means ( 280 ) for providing the modified video signal to a display device to display the second ticker.

16 . A broadcast television receiver ( 200 ) as claimed in claim 15 , further comprising a means for extracting the enhanced ticker application from the data stream, and a means for executing the enhanced ticker application to control the second ticker.

17 . A broadcast television receiver ( 200 ) as claimed in claim 15 , further comprising a means ( 270 ) for receiving an instruction from a viewer to select a data item in the second ticker and to perform an additional operation with respect to the selected data item, and a means ( 260 ) for performing the additional operation with respect to the selected data item.

18 . A broadcast television receiver ( 200 ) as claimed in claim 15 , further comprising a means ( 270 ) for receiving an instruction from a viewer to alter a speed or direction of the second ticker, and in response thereto, altering a speed or direction of the second ticker.