Consumer access systems and methods for providing same

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for providing enhanced consumer access to information sources and controllable entities. An Access device can be a stand alone device such as a DVD player in which the DVD disk contains the back-end information network. Other Access devices obtain the back-end information network from remote sources. By way of a specific example, the consumer can then view a game and interactively select every television camera located at the game venue.

1 : A method of defining a user front-end human interface for allowing a user to access and control the presentation of assets from asset providers using an access device, the method comprising:
 the user interface being other than a dynamically loaded web page and being defined by computer program code that is configured to be partially or entirely located on at least one of:
 the access device; or 
 a network device; 
   the user interface having a default layout selected based on the access device used;   the front-end human interface allowing for the display and user interaction with a plurality of windows including at least two types of windows selected from the following three types:
 monitor windows for access to assets at a first quality level; 
 onscreen windows for access to assets at a second quality level higher than the first quality level; 
 companion windows for providing video, audio, pictorial, textural, informational or commercial asset offerings; 
   the front-end human interface including user controls to enable and disable asset interaction or control   
     
     
         2 : A user interface system in accordance with  claim 1 , and configured to allow the user to transfer a digital asset from one window type to another window type. 
     
     
         3 : A user interface system in accordance with  claim 1 , and configured to allow the user to transfer a digital asset from a window type on an access device to a window type on another access device. 
     
     
         4 : The system of  claim 1 , wherein said access device is a cellular telephone. 
     
     
         5 : The system of  claim 1 , wherein said access device is a TV set top box. 
     
     
         6 : The system of  claim 1 , wherein said access device is a TV. 
     
     
         7 : The system of  claim 1 , wherein said access device is a monitor. 
     
     
         8 : The system of  claim 1 , wherein said access device is a computer. 
     
     
         9 : The system of  claim 1 , wherein said access device is a game console. 
     
     
         10 : The system of  claim 1 , wherein said access device is portable. 
     
     
         11 : The system of  claim 1 , wherein said access device is an entertainment device or system. 
     
     
         12 : The system of  claim 1 , wherein said access device is the information system of a terrestrial or aerial transport vehicle. 
     
     
         13 : The system of  claim 1 , wherein said access device is a household appliance. 
     
     
         14 . A user interface system in accordance with  claim 1 , and configured to offer a full screen presentation of a window type. 
     
     
         15 . A user interface system in accordance with  claim 1 , distributed to include some of the window type son a user access device and other of the window types on another user access device. 
     
     
         16 . A user interface system in accordance with  claim 15 , configured to control a window type in one access device from a window type equipped with user controls in another access device. 
     
     
         17 . A user interface system in accordance with  claim 1 , and configured to display a digital asset in at least one window type on at least two devices.