A system and method for interactive broadcast of Internet web pages, or
the like, on dedicated downstream channels in a cable television system
or the like facilitates hyperlinking by a user from a broadcast
television program to a web page, or between web pages, for example. In
one embodiment, each user's set top is programmed with channel mapping
information that maps each hyperlink request to a particular channel and
time where the requested information is being broadcast in a multiplexed
information stream. In response to receipt of a hyperlink request from a
user actuating a remote control button, mouse or keyboard, the set top
tunes to the appropriate one of the downstream channels, and downloads
the web page or other information. In one embodiment to facilitate
picture-in-picture capability using a single tuner, the tuner in the set
top briefly tunes away from the video program to the appropriate data
channel for receiving the hyperlink information. After the information
associated with the hyperlink is downloaded and stored in the set top,
the tuner automatically tunes back to the video program. The user can
then interact with the hyperlink content and continue watching TV
simultaneously. Alternatively, a scaler application is provided in the
headend that reduces the size of the video program or a content related
web page, for example, so that they can then be combined at the headend
in a picture-in-picture format.
