DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 There exist many types of time sensitive information including stock quotes, news, weather, traffic and sports scores. At present, stock quotes are the most time sensitive information of interest to the largest group of people. Accordingly, the present disclosure will use stock quotes as a particular example. One of skill in the art, however, will understand that the present disclosure is applicable to many types of information of interest to groups of people.
 FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a system 100 for real-time distribution of stock quotes on a broadcast channel. As shown in FIG. 1, there is shown a stock exchange center 102 in communication with a distribution center 108 further in communication with subscribers 112A-G. Stock exchange center 102 is, for example, one of the three major stock exchanges in the United States (i.e., the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ stock exchange or the American Stock Exchange). Other stock exchanges, either foreign or domestic, would also be appropriate for use in the present invention. As is known in the art, these types of stock exchanges operate to facilitate the trade of stocks between buyers and sellers. In facilitating such an exchange, stock exchange centers 102 provide trading prices of stocks. Such trading prices can include bid, ask and sell prices and can include other similar information. In providing stock prices, stock exchange centers 102 further offer information services that include stock prices for all or many of the stocks being traded on their exchange. In providing such information, stock exchange centers 102 also can transmit the information to a stock exchange service provider 103. For purposes of the present invention, however, information provided by stock exchange service provider 103 can be substituted for or supplemented by the information provided directly by stock exchange center 102. Moreover, stock exchange service provider 103 can receive information from multiple stock exchange centers 102. Accordingly, in an embodiment of the invention data distribution center 108 receives information from multiple stock exchange centers 102 and multiple stock exchange service providers 103. For clarity of description, the system with stock exchange center 102 will be further described, however, one of skill in the art will appreciate that other embodiments are possible.
 Referring to FIG. 1, stock exchange center provides stock prices over a communication link 106. Communication link 106 is, for example, a high speed digital link such as a fiber optic link. Moreover, communication link 106 can be provided over a communications network 104. Communications network 104 can be provided over a telephone network or over any other widely distributed network such as the Internet. Moreover, where applicable, network 104 can be a wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN). One of skill in the art, along with the teachings of the present invention, will appreciate other embodiments of the invention with variations of network 104.
 Communications link 106 therefore provides for communication between stock exchange center 102 and a data distribution center 108. Data distribution center 108 is configured to receive, collect and broadcast information received from stock exchange center 102. Moreover, where data distribution center 108 receives information from various stock exchange centers 102 or various stock exchange service providers 103, all received information can be collected and broadcast as will be described. For purposes of clarity of description, the information collected by data distribution center will be called “collected information.”
 The collected information, is then transmitted over broadcast channel 110. Broadcast channel 110 is preferably a high speed digital network with error correction and detection codes. In an embodiment of the invention broadcast channel 110 is a broadband cable channel. Where the broadcast channel 110 is a broadband cable system, collected information can be transmitted on an EPG channel or can be merged into other channels such as those used for transmission of digital movies or digital music or text-on-demand. Transmission of collected information over broadcast channel 110 is achieved using methods known in the art including packet transmission of digital information. Moreover, broadcast channel 110 can be used to continuously transmit information in a constant or variable bandwidth channel. In another embodiment of the invention, broadcast channel 110 is a wireless digital link or wireless local loop as further known in the art.
 Broadcast channel 110 is available to various subscribers 112A-G. Broadcast channel 110 therefore provides the same collected information to all subscribers 112A-G. All subscribers 112A-G may not necessarily want to digest all the collected information. Moreover, the various subscribers 112A-G may not all want to digest the same subset of collected information. Accordingly the present invention, provides subscribers 112A-G with methods for tailoring received information as desired by each subscriber 112A-G.
 Shown in FIG. 2 is a method 200 for selecting and displaying a subset of desired stock quotes. At step 202, a subscriber selects the stock quotes he desires to display. In an embodiment of the invention, the subscriber selects stocks from stocks traded on one or mores stock exchanges. At step 203, the subscribers selection is stored as a set of desired stocks. Stock information broadcast over a communication channel such as described with reference to FIG. 1 is then received at step 204. The broadcast information contains information about the set of desired stock, but also contains information about many other stocks not of interest to the subscriber. Accordingly, at step 206, the set of desired stocks is retrieved from the broadcast stock information. At step 207, the set of desired stocks is then stored locally. Where method 200 is implemented on a microprocessor-based system, storage of the set of desired stocks can be done in random access memory (RAM) or on a hard disk drive (HDD). Other mediums for storing such information as known to one of skill in the art are also appropriate. The stored set of desired stocks is then displayed to the subscriber at step 208. In an embodiment of the invention, the display of the set of desired stocks is shown to the subscriber on a computer or television monitor. Moreover, the set of desired stocks can be displayed as a table of information, as a scrolling banner, or any other manner known to one of skill in the art.
 In an embodiment of the invention, a microprocessor-based computer system 300 is coupled to broadcast channel 110. As shown in FIG. 3A, computer system 300 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 312, a monitor 313, a keyboard 308 and a mouse 310. CPU 312 contains within it a microprocessor and memory. The microprocessor is used to execute certain software as will be further described. The memory is used to store such software and is further used to store information as will be described further below. A subscriber using computer system 300 is provided as software interface 301 for selecting his set of desired stocks. In an embodiment of the invention, a subscriber is provided with a software interface 301 providing a list 302 of all the available stocks 303 with accompanying check-boxes 304. Where a subscriber wishes to include a particular stock in his desired set of stocks, the subscriber maneuvers a cursor 309 using mouse 310 to check the desired check-box. To confirm a subscriber's selection, a confirmation button 307 is provided. Upon selecting a stock, the subscriber can confirm his selection by clicking on button 307 indicated as a “GO” button. All the available stocks can likely not be shown in one screen. Accordingly, scroll bars 306 are provided for viewing the entire list of stocks.
 In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention software interface 301 also provides the subscriber a brief narative along with each stock name listing. This brief narrative could include information such as 52 week high, 52 week low, company market cap, company nationality, income to debt ratio, years in business, etc. The type of information included in the narrative could be customized by the subscriber based on what information was believed to be most useful to that individual. In accordance with one embodiment a subscriber could elect to receive more detailed information about a potential stock and the company the stock represents. This election could be accomplished by double-clicking on the stock name with the cursor 309, or by checking an additional box reserved for the selection of detailed descriptions. This detailed information could include any information having any bearing on stock valuation such as corporate debt; earnings; debt to earnings ratio, corporate assets, news, pending lawsuits, government sanctions, corporate structure, the identity of corporate officers and other important personnel, type of products and service offered by a company, etc.
 In another embodiment of the invention, a software interface 350 as shown in FIG. 3B is provided for entering the name or stock identifier of a stock. A user enters a desired stock in field box 352 and then clicks on confirmation button 354 shown as a “GO” button. Software interface 360 is then displayed to a user as shown in FIG. 3C. Where the entered stock quote is found, the user is asked to confirm that the found stock is indeed the desired stock. As shown, the found stock 362 is displayed to a subscriber. If this is the correct stock, the subscriber selects button 364 shown as a “YES” button; where the found stock is incorrect, the subscriber selects button 366 shown as a “NO” button. Upon verifying that an entered name is the stock of interest, such stock can be included in the desired set of stocks. Where an entered stock is not found appropriate error messages can be displayed to a subscriber. Subsequently, the user can again be presented with software interface 350.
 In another embodiment of the invention, a subscriber is presented with software interface 370 as shown in FIG. 3D. Software interface 370 allows a user to enter a partial name of a company or stock in field 376. For example, as shown in FIG. 3D a subscriber has entered the name “Apple.” Upon selecting button 374 shown as a “GO” button, software interface 380 as shown in FIG. 3E is presented to the subscriber. Software interface 380 displays a list 382 of stocks meeting the entered criteria. For the “Apple” example, Apple Computer, Apple One, Apples and Oranges, and Apples and Pears meet the entered criteria. Corresponding to the each stock in the list 382 of stocks are check boxes 384. The subscriber can then select stocks by selecting the corresponding check boxes 384. Moreover, the subscriber can confirm his selection by selection confirmation button 388 shown as a “GO” button.
 FIG. 3F shows an alternative selection menu in which a brief description of the company associated with each stock is included in the menu. Such a description 389 could include the general industry or product the company produces and could aid a user in selecting stocks to monitor. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a user could search for types of stocks or companies using various criteria contained in such a brief description. Such a search could return a menu including all semiconductor processor manufacturers, all international airlines, etc. In this way a user could immediately have access to the stocks of an selected industry in which rapid and immanent growth is expected. Such brief description data would be transmitted separately of time sensitive stock price data on a channel or sub-channel dedicated to such information. In accordance with one embodiment such data would be transmitted on a sub-channel of an electronic program guide (EPG) channel.
 In another embodiment of the invention, a microprocessor-based set top box (STB) system 400, not necessarily a typical computer system, is coupled to broadcast channel 110. In this embodiment of the invention, the microprocessor based STB system 400 includes an STB 402 configured to interface with a television monitor 404 or VCR 403 as shown in FIG. 4A. STB 402 is further configured to receive information from a broadcast channel such as from a broadband cable system. STB 402 can be configured to receive digital movies or other digital information for display on a television monitor. Moreover, STB 402 is configured to receive broadcast stock information for display on television monitor 404. In this embodiment of the invention, a subscriber is provided software interface 401 for selecting his set of desired stocks. In an embodiment of the invention, a subscriber is provided with software interface 401 providing a list 402 of all the available stocks 403 with accompanying check-boxes 404. Where a subscriber wishes to include a particular stock in his desired set of stocks, the subscriber checks the check-box. All the available stocks can likely not be shown in one screen. Accordingly, scroll bars 406 are provided for viewing the entire list of stocks. In an embodiment of the invention, a keyboard 410 and mouse 412 are coupled to STB 402 such that STB system 400 is very similar to computer system 300 as described with reference to FIG. 3. In such an STB system 400, the various software interfaces described with reference to FIG. 3 are also appropriate for STB system 400. As shown in FIG. 4A, software interface 401 is very similar to software interface 301. Even if STB system 400 is not provided with keyboard 410 or mouse 412, remote control device 406 can be used as an input device. In an embodiment of the invention, remote control device 406 is used for software interfaces such as software interface 401. In another embodiment of the invention, the buttons 408 on remote control device 406 are used to enter information on a software interface. Buttons 408 can be used to enter text using a predetermined scheme disclosed to the subscriber. Moreover, buttons 408 are used to maneuver within software interfaces using predetermined buttons to maneuver a cursor 409.
 In an embodiment of the invention, STB system 400 is used to display movies or other visual information on television monitor 404. Moreover, an embodiment as shown in FIG. 4B displays an image 450 that includes a table 460 of stock information overlaid on visual information 457 such as a live television broadcast or pay-per-view movie being displayed on television monitor 400. Table 460 includes a column 452 of stock names, a column 454 of bid prices, a column 456 of ask information, and a column 458 of sell information. Other information can also be displayed on table 460.
 In yet another embodiment of the invention, image 470 is displayed that includes a scrolling banner 471 of stock information below visual information 480 being displayed on television monitor 400. Scrolling banner 471 includes various instances of stock name 472, bid price 474, ask price 476 and sell price 478. As for table 460, other information can also be displayed on scrolling banner 471.
 FIG. 5 shows a server master stock information database in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention at 490. In accordance with the present embodiment data distribution center 108 (FIG. 1) receives information from multiple sources for inclusion in a database 490.
 In accordance with one embodiment data distribution center 108 receives stock market information from one or more stock exchange service providers and one or more stock exchange centers in order to compile a real-time master stock information data base 490. Such a stock information database 490 stores various stock information such as stock symbol 492, real time stock price 494 and detailed information 496 relating to a company associated with symbol 492. In accordance with one embodiment stock symbol information 492 includes a company name associated with an actual stock symbol. In accordance with such an embodiment a stock symbol could be accessed by entering the name of a selected company.
 In accordance with one embodiment real time stock price 492 is updated whenever there is a change in stock price indicated by either the stock exchange service provider 103 or stock exchange centers 102. In accordance with such an embodiment information coming from various sources would be merged in database 490 with newer information replacing old information. A record of changes and the source of changes may also be kept to track such information over time.
 Stock price 492 may include any of the time sensitive prices associated with a particular stock such as bid, ask, last price, etc. In accordance with one embodiment stock price may also include the price of various option contracts and the quantity and dates of such contracts. Detailed information 496 may include any information an investor would find valuable in determining the value of a company including market cap, gross revenue, assets, debt, valuation, analyst reviews, press releases, news, etc. Such information may also include information such as a corporate stance on the environment, worker health, child labor, etc.
 In accordance with one embodiment the information in database 490 is organized by stock symbol, and may be retrieved and updated by searching for stock symbols alphabetically. Any time new information pertaining to a stock symbol is received by distribution center 108 (FIG. 1) the stock symbol 492 is looked up alphabetically and price 494 and or detailed information 496 is updated.
 FIG. 6 shows an exemplary transmission spectrum for two channels broadcast in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention at 500. A first channel 502 includes one or more subchannels of video-on-demand (VOD) data 506 and time sensitive stock data 508. Second channel 510 includes one or more subchannels of VOD data 506, time sensitive stock data 508 and one or more subchannels of Non-VOD data 512. Though only two channels are shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that 30 or more channels are available on an exemplary system.
 Time sensitive stock data 508 is transmitted on multiple channels 502, 510 in order to allow a receiving set-top-box to access stock information while a user is watching a program on various channels. For example, a user could watch a DOD movie on first channel 502 and then switch to a non-DOD broadcast program available on second channel 510 without losing access to time sensitive stock information 508. In this way a client of such a universal broadcast system could watch various movies, television programs, etc., all the while having a customized banner showing the latest stock prices of stocks in which he or she is interested.
 In accordance with one embodiment stock data 508 is contained on a dedicated subchannel 508 of a plurality of broadcast channels 502, 510. Alternatively stock data 508 may be contained on a portion of a subchannel carrying multiple data programs.
 In accordance with one embodiment detailed stock information is provided on an electronic program guide channel (EPG). Such detailed stock information would be transmitted at a much lower bit rate than the above described time sensitive stock price information. In accordance with one embodiment users may trade stocks using software residing on a set-top-box receiver and information provided as stock data 508.
 FIG. 7 shows a data packet including time sensitive stock information in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention at 550. Exemplary data packet 550 includes a plurality of stock symbol fields 552 each having a corresponding price field 554. Each stock symbol field will be of the same size as will each price field. In this way each symbol field 552 and corresponding price field 554 will comprise a virtual sub-packet, 555 with the data packet 550 including a fixed number of these virtual sub-packets 555. Each virtual sub-packet 555 will be of a fixed size in order to simplify sorting and retrieval both at the server side and the receiver side.
 Each stock symbol field 552 will contain information including a stock symbol indicative of a company stock such as CSCO, which would indicate stock of the company Cisco Systems, inc. Stock symbol field 552 would also contain the identity of the company associated with the stock symbol. Price field 554 would contain information such as the ask price, bid price, last price, etc. for the associated stock symbol.
 In accordance with one embodiment price field 554 would also include information relating to option contracts available for a stock symbol. Such information would include the amount of stock for each such contract available, price of each contract, time period of each such contract, etc.
 The sub-packets 555 are arranged in the data packet 550 alphabetically by stock symbol 556. Since only a limited number of sub-packets 555 could be carried by data packet 550 it would be necessary to send the stock price information using multiple data packets 550. An efficient method for grouping stock symbols 552 is to assign an alphabetic range to each data packet 550. An exemplary data packet 550 shows stock symbols ranging from AAAA to CZZZ. Additional data packets would be necessary for stock prices relating to stock symbols DAAA through ZZZZ.
 FIG. 8 shows a video display of stock price information in conjunction with video broadcast display programs at 600. A video program such as a video-on-demand (VOD) movie is displayed in a central portion 602 of a video display device 600. Simultaneously, current stock prices for a selected group of stocks is displayed in a peripheral area 604 of the video display device 600. These current stock prices may be displayed as text over a portion of movie, or may be displayed as text in a picture in picture format, or any other suitable format.
 In accordance with one embodiment selected stock prices are displayed across the bottom of a display screen 600 as a banner display 606. Such a display 606 would appear as similar to that used by CNN headline news to display recent events, though the content of a banner in accordance with the present invention would be customizable by a user to display prices for selected stocks, currency, negotiable instruments, commodities, option contracts and the like.
 FIG. 9 shows an exemplary dedicated electronic program guide (EPG) channel at 650 including a detailed stock information sub-channel in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. EPG channel 652 includes stock information sub-channel 654 and program guide data 656. In accordance with one embodiment stock information sub-channel 654 carries detailed information on all publicly traded stocks. This detailed information includes information having any bearing on stock valuation such as corporate debt; earnings; debt to earnings ratio, assets, news, pending lawsuits, government sanctions, corporate structure, the identity of corporate officers and other important personnel, type of products and service offered by a company, etc. In accordance with one embodiment detailed stock information sub-channel 654 carries information transmitted at a low bit rate (relative to the transmission bit rate of time sensitive information such as that illustrated with reference to FIG. 6 above).
 In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention EPG information 656 comprises information relating to the broadcast services offered by a universal broadcast server system (not shown) including VOD services and Non-VOD programs such as broadcast television. Such EPG information is described in greater detail with reference to Khoi Hoang's patent applications entitled: UNIVERSAL STB ARCHITECTURES AND CONTROL METHODS filed on May 30, 2001, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING VIDEO ON DEMAND SERVICES FOR BROADCASTING SYSTEMS filed on May 31, 2000, bearing application Ser. No. 09/584,832, METHODS FOR PROVIDING VIDEO ON DEMAND SERVICES FOR BROADCASTING SYSTEMS filed Nov. 10, 2000, bearing application Ser. No. 09/709,948 and UNIVERSAL DIGITAL BROADCAST SYSTEM AND METHODS filed on Apr. 24, 2001, bearing application Ser. No. 09/841,792, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
 FIG. 10A shows the format in which detailed stock description information is transmitted in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Information 660 such as corporate debt, assets, news, pending lawsuits, government sanctions, corporate structure, the identity of corporate officers and other important personnel, type of products and service offered by a company, etc., is transmitted with each associated stock symbol header 662. The information is transmitted such that a receiving STB 402 (FIG. 4A) may maintain a database of detailed stock information. A user could access the information from this stored database at any time. In accordance with one embodiment detailed stock information 660 includes a history of stock prices for each stock symbol.
 FIG. 10B shows a display menu for selecting detailed stock information at 670 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. A user may select a company 672 from a menu 674 by checking a box 676. A user may scroll through a list of all publicly traded companies using scroll bar 678. Once a user has selected all the detailed descriptions desired for viewing, the user need only click a bar 679.
 FIG. 11 shows a server process for updating a stock price information data base at 750 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In a step 752 distribution center 108 (FIG. 1) receives updated stock price information. This information could come from a stock exchange service provider 103 (FIG. 1), a stock exchange center 102, or any other suitable source of reliable stock price information. Such information may include last price, ask price, bid price, etc.
 In a step 754 the distribution center 108 determines whether the update information is newer than the relevant information currently stored for the particular stock. If the update information is newer the distribution center 108 determines whether the update information differs from the currently stored information for the relevant stock. If the update information is different the distribution center 108 updates the entry in a master stock price database associated with the stock in question.
 FIG. 12 shows an STB process for updating a user stock price database at 800 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. STB 402 (FIG. 4A) receives user input indicating one or more stock symbols for display in step 802. Step 804 STB receives real time stock price data 506 (FIG. 5) as data packets 550 (FIG. 6) on a channel 504 or 502 (FIG. 5) that STB is currently tuned to. In step 806 STB 402 (FIG. 5) retrieves stock price information from an appropriate price field 554 (FIG. 7) of an appropriate data packet 550 including each stock selected in step 802. In order to retrieve the correct stock price STB 402 searches alphabetically 556 (FIG. 7) for selected symbol 552 (FIG. 7), and retrieves an associated price information 554 (FIG. 7).
 In step 808 the STB displays the selected stock symbols and corresponding stock price information to the user on a portion of the video display screen 604 or 606. Concurrently in step 810 the STB is retrieving VOD data on a portion of channel 502 or 504 (FIG. 5) separate from stock price data 506 (FIG. 5). Concurrently with step 808 the STB displays this VOD data as a video program to the user on a central portion 602 (FIG. 6) of the video display screen in step 812. Thus VOD data and stock price information are displayed simultaneously.
 FIG. 13 shows an exemplary statistical histogram generated by software residing on STB 402 (FIG. 4A) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The exemplary histogram 850 illustrates frequency that which various stocks have been selected for viewing by the user over time.
 In accordance with one embodiment software residing on the STB 402 (FIG. 4A) may be operative to generate various statistical graphs such as plots of stock prices over time, plots of trade volume of selected stocks over time, etc. Virtually any conceivable data analysis could be performed by software residing on the STB 402 (FIG. 4A) or the computer 312 (FIG. 3A). Potentially, even deriving virtual mathematical models of price variations could be used to try to predict future behavior based solely on mathematical modeling, or a combination of mathematical modeling and other factors such as analysts ratings, earnings forecasts, etc.
 Several preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various other modifications may be made to the described invention without departing from its spirit and scope. For example, the present invention is not limited to any particular implementation or programming technique, and the invention may be implemented using various techniques for achieving the functionality described herein. The invention may be implemented in any appropriate operating system using appropriate programming languages and/or programming techniques. Thus, the present invention is not limited to the presently preferred embodiments described herein, but may be altered in a variety of ways which will be apparent to persons skilled in the art based on the present description.