Case 5:15-cv-02008-EJD Document 83-1 Filed 04/12/16 Page 1 of 13
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`EXHIBIT 1
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`DECLARATION OF MELODY DRUMMOND HANSEN IN SUPPORT OF DEFENDANT’S
`RESPONSIVE CLAIM CONSTRUCTION BRIEF
`
`Case No. 5:15-CV-02008-EJD
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`Case5:15-cv-02008-EJD Document1-2 Filed05/05/15 Page2 of 13Case 5:15-cv-02008-EJD Document 83-1 Filed 04/12/16 Page 2 of 13
`I lllll llllllll Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006233736Bl
`US 6,233, 736 Bl
`*May 15, 2001
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Wolzien
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) MEDIA ONLINE SERVICE ACCESS SYSTEM
`AND METHOD
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Thomas R. Wolzien, Grandview, NY
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Media Online Services, Inc., New
`York, NY (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`19545882
`0757485
`WO 9413107
`W0960727
`W09613124
`WO 9702699
`W09727546
`
`6/1997 (DE) .
`2/1997 (EP) .
`6/1994 (WO) .
`3/1996 (WO) .
`5/1996 (WO) .
`1/1997 (WO) .
`7/1997 (WO) .
`
`Primary Examiner-John W. Miller
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Dorsey & Whitney LLP
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis(cid:173)
`claimer.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/054,740
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Apr. 3, 1998
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`( 63) Continuation of application No. 08/597,432, filed on Feb. 8,
`1996, now Pat. No. 5,761,606.
`
`Int. Cl.7 ..................................................... H04N 7/173
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................ 725/110; 725/112; 725/133
`(58) Field of Search .................................... 348/6, 10, 12,
`348/13, 460, 461, 465, 468, 469, 473, 476-479,
`563, 564, 565; 455/3.1, 5.1, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3;
`709/217-219; 725/105, 109, 110, 111, 112,
`113, 131, 133; H04N 7/00, 7/10, 7/14
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,894,789
`4,905,094
`5,014,125
`5,128,752
`5,140,416
`5,262,860
`5,285,278
`5,438,355 *
`
`1/1990
`2/1990
`5/1991
`7/1992
`8/1992
`* 11/1993
`2/1994
`8/1995
`
`Yee.
`Pocock et al..
`Pocock et al..
`Von Kohorn.
`Galumbeck et al. .
`Fitzpatrick et al.
`............. 348/476 X
`Holman.
`Palmer ................................. 455/2 X
`
`A system is disclosed for providing direct automated access
`to an online information services provider through an
`address embedded in a video or audio program, commercial
`message, or news story. The system operates with video or
`audio programs which are received through broadcast, cable
`or pre-recorded media, and which are encoded in either
`analog or digital formats. The address of an online infor(cid:173)
`mation provider is encoded in a vertical blanking interval or
`other non-displayed portion of an electronic signal which
`represents the video or audio program so as not to interfere
`with the program as displayed or transduced on a television
`or audio sound system. The online information provider
`address is detected and decoded from the electronic signal
`and used in establishing a direct digital communication link
`to the online information provider. Upon detecting an online
`provider address, the system indicates to the user that more
`information is available. The user may then elect to establish
`a connection with the online information provider by giving
`a simple command, e.g., pushing a special button on a
`remote control. The system then automatically establishes a
`direct digital communication link to the online information
`provider through the address and provides for interactive
`information exchange and processing to permit signals
`received from the online information provider to be dis(cid:173)
`played on a conventional television, transduced on a sound
`system, or also on a high resolution reproducing system such
`as a computer monitor, or other reproduction device.
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`12 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`Gs i 24---.. '1..--w::or~
`
`____________ _J
`
`VIDEO INPUT
`~
`
`

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`US 6,233,736 Bl
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,453,794
`5,479,268
`5,481,542
`5,526,035
`5,534,913
`5,537,141
`5,539,471
`5,543,849
`5,553,221
`5,564,073
`5,570,295
`5,572,442
`5,585,858
`5,589,892
`5,604,452 *
`5,612,730
`5,633,918
`
`9/1995
`12/1995
`1/1996
`6/1996
`7/1996
`7/1996
`7/1996
`8/1996
`9/1996
`10/1996
`* 10/1996
`11/1996
`12/1996
`12/1996
`2/1997
`3/1997
`5/1997
`
`Ezaki.
`Young.
`Logston et al. .
`Lappington et al. .
`Majeti et al..
`Harper.
`Myhrvold et al. .
`Long.
`Reimer et al..
`Takahisa.
`Isenberg et al. .. ... ... ... .... .. 364/514 R
`Schulhof et al. .
`Harper et al. .
`Knee et al..
`Dedrick ................................ 348/6 X
`Lewis.
`Mankovitz.
`
`5,640,193 * 6/1997 Wellner .................................... 348/7
`5,643,088
`7/1997 Vaughn et al. .
`5,649,284
`7/1997 Yoshinobu.
`5,659,366
`8/1997 Kerman .
`5,667,708
`9/1997 Glass et al. .
`5 ,668,592
`9 /1997 Spaulding, II .
`5,694,163 * 12/1997 Harrison ................................. 348/13
`5,696,905
`12/1997 Reimer et al. .
`5,724,091
`3/1998 Freeman et al. .
`5,724,103
`3/1998 Batchelor .
`5,729,252
`3/1998 Fraser .
`5,734,437
`3/1998 Back .
`5,761,602
`6/1998 Wagner et al. .
`5,774,664
`6/1998 Hidary et al. .
`5,778,181
`7/1998 Hidary et al. .
`5,818,441 * 10/1998 Throckmorton et al. .......... 348/13 X
`5,912,700 * 6/1999 Honey et al. ........................ 348/157
`* cited by examiner
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`May 15, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
`
`US 6,233, 736 Bl
`
`2
`
`40
`
`D
`
`,--------d~
`~6
`
`ACCESS
`~-~-2 ...... CONTROLLER
`~8
`
`____________ _J
`
`10
`
`2
`
`VIDEO INPUT
`15
`
`FIG. 1
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`May 15, 2001
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`Sheet 2 of 3
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`US 6,233, 736 Bl
`
`T022
`
`To40
`
`36
`
`2
`SIGNAL
`CONVERTER
`
`46.......____._ __ _,
`
`INDICATOR
`SIGNAL
`GENERATOR
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`5
`
`44
`
`--- PROCESSOR
`L-._.---------- 58
`
`ADDRESS
`EXTRACTOR
`
`52
`
`56
`
`2
`
`USER
`INTERFACE
`
`MODEM
`
`FIG. 2
`
`

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`Case 5:15-cv-02008-EJD Document 83-1 Filed 04/12/16 Page 6 of 13
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`Case5:15-cv-02008-EJD Document1-2 Filed05/05/15 Page7 of 13Case 5:15-cv-02008-EJD Document 83-1 Filed 04/12/16 Page 7 of 13
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`US 6,233,736 Bl
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`1
`MEDIA ONLINE SERVICE ACCESS SYSTEM
`AND METHOD
`
`This is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/597,432, filed Feb.
`8, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,606.
`The present invention relates to an electronic information
`access system and more specifically to a media online
`services access system which provides direct, automated
`access to an online information provider through an address
`embedded in an electronic signal which carries a program
`segment (e.g., through television, radio, or a pre-recorded
`video or audio medium).
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`10
`
`2
`sumer through an online address embedded in a video
`presentation so the consumer could reach its online site
`quickly to ask for more information, to request a test drive,
`or to purchase parts. Through such system, a grocery store
`5 could advertise and receive orders through its online site
`from customers for home delivery, or for other shopping
`needs. A catalog retailer could use such system to provide
`rapid access to consumers, after airing a commercial, to its
`catalog in online form and to enable orders to be placed
`readily through its online site. A record company could use
`such system to enable customers to order a recording while
`listening to a song or viewing a music video. Government
`agencies, e.g., the Internal Revenue Service, military
`recruiters, or health agencies, for example, could use such
`system to provide consumers with readily available infor(cid:173)
`mation following the airing of public service announcements
`regarding regulations, programs, or public health concerns,
`e.g., cancer, AIDS, and heart disease. Educators and students
`could use such system to obtain more detailed or up-to-the(cid:173)
`minute information from online bulletin boards and data(cid:173)
`bases regarding topics presented in a video program, even
`though the program was recorded some time in the past.
`Systems exist at present in which digitally encoded infor(cid:173)
`mation is transmitted and received through a modified video
`signal of a conventional television transmission. For
`example, a system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,789
`wherein a digital information signal is transmitted during the
`vertical blanking interval of an analog broadcast television
`signal and decoded and displayed on the television screen in
`addition to the analog broadcast video signal.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,752 describes a system in which a
`retailer broadcasts information for reception upon a conven(cid:173)
`tional television set regarding products available through a
`central location. The system includes a decoder for display-
`35 ing the product information on the television screen, and
`also a token generator for producing tokens, at the user's
`option, to be redeemed when a product is purchased. The
`broadcast information includes data related to token redemp(cid:173)
`tion and value considerations available upon purchase of the
`40 product.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,278 describes a system in which
`coupon-related digital information is received from a trans(cid:173)
`mitted television signal through a decoder. The decoder
`records the coupon-related data for later readout and
`45 redemption when a product is purchased.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,094 ("the '094 Patent") describes an
`interactive cable television system in which a subscriber
`tunes to a channel and requests connection to a remote
`location by either dialing a predetermined telephone number
`50 or accessing a cable television channel. When the system
`identifies the subscriber the television set displays the frame
`of video (and possibly accompanying audio information)
`describing products or services which may be viewed and
`purchased. The '094 Patent does not describe the extraction
`55 of encoded address information from the television signal,
`or a system enabling a television program viewer to access
`online information providers by establishing connection
`automatically through such extracted address.
`Thus, systems exist which are capable of providing inter-
`60 active user access through a broadcast or cable television
`signal. However, such systems are limited in the access they
`provide to information sources directly available through the
`unitary cable or broadcast provider. By contrast, the present
`invention facilitates direct automated user access to an
`65 unlimited number of online information providers through
`provider addresses which are embedded in the electronic
`signal which carries an video or audio program.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`Heretofore, media receiving and display systems such as
`television and radio receivers have been linked to interactive
`information providers in only very limited ways. Some
`systems exist which permit the exchange of digital infor(cid:173)
`mation with the viewer of a television program over or in
`combination with a television signal, but such systems have
`provided access to a single information source available
`from, for example, the broadcast or cable television operator.
`In such systems, the selection of information services has
`been entirely within the control of the broadcast or cable 25
`television operator. At the same time, some television and
`radio broadcasters have begun announcing an Internet
`address for viewer inquiries during the course of program
`transmission. Access to this Internet address requires the
`user to utilize his or her computer. No system yet exists 30
`which provides automated and direct user access to online
`information providers through an address embedded in a
`video or audio program signal.
`The recent explosion in the usage of online information
`services through digital networks such as the Internet,
`Prodigy (R), America Online (R) and Compuserve (R), for
`example, indicate that the demand for access to readily
`available up-to-date or detailed information is increasing.
`The viewer of a video program, whether the program is
`received through broadcast, or cable means or from a
`pre-recorded medium, may often seek to discover more
`information which relates to a topic presented in the video
`program. Since television programs and recordings are of
`finite length, they do not contain all the related information
`which a consumer may wish, and the information contained
`therein may not be timely. Therefore, it would be desirable
`for there to be a system which automatically and directly
`provides access to an online information provider through an
`address which can be extracted from an audio or video
`program such as a television program, commercial or news
`story. With such system, several benefits would be obtained.
`For example, adults and children viewing an educational or
`historical video program could easily locate additional mate(cid:173)
`rials provided in text or still picture by the producers of the
`video program by accessing more information from the
`producers digitally through the online address. Consumers
`seeking more information about a specific advertised prod(cid:173)
`uct could easily find such information by accessing the
`online address of an information provider designated by the
`advertiser. News program viewers seeking specific informa(cid:173)
`tion from news stories or more detailed information could
`easily access such information through an online informa(cid:173)
`tion provider designated by the producers of such program.
`The online services access system could be used to
`provide still other benefits to consumers, business owners,
`and the government. For example, an automobile manufac(cid:173)
`turer could make information available directly to a con-
`
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`US 6,233,736 Bl
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`3
`Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a
`system for extracting an address of an online information
`provider from an electronic signal which carries an video or
`audio program.
`It is a further object of the invention to provide a system 5
`which indicates to the program user (i.e., viewer or listener),
`after extracting an online information provider address, that
`more information is available.
`Still another object of the invention is to provide an
`automated system which, upon receipt of a single user 10
`command, directly and automatically establishes a digital
`connection with an online information provider through an
`address extracted from an electronic signal which carries a
`video or audio program.
`Another object of the invention is to provide a system 15
`which converts information signals received from an online
`information provider to a form capable of being displayed
`on a conventional reproducing system such as a television
`set.
`These and other objects are provided by the media online
`services access system of the present invention.
`
`20
`
`4
`would eliminate the need for the access system to incorpo(cid:173)
`rate specific structure to provide indication to the user, in
`response to successful extraction of an online provider
`address.
`After receiving the indicator signal, if the user desires
`more information, the user may request access to the online
`information provider through a command to the access
`system, e.g., through pushbutton, user control keypad, voice
`command, mouse, touchpad, touchscreen, or other such
`input. Upon receiving such command, the access system
`automatically establishes a digital communication link with
`the online information provider through transmission of a
`signal containing the extracted address. Preferably, upon
`establishment of such communication link, the access sys(cid:173)
`tem enables interactive communications with the online
`information provider.
`In another embodiment of the invention, the extracted
`address can be used without first being stored, as in cases
`where a connection already exists between the access system
`and a network. Where such connection exists, the access
`system provides an indicator signal to the user upon suc(cid:173)
`cessful extraction of an online information provider address.
`However, in this embodiment, the access system waits to
`receive a user command to initiate access, and only after
`25 receiving such command does the access system extract the
`next received address from the electronic signal and use it to
`establish a direct connection to the online information
`provider.
`In a preferred embodiment, after accessing an online
`services provider, the access system receives information
`from the online information provider and processes it for
`reproduction on a video or audio reproducing system. For
`example, the information can be displayed on the television
`screen in place of the television broadcast signal, on a
`separate computer monitor or other display device, or
`together with the television broadcast signal in a picture-in(cid:173)
`picture format. In this way, the user can fully explore all of
`the related information available from the online informa-
`tion provider. Preferably, the access system is provided with
`hardware to reformat the received information signal for
`display upon an otherwise incompatible system, for
`example, to convert a digitally encoded video signal to an
`analog signal for reproduction on a conventional television
`set. Preferably, the access system is also provided with
`hardware for receiving and processing user commands for
`transmission to the online information provider for provid(cid:173)
`ing user communication transactions with the provider.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The media online services access system of the present
`invention provides a system and process which links video
`and audio program content with online information signal
`content. The system provides heretofore unattained direct
`automated user access from a media program such as a
`received or pre-recorded television or radio (audio) signal to 30
`an online information provider through a link provided in
`the media program. The access system receives an electronic
`signal representing a video or audio program or a combined
`audio/video program from an available medium (e.g., broad(cid:173)
`cast and cable television and radio, or a pre-recorded 35
`medium such as a tape or disc). Embedded in the electronic
`signal, for example, in the vertical blanking interval, or
`otherwise encoded in the electronic signal in such manner as
`not to interfere with the displayed image, is an information
`signal representing an electronic address of an online infor- 40
`mation provider. The online information provider can be any
`one of millions of interactive information providers which
`can be accessed through exchange of digital information
`signals, for example, a publisher who is available through
`the Internet for interactive transactions. As the media pro- 45
`gram is received for reproduction on a video display or audio
`sound system, the access system extracts the embedded
`electronic address for use in directly accessing the online
`information provider at the selection of the user.
`Preferably, the address is stored at the time of extraction, 50
`for use in accessing the online information provider at the
`selection of the user. The duration in which an extracted
`signal address is stored may be relatively short, as in the case
`where the address is transmitted and refreshed continuously
`or at very short intervals, e.g., once per each frame of a video 55
`signal, or it may be longer, as when an address is transmitted
`only at selected intervals of a program.
`Upon successfully extracting an electronic address, the
`access system provides a indicator signal to the user that
`more information is available. The indicator signal may take 60
`the form of a message displayed on a video screen, or other
`indicators such as a light, a sound or a wireless tactile
`indicator, e.g., vibrating wristband or clip-on unit.
`Alternatively, the video or audio program may contain a
`logo or message to be displayed for the user at points in the 65
`program which coincide with the presence of an embedded
`online information provider address, which, in such case,
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block and schematic diagram illustrating the
`online services access system in accordance with the present
`invention.
`FIG. 2 is a block and schematic diagram of an access
`controller used in the online access system of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a block and schematic diagram of another
`embodiment of an access controller used with a computer in
`accordance with the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`An online services access system according to the present
`invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 1, the
`online services access system includes access controller 10
`which incorporates all components necessary to provide
`online access and to access received online information
`
`

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`5
`6
`signals. Access controller 10 is constructed to receive an
`In such cases in which video or audio program is encoded
`electronic signal 12 from a broadcast, cable or prerecorded
`digitally, address extractor 42 may be constructed in any of
`several existing ways to detect an address signal which is
`medium program in conventional form from a video signal
`source 14. Video signal source 14 can be selectively swit(cid:173)
`received in conjunction with a digitally encoded video or
`chable to provide output from a channel selector 16 con(cid:173)
`5 audio electronic signal 12. The details of the construction of
`nected to a cable or broadcast video input 15 or from a video
`address extractor 42 are well known in the art and need not
`playback system 18 which may be, for example, a video(cid:173)
`be described in further detail.
`cassette recorder or an analog or digital videodisc device. It
`Address extractor 42 has an output connection to an
`will be appreciated that channel selector 16 may be provided
`indicator signal generator 46. The indicator signal generator
`in a unit separate from playback system 18, or within access
`46 signals the user that more information relating to the
`controller 10 itself. Alternatively, access controller 10 can be
`program is available, such information being accessible
`constructed to receive and decode program signals at radio
`through an electronic address when address extractor 42 has
`frequency as received from a broadcast or cable video
`decoded such address from the electronic signal 12. Indica(cid:173)
`source, or as downconverted to baseband, by for example,
`tor signal generator 46 causes, for example, a video image
`the front end receiving circuitry of a video cassette recorder
`20 (e.g., picture within picture, logo, or icon) to be displayed
`or digital video disc device. It will also be appreciated that 15
`with the video program signal on reproducing system 22 to
`the function and results provided by access controller 10 are
`signal the user that an address of an online provider has been
`not dependent upon which of many available playback
`stored and that additional information is available. Instead,
`systems is connected thereto, whether such systems are
`or in addition to such visual display, indicator signal gen-
`analog or digital in format, or whether such playback
`systems operate upon videotape, audiotape, or disc media. 20 erator 46 may signal the user by activating a light 24 or other
`visual indicator located on an exterior panel of access
`Access controller 10 is connected via a primary output
`controller 10 or of reproducing system 22. Alternatively,
`signal line 36 to a conventional reproducing system 22 such
`indicator signal generator may cause a sound to be produced
`as a television set, and is optionally connected through a
`on a speaker 26 of reproducing system 22, or by a speaker
`second output signal line 38 to a high resolution reproducing
`28 provided in access controller 10. Here again, the design
`system 40, such as a computer monitor. In addition, access 25
`of indicator signal generator 46 is well known in the art.
`controller 10 is connected to a public or private network 30
`through an information signal carrier 32, e.g., telephone line,
`Access controller 10 is provided with a user input inter-
`coaxial cable, fiber optic link, cellular, radiotelephone, or
`face 56 for receiving a user command which automatically
`initiates establishment of a direct digital communication link
`satellite link. Network 30, which may be any private or
`to an online information provider through an address
`public local area network or wide area network such as an 30
`office network, company network, public Internet or circuit(cid:173)
`detected from the electronic signal 12 by address extractor
`switched network is used to route address and information
`42 and permits interactive communication between the user
`and the online information provider. It will be appreciated
`signals between access controller 10 and a selected one of a
`plurality of online information providers 34a, 34b, 34c, ...
`that many conventional input interfaces are well suited for
`34n. Access controller 10 receives from the online informa- 35
`use as user interface 56 because of their compatibility with
`tion provider, through network 30, information signals hav(cid:173)
`conventional television and audio sound systems. Among
`ing a video or audio program content and selectively
`such input interfaces are infrared, radio and audio frequency
`provides, through appropriate conventional processing, a
`interfaces which decode single key or multiple key sequence
`conventional program signal or a high resolution signal for
`input from a wired or wireless remote user control.
`40 Preferably, user input interface 56 detects when a special
`reproduction upon standard reproducing system 22, or high
`purpose button on a remote user control has been pressed
`resolution reproducing system 40, respectively.
`and provides a responsive signal which automatically causes
`The internal construction of access controller 10 is
`the stored address of the online provider to be retrieved and
`described with reference to FIG. 2. Access controller 10 is
`transmitted. User input interface 56 can also be constructed
`provided with an address extractor 42 which receives the
`45 to detect when a special sequence of keys has been pressed
`electronic signal 12. Address extractor 42 includes hardware
`on a conventional user control (e.g., a sequence such as
`and/or software to detect, decode and store an address which
`"ENTER," "ENTER," "+VOLUME") and to enable inter(cid:173)
`has been embedded in a video or audio program signal.
`active communication with the online information provider.
`Among the ways which exist to detect an address signal
`Alternatively, user input interface 56 can be implemented by
`transmitted in conjunction with an analog video signal,
`50 any appropriate microcomputer type user interface, e.g.,
`address extractor 42 may be constructed to detect a digital
`mouse, touchpad, touchscreen, trackball, joystick,
`address which is transmitted during a vertical blanking
`pushbutton, eraser head, or other such device. Preferably,
`interval or other portion of a conventional video signal in
`user interface 56 is constructed to provide and receive
`such manner that displayed image quality is not affected. For
`transmission of digital information signals through modem
`example, the address signal can be transmitted during a
`55 54 to the online information provider, thereby enabling
`portion of a video signal such as in the vertical interval, in
`interactive user access with the online provider for conduct(cid:173)
`sync or through changes in the luminance or chroma signals.
`ing detailed information searches, conducting transactions,
`Address extraction 42 is constructed to electronically store,
`and sending or posting messages to the accessed provider.
`e.g., via a register or memory device (not shown), the
`detected address for use in accessing the online services
`Access controller 10 is provided with a modem 54 for
`provider at the selection of the user. The address signal may
`60 transmitting and receiving digital information signals
`be transmitted at very short intervals, e.g., once for each
`between access controller 10 and public switching network
`frame of a video program such that storing and refreshing of
`30 through an information signal carrier line 32. Modem 54
`the extracted address signal occurs at very short intervals.
`demodulates incoming information signals and outputs them
`to processor 58 which extracts a video and/or an audio signal
`Alternatively, the address signal may be transmitted at
`65 38. Preferably, access controller 10 includes a signal con(cid:173)
`longer intervals, i.e., at discrete intervals in a program such
`verter 62 for adjusting or converting an incompatible signal
`that the duration in which an extracted address signal is
`for display upon conventional reproducing system 22, such
`stored is much longer.
`
`

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`Case5:15-cv-02008-EJD Document1-2 Filed05/05/15 Page10 of 13Case 5:15-cv-02008-EJD Document 83-1 Filed 04/12/16 Page 10 of 13
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`US 6,233,736 Bl
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`7
`as a television set, either in place of the television signal,
`superimposed over the television signal, or in picture-in(cid:173)
`picture format, as controlled by the user. Alternatively,
`processor 58 provides the video signal on line 38 to a high
`resolution reproducing system 40, such as a computer moni(cid:173)
`tor. Indicator signal generator 46 may also incorporate a
`switch (not shown) which automatically switches off the
`primary output signal 36 whenever a signal appears at the
`output of signal converter 62. In this manner, information
`signals received from online information providers will be
`automatically displayed on conventional reproducing sys(cid:173)
`tem 22 in place of the ordinarily displayed video signal 36.
`Processor 58 can also receive the input video or audio
`electronic program signal through a line 55 output from
`address extractor 42 (although direct connection of the
`electronic signal line 12 is possible). In this manner, pro(cid:173)
`cessor 58 may be constructed to operate upon the video or
`audio signal in conjunction with information signals
`received from an online information provider to generate a
`"picture within picture" signal for display upon conventional
`reproducing system 22.
`The operation of the system will now be described. An
`electronic signal 12, such as a signal from a video or audio
`program from channel selector 16 or playback system 18,
`e.g., prerecorded videotape, or an analog or digital video
`disc, containing an embedded signal representing the elec(cid:173)
`tronic address of an online information provider in the
`blanking interval or other non-displayed portion of the
`electronic signal 12 is received by address extractor 42.
`From the electronic signal 12, address extractor 42 detects,
`decodes and stores a digital address of the online services
`provider, if any such address is embedded therein. If an
`address is successfully decoded and stored, address extractor
`42 activates, through signal line 44, indicator signal genera(cid:173)
`tor 46. Indicator signal generator 46 then produces an
`indicator signal and overlays or encodes it onto a conven(cid:173)
`tional program signal 36 to be displayed or transduced by