Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 1 of 7 PageID #: 1
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
`TYLER DIVISION
`
`EMG TECHNOLOGY, LLC,
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`v.
`
`AMERICAN FAMILY MUTUAL
`INSURANCE COMPANY,
`
`Defendant.
`
`Case No. 6:15-cv-498
`
`JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
`
`COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT
`
`Plaintiff EMG Technology, LLC (“EMG”) alleges as follows for its complaint against
`
`Defendant American Family Mutual Insurance Company (“American Family”):
`
`JURISDICTION AND VENUE
`
`1.
`
`This is an action for patent infringement in violation of the Patent Act of the
`
`United States, 35 U.S.C. §§ 1 et seq.
`
`2.
`
`This Court has original and exclusive subject matter jurisdiction over the patent
`
`infringement claims for relief under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1338(a).
`
`3.
`
`The Court has personal jurisdiction over American Family because American
`
`Family has transacted and is transacting business in the Eastern District of Texas that includes,
`
`but is not limited to, the use, and promotion of the use of, products and systems that practice the
`
`subject matter claimed in the patents involved in this action.
`
`4.
`
`Venue is proper in this district under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b-c) and 1400(b) because
`
`a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claims occurred in this District
`
`1
`
`AFMI 1003
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 2 of 7 PageID #: 2
`
`where American Family has done business and committed infringing acts and continues to do
`
`business and to commit infringing acts.
`
`PARTIES
`
`5.
`
`EMG is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of
`
`California with its principal place of business in Los Angeles, California.
`
`6.
`
`EMG is informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, that American Family is
`
`a Wisconsin corporation with its principal place of business at 6000 American Parkway,
`
`Madison, Wisconsin 53783, and that it has conducted business in this Judicial District. EMG is
`
`further informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, that American Family derives a
`
`significant portion of its revenue from the promotion and/or sale of its products and services
`
`through its systems, web servers, and software associated with its Internet web sites, including at
`
`least http://m.amfam.com (“Accused Instrumentalities”).
`
`7.
`
`EMG is informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, that, at all times relevant
`
`hereto, American Family has done and continues to do business in this judicial district.
`
`PATENTS
`
`8.
`
`United States Patent No. 6,600,497 (the “‘497 Patent”) entitled “Apparatus and
`
`Method to Navigate Interactive Television Using Unique Inputs with a Remote Control” was
`
`duly and legally issued on July 29, 2003. A true and correct copy of the ‘497 Patent is attached
`
`hereto as Exhibit “A” and incorporated herein by this reference. By a series of assignments,
`
`EMG is now the assignee of the entire right, title and interest in and to the ‘497 Patent, including
`
`all rights to enforce the ‘497 Patent and to recover for infringement. The ‘497 Patent is valid and
`
`in force.
`
`2
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 3 of 7 PageID #: 3
`
`9.
`
`United States Patent No. 7,194,698 (the “‘698 Patent”) entitled “Method to
`
`Advertise and Search on Television for Web Content Using A Simplified Interface” was duly
`
`and legally issued on March 20, 2007. A true and correct copy of the ‘698 Patent is attached
`
`hereto as Exhibit “B” and incorporated herein by this reference. By a series of assignments,
`
`EMG is now the assignee of the entire right, title and interest in and to the ‘698 Patent, including
`
`all rights to enforce the ‘698 Patent and to recover for infringement. The ‘698 Patent is valid and
`
`in force.
`
`FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF
`
`Infringement of the ‘497 Patent
`
`10.
`
`11.
`
`EMG refers to and incorporates herein by reference paragraphs 1-9.
`
`American Family, by the acts complained of herein, and by making, using,
`
`selling, offering for sale, and/or importing in the United States, including in the Eastern District
`
`of Texas, instrumentalities embodying the invention, has in the past, does now, and continues to
`
`infringe the ‘497 Patent directly, contributorily and/or by inducement, literally and/or under the
`
`doctrine of equivalents, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271.
`
`12.
`
`At least since the filing of this complaint, American Family has had actual
`
`knowledge of the ‘497 patent.
`
`13.
`
`On information and belief, American Family has knowingly and actively induced
`
`the infringement of one or more of the ‘497 patent claims by, inter alia, marketing and
`
`promoting the Accused Instrumentalities, knowingly and intending that the use of such
`
`instrumentalities by its customers and users infringes the ‘497 patent. For example, American
`
`Family intends to induce such infringement by, among other things, promoting users to display
`
`and navigate mobile websites, including at least http://m.amfam.com, knowing that the display
`
`3
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 4 of 7 PageID #: 4
`
`and navigation of American Family's mobile websites on a user’s portable device or cell phone
`
`infringes one or more claims of the ‘497 Patent.
`
`14.
`
`On information and belief, American Family has contributed to the infringement
`
`of the ‘497 patent by, inter alia, marketing and promoting products. Defendant has used and
`
`promoted within the United States the Accused Instrumentalities, which are not staple articles or
`
`commodities of commerce suitable for substantial non-infringing use, and are known by
`
`American Family to be especially made or especially adapted to the infringe the ‘497 patent. As
`
`a result, American Family's Accused Instrumentalities have been used by its customers and users
`
`to infringe the ‘497 patent. American Family continues to engage in acts of contributory
`
`infringement of the ‘497 patent.
`
`15.
`
`By reason of the acts of American Family alleged herein, EMG has suffered
`
`damage in an amount to be proved at trial.
`
`16.
`
`American Family threatens to continue to engage in the acts complained of herein
`
`and, unless restrained and enjoined, will continue to do so, all to EMG’s irreparable injury. It
`
`would be difficult to ascertain the amount of compensation that would afford EMG adequate
`
`relief for such future and continuing acts, and a multiplicity of judicial proceedings would be
`
`required. EMG does not have an adequate remedy at law to compensate it for the injuries
`
`threatened.
`
`SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF
`
`Infringement of the ‘698 Patent
`
`17.
`
`18.
`
`EMG refers to and incorporates herein by reference paragraphs 1-9.
`
`American Family, by the acts complained of herein, and by making, using,
`
`selling, offering for sale, and/or importing in the United States, including in the Eastern District
`
`4
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 5 of 7 PageID #: 5
`
`of Texas, instrumentalities embodying the invention, has in the past, does now, and continues to
`
`infringe the ‘698 Patent directly, contributorily and/or by inducement, literally and/or under the
`
`doctrine of equivalents, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271.
`
`19.
`
`At least since the filing of this complaint, American Family has had actual
`
`knowledge of the ‘698 patent.
`
`20.
`
`On information and belief, American Family has knowingly and actively induced
`
`the infringement of one or more of the ‘698 patent claims by, inter alia, marketing and
`
`promoting the Accused Instrumentalities, knowingly and intending that the use of such
`
`instrumentalities by American Family's customers and users infringes the ‘698 patent. For
`
`example, American Family intends to induce such infringement by, among other things,
`
`promoting users to display and navigate mobile websites, including at least http://m.amfam.com,
`
`knowing that the display and navigation of American Family's mobile websites on a user’s
`
`portable device or cell phone infringes one or more claims of the ‘698 Patent.
`
`21.
`
`On information and belief, American Family has contributed to the infringement
`
`of the ‘698 patent by, inter alia, marketing and promoting products. Defendant has used and
`
`promoted within the United States the Accused Instrumentalities, which are not staple articles or
`
`commodities of commerce suitable for substantial non-infringing use, and are known by
`
`American Family to be especially made or especially adapted to infringe the ‘698 patent. As a
`
`result, American Family's Accused Instrumentalities have been used by its customers and users
`
`to infringe the ‘698 patent. American Family continues to engage in acts of contributory
`
`infringement of the ‘698 patent.
`
`22.
`
`By reason of the acts of American Family alleged herein, EMG has suffered
`
`damage in an amount to be proved at trial.
`
`5
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 6 of 7 PageID #: 6
`
`23.
`
`American Family threatens to continue to engage in the acts complained of herein
`
`and, unless restrained and enjoined, will continue to do so, all to EMG’s irreparable injury. It
`
`would be difficult to ascertain the amount of compensation that would afford EMG adequate
`
`relief for such future and continuing acts, and a multiplicity of judicial proceedings would be
`
`required. EMG does not have an adequate remedy at law to compensate it for the injuries
`
`threatened.
`
`JURY DEMAND
`
`24.
`
`EMG demands a jury trial on all issues so triable.
`
`PRAYER FOR RELIEF
`
`
`
`WHEREFORE, EMG prays for relief as follows:
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`For an order finding that the ‘497 and‘698 patents are valid and enforceable;
`
`For an order finding that American Family has infringed the ‘497 and‘698 patents
`
`directly, contributorily and/or by inducement, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271;
`
`C.
`
`For an order temporarily, preliminarily and permanently enjoining American
`
`Family, its officers, directors, agents, servants, affiliates, employees, subsidiaries, divisions,
`
`branches, parents, attorneys, representatives, privies, and all others acting in concert or
`
`participation with any of them, from infringing the ‘497 and‘698 patents directly, contributorily
`
`and/or by inducement, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271;
`
`D.
`
`For an order directing American Family to file with the Court, and serve upon
`
`EMG’s counsel, within thirty (30) days after entry of the order of injunction, a report setting
`
`forth the manner and form in which it has complied with the injunction;
`
`E.
`
`For an order awarding EMG general and/or specific damages adequate to
`
`compensate EMG for the infringement by American Family, including a reasonable royalty
`
`6
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 7 of 7 PageID #: 7
`
`and/or lost profits, in amounts to be fixed by the Court in accordance with proof, including
`
`enhanced and/or exemplary damages, as appropriate, as well as all of the profits or gains of any
`
`kind made by American Family from its acts of patent infringement;
`
`F.
`
`For an order awarding EMG pre-judgment interest and post-judgment interest at
`
`the maximum rate allowed by law;
`
`G.
`
`For an order requiring an accounting of the damages to which EMG is found to be
`
`entitled;
`
`H.
`
`For an order declaring this to be an exceptional case pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 285
`
`and awarding EMG its attorneys’ fees;
`
`For an order awarding EMG its costs of court; and
`
`For an order awarding EMG such other and further relief as the Court deems just
`
`I.
`
`J.
`
`and proper.
`
`DATED: May 27, 2015
`
`Respectfully Submitted,
`
`By: /s/ Charles Ainsworth
`
`Charles Ainsworth
`State Bar No. 00783521
`Robert Christopher Bunt
`State Bar No. 00787165
`PARKER, BUNT & AINSWORTH, P.C.
`100 E. Ferguson, Suite 1114
`Tyler, TX 75702
`903/531-3535
`903/533-9687
`E-mail: charley@pbatyler.com
`E-mail: rcbunt@pbatyler.com
`
`7
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 1 of 31 PageID #: 8
`°‘””‘15'°“'°°498 ”°°”'“e“‘ 1'1 F‘l1||lf||ll|Wlf|M||fl|l|fll1||l|||lflfllf|||||ll|||I||I1|fI|||M|||||
`USOU6600497r'Bl
`
`(12) Umted States Patent
`( ottfunht ct al
`}
`'
`-
`.
`
`(If!) Patent No.:
`(4-3) Date 01 Patent
`.
`'
`-
`
`:
`
`US 6,600,497 Bl
`Jul 29 2003
`.
`,
`
`(S4) Al’l-’ARA'I‘US AND Ml£’l‘}-[OI] T0 NAVl(}A’l‘l-1
`INTERACTIVE TELEVISION USING
`UNIQUE INPUTS WITH A R]-lM()'I‘l£
`CON-l\R()L
`
`5,80l.T{J2 A
`-f-309.-3_"4 A
`-}328~3-3° A
`3,896,133 A
`5.‘JOU,9l’J5 A
`
`M098 Dolan el al.
`9.’1‘’‘’3 Y°1'|1S'~fi 31-
`w*'l“'93 M°"°‘e‘H
`4;’I‘.”J'9
`L)-'lI::1'I cl
`ill.
`5x'1‘J99 Shofl‘ el al.
`
`(T5)
`
`(73)
`
`Invcnlors: Elliot A. Gottfurcht, l{I18Harlzcl1,
`Pacific Palisades, CA (US) 90272;
`U-ITIIII E. G01lfI1I“C]'H., IUI3 Monument.
`Pacific Palisades, CA (us) 90272; J.
`Teague McKnight, Les Angclcs, CA
`(US); Manuel V. lleltran.WcsIn1insler,
`CA (US); Stephen K_ woe:-‘net, Sama
`Ana, CA (US); John A_ Mflrinufli’
`has Alamus‘ NM (US); Allmrbluichci
`C‘ [““3' l”i“"* CA ms)‘ “““"'d 1"
`D“"°5"i“‘~ "{““‘i“i%‘°“ B°‘“’h~ CMU53
`_
`_
`A.‘:‘5£gH3t3SI lallint 4. Gotifurcht, L05 Angeles, CA
`(US); Grant E» Gottfurcht. Pacific
`Paiisadus, CA (US); Marlo 1..
`Longstneet, Lus Angeles, CA (US)
`.
`.
`.
`.
`Subjucl [0 any dISL‘|alTl'lUf,li'ICll1flTl(1fl|'lIS
`palenl its cxlundutl nr adjusled under 35
`U.S.C. 154(1)) by [I days.
`
`.
`(*) Nance:
`
`(21) APPL N0‘: 09"440’2l4
`(22)
`Filed:
`Nov. 15, I999
`
`[MI CL, H
`(51)
`_____H Gaga SM"; 006? lsmfi
`(52) U.S. CI.
`345K735; 345,-701; 345x713;
`709345
`345.-‘"655. 701.
`Field of Search
`3455,13! ?38_739, M2’ 1,62! 1',63, E4’
`T34‘ ,m9:,,’46‘ _m,?ll,_3U,; 504 SM
`‘
`’
`" ’
`"
`‘ ‘
`‘
`’
`‘
`
`(58)
`
`(Sm
`
`References Cited
`U.S. Pl\'I'ENT D{)CUMEN'['S
`
`.
`4.700.121 A
`5.-479.268 A
`5,62.5.'."8l
`.-’-\
`5_.?58,126 A
`
`11.-"108? Young
`DHW5 Young et at
`4.-‘"190? Cline el .1}.
`5! 1998 Danicis cl al.
`
`
`
`E: 3'
`_.J_,m9 mm at 3,:
`y9 1134; A
`(;;.'l;;(}4'; Yamakim
`:§-‘(J-T‘(_~',?68-1 A
`o,-mi:
`]3:m;uc-1 .-1|.
`3:933:01: A
`l2.*1<J00 de Hand
`r:,UCI2_.853 A
`345x839
`zsznm Hugh
`r:.o;u,_-33? A °
`3453".-'2?
`4;:2fNJfI Rah;-rtson cl 3|.
`n_.lJ:'\4_.9S§J A *
`I.
`f»'l200|'] S_ch:|_gcn cl al.
`:‘:_.I7.’I'.-'§_.4_l*.’P2 A R
`?lI‘IE£II1t-.'l'fl|.
`............... 345,-(134
`R
`siznm 5:01:03-Taxi.
`................ m4=27=.
`::'1r:1"471 A -
`e:151:(:5§: A * Inznm Schein el al.
`..: ............ .. 7.75:3‘?
`n_.:51_.n3n A
`Ln-zrxm Williams
`5’16{]__552 A
`I2‘.-'2[)(]_g wilshcr cl a|_
`r;_.m_93n nu
`nznm Cragun
`_
`_
`0'13‘ °°m'“''''‘'d 0“ "cm pa-*3“)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Chicko Asakawa, "User Interface Ufa Home Page Reader,"
`Apr. 15. 1998, 8 pages, Assets '98, Marina del Rey, Cali-
`fornia.
`
`Primr.-r1,' Exa:nir:er—Krislinc Kincaid
`/1.s'.s'i.sraur ExrmIfner—'I11(:mas J Joseph
`74.4
`.',A’.F'—Blk|.Sk|I1'.T'|&
`(Zat_:na:¢Er[;'1J(;} gm; or my
`a e y
`0 no
`4)’ or
`‘'
`'
`(57)
`ABSTRAC [‘
`,_
`.
`.
`.
`‘.
`.
`_
`A.mctlI1:»d an:-1 syslnm to fZlL_l1l['fl-[E] _r1_a\1.r-Lgaiillon nfn|}n1(|u aifa
`nelwor
`ncnngallon I'J1dl'l']X‘1h
`Ispflyt.
`fm .1 1.ln.nt nu L.
`The matrix pairs each navlgallon uplmn Wllh £|l'1lI'Ip'lJ13-iLll.Jh
`
`Iha!, tor cx_amp1_::, pressing a slngic key‘ acnvalcs that nam-
`ganon opnon.
`[110 key press event
`15 forwarded to an
`information and services hub a(:rn:s'.~'. the network. Thu huh
`lhcn returns a next appropriate matrix Iaver which may be
`-1
`‘
`-
`'
`navn_,a1:.d In the same manner.
`
`21! Claims, 24 Drawing Slieets
`
`
`
`8
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 2 of 31 PageID #: 9
`Case 6:15—cv—00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 2 of 31 Page|D #: 9
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PA'I‘EN'J‘ DOCUMEN'I‘S
`
`5s1‘=‘9»‘-'‘='3 31
`r._.229,s4n Bl
`6.2-W130 Bl
`r;_.243_,n93 Bl
`6,2ri6,Uf;I] Bl
`ri_.2b9__4rJ_‘i
`[51
`6,271,832 B1
`6.286.011’ Bl
`
`............ .. 345x735
`
`-‘°=1*~’5 0' 54-
`390"‘
`sxznm ‘I'm-nrlli cl :1].
`SE20”! Adams et at
`wzneu (Tm-rwinski er al.
`7;2(1n1 Rolh
`'m9I231
`morn Andcm ..................... ..
`345.-“I53
`3«’2(Jfll Kamaeguchi cl :I|.
`952001 Egilsson ................... .. 7075503
`
`345nm
`
`1-
`
`qrznm Weidcman ................ .. ?n4I273
`6,292_.?82 Bl
`9,2002 Rosin et al.
`5.293.057 [31
`5,33(:__nn5 Bl * lzxznm '1'one11i clal.
`345r?35
`,,-,333_353 31 t {mm} Hmle}.
`, 345,753
`
`:s_.334_.145 31 ° 123200: Adanlsclal.
`_ mwzn
`,,_33{,,,3, B1 . H2002 Wblfe at “L ,,,, __
`“ -WW3
`6.388.714 B1
`:'n“2fJ02 Schein elal.
`g'_421',o71 31 *
`‘#2002 Harrison
`
`345x737
`
`* cilcd by examiner
`
`9
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 3 of 31 PageID #: 10
`Case 6:15—cv—OO498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 3 of 31 Page|D #: 10
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 1 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`_..O_n_
`
`3
`
`._.zm_._.zOQ
`
`EzEE
`
`maoz
`
`am3mosmama:
`
`2058zo_E_§o..Z
`
`
`
`._<z_.#_Ewmo_>EmQ24
`
`10
`
`MN.3E02E02
`
`
`
`EmaommEmzomm
`
`2053033;>24
`
`10
`
`
`
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 4 of 31 PageID #: 11
`Case 6:15—cv—OO498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 4 of 31 Page|D #: 11
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`2
`
`2
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`mm3.E
`
`
`
`
`
`mEm>24mmzEE.:,m:.zOQmn_m§z<m
`
`9._2._M._
`
`MEimm_2oz_o$wm_s__M_.m_s_E830_Eoswi..._B.m_
`
`4_
`
`||I‘IIIIIIEII|IIUIlIH1||l||[\
`
`8..3m
`
`11
`
`>.<5..S>2¢
`
`mmmaomm
`
`N.mu_n_3mm3802m_osm_o
`
`
`
`30.5302058
`
`
`
`Emaomm._¢z_2mE
`
`____
`
`11
`
`
`
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 5 of 31 PageID #: 12
`Case 6:15—cv—OO498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 5 of 31 Page|D #: 12
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`we8.we
`
`3.
`
`$2§.m>z
`
`meEN2mommmoomm
`
`2:
`
`:2:moaammom0;m._:ooE
`
`o.._
`
`Bane:
`
`moEmEz_
`
`<n_¢_
`
`mo41¢mez_
`
`E>_w8z<Emm:
`
`
`
`N:$._._oEz8
`
`12
`
`12
`
`
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 6 of 31 PageID #: 13
`Case 6:15—cv—OO498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 6 of 31 Page|D #: 13
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 4 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`©
`
`@
`
`IUITI-IZITI
`
`BACK
`
`| FORWARD
`
`FIG. 4a
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 7 of 31 PageID #: 14
`Case 6:15—cv—OO498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 7 of 31 Page|D #: 14
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 5 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`FIG. 4b
`
`14
`
`14
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 8 of 31 PageID #: 15
`Case 6:15—cv—OO498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 8 of 31 Page|D #: 15
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 6 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`POWER
`O
`
`aooumnmc
`
`ancx
`
`| FORWARD
`
`Y
`
`gy Mote
`
`FIG. 5
`
`15
`
`15
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 9 of 31 PageID #: 16
`Case 6:15—cv—OO498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 9 of 31 Page|D #: 16
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 7 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`START
`
`RENDER MATRTX
`FROM N\-‘RAM
`
`509
`
`ESTABLISHED
`COMMUNICATION WITH ISH
`
`604
`
`606
`
`NO
`
`B0?
`
`YES
`
`HENDER CACHED
`MATRIX
`
`530
`
`
`
`YES
`
`508
`
`
`KEY PRESS MATRIX
`LAYER CACHED?
`
`
`
`
`NO
`
`N0
`
`532
`
`N0
`
`
`
`N
`
`636
`
`RENDER MATFIIX TO TEMP
`BUFFER
`
`UPDATE STATUS BAR
`
`624
`
`-
`
`YES
`
`526
`
`523
`
`
`
`EY PRESS coRREsP_
`TO COMP. CELL?
`YES
`ENTER COMPOSITION MODE
`
`634
`
`ENTER KEY PRESSED?
`
`E5
`RETURN TO NAVIGATION
`MODE
`
`
`
`SEND KEY PRESS EVENT T0 ISH
`
`FIG. 6
`
`510
`
`2
`
`6‘
`614
`
`515
`
`5”
`
`16
`
`16
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 10 of 31 PageID #: 17
`Case 6:15—cv—OO498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 10 of 31 Page|D #: 17
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`
`
`RECENE KEY PFIESS
`EVENT?
`
` MAX DEPTH FOR PATH
`REACHED?
`
`SEND CONTENT T0
`CLIENT NODE
`
`
`
`NO
`
`SEND CORRESPONDING
`MATRIX T0 CLIENT
`
`SEND NEW ADS TO CLTENT
`NODE
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 7
`
`17
`
`17
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 11 of 31 PageID #: 18
`Case 6:15—cv—OO498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 11 of 31 Page|D #: 18
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 9 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`Title
`Biock
`
`35°/
`
`18
`
`18
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 12 of 31 PageID #: 19
`Case 6:15—cv—00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 12 of 31 Page|D #: 19
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 10 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`HG. 98
`
`19
`
`19
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 13 of 31 PageID #: 20
`Case 6:15—cv—00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 13 of 31 Page|D #: 20
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 11 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`s$§;fi§1§
`__
`Réaiééfim
`
`
`
`
`azfiéfiiézejes
`am
`Eéramw
`
`
`
`
`sqgggggggn
`8;.‘
`
`\
`
`FK3. 9%
`
`20
`
`20
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 14 of 31 PageID #: 21
`Case 6:15—cv—00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 14 of 31 Page|D #: 21
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 12 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`Fit}. 9::
`
`21
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 15 of 31 PageID #: 22
`Case 6:15—cv—OO498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 15 of 31 Page|D #: 22
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 13 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`FIG. 9d
`
`22
`
`22
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 16 of 31 PageID #: 23
`Case 6:15—cv—00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 16 of 31 Page|D #: 23
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 14 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`FEG. ma
`
`23
`
`23
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 17 of 31 PageID #: 24
`Case 6:15—cv—00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 17 of 31 Page|D #: 24
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 15 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`i
`
`2
`
`a
`
`:35
`
`’Z"e¥ev.i$'
`/. 1»
`L33
`
`,
`2
`
`V‘
`: ea
`
`
`
`FEG. 10%
`
`24
`
`24
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 18 of 31 PageID #: 25
`Case 6:15—cv—00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 18 of 31 Page|D #: 25
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 16 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`F16. $34.‘:
`
`25
`
`25
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 19 of 31 PageID #: 26
`Case 6:15—cv—00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 19 of 31 Page|D #: 26
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 17 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`FYG. ‘ifid
`
`26
`
`26
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 20 of 31 PageID #: 27
`Case 6:15—cv—00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 20 of 31 Page|D #: 27
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 18 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`
`
`E we
`‘
`/ J‘'\--.
`J;
`ax 3~2*s3:»5;
`<"
`$150
`:3...”
`
`$36. 398
`
`27
`
`
`
`a
`
`ggny /-mt
`....._
`STR {wasp
`»
`$135
`,/
`
`27
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 21 of 31 PageID #: 28
`Case 6:15—cv—00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 21 of 31 Page|D #: 28
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 19 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`1
`
`\.
`
`
`
`
`
`°3'$$?2fi 92$
`
`$A-EX? 1 9%
`
`MG. 101‘
`
`28
`
`28
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 22 of 31 PageID #: 29
`Case 6:15—cv—00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 22 of 31 Page|D #: 29
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 20 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`FIG. 199
`
`29
`
`29
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 23 of 31 PageID #: 30
`Case 6:15—cv—00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 23 of 31 Page|D #: 30
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 21 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`Fifi. H
`
`30
`
`30
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 24 of 31 PageID #: 31
`Case 6:15—cv—00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 24 of 31 Page|D #: 31
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 22 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`H8, 323
`
`31
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 25 of 31 PageID #: 32
`Case 6:15—cv—00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 25 of 31 Page|D #: 32
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 23 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`F113. 1215)
`
`32
`
`32
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 26 of 31 PageID #: 33
`Case 6:15—cv—00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 26 of 31 Page|D #: 33
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 24 of 24
`
`US 6,600,497 B1
`
`mm
`Tn:
`
`use
`
`9
`
`acimem '''
`
`mfigx
`
`F18. $3
`
`33
`
`33
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 27 of 31 PageID #: 34
`Case 6:15—cv—00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 27 of 31 Page|D #: 34
`
`US 6,600,497’ B1
`
`1
`Al’I’ARA'I'US AND MI<1'l‘H()l) T0 l"iA\’IGATl<‘.
`INTERACTIVE TELEVISION USING
`UNIQUE INPUTS WITH A REMOTE
`CDNTROI.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`(1) Field of the Invention
`‘the invention relates to electronic information services
`and electronic commerce services. More specifically,
`the
`invention relates to providing easy navigation to facilitate
`access to such services.
`
`III
`
`(2) Background
`The advent of the Internet has made a vast amount of
`information available to a significant segment of the popu-
`lation. Even so, over 150 million people in the US. do not
`use the Internet, including 80% of people over 45 and 89%
`of people over 55. There are currently over 800 million
`pages of infonnation spread over 3 million information
`on the Internet. The vast majority of this information
`is commercial in nature, making up 83% of the content. Of
`the remaining 1'?%, the majority is scientific or educational.
`This would tend to indicate that if one does not have access
`to these growing resources, then one is at a definite disad-
`vantage.
`While user interfaces are vastly more user-friendly now
`than in the days of charactcr—bascd lt:I1't'tiI‘taI:i, such as DOS,
`the current Internet navigation systems are still too cumber-
`some and require too muclt specialized knowledge for many
`people to use effectively. There are too many protocols, too
`many standards, and too many methods for performing
`seemingly simple tasks. Just the act of setting up a computer
`with a minimal configuration is challenging and complex, so
`much so that many people will not gain access to the vast
`array of services available over the Internet. Technology
`generally evokes tear particularly among the older genera-
`tion and. the poor, who have had little or no exposure to it.
`The net effect of this fear combined with cost factors has
`been to deny access to this large and growing segment of the
`population.
`At this stage, electronic infonnation services and elec-
`tronic commerce services have reached the point of mass
`momentum. Unfortunately, those that cannot access these
`products and services are being disenfranchised due to
`technical capabilities, age, andtor socio-economic status.
`BRIEF SUMMARY OI-‘ Tllll INVENTION
`
`A method and system to facilitate navigation of a wide-
`area network is disclosed. A navigation matrix is displayed
`on a client node. The matrix pairs each navigation option
`with an input such that, for example, pressing a single key
`activates that navigation option. The key press event
`is
`forwarded to an information and services hub across the
`network. The hub then returns a next appropriate matrix
`layer which may be navigated in the same manner.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. I is a block diagram of a system employing one
`embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram ofthe information
`services huh.
`
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of terminal hardware architec-
`ture of one ernbodirnent of the invention.
`FIG. 4:: shows one such custom keypad for the notebook
`form factor.
`
`2
`FIG. 4b shows one example of a notebook form factor of
`one embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 5 is a diagram of a remote control which may be used
`to interface with the set-top box embodiment of the terminal
`hardware.
`FIG. 6 is a tlow chart of operations of the navigation
`system of one embodiment of the invention in a custom
`terminal custom browser mode.
`
`FIG. ‘I’ is a flow diagram of operation of the information
`services hub of one embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 8 is a diagram of the display of a graphical user
`interface of one embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 9a shows a Main Menu matrix of one embodiment
`of the invention.
`
`FIGS. 9b and 9c are the home matrix layers for the F and
`J channels, respectively.
`FIG. 9d is a matrix layer corresponding to search and
`information services.
`FIGS. I0a—g are a series of matrix layers displayed during
`an exemplary navigation using one embodiment of the
`invention.
`
`20
`
`FIG. II shows a history window overlying a navigation
`matrix layer.
`FIGS. 1211 and b are an example of a matrix layer of one
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`FIG. 13 is an e-mail composition matrix layer for one
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Asirnplified system for navigation of the Internet or other
`content source allows a broader user base access to the
`content and services available thereon. In one embodiment,
`the hardware is designed to be low cost and immediately
`usable out of the box. This is expected to further expand
`access to the electronic world.
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system employing one
`embodiment of the invention. A wide-area network (WAN)
`10. such as the Internet. couples together a plurality of
`communication nodes. Some nodes, such as node 12, may be
`a standard prior art personal computer (PC) executing any
`conventional web browser. Additionally. there are server
`nodes connected to WAN III, such as server node 16. which
`may be any conventional web server. The information and
`services huh {ISI I) 18 is coupled to WAN Ill and provides
`an interface for custom tenninal device 20. It is anticipated
`that the nttmber of custom terminal devices may be arbi-
`trarily largc. Also coupled to WAN 10 are browser nodes
`running a custom browser that facilitate access to informa-
`tion and services provided by the [SH 18. The ISII 18
`provides content in a specified fonnat for both the custom
`terminal device 20 and the custom browser node 22 {client
`nodes). Some of that content is provided by content partners.
`such as content partner node 14. Content partners provide
`content to the information and services hub in a specified
`format that facilitates its use by the client nodes 20, 22. As
`a practical matter, both the custom browser node 22 and the
`custom tcnninal device 20 will act as though there is a
`point-lo—point
`link between them and the ISII I8. This
`apparent point—to-point
`link limits the knowledge a user
`requires, including, for example, sheltering the user from
`proprietary addressing schemes, and therefore, permits
`vastly sirnplilied navigation of content available over WAN
`10.
`FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram ofthe information
`services but). ISH 18 has various information and services
`
`35
`
`4t}
`
`45
`
`SI}
`
`55
`
`bl]
`
`65
`
`34
`
`34
`
`

`
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 28 of 31 PageID #: 35
`Case 6:15-cv-00498 Document 1-1 Filed 05/27/15 Page 28 of 31 Page|D #: 35
`
`US 6,600,497’ B1
`
`3
`sources, including any site 26, content partner I4, and bank
`24. Bank 24 may be any retnittance processing service or
`other financial institution. It also has a number of content or
`service sinks. such as terminal device 20, custom browser
`node 22, and any browser node 12. Within ISH 18,
`the
`content server 32 provides an interface between the content
`sinks and the ISH content and services. On the back end,
`content server 32 is coupled to a number of backend servers.
`Media server 34 is responsible for providing video and audio
`streaming content from media objects database 4-4 to the
`content server 32 for supply to various content sinks. Search
`engine 4-2 is aLso coupled to content server 32, as well as
`index database 52. Index database 52 can be created in any
`traditional indexing manner, including spidering or categori-
`cal indexing. Search engine 42 permits the content sinks to
`do traditional web searching based on the indexing in the
`index database 52. A messaging server 40 permits e-mail,
`chat and collaboration fora between the content sinks and
`any other web node. Authentication server 38 provides
`security and controls access to various content. The authen-
`tication server 38 is coupled to a directory objects database
`48 which may hold passwords and encryption keys, and
`other security—related objects.
`Application server 36 is coupled to the content server 32
`and the extensible markup language (XML) database 46.
`The application server 36 provides applications to the con-
`tent sinles via the content server 32. The applications server
`36 can provide services from within the ISlI 18 or those
`provided from, for instance, content partner 14. As one
`example,
`the application server may provide access to a
`locally hosted Java-based word processor. Alternatively, it
`may provide access to a mapping application provided by
`some third party, such as Vicinity, of Palo Alto, Calif., or
`MapQucst, of Denver, Colo.
`The XML transcoder 30 receives incoming data from the
`various possible content sources. XML transcoder 3|} parses
`incoming data and insures the data is placed in the correct
`database and in an appropriate format. For content partners,
`an [SI-I document-type definition (DTD) formats their data
`for inclusion in the [SH 18. Thus, when the XML trans-coder
`30 receives a document formatted in the standard D11) 60,
`it may be a mere conduit to one of the various databases
`within the ISII 18. Content partners are expected to provide
`other services. including electronic data interchange (EDI),
`which is a currently accepted standard for transacting pur-
`chases between wholesalers and retailers. Some embodi-
`ments of the ISII will accept EDI
`in various formats.
`including ASC X12, EDI FACT, and ANSI X.l2. When an
`EDI transmission is received by the XML transcoder 3|},
`it
`will he trans