United States Patent
`Palmer et al.
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,905,865
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`May 18, 1999
`
`USlm59U5365A
`
`5,721,829
`5,737,532
`5,79-1,250
`
`...................... .. 393200.49
`231998 Dunn el al.
`37951’200.49
`«H1998 Delairetal.
`..
`7017104
`8{l998 Carina, Jr. et al..
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Website pages of “Airhdedia Live Internet Broadcast Net-
`work", printed Oct. 7, 1996.
`AirMedia Live Wireless Network Service Plans brochure, ®
`1996.
`Website pages of “PageCard Wireless Messaging System
`For Windows", Socket Communications printed Oct. 24,
`1996.
`Walter S. Mosshcros, "Personal Technology”. Printed Oct.
`24, 1996.
`
`P1-irriaty Exam1'11er—Zarni Maung
`Assistant Exam1'ner—Bharat Barot
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—l_emer, David, Littenberg,
`Kl'I.l.IIIhD].Z & Mentlik, [LP
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method and apparatus is provided for connecting a com-
`puter to electronic addraies in sync with an audiofvideo
`broadcast. Simultaneously with the broadcasting of audio!
`video programming, an address transmitter transmits an
`address, such as a URL, identifying an on-line service which
`contains information about the audio or video programming.
`This address is received by a computer and used to auto-
`matically access the on-line service. Preferably, the process
`is repeated with difierent addrems corresponding with
`dilfcrcnt programming. It is also prcfcned that the addresses
`he sent via a paging system.
`
`38 Claims, 1 Drawing Sheet
`
`NTFX-10071’ Page 1 of 9
`
`[54] APPARATUS AND METHOD OF
`AUTOMATICALLY ACCESSING ON-LINE
`SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO BROADCAST
`OF ON-I..INE ADDRESSES
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Shelton L. Palmer. New York: Jason
`M. Palmer, Huntington Bay. both of
`N.Y.
`
`[73] Assignce: Web Pager, Inc., New York, N.Y.
`
`[21] Appl. 145.: 0srr39,795
`
`[22]
`
`F1155:
`
`051.30, 1995
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`[ 60]
`
`Provisional application No. 6Ct"D08,ll1, Oct. 30, 1995.
`
`[51]
`[52]
`
`151. CI.‘ .................................................... .. G0-6F 19100
`113. CL ........................... .. 395120047; 395120043;
`395200.49; 395120057; 395120059; 45513.1;
`45513.2; 45514.1; 707110; 70511104
`[53] Field of Search ........................ .. 395;200.45—200.49,
`395r200.55—2o0.5; 34315, 7, 12, 13; 379188,
`89; 45514.2, 5.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1; 707110, 104
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`111994
`311995
`1111995 .
`1111995
`81199?
`
`
`
`5,215,555
`5,433,355
`5,572,442
`5,572,543
`5,551,450
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`May 18, 1999
`
`5,905,865
`
`NTFX-1007 I Page 2 of 9
`
`

`
`5,905,865
`
`1
`APPARATUS AND METHOD OF
`AUTOMATICALLY ACCESSING ON-LINE
`SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO BROADCAST
`OF ON-LINE ADDRESSES
`
`This application claims benefit of provisional application
`Ser. No. 60f008,ll1 filed Oct. 30. 1995.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Although both television programming and the Internet
`have undergone an explosion of content,
`the two have
`essentially expanded and developed independently. There
`have been relatively few successful attempts to marry these
`two areas of communication. Accordingly, despite the vast
`business opportunities afforded by television. the potential
`ofexploiting or enhancing revenues via the Internet has been
`largely untapped. The same is true with respect to radio
`stations, which are being all but left out of the information
`revolution.
`
`Although sortie eliorts have made to made to link these
`two areas, these efforts have sutfered from disadvantages.
`Users can often obtain more information about their favorite
`programming or station by accessing a website on the World
`Wide Web which is dedicated to that programming.
`However, while the website may contain useful information
`which is of interest to the user, the user has to overcome a
`number of obstacles to get to that website. The user must
`first obtain an electronic address such as a Uniform
`Resource Locators ("URL”) for the website and enter that
`electronic addres exactly into the user's computer. These
`addremes are often long and complicated. These inconve-
`niences can dissuade those who would otherwise be inter-
`ested in finding programming information on the lntemet.
`Another manner in which broadcast programming and the
`lntemet have been linked is allowing users to electronically
`communicate via the Internet with a live broadcast show.
`The televhion programming may change in response to the
`information being sent to the broadcaster. such as by broad-
`casting a transcript of the messages sent. Again, however,
`this method also requires the user to know and correctly use
`the appropriate URL.
`Further, the foregoing efforts to link broadcast program-
`ming with the lnternet also require that the user stay con-
`nected to one particular website. If the user wishes to find
`information on the lntcmct which is associated with differ-
`ent programming. they are required to change websites and
`undergo the same inconveniences of finding and entering the
`appropriate URL.
`therefore. if there were a
`It would be advantageous,
`method and apparatus which saved the user the difficulty of
`finding and entering proper on-line electronic addresses
`associated with broadcast programming. There is an accom-
`panying need for a method and apparatus which automati-
`cally connccts the computer to different addresses as the
`programming changes.
`
`SUMMARY OF Till."-. INVENTION
`
`The present invention addresses these needs.
`In one preferred embodiment of the present invention. a
`method is provided for connecting a computer with multiple
`on-line services simultaneously with an audio andfor video
`broadcast. The method comprises the steps of providing a
`computer located at a first location and an on-line service
`located at a second location remote to the first location and
`broadcasting audio or video programming. Another step
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`includes transmitting an address identifying the on-line
`wrvice from an address transmitter at at third location remote
`from the first and second locations. The on-line service
`contains information corresponding with the audio or video
`programming being broadcast at
`the time the address is
`transmitted. Further, the step of transmitting occurs simul-
`taneously with the step of broadcasting, and the method also
`includes receiving the address at the computer, such that the
`computer automatically accesses the on-line service by
`using the address information.
`Preferably, the address is a Universal Resource [creator
`and the on-line service is an Internet Service Provider which
`provides access to a website. The website sends information
`to the computer. The address may also identify a portion of
`the information contained in the on-line service, with the
`step of connecting the computer to the on-line service
`occurring before the step of receiving.
`The step of automatically accessing the on-line service
`desirably includes sending the addrem via a modem and
`telephone lines to connect the computer with the on-line
`service. The on-line service may count the amount of times
`it has been accessed by the particular computer or any
`computer.
`It is preferred that the transmission of addresses occur via
`electromagnetic waves, such as over a paging system.
`Alternatively, the addresses may be sent from an audio or
`video playback device such as a VCR or the like. On the
`other hand, the address transmitter may be a website and the
`step of transmitting comprises sending the address to the
`computer via the Internet. Yet further, the address transmitter
`may be an audiofvisual broadcaster, such that the address
`transmitter also transmits television or radio signals.
`In another preferred embodiment of the invention. a
`method is provided for directing computers located at a
`plurality of diIIerenI first locations to communicate with an
`on-line service, the on-line service being located at a second
`location remote from the first
`locations. The method
`includes transmitting an address identifying the on-line
`service from a transmitter at a third location (remote from
`the first and second locations) to the plurality of the com-
`puters. Another step includes broadcasting audio or video
`information corresponding with the address simultaneous
`with the step of transmitting, and simultaneously receiving
`the address at the plurality of computers. At least one of the
`computers uses the address to access the on-line service.
`Preferably, the transmitting step includes transmitting the
`address by modulating an electromagnetic wave which has
`a carrier frequency associated with a television or radio
`signal, with the audio andfor video information being broad-
`cast at the same carrier frequency. Alternatively, the audio
`andfor video information may be transmitted at a different
`carrier frequency. The on-line service provides information
`related to the audio andfor video infonnation to the com-
`puter. The audio andfor video information may be provided
`to the computer before. during or after the step of accessing.
`Yet another preferred embodiment of the present inven-
`tion provides a method of directing computers located at a
`plurality of different first locations to communicate with an
`on-line service, the on-line service being located at a second
`location remote from the first locations. The method com-
`prises: transmitting an address from a transmitter at a third
`location (remote to the first and second location] to the
`plurality of computers; simultaneously receiving the address
`at the plurality of computers; broadcasting audio andfor
`video information corresponding with the address simulta-
`neously with the step of transmitting; using the address so
`
`NTFX-1007 I Page 3 of 9
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`

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`5,905,865
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`3
`least one of the computers accemes the on-line
`that at
`service; and sending information from the computer to the
`on-line service in response after the computer accesses the
`on-line service.
`
`Desirably, the method also includes the step of modifying
`the audio or video information in response to the response
`information. More steps would include repeating the process
`with dilferent addresses identifying different on-line services
`and then storing those diflerent addresses in the computer.
`The information would then be accessed at a time after the
`addresses were stored.
`
`An additional preferred embodiment provides a method of
`directing a computer at a first location to communicate with
`a first on-line service identified by a first address and a
`second on-line service identified by a second address The
`steps incluch: broadcasting first audio or video programming
`corresponding with the first on-line service simultaneously
`with the step of transmitting the first address; receiving the
`first address at the computer; transmitting the second address
`from the address transmitter; broadcasting second audio or
`video programming corresponding with the second on-line
`service simultaneously with the step of transmitting the
`second address; receiving the second address at the com-
`puter; the computer automatically accessing the first on-line
`service by using the first address and automatically access-
`ing the second on-line service by using the second address.
`Yet another preferred embodiment provides a method of
`directing a computer to accem information related to radio
`or television programming currently being broadcast com-
`prising transmitting an address identifying an on-line service
`from a paging system; receiving the address at the computer;
`automatically accessing the on-line service by using the
`address; and receiving information related to the radio or
`television programming.
`A system in accordance with the preferred embodiment
`connects a computer with multiple on-line services. The
`system includes an audio or video programming broadcaster
`and a receiver for receiving different addresses identifying
`the on-line services, whereby the addresses are transmitted
`simultaneously with the programming being broadcast by
`the broadcaster and the on-line services contain information
`conesponding with the programming.
`DESCRII-VIION OF THE FIGURES
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic view ola system in accordance with
`the present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`FIG. 1 shows a system 10 in accordance with one embodi-
`ment of the present
`invention. The system comprises a
`general computer 40, a receiver 30, an on-line service 60, a
`central otfice 70, televisioniradio broadcaster 90, a radio
`andfor televhion 80 and a transmitter 20.
`General computer 40 includes a processor unit 44 con-
`taining a microprocessor (not shown) and a memory storage
`device such as hard-drive 46. A plurality of inpulfoutput
`peripherals are connected to the processor unit 44 including
`monitor 41' having a screen 48, keyboard 42, modem 50
`(connected to processor unit 44 via cable 51) and mouse 49.
`The general computer 40 and its associated peripherals may
`be any of the standard personal computers currently
`available, such as an IBM-compatible personal computer
`operating uncbr the Windows platform. In the preferred
`embodiment, the computer includes a program which per-
`forms the steps outlined below.
`
`4
`Receiver 30 is connected to processor unit 44 via cable
`31. Receiver 30 is preferably an alpha-numeric pagerfbeeper
`unit, which is capable of receiving alpha-numeric informa-
`tion via a page. Receiver 30 includes an antenna 32 and
`outputs the pages it receives via cable 31 to computer 40.
`Pagersfbeepers capable of outputting received alpha-
`numeric messages to a computer are currently available.
`including the PageCard Wireless Messaging System otfered
`by Socket Communications, Inc. of Fremont. Calif.
`Modem 50 is connected to a telephone line 61 as well as
`processor 44. The modem preferably connects with a PCTPSI
`Centrex telephone line in a manner well-known and standard
`to modems. The modem may alternatively be connected via
`ISDN, leased line, or cable modem.
`An on-line service 60 is also connected to the phone
`network. Preferably, the on-line service is an Internet Ser-
`vice Provider which is capable of connecting the general
`computer 40 to the lntemet via modem 50. The on-line
`service is at a physical location remote from the computer,
`ie. the on-line service and computer are connected only by
`a communication medium such as the phone system. As used
`herein, the term remote means being separated by a physical
`distance of any length in addition to the term’s ordinary
`meaning. The lntemet Service Provider,
`in turn, allows
`lntemet oonnectiom to websitesion-line services 61 and 62
`which are remote from the other components of the system
`10.
`
`The system also inchtdes two broadcasters which are
`located at locations remote from the other components: radio
`and television broadcaster 90 and paging system broadcaster
`20. In manners well known in the an, radioltelevision
`broadcaster 90 broadcasts its programs via electromagnetic
`signals 87 to television 82 andlor radio 81. Likewise, pager
`broadcaster 20 broadcasts alpha-numeric pages via electro-
`magnetic signals 21 to pagers and bcepcrs. As is typical with
`such paging systems,
`the page can he sent on multiple
`frequencies and include information embedded in the signal
`which identifies the one or more beepers intended to receive
`the message.
`Central ollice 70 maintains contact with on-line service 60
`via any electronic connection 71 such as the Internet or
`standard telephone lines. Central oflioe 70 mairttai similar
`communication connections '72 and 83 with the pager and
`programming broadcasters 20 and 90,
`respectively.
`Preferably.
`the central ollice is another website. Central
`ofice 70 is used to help coordinate the various activities of
`the components of the system. However, as many of these
`activities may be planned in advance as shown below.
`central olfice 70 is not necessary to implementation of the
`invention.
`
`In operation, paging system tower 20 broadcasts a page
`intended for reception by receiver 30. The request for the
`page may have originated from either the central oflice 70 or
`from the radioflelevision broadcaster 90, with the page
`request being sent by telephone lines. The receiver 30
`receives the transmitted paged message and outputs the
`message to the processor 4-4 via cable 31.
`The general computer handles the page in accordance
`with the dictates of the program. The program continuously
`monitors andfor polls receiver 30 to determine whether any
`pages have been received, such as by monitoring the pro-
`cessor’s COM port connected to receiver 30 via wire 31.
`When a page has been detected as received, the program
`tests the page to determine whether it includes a valid URL.
`By way of example, a valid URL might be “httpzli
`www.palmer.net" which is the URL for website 61. If the
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`5,905,865
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`the program stores the URL in
`memage is a valid URL,
`memory such as by writing it onto hard drive 46.
`The processor 44 next causes modem 50 to connect
`computer 40 with the Internet Service Provider 60 (if not
`already connected) via telephone line 61. Using functions
`typically present in a web browser, the program then sends
`the stored URL to the lntemet Service Provider 60 which in
`turn allows the computer-I0 to receive information from and
`interact with the website associated with the URL. The
`information received from website 61 will be displayed on
`screen 48. The program repeats the process each time a new
`and diflerent URL is received by receiver 30. such as when
`the URL for website 62 istransn1itted.Altematively. the next
`URL may be another webpage of the current website 61.
`Accordingly, it is preferable for the program to be a World
`Wide Web compatible browser (Mosaic, Netscape or
`Microsoft Internet Explorer) with the remaining aspects of
`receiving and testing incoming URL’s being a TSR
`(Temporary Stay Resident), DLL (Dynamic Link Library) or
`“plug-in”, i.e., specific software code useable by a web
`browser.
`In the preferred embodiment, the URL’s are broadcast
`over the paging system to correspond with the programming
`broadcasted for radio or televisions. For example, every time
`a commercial is shown on television 82, a URL associated
`with that advertiser’s website is simultaneously sent from
`tower 2010 receiver 30. That website may be the advertiser's
`home page. The tower 20 then sends out the address of a
`diflerent website when the next commercial begins. Thus,
`computer screen 48 displays different
`information from
`dilferent websites to simultaneously correspond with tele-
`vision or radio programming. The computer connects with
`the difierent websites automatically and in relatively syn-
`chronously with the broadcast signals. The broadcaster, in
`effect, controls the Internet destination of the user's com-
`puter. This tums the receiver's computer into a directed
`video kiosk controlled and programmed by the telcvbion or
`radio broadcasters. As paging and phone systems are essen-
`tially ubiquitous, there is essentially no geographical limit to
`the invention. Although the sending and receiving of audio!
`visual information and URL's should he simultaneous. the
`URL actually may be accessed during or after the audio)’
`video signal.
`Central olfice 70 coordinates the activities between pag-
`ing system 20 and programming broadcaster 90. The radio
`and television stations may provide the central officc with a
`schedule of programming and the associated URL’s. In
`accordance with those schedules, the central ofiice sends
`page requests to the paging system via the telephone lines or
`Internet at predeterrnirted times. For any radio and television
`programming where it is difficult to predict when the ULR’s
`should be simulcast with the broadcast programming, such
`as live broadcasts, the station 90 may send its URL page
`requests either to central oliice 70 or directly to paging
`system 20 (as referenced by line 84 of FIG. 1) in relative
`synchronicity and real-time with the programming. Yet
`further, the station may inform the central oflice of what
`URL’s should be paged by embedding the information right
`in its broadcast. For example, the URL may be embedded in
`the vertical blanking interval, sideband or alternative band
`or channel of the broadcast and extracted by the central
`oflice 70.
`In another preferred embodiment, the URL messages are
`not broadcast via a paging system but are instead sent over
`the Internet. For instance, the computer 40 uses a first web
`browser to connect with central office '10 over the Internet,
`and receives a steady stream of URL locations from central
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`oflice 70. These locations are provided to a second web
`browser running on computer 40 which connects with
`different websites as noted above. Thus, by running the first
`web browser connected to the central oflicc in the back-
`ground or “minimized", the second web browser will con-
`tinuously update the screen with changing information.
`The present
`invention allows a wide variety of other
`options which increases its versatility to meet a user’s
`particular needs. For example, the user can run the program
`in two modes, namely “auto-pilot" and “history-stack". In
`the auto-pilot mode, the computer automatically connects to
`a website the moment the website's URL '5 received by
`receiver 30, as explained above. In history-stack mode, on
`the other hand, the computer does not immediately connect
`to a website upon receipt of a URL. Rather, the URL’s are
`stacked on hard drive 46 to be used at a later time and order
`chosen by the user. In order to access any of the websites. the
`user need do no more than select one of the URL’s which
`have been stored in memory. The user does not have to enter
`any electronic addresses To fully bring out the value of
`history-stack mode, it is recommended to add information to
`the transmitted URL messages, ie. an English description of
`the URL. For example, the transmitted message might be
`“http:#\:vww.palmer.net Palmer Computer Services, Inc.
`Home Page”. where the first portion of the message is the
`URL used by the web browser and the second portion of the
`memage is displayed by the program so the user can
`understand what the website is about.
`
`While in auto-pilot mode, the program allows the user to
`interrupt the automatic connection to websites by clicking
`anywhere in a given web page or by pressirtg a key on the
`keyboard or other applicable user controlled input device.
`When the user opts out of auto-pilot mode.
`the program
`automatically switches to history-stack mode so that the user
`can return to the websites which were missed while review-
`ing the paused website. The user may switch back to
`auto-pilot mode at any time.
`The program can also he configured to automatically
`switch between auto-pilot and history-stack modes upon the
`occurrence of predetermined events such as expiration of
`timers or connection to specific websites. For example, the
`program may switch from auto-pilot mode to history-stack
`mode and wait for a user response when the program detects
`certain information. such as connection to a website ofiering
`a contest entry form.
`The invention is uniquely suited to capitalize on and add
`value to traditional broadcasts by manipulating Internet
`connections. Advertising is enhanced by making more com-
`plete information and options available to potential buyers.
`By way of example, the system can promote direct response
`selling such as taking users to specific web sites in sync with
`radio broadcasts. While a song is playing on the radio. the
`computer may simultaneously connect to a website which
`allows the user to immediately order the artist’s CD. Thus.
`the user can order a product over the Internet with relatively
`minimal effort and without knowing or typing any specific
`electronic addresses. The website (or page) changes when
`the song changes. ofiering yet another selling opportunity.
`Alternatively, potential buyers may be directed to on-line
`chat areas to ask live salespeople questions about the prod-
`ucts being transmitted over the broadcast. Further, where
`technology permits, an Internet telephone call can be created
`between the user and the content provider.
`A variety of other sales opportunities are also presented.
`Options include making coupons available to users in sync
`with commercials. Special-offer and limited-time sales are
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`5,905,865
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`7
`also pomible by offering discounts and incentives to those
`customers who quickly respond to a commercial via Inter-
`net. Contest entries are similarly available. The broadcast
`may also be modified in response to the infonnation
`received, such as by announcing contest winners or number
`of purchasers.
`The invention may also be used to add an additional
`dimension to traditional broadcast programming. Text,
`graphics, movies and other computerized information can
`automatically be sent to user's computers while they are
`watching a program. For example, a radio broadcast may be
`supplemented by transmitting a video to the computer
`during the broadcast, creating a pseudo-television show out
`of a radio broadcast. Relatedly. a text-based website can
`come alive with real-time broadcast radio or television.
`Game shows can add text. graphics and movies to their
`programs and still direct the user to its advertiser's websites
`during commercial breaks.
`If the websites are advertiser home pages, the home pages
`may audit the number of “hits” received. Not only will this
`information enable the advertiser to confirm the level of
`activity on its. website, but the advertising fees may be based
`on the number of hits. Just by virtue of the user’s computer
`visiting the home page, an accurate count can be obtained of
`the number of gross broadcast impressions that were gen-
`erated by the system technology.
`The receiver may also cooperate with the computer to
`automatically save or access only websites meeting certain
`profile information. For example, the user may complete a
`profile indicating certain preferences, such as desire to be
`automatically entered in all contests, receive all coupon
`olfers for laundry soap or receive all information from a
`specific automobile advertiser. This profile may be stored in
`the individual computer 40 so that the program uses the
`profile to filter out unwanted URl.’s. Alternatively.
`the
`profile may be stored at the central ollice '70 and a page sent
`to only to those particular receivers and users which have
`indicated an interest
`in receiving the infonnation. For
`example. central oflicc 70 may store a list of the receivers 30
`which want certain infonnation, so that the central office
`only sends pages to those particular receivers. Although all
`the receivers!!!) might be physically capable of accepting the
`signal, not all will take the next step and make a connection
`with the associated on-line service.
`
`The system is flexible enough to encompass a variety of
`alternatives. For example, the address need not be a URL
`and the intended on-line service a website. Rather the
`address and intended on-line service could be a phone
`number to a BBS, an electronic address to another aspect of
`the Internet (FTP, Gopher, WAIS, WWW, NewsGroups,
`Lists) or a phone number to a general information provider
`such as CompuServe, America Online or the like.
`Additionally, the general computer may be any device
`capable of accessing the lntemet and its related services
`such as an Intel-based (IBM-PC and compatible running
`under D08 or Vlfindows) or a Motorola-based (Apple
`Macintosh, Apple Powerlvlac) personal computer. The com-
`puter may also be one of the more powerful workstation
`class computers (Sun, MIPS, Hewlett Packard) or a mini or
`main-frame computer (IBM RSf6000,ASi400. System!390,
`DEC VAX). If modified by appropriate hardware and soli-
`ware to allow access to the lntemet. other dedicated com-
`puters may also be used such as game machines (Sega
`Genesis, Nintendo Game Boy) and electronic organizers and
`pen-based computers (Sharp Wizard, Casio B.0.S.S., Apple
`Newton. Psion). Additionally, specialized telecommunica-
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`tions devices and multi-function terminals provided for
`home banking. shopping and accem to other information
`services and the like which are modified to access Internet
`may also be used.
`The transmitter 20 is also not limited to paging networks.
`For example. the transmitter may a traditional television
`broadcaster, an AM. FM or HAM radio station. a digital
`direct satellite, video playback systems such as video cas-
`sette recordersfplayers or laser disc players, audio playback
`systems such as stereos and compact disc players and all
`other
`forms of digital. analog. or hybrid transmission
`capable of storing or embedding and transmitting alpha-
`numeric electronic addresses. For example, the URL may be
`stored in the vertical blanking interval of a television broad-
`cast or sent on the video broadcast’s carrier signal much like
`closed-captioning. Just as closed«captioning is extracted
`from the signal as an alpha-numeric message. so may the
`URL be extracted by receiver 30 and provided to the
`computer. However, in the preferred embodiment of a pag-
`ing system, the carrier frequency of the broadcasted URL is
`dilferent than the carrier frequency of the radio or television
`broadcast. The means of transmission may be by wire,
`wirelem. optical or electromagnetic.
`The hardware of the receiver will change with the nature
`of the transmission and also may include a number of
`alternatives. For example. the receiver is preferably tunable
`via software andfor hardware. The receiver is also preferably
`keyed so that
`it may receive different clames of pages
`depending upon the profile of the user. The receiver may be
`an FM receiver with a UART and asynchronous serial port
`operating at a baud rate compatible with most computer
`serial ports.
`The subject matter of provbional application no. GDICDS.
`111 is incorporated herein by reference.
`Although the invention herein has been described with
`reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood
`that the embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles
`and application of the present invention. It is therefore to he
`understood that numerous modifications may he made to the
`embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised
`without depaning from the spirit and scope of the present
`invention as defined by the claims.
`What is claimed is:
`l. A method for connecting a computer with one or more
`on-line services providing information corresponding to
`audio or video programming being broadcasted comprising:
`a) providing a computer located at a first location and an
`on-line service located at a second location remote to
`said first location.
`b) broadcasting from a programming transmitter audio or
`video programming to one or more audio or video
`receivers,
`c) receiving an address identitying said on-line service at
`an address transmitter from said programming trans-
`mitter or from a central oflice.
`d) transmitting said address identifying said on-line ser-
`vice from said address transmitter at a third location
`remote from said first and second locations, said
`on-line service providing infomiation corresponding
`with the audio or video programming being broadcast
`from said programming trammitter at the time said
`address is transmitted,
`e) coordinating said step of transmitting to occur simul-
`taneously with said step of broadcasting, independent
`of user interaction with said on-line senrice.
`f) receiving said transmitted address at said computer, and
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`g) automatically accemng said on-line service by said
`computer using said addrem identifying said on-line
`service.
`2. The method of claim I wherein said address is a
`Universal Resource Locator and said on-line service is a
`website.
`3. The method of claim 2 wherein said on-line service
`further comprises an Internet Service Provider providing
`access to said website.
`4. The method of claim 2 wherein said on-line service at
`said address sends information to said computer.
`5. The method of claim -I wherein said step of automati-
`cally accessing said on-line service comprises sending said
`address via telephone lines to connect with said on-line
`service.
`6. The method of claim 5 wherein said step of accessing
`comprises connecting said computer to said on-line service
`via a modem connected to said computer.
`7. The method of claim 1 wherein said address identifies
`a portion of the information contained in said on—line
`service. and wherein said Hep of connecting said computer
`to said on-line service occurs before said step of receiving.
`8. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining
`the amount of times said computer accesses said on-line
`service.
`9. The method of claim 1 wherein said transmission of
`addresses occurs via electromagnetic waves
`Ill. The method of claim 9 wherein said address tram-
`mitter is a paging system.
`11. The method of claim 9 wherein said address tram-
`mitter further