`Wolzien
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,233,736 B1
`*May 15, 2001
`
`USOU6 23 373 6B1
`
`(54]
`
`(7'5)
`
`(73)
`
`MEDIA ONLINE SERVICE ACCESS SYSTEM
`AND METHOD
`
`Inventor: Thomas R. Wulzien, Grandview, NY
`(US)
`
`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
`0151485
`WO 941310?
`“1095072?
`W096'l3l24
`woe-102699
`W09721546
`
`(DE).
`611997f
`211997 (EP).
`611994 (W0) .
`311995 (we).
`511996 (W0)
`11199-1 (wo).
`71199-1 (wo).
`
`Primary Examiner—lohn W. Miller
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Fina—Dorsey & Whitney LLP
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis—
`claimer.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 091054,?40
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Apr. 3, 1998
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(63]
`
`Continuation of application No. 081591432, filed on Feb. 8,
`1996, now Pat. No. 5,161,606.
`
`(51)
`(52)
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`H04N 71173
`Int. Cl.T
`7251110; 7251112; 7251133
`U.S. Cl.
`34816, 10, 12,
`Field of Search
`348113, 460, 461, 465, 468, 469, 4'13, 476—479,
`563, 564, 565, 45513.], 5.1, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3,
`7091217—219; 7251105, 109, 110, 111, 112,
`113, 131, 133; H04N 7100, 7110, ”1114
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`111990 Yee.
`4,894,789
`.
`211990 Pocock et a1.
`4,905,094
`511991 Pocock et al. .
`5,014,125
`711992 \«tbn Kohorn .
`5,128,752
`811992 Galumbeck et al.
`5,140,416
`5,262,860 * ”11993 Fitzpatrick et a].
`5,285,278
`211994 Holman .
`5,438,355 *
`811995 Palmer
`
`.
`
`3481416 X
`
`45512 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-
`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. Tile 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-
`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
`
`
`
`NTFX—1001 I Page 1 of 12
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`
`
`US 6,233,736 B1
` Page 2
`
`-
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`_
`.
`971995 Ezakl‘
`5,453,794
`12-1995 Young -
`5,479,268
`.
`171996 Logslon et a].
`5,481,542
`611996 L4plaingtcrn ct 91-
`5,526,035
`1-9996 Majelielak
`5,534,913
`751996 HalpfiI -
`5,537,141
`771996 Myhrvold et 811..
`5,539,471
`811996 12011.97
`5,543,849
`971996 Reimerela1..
`5,553,221
`10.9996 Takahi‘ia-
`5,564,078
`5,5?U,295 * 1071996 Iseuberg et al.
`5,572,442
`1171996 Schulhof el al.
`5,585,858
`1211999 Harper 9‘ al-
`5,589,892
`1271996 Knee ft al. 4
`5,604,452 *
`2.41997 Dedl'ick
`5,612,739
`371997 Lewis _
`5,633,918
`571997 Mankovitz .
`
`.
`
`6/1997 Wellner
`5,640,193 *
`711997 Vaughn et a]. .
`5,043,088
`771997 Yoshinobu.
`5,649,284
`871997 Kerman .
`5,659,366
`_
`971997 Glass 61 3|,
`5,557,703
`971997 Spaulding, II .
`5,668,592
`5,694,163 7 1271997 Harrison
`.
`5,690,905
`1211997 Reimer et a].
`5,724,691
`371998 Freeman £131..
`5,724,103
`3/1998 Batchelor.
`5,729,252
`3/1998 Fraser.
`5,734,437
`371998 Back.
`5,761,602
`571993 Wagner el al_ _
`5,774,664
`571993 Hidary e1 31,
`,
`5,778,181
`771998 Hidal'y et .11..
`5,818,441 * 1071008 Throckmorlon at a].
`5,912,700 »
`6/1999 Honey c161.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`3485’
`
`348713
`
`348!” X
`348/15?
`
`3647514 R
`
`34876 X
`
`NTFX—1001 I Page 2 of 12
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`
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`US. Patent
`
`May 15, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 of3
`
`US 6,233,736 131
`
`
`
`VIDEO INPUT
`1_5
`
`FIG. 1
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`NTFX—1001 I Page 3 of 12
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`US. Patent
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`May 15, 2001
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`Sheet 2 of3
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`US 6,233,736 131
`
`1.0
`
`as
`
`SIGNAL
`CONVERTER
`
`
`INDICATOR
`SIGNAL
`GENERATOR
`
`
`I .
`
`ADDRESS
`EXTRACTOR
`
`.
`
`~
`
`56
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`53
`
`32
`
`54
`
`5
`
`‘
`
`24
`
`.....
`
`s
`
`2
`
`INTERFACE
`
`m\\
`
`4'H\\\
`
`FIG. 2
`
`NTFX—1001 I' Page 4 of 12
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`
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`US. Patent
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`May 15, 2001
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`Sheet 3 of 3
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`US 6,233,736 B1
`
`mecca;
`
`:2m5555mm-
`
`m.9"............................
`._le24.5,,2Hm.3555.NaEim"mum:M
`
`2V...........hm..........................
`
`m02.mmmofimzwwmm.8.2263nua...mega;H
`
`NTFX—1001 I Page 5 of 12
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`US 6,233,736 Bl
`
`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-recordcd
`video or audio medium).
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`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-
`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
`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
`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—
`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-
`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-
`tion from news stories or more detailed information could
`easily access such information through an online informa—
`tion provider designated by the producers of such program.
`The online services access system could he used to
`provide still other benefits to consumers, business owners,
`and the government. For example, an automobile manufac-
`turer could make information available directly to a con-
`
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`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
`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-
`mation following the airing ofpublic 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-
`minttte information from online bulletin boards and data-
`
`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-
`mation is transmitted and received through a modified video
`signal of a conventional
`television transmission. For
`example, a system is described in US. 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.
`US. Pat. No. 5,128,?52 describes a system in which a
`retailer broadcasts information for reception upon a conven-
`tional television set regarding products available through a
`central location. The system includes a decoder for display-
`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-
`tion and value considerations available upon purchase of the
`product.
`US. Pat. No. 5,285,278 describes a system in which
`coupon-related digital information is received from a trans-
`mitted television signal
`through a decoder. The decoder
`records the coupon-related data for
`later
`readout and
`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
`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
`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-
`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
`unlimited number of online information providers through
`provider addresses which are embedded in the electronic
`signal which carries an video or audio program.
`
`NTFX—1001 I Page 6 of 12
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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
`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
`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
`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.
`
`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-reoorded television or radio (audio) signal to
`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
`audiofvideo program from an available medium (e.g., broad-
`cast and cable television and radio, or
`a pre-recorded
`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-
`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-
`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 titne of extraction,
`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
`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
`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
`program which coincide with the presence of an embedded
`online information provider address, which, in such case,
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`would eliminate the need for the access system to incorpo-
`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—
`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-
`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
`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—
`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-
`ing user communication transactions with the provider.
`
`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 ofan access controller used with a computer in
`accordance with the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TIIE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`An online services access system according to the present
`invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. I, the
`online services access system includes access controller 10
`which incorporates all components necessary to provide
`online access and to access received online information
`
`NTFX—1001 I Page 7 of 12
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`US 6,233,736 Bl
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`10
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`15
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`5
`signals. Access controller 10 is constructed to receive an
`electronic signal 12 from a broadcast, cable or prerecorded
`medium program in conventional fon'n from a video signal
`source 14-. Video signal source 14 can be selectively swit-
`chable to provide output from a channel selector 16 con-
`nected to a cable or broadcast video input 15 or from a video
`playback system 18 which may be, for example, a video-
`cassette recorder or an analog or digital videodisc device. It
`will be appreciated that channel selector 16 may be provided
`in a unit separate from playback system 18, or within access
`controller 10 itself. Alternatively, access controller 10 can be
`constructed to receive and decode program signals at radio
`frequency as received from a broadcast or cable video
`source, or as downconverted to baseband, by for example,
`the front end receiving circuitry of a video cassette recorder
`or digital video disc device. It will also be appreciated that
`the function and results provided by access controller 10 are
`not dependent upon which of many available playback
`systems is connected thereto, whether such systems are
`analog or digital
`in format, or whether such playback
`systems operate upon videotape, audiotape, or disc media.
`Access controller 10 is connected via a primary output
`signal line 36 to a conventional reproducing system 22 such
`as a television set, and is optionally connected through a
`second output signal line 38 to a high resolution reproducing
`system 40, such as a computer monitor. In addition, access -
`controller 10 is connected to a public or private network 30
`through an information signal carrier 32, e.g., telephone line,
`coaxial cable, fiber optic link, cellular, radiotelephone, or
`satellite link. Network 30, which may be any private or
`public local area network or wide area network such as an
`office network, company network, public Internet or circuit-
`switched network is used to route address and information
`signals between access controller 10 and a selected one of a
`plurality of online information providers 34a, 34b, 34c, .
`.
`.
`3431. Access controller 10 receives from the online informa-
`
`35
`
`tion provider, through network 30, information signals hav-
`ing a video or audio program content and selectively
`provides,
`through appropriate conventional processing, a
`conventional program signal or a high resolution signal [or
`reproduction upon standard reproducing system 22, or high
`resolution reproducing system 40, respectively.
`The internal construction of access controller 10 is
`described with reference to FIG. 2. Access controller 10 is
`provided with an address extractor 42 which receives the
`electronic signal 12. Address extractor 42 includes hardware
`andfor software to detect, decode and store an address which
`has been embedded in a video or audio program signal.
`Among the ways which exist
`to detect an address signal
`transmitted in conjunction with an analog video signal,
`address extractor 42 may be constructed to detect a digital
`address which is transmitted during a vertical blanking
`interval or other portion of a conventional video signal in
`such manner that displayed image quality is not afl‘ected. For
`example,
`the address signal can be transmitted during a
`portion of a video signal such as in the vertical interval, in
`sync or through changes in the luminance or chroma signals.
`Address extraction 42 is constructed to electronically store,
`e.g., via a
`register or memory device (not shown),
`the
`detected address for use in accessing the online services
`provider at the selection of the user. The address signal may
`be transmitted at very short intervals, e.g., once for each
`frame of a video program such that storing and refreshing of
`the extracted address signal occurs at very short intervals.
`Alternatively,
`the address signal may be transmitted at
`longer intervals, i.e., at discrete intervals in a program such
`that
`the duration in which an extracted address signal
`is
`stored is much longer.
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`In such cases in which video or audio program is encoded
`digitally, address extractor 42 may be constructed in any of
`several existing ways to detect an address signal which is
`received in conjunction with a digitally encoded video or
`audio electronic signal 12. The details of the construction of
`address extractor 42 are well known in the art and need not
`be described in further detail.
`
`Address extractor 42 has an output connection to an
`indicator signal generator 46. The indicator signal generator
`46 signals the user that more information relating to the
`program is available, such information being accessible
`through an electronic address when address extractor 42 has
`decoded such address from the electronic signal 12. Indica-
`tor signal generator 46 causes, for example, a video image
`20 (e . g. , picture within pictu re, logo, or icon) to be displayed
`with the video program signal on reproducing system 22 to
`signal the user that an address of an online provider has been
`stored and that additional information is available. Instead,
`or in addition to such visual display, indicator signal gen-
`erator 46 may signal the user by activating a light 24 or other
`visual
`indicator located on an exterior panel of access
`controller 10 or of reproducing system 22. Alternatively,
`indicator signal generator may cause a sound to be produced
`on a speaker 26 of reproducing system 22, or by a speaker
`28 provided in access controller 10. Here again, the design
`of indicator signal generator 46 is well known in the art.
`Access controller 10 is provided with a user input inter-
`face 56 for receiving a user command which automatically
`initiates establishment of a direct digital communication link
`to an online information provider through an address
`detected from the electronic signal 12 by address extractor
`42 and permits interactive communication between the user
`and the online information provider. It will be appreciated
`that many conventional input interfaces are well suited for
`use as user interface 56 because of their compatibility with
`conventional television and audio sound systems. Among
`such input interfaces are infrared, radio and audio frequency
`interfaces which decode single key or multiple key sequence
`input
`from a wired or wireless remote user control.
`Preferably, user input interface 56 detects when a special
`purpose button on a remote user control has been pressed
`and provides a responsive signal which automatically causes
`the stored address of the online provider to be retrieved and
`transmitted. User input interface 56 can also be constructed
`to detect when a special sequence of keys has been pressed
`on a conventional user control (e.g., a sequence such as
`“ENTER,” “ENTER,” “+VOLUME”) and to enable inter-
`active communication with the online information provider.
`Alternatively, user input interface 56 can be implemented by
`any appropriate microcomputer type user interface, e.g.,
`mouse,
`touchpad,
`touchscreen,
`trackball.
`joystick,
`pushbutton, eraser head, or other such device. Preferably,
`user interface 56 is constructed to provide and receive
`transmission of digital information signals through modem
`54 to the online information provider,
`thereby enabling
`interactive user access with the online provider for conduct-
`ing detailed information searches, conducting transactions,
`and sending or posting messages to the accessed provider.
`Access controller 10 is provided with a modem 54 for
`transmitting and receiving digital
`information signals
`between access controller 10 and public switching network
`30 through an information signal carrier line 32. Modem 54
`demodulates incoming information signals and outputs them
`to processor 58 which extracts a video andfor an audio signal
`38. Preferably, access controller ll] includes a signal con-
`verter 62 for adjusting or converting an incompatible signal
`for display upon conventional reproducing system 22, such
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`as a television set, either in place of the television signal,
`superimposed over the television signal, or in picture—in—
`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-
`tor. Indicator signal generator 46 may also incorporate a
`switch (not shown) which automatically switches ofi 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-
`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—
`cessor 53 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-
`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-
`tor 46.
`Indicator signal generator 46 then produces an
`indicator signal and overlays or encodes it onto a conven—
`tional program signal 36 to be displayed or transduced by
`conventional reproducing system 22. Alternatively, indicator
`signal generator 46 produces a signal on line 50 which
`activates a special purpose indicator, e.g.,
`illuminating a
`light 24 or producing a sound on a speaker 28 of access
`controller 10.
`If the user wants to access the online information
`provider. the user gives such command to access controller
`10 by, for example, pushing a special button on his or her
`remote control device. The remote control device transmits
`a command signal to user interface 56 which receives the
`command signal. User interface 56 in turn, produces a signal
`which is applied to address extractor 4-2 to retrieve the stored
`address of the online information provider. Under appropri-
`ate software or hardware control, the address is transmitted
`via modem 54 over network 30 to an online information
`provider, e.g., 34c.
`Once access to the online information provider has been
`established, access controller 10 can automatically receive
`digital
`information signals through modem 54 from the
`online information provider. Received information signals
`are operated upon by processor 58 for displaying upon
`conventional TV reproducing system 22 or high resolution
`reproducing system 40, e.g., a computer monitor or other
`display device. Preferably, received signals which are inca-
`pable of being directly displayed upon conventional repro-
`ducing system 22, e.g., a conventional television set, are
`converted by a signal converter 62 for display thereon.
`Information signals received from an online information
`provider may be displayed as still or moving images in place
`of the ordinarily displayed video signal on the conventional
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`reproducing system 22, or may be displayed as part of a
`“picture within picture” display in conjunction with the
`ordinarily displayed video signal on conventional reproduc-
`ing system 22 or on the computer monitor 40 or other
`display device.
`After access has been established, user commands
`received through user interface 56 are transmitted as infor-
`mation signals through modem 54 to the online information
`provider, thereby providing interactive user access with the
`online provider and enabling searching for detailed
`information, conducting transactions, sending or posting
`messages to the accessed provider and any other actions that
`can ordinarily be conducted through an online connection.
`Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
`FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment which operates in
`conjunction with an available computer 164.
`In this
`embodiment, access controller 110 does not
`require an
`internal processor or modem because such functions are
`provided by a computer 164 attached thereto. In addition,
`computer 164 also provides a monitor and audio reproduc-
`ing components which function as high resolution reproduc-
`ing system 40. Address extractor 142, indicator signal gen-
`erator 146, and user input interface 156 of access controller
`110 are connected through an output
`interface 166 for
`providing decoded address output, indicator signals, and
`user commands, respectively,
`to computer 164. In other
`respects,