FILE HISTORY
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`US 6,233,736
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`PATENT:
`
`6,233,736
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`INVENTORS: Wolzien. Thomas R.
`
`TITLE:
`
`Media online service access system and
`method
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`APPLICATION U8199854740A
`NO:
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`FILED:
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`03 APR 1998
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`ISSUED:
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`15 MAY 2001
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`COMPILED:
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`12 FEB 2013
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`NTFX-1002 I Page 1 of 204
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`PATENT DATE
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`6,233,736
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`MEDIA ONLINE SERVICE ACCESS SYSTEM AND METHOD
`
`Transaction History
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`
`, Date
`Transaction Description
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`4f3f1998 PreliminaryAl-nendment
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`4!?!1993 initial Exam Team nn
`43011993 IFW Scan & PACR Auto Security Review
`IFw Scan 3: PACR Auto Security Review 4f30{1998
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`6i lilyl 1998 Case Docketed to Examiner in GAU
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`#231993 Information Disclosure Statement [IDS] Filed
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`U2,“ 1998 Information Disclosure Statement {IDS} Filed
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`3!24f1999 _ Application Dispatched from OlPE
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`9,39! 1999 Mail Non-Final Rejection
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`9i9f1999 Non—Final Rejection
`_I
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`11l30f1999 Change in Power of Attorney (May Include Associate POAJ
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`12(21f1999
`Information Disclosure Statement {IDSJ Filed
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`12f21f1999
`Information Disclosure Statement [IDS] Filed
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`1(10; 2000
`Information-Disclosure Statement {IDS} Filed
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`1f10il2000
`information Disclosure Statement {IDS} Filed
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`3f9f2000 Terminal Disclaimer Filed
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`3f9!2000 Afiidavitls} {Rule 131 or 132) or Exhibitls} Received
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`3f9l2000 Response after Non~Final Action
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`3,!93'2000 Request for Extension of Time —' Granted
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`3f30f2000 Date Forwarded to Examiner
`6f5i2000 Non—Final Rejection
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`615I2000 Terminal Disclaimer Approved in TC
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`annual) Mail Non-Final Rejection
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`10;"6} 2000 Case Docketed to Examiner in GAU
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`10l2?{2000 Examiner Interview Summary Record IPTOL - 413}
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`12,15!2000 Response after Non-Final Action
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`12f8{2000 Date Forwarded to Examiner
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`12,119fzooo Mail Notice of Allowance
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`12! 1912000 Notice of Alloilvance Data Verification Completed
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`2l27{2001 Workflow - File Sent to Contractor
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`3f8!2001
`Issue Fee Payment Verified
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`3f3f2001 Workflow - Drawings Finished
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`SISIZODI Workflow- Drawings Matched with File at Contractor
`3183'2001 Workflow - Drawings Received at Contractor
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`3181‘2001 Workflow'- Drawings Sent to Contractor
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`alllizom Workflow — Complete WF Records for Drawings
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`43'153'2001 Application Is Considered Ready for Issue
`Issue Notification Mailed
`4f27,.i2001
` Recordation of Patent Grant Mailed
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`53‘153'2001
`101'9!2003
`Correspondence Address Change
`Post Issue Communication - Certificate of Correction
`1;14;2003
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`53'23'2004 Correspondence Address Change
`Correspondence Address Change
`5I18]2004
`1I19!2006 Correspondence Address Change
`1f25f2008 Change in Power of Attorney [May Include Associate POA}
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`lizsrzooa
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`INDEX OF CLAIMS
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`= .......................w.......... Aflowed
`'— (Through numeral) Canceled
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`SEARCH NOTES
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`HIIII||i|i|||||||l||lIllllllfll|||||||||||||||||||||||i|||||||||||||||l|||
`USIH16233736B1
`
`(12) United States Patent
`US 6,233,736 Bl
`(10) Patent No.:
`
`
` Wolzien (45) Date of Patent: *May 15, 2001
`
`[54) MEDIA ONLINE SERVICE ACCESS SYSTEM
`AND M” HOD
`.
`v .
`-
`‘
`Inventor.
`(llltgpias R. Wolzten, Grandvrcw, NY.
`(T5)
`(7'3) Assignee: Media Online Services, [nc., New
`-
`York, NY (US)
`
`FOREIGN PA'I‘EN'I‘ DOCUMENTS
`19545332
`6:199“:
`(DE) .
`0753'485
`231997
`EP .
`WU 9413107
`@1994 iWé') .
`woosn'm
`3:1996 (wot .
`“9613124
`51’ 199.5 (“'02 ,
`W0 9702699
`”199'? (WOJ .
`W09?2?S4v5
`3'31997 (W0) .
`
`( ‘ ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this "
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`_
`U'S‘C' 134(k)) by 0 days.
`This patent is subject to a terminal riis-
`claimcr.
`'
`(31) APPL No.: l|9i[|54,740
`_
`(22) mu":
`
`Apt. 3’ 1993
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation 01 application No. 08591432, filed on Feb. 8,
`1996, now Pat. No. 5,761,606.
`-
`
`
`
`I
`
`H04N 7(173
`Int. CL?
`(51)
`7251119; 725m 2; T25i133
`(52) U 3 Cl.
`(58) Field M Search ____________________________________ 348.36, 10‘ 12’
`34333, 460. 46], 465. 468, 469, 473’ 476—479,
`563, 564, 565; 4553']! S.1,6.1,6.2, 6.3;
`709.“?17-219; 7251.105, 109, 110! 111’ 112.
`113 131 1133. [-[tl4N mitt, ”HID, W14
`"
`’
`’
`References-Cited
`
`(56)
`
`”-5- PATENT DOCUMENTS
`13-1990 Ye?“
`4894 789
`231990 pomck a at. _
`4:905:094
`5,1991 puwck cl “1.
`_
`5,014,125
`7,-‘1992 \tbn Koltom.
`5,128,752
`8:“1992 Galumhcck at :1]..
`5,140,416
`5,252,350 ’ 113993 FilZPfllrifi'k 6' =Il-
`5285378
`”1994 Homan-
`5,438,355 ‘
`{1995 Palmer
`............................_..... 4 553'2 X
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`3435475 X
`
`.
`.
`-.
`Prt'mnr
`y Lmrmrter—Inhn W. Miller
`(74) Attorne ;_Agenr, or Firm—Dorsey Sc Whitney,r LLP
`(57)
`ABS'I‘RACT
`A system is disclosed [or 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-rccordcd media, and which are encoded in Either
`
`'l‘he address or an online infor—
`analog or digital Formats.
`mation pmwder is encoded In a vertical blanking inlcrval 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 lransdueed on a television
`or audio sound system. The onlinc information provider
`address is detected and decoded from the electronic signal
`and used in establishlng a direct dlgllal communication link
`to the online information provider. Upon detecting an online
`provider address, the system indicates to the user that more
`information is available.’|‘he user may then elecllo establish
`a connection with the online information provider by giving
`a simple command, c.g., pushing a special button on a
`remote control. The system then automatically establishes a
`direct digital communication link to the online information
`provider through the address and provides for interactive
`information exchange and processing to permit signals
`received from the online information provider to be dis—
`played on a conventional television, lransduocd on a sound
`system, or also on a high resolution reproducing system such
`as a computer monitor, or other reproduction device.
`
`_
`
`12 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
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`-
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`vIDEOINFUT
`ti
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`US 6,233,736 Bl
` Fagc 2
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`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`.
`
`9.51995 Ezaki .
`5,453,?94
`12r'1995 Young.
`5,4?9,263
`'
`.
`1.:‘1996 Lugsmn cl ul.
`5,481,542
`651996 Lappinglon el at.
`5,526,035
`7.51996 Majeti cl 3].
`.
`5,534,913
`131996 Harper -
`5,537,141
`7.!1996 Myhn-‘old cl al. .
`5,539,471
`8.519945
`lnng-
`5.5435849
`9;”1996 Reimcr cl a].
`5,553,221
`IOIr'1996 Takahisa:
`5,564,073
`5.5711295 ‘ lflrl996 Isunbcrg er. al.
`5,5?2,“2
`11,.“1996 Schuihnf at a].
`5,535,353
`12.519945 Harper 81 ill.
`.
`5,589,392
`12f1996 Knee El 3!.
`.
`5,604,452 “
`3199'? Dedl‘iuk ................................ 34836 X
`5,612,730
`3.81907 Lewis.
`.
`5,633,918
`5,599? Mankovilz .
`
`................. 364514 R
`.
`
`.
`
`6.?19‘9?
`5,540,193 "'
`7:199?
`5,643,088
`7.5199“;
`5,649,284
`3,1997
`5,659,366
`9:199?
`S,66?,?08
`gngg?
`_ 5,668,592
`5,694,163 5 1231997
`5,096,905
`151997
`5,124,091
`3;“;93
`5,124,103
`3am
`5321252
`33993
`5334,43;
`3;]993
`5,501,502
`6.-"1998
`5,7?4,664
`6.51998
`5’773’131
`731998
`5,313,441 a- 10:1993
`5,912,700 *
`631999
`" cited by examiner
`
`. 3483'?
`
`..
`WclInci
`
`Vaughn el :3 .
`.
`Yoshiuobu .
`Kcrman _
`.
`Giass cl al.
`.
`Spaulding, I]
`Harrison ................................. 348rl3
`Reimer el al.
`.
`Freeman et a]..
`Halchelur .
`Fraser _
`Back .
`Wagner el al.
`I-lidary el aL .
`Hidary el .11..
`
`Thruckmollon cl ill
`.. 348313 X
`.. 348E157
`Plant): at a].
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`U.S._Patent
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`May15,21}01
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`ShectlofS
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`Usa_,233,73631
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`ACCESS
`CONTROLLER
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 15, 2001
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`'
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`Sheet 2 of3
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`US 6,233,736 B1
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`T022
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`T040
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`PROCESSOR
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`INDICATOR
`SIGNAL '
`GENERATOR
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`INTERFACE
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`1
`MEDIA ONLINE SERVICE ACCESS SYSTEM
`-
`AND METHOD
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`Us 6,233,736 131
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`5
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`2D
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`SS
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`This is a continuation of Ser. No. 08591432, filed Feb.
`8, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,606.
`r[he present invention relates to an electronic information
`access system and more specifically to a media online
`services access system which provides direct, automated
`access to an online information provider through an address
`embedded in an electronic signal which carries a program
`segment (e.g., through television, radio, or a pre—recorded
`video or audio medium).
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE lNVlENTlON
`Herctofore, 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 acecss 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
`itscr 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 exaniple,'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 spitcific 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 be used to
`”provide still other benefits to consumers, business owners,
`and the government. For example, an automobile manufac:
`turcr could make information available directly to a con-
`
`2
`through an online address embedded in a video
`surner
`presentation so the consumer could reach its online site
`quickly to ask for more information, to request a test drive,
`or to purchase pans. 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 aeoess 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 servioe announcements
`regarding regulations, programs, or public health concerns,
`c.g., cancer,A]DS, and heart disease. Educators and students
`could use such system to obtain more detailed or up-lo-the-
`minute 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
`exarnple, a system is described in US. Pat. No. 4,894,?‘89
`wherein a digital information signal is transmitted dilring 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. 5,128,753 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 toltcn redemp-
`tion and value considerations available upon purchase oftlle
`product.
`US. Pal. No. 5,285.2?8 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.
`US. 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 lhe 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.
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`US 6,233,736 Bi
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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 pie—recorded 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
`audioi'video 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 availabIe through
`the Internet for interactive transactions. As the media pro-
`gra m is received for reproduction on a video display or audio
`sound system,
`the access system extracts the embedded
`electronic address for use in directly accessing the online
`information provider at the selection of the user.
`Preferably, the address is stored at the time of extraction,
`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 ofa video
`signal. or it may be longer, as when an address is transmitted
`only at selected intervals of a program.
`the
`Upon successfully extracting an electronic address,
`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 systelti 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 u'ser 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.
`the extracted
`In another embodiment of the invention,
`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.
`llowever. 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 embodimcnt, 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 diSpIay device, or
`Ioget her with the television broadcast signal in a picture-in-
`picture format. In this way, the user can fully explore all of
`the related informalion 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 systent of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a block and schematic diagram of another
`embodiment of an access controller used with a computer in
`accordance with the present invention.
`DE'I‘AIlJ-jIJ DESCRIPTION OF THE.
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`An online services access system according to the present
`invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 1, the
`online services access system includes access controller 10
`which incorporates all components neeessary to provide
`online access and to access received online-information
`
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`US 6,233,736 Bl
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`'5
`signals. Access controller It] is constructed to receive an
`electronic signal 12 from a broadcast, cable or prerecorded
`medium program 'in conventional form 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, aceess controller ltl 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 form at, or whether such playback
`systems operate upon videotape, audiotape, or disc media.
`Access controller 10 is connected via a primary output
`signal line 3ft 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,
`coaxialcable, 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 lnternet 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, .
`.
`.
`34ft. Access controller Ill receives from the online informa—
`tion provider. through network 3|], 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 for
`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
`andror 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 maybe 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 alfected. For
`example,
`the address signal cart be transmitted during a
`portion ofa video signal such as in the vertical interval, itt
`sync or through changes in the luminance or chroma signals.
`Address extraction 42 is constrnctcd to electronically store,
`e.g., via a register or memory device (not shown),
`the
`detected address for Lise 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 stoting 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 an 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. lndica—.
`tor signal generator 46 causes, for example, a video image
`20 (e.g., pictttre within picture, 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 thc user by activating a light 24 or other
`visual
`indicator
`located on an exterior panel of access
`controller ltl or of reproducing system 22. Alternatively,
`indicator signal genera1or may cause a sound to be produced
`on a speaker 2d 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 thrOuglt 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 arc 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, c.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 conducts
`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 then]
`to processor 58 which extracts a video andi’or an audio signal
`38. Preferably, access controller 1|] includes a signal con-
`verter 62 for adjusting or convening an incompatible signal
`for display upon conventional reproducing system 22, such
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`US 6,233,736 B1
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`7
`as a television set, either in place of the television signal,
`Superimposed over the tele