US 6,233,736 B1
`
`8
`7
`reproducing system 22, or may be displayed as part of a
`as a television set, either in place of the television signal,
`"picture within picture" display in conjunction with the
`superimposed over the television signal, or in picture-in-
`ordinarily displayed video signal on conventional reproduc-
`picture format, as controlled by the user. Alternatively,
`ing system 22 or on the computer monitor 40 or other
`processor 58 provides the video signal on line 38 to a high
`5 display device.
`resolution reproducing system 40, such as a computer moni-
`tor. Indicator signal generator 46 may also incorporate a
`After access has been established, user commands
`switch (not shown) which automatically switches off the
`received through user interface 56 are transmitted as infor-
`primary output signal 36 whenever a signal appears at the
`mation signals through modem 54 to the online information
`provider, thereby providing interactive user access with the
`output of signal converter 62. In this manner, information
`to online provider and enabling searching for detailed
`signals received from online infomtauon providers will be
`information, conducting transactions, sending or posting
`automatically displayed on conventional reproducing sys-
`messages to the accessed provider and any other actions that
`tem 22 in place of the ordinarily displayed video signal 36.
`can ordinarily be conducted through an online connection.
`Processor 58 can also receive the input video or audio
`Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
`electronic program signal through a line 55 output from
`,5 FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment which operates in
`address extractor 42 (although direct connection of the
`conjunction with an available computer 164. In this
`electronic signal line 12 is possible). In this manner, pro-
`embodiment, access an:moiler 110 does not require an
`cessor 58 may be constructed to operate upon the video or
`internal processor or modem because such functions are
`audio signal in conjunction with information signals
`provided by a computer 164 attached thereto. In addition.
`received from an online information provider to generate a
`au computer 164 also provides a monitor and audio reproduc-
`"picture within picture" signal for display upon conventional
`ing components which function as high resolution reproduc-
`reproducing system 22.
`ing system 40. Address extractor 142, indicator signal gen-
`The operation of the system will now be described. An
`erator 146, and user input interface 156 of access controller
`electronic signal 12, such as a signal from a video or audio,
`110 arc connected through an output interface 166 for
`program from channel selector 16 or playback system 18,
`25 providing decoded address output, indicator signals, and
`e.g., prerecorded videotape, or an analog or digital video
`user commands, respectively, to computer 164. In other
`disc, containing an embedded signal representing the elec-
`respects, access controller 110 is connected to receive ao
`tronic address of an online information provider in the
`electronic signal 12 and provide a conventional program
`blanking interval or other non-displayed portion of the
`signal 122 and a signal 150 to indicator 124 or indicator 128,
`electronic signal 12 is received by address extractor 42.
`3,) in like manner as in the self-contained embodiment of access
`From the electronic signal 12, address extractor 42 detects,
`controller 10 described in the foregoing (FIG. 2). It will be
`decodes and stores a digital address of the online services
`appreciated that the computer supported embodiment of the
`provider, if any such address is embedded therein. If an
`invention (FIG. 3) provides the same function and operates
`address is successfully decoded and stored, address extractor
`in essentially the same manner as the self-contained ernbodi-
`42 activates, through signal line 44, indicator signal genera.
`35 meat (FIGS. 1-2) and need not be described in any further
`tor 46. Indicator signal generator 46 then produces an
`detail.
`indicator signal and overlays or encodes it onto a move°,
`In still another embodiment of the invention, with refer-
`tional program signal 36 to be displayed or transduced by
`conventional reproducing system 22. Alternatively, indicator
`ence to FIGS. 1-3, a connection to network 30 is maintained
`continuously by access controller 10 through modem 54 or
`signal generator 46 produces a signal on line 50 which
`40 the modem provided in computer 164. This embodiment will
`activates a special purpose indicator, e.g., illuminating a
`light 24 or producing a sound on a speaker 28 of access
`be described with reference to the access controller 10
`shown in FIG. 2, although the skilled person in the art will
`controller 10.
`readily understand the structural modifications required for
`If the user wants to access the online information
`operation in accordance with the access controller shown in
`provider, the user gives such command to access controller
`as FIG. 3. In this embodiment, address extractor 42 detects and
`10 by, for example, pushing a special button on his or her
`decodes an online information provider address embedded
`remote control device. The remote control device transmits
`in the video or audio program signal, but does not store the
`a command signal to user interface 56 which receives the
`address.
`command signal. User interface 56 in turn, produces a signal
`As described in the foregoing embodiments of the
`which is applied to address extractor 42 to retrieve the stored
`so invention, address extractor 42 provides a signal to indicator
`address of the online information provider. Under appropri-
`ate software or hardware control, the address is transmitted
`signal generator 46 when it successfully detects an online
`information provider address in the electronic signal.
`via modem 54 over network 30 to an online information
`provider, e.g., 34c.
`Address extractor 42 detects and decodes the embedded
`address and passes it to modem 54. Modem 54, in turn, only
`Once access to the online information provider has been
`55 uses the extracted address if it has first received a user
`established, access controller 1.0 can automatically receive
`command to initiate access to the online information pro-
`digital information signals through modem 54 from the
`vider. It will be appreciated that this embodiment of the
`online information provider. Received information signals
`invention can be used with a video or an audio program
`are operated upon by processor 58 for displaying upon
`signal wherein the online information provider address is
`conventional TV reproducing system 22 or high resolution
`60 frequently or continuously transmitted. Modem 54 is pro-
`reproducing system 40, e.g., a computer monitor or other
`vided with hardware and/or software to automatically
`display device. Preferably, received signals which are inca-
`establish, upon receiving a user command to initiate online
`pable of being directly displayed upon conventional repro-
`arce.s, a direct digital communication link with the online
`ducing system 22, e.g., a conventional television set. are
`information provider associated with the next received
`converted by a signal converter 62 for display thereon.
`65 online information provider address.
`Information signals received from an online information
`As ail example of the operation of this tani-address storing
`provider may be displayed as still or moving images in place
`of the ordinarily displayed video signal on the conventional
`embodiment of the invention, a video or an audio program
`
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`US 6,233,736 B1
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`10
`4. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
`step of indicating includes producing an auditory indication
`to he sounded on a speaker where an audio portion of said
`program is reproduced.
`5. The method in accordance with claim 1 where said step
`of indicating includes activating a sensory indicator on a
`system separate from that on which said program is repro-
`duced.
`6. A method of providing to a user of online information
`services automatic and direct access to online information,
`comprising the steps of:
`receiving a television broadcast signal having an infor-
`mation signal representing the address of an online
`information source;
`extracting the address of said online information source
`from said received television broadcast signal;
`automatically using said address, in response to a user
`initiated command, to transmit a signal to connect said
`user directly with the online information source asso-
`ciated with said address so that the user as direct access
`to the online information; and
`receiving online information signals from said online
`information provider.
`7. A method of providing to a user of online information
`services, at the time of viewing a video program represented
`by an electronic signal, automatic and direct access to online
`information through a link provided in said video program,
`so comprising:
`indicating to the user that an address is available for
`establishing communication with an online information
`source;
`electronically extracting, in response to a lisp initiated
`command, an address associated with an online infor-
`mation source from an information signal embedded in
`said electronic signal, and automatically using said
`extracted address to establish a direct communication
`link with the online information source associated with
`said extracted address so that the user has direct access
`to the online information.
`8. A method of providing to a user of online information
`services automatic and direct access to online information
`through a link provided in a video program, comprising:
`indicating to the user that a link to online information
`services is available for receiving the online informa-
`tion; and
`automatically and directly electronically accessing said
`online information associated with said link in response
`to a user initiated command so that the user has direct
`access to the online information.
`9. A media online services access system for providing to
`a user of online information services while viewing or
`55 listening to a video or audio program represented by an
`electronic signal, automatic and direct access to online
`information by establishing a direct digital communication
`link with an online information source through a link
`provided in said electronic signal, comprising:
`means for indicating to the user that an address is avail-
`able for extraction from said electronic signal which
`permits communication with an online information
`source; and
`means for extracting an address associated with an online
`information source from an information signal embed-
`ded in said electronic signal, and for automatically
`
`60
`
`9
`signal having a frequently transmitted embedded signal
`containing an online information provider address is
`received through line 12 by address extractor 42. Address
`extractor 42 detects and decodes the online information
`provider address, but does not store it before passing it to
`modem 54. Modem 54 does nothing with the online infor-
`mation provider address unless a user command to initiate
`access has first been received from user interface 56. If such
`user command has been received, modem 54 transmits a
`signal over network 30 using the next received address to
`establish a digital communication link with the online infor-
`mation provider. The function and operation of the non-
`address storing embodiment is otherwise the same as in the
`other described embodiments of the invention and need not
`be described in any further detail.
`In yet another embodiment of the invention, automated
`direct user access to online information providers is
`achieved without incorporating an indicator signal generator
`46, 146 (FIG. 3) into the access controller 10. In this
`embodiment, the video or audio program as produced incor-
`porates a visual or auditory indicator, such as a logo or
`message, which is automatically displayed or sounded by
`conventional reproducing system 22 and/or high resolution
`reproducing system 40 during portions of the program when
`an online information provider address is present in the
`underlying electronic program signal. Through the visual or
`auditory indicator, the user is made aware of the availability
`of the online information provider address. Therefore, in this
`embodiment of the invention, address extractor 42 may be
`constructed and used in a manner so as to detect and decode
`an embedded online information provider address only after
`receiving a user command to initiate access to the online
`information provider. The skilled person in the art will
`appreciate that this embodimenl of the invention operates in
`other respects as in the other embodiments of the invention
`described in the foregoing and need not be described in
`further detail.
`While the invention has been particularly described and
`illustrated with reference to preferred embodiments thereof,
`it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes
`in the above description or illustration may be made with
`respect to form or detail without departing from the spirit
`and scope of the invention.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method of providing to a user of online information
`services automatic and direct access to online information
`through an address associated with an online information
`source piovided with a video program wanising.
`indicating to the user that an address has been provided
`with said video program; and
`electronically extracting said address and automatically
`establishing, in response to a user initiated command, a
`direct communication link with the online information
`source associated with said address so that the user has
`direct access to the online information.
`2. The method in accordance with claim 1 further com-
`prising using said communication link to provide interactive
`exchange of information between said online information
`source and the user.
`3. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
`step of indicating includes producing a visual indication to
`be displayed on the system wherein said program is dis-
`played.
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`65
`
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`

`US 6,233,736 B1
`
`11
`establishing, in response to a user initiated command, a
`direct link with the online information source associ-
`ated with said extracted address so that the user has
`direct access to the online information.
`10. The media online services access system in acox- 5
`dance with claim 9 wherein said program is a video
`program, further comprising:
`means for receiving an information signal from said
`online information source; and
`means for displaying an image signal detected from said
`received information signal.
`
`to
`
`12
`U. The media online services arcecs system in accor-
`dance with claim 9 wherein said indicating means comprises
`a visual indicator displayed on a system on which said
`program is displayed.
`12. The media online services access system in accor-
`dance with claim 9 further comprising a user control device
`coupled to said system to permit said user to interactively
`communicate with said online information source.
`
`* * • * *
`
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`

`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
`
`PATENT NO.
`DATED
`1NVENTOR(S)
`
`: 6,233,736 131
`: May 15, 2001
`:'Thomas R. Wq fzien
`
`Page 1 of I
`
`ft is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is
`hereby corrected as shown below.
`
`Column 10,
`Line 22, delete the word "as" anti insert -- has -- therefore.
`
`Signed and Sealed this
`
`Second Day of December, 2003
`
`JAMES E. ROGAN
`Director of the United Stares Patent and 'trademark Office
`
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`SERIAL NUMBER
`
`09/054,740
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`1.FLING ,:?PaE
`l •
`104403/ 98
`i
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`,SS
`
`455
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`h THOMAS R. WOLZIEN, GRANDVIEW. NY.
`
`nd
`
`GROUPARTUNa
`
`i ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`2711
`
`[ 96262/6
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`****
`**CONTINUING DOMESTIC DATA**************
`08/597,432 02/08/96.PAT
`THIS APPLN IS A CON OF
`VERIFIED
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`**FOREIGN APPLICATIONS************
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`STATE
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`SrItCP111°91-Icticdlitions met ag:
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`MSTER, ROTHSTEIN & EB$ STEIN
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`MEDIA ONLINE SERVICE ACCESS SYSTEM AND METHOD
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`FILING FEE
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`FEES: Authority has been given In Pape:
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`PATENT APPLICATION SERIAL NO.
`
`
`
`U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`FEE RECORD SHEET
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`05/15/1998 DALEXAND 00000021 011785 09054740
`01 FC:101
`313.00 CH
`02 FC:102
`477.00 OP
`164.00 CH
`
`
`04/08/1998 MOM 00000027 09074471
`00 09
`01 FCI101
`
`PTO-1556
`(5/87)
`
`O •
`O
`fg:
`
`coo
`
`MM .
`
`O
`
`O
`LL
`
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`r
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`PT0/SW05 (12197)
`Please type a plus sign (+) Instde this box —9 Fl
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`Patent and Trademark Office: U.S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1895 no persons are required to respond to a collection of Information unless it displaysa rand OMB control number
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`UTILITY
`PATENT APPLICATION
`TRANSMITTAL
`(Myfor now nOnprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1.5.3(o))
`
`Attorney Docket No.
`
`96262/6
`
`1 Total Pages
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`—,
`
`First Named Inventor or Application Identer
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`Thomas R. Wolzion
`
`Express Mail Labe! No.
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`E8827421658LIS
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`APPLICATION ELEMENTS
`See MPEP chapter 600 concerning utility patent apptication contents.
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`(Submit an original and a duplicate tar lee processing)
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`filed)
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`49*
`a)
`
`tn
`
`13
`I J
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`2125h
`
`-1-
`
`pEDIA ONLINE SERVICES ACCESS SYSTEM AND METHOD
`O
`The present invention relates to an electronic
`information access system and more specifically to a
`media online services access system which provides
`5 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).
`
`10
`
`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
`15 exchange of digital information 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
`20 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
`25 course of program transmission. Access to this Internet
`address requires the user to utiaze
` 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
`30 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
`35 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
`
`"2-
`
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