ID
`-r
`
`•a
`in
`
`-12--
`
`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
`5 sequence such as "ENTER," "ENTER," "+VOLUME") and to
`enable interactive communication with the online
`information
`Alternatively,
`provider,
`user
`input
`interface 56 can be implemented by any appropriate
`user
`interface, e.g., mouse.
`microcomputer
`type
`10 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
`15 enabling interactive user access with the online
`provider for conducting detailed information searches,
`conducting transactions, and sending or posting messages
`to the accessed provider.
`Access controller 10 is provided with a modem
`20 54 for transmitting and receiving digital information
`signals between access controller 10 and public
`_ —
`switching network 30 through an information signal
`modem 54 demodulates incoming
`carrier line 32.
`information signals and outputs them to processor 58
`25 which extracts a video and/or an audio signal 38.
`Preferably, access controller 10 includes a signal
`converter 62 for adjusting or converting ah,incompatible
`signal for display upon conventional reproducing system
`22, such as a television set, either in place of the
`30 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 monitor'. Indicator signal
`35 generator 46 may also incorporate a switch (not shown)
`which automatically switches off the primary output
`signal 36 whenever a signal appears at the output of
`
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`

`f.
`in
`.;
`
`La
`
`(11
`.P
`
`10
`IC
`
`-13-
`
`15
`
`In this manner, information
`Signal converter 62.
`signals received from online information providers will
`be automatically displayed on conventional reproducing
`system 22 in place of the ordinarily displayed video
`5 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
`In this manner, processor 58 may be
`possible).
`10 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
`20 signal representing the electronic 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
`25 stores a digital address of the 'online services
`provider, if any such address is embedded therein. If
`an address is successfully decoded and motored, address
`extractor 42 activates, through signal , line 44,
`indicator signal generator 46.
`Indicator signal
`30 generator 46 then produces an indicator signal and
`overlays or encodes it onto a conventional 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
`35 activates
`a
`special
`purpose
`indicator,
`e.g.,
`illuminating a light 24 or producing a. sound on a
`speaker 28 of access controller 10.
`
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`-14-
`
`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
`5 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 42 to retrieve the stored address
`of the online infotmation provider. Under appropriate
`10 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
`15 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
`20 system 40, e.g., a computer monitor or other display
`• device.
`Preferably, received signals which
`are'
`_..._.incapable of being directly displayed upon conventional
`reproducing system 22, e.g., a conventional television
`set, are converted by a signal converter 62 for display
`25 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 reproducing system 22, or may be
`displayed as part of a "picture within picttire" display
`30 in conjunction with the ordinarily displayed video
`signal on conventional reproducing 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
`35 transmitted as information signals through modem 54 to
`the online information provider, thereby providing
`interactive user access with the online, provider and
`
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`

`-15-
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`Ca
`
`.;
`
`171
`.4-
`
`tp
`1p
`
`25
`
`30
`
`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 reproducing components which furfction
`as high resolution reproducing system 40.
`Address
`extractor 142, 'indicator signal generator 146, and user
`input interface 156 of access controller 110 are
`connected through an outpui interface 166 for pro4iding
`decoded address output, indicator signals, and user
`commands, respectively, to computer 164. In other
`respects, access controller 110 is connected to receive
`an electronic signal 12 and provide a conventional
`-program signal 122 and a signal 150 to indicator 124 or
`indicator 128, in like manner as in the self-contained
`embodiment of access controller 10 described in the
`foregoing (FIG. 2). It will be appreciated that the
`computer supported embodiment of the invention (FIG. 3)-
`provides the same function and operates min essentially
`the same manner as the self-contained embodiment (FIGS.
`1-2) and need not be described in any further detail.
`In still another embodiment of the invention,
`with reference to FIGS. 1-3, a connection to network 30
`is maintained continuously by access controller 10
`through modem 64-or the modem provided in computer 164.
`This embodiment will be described with'reference to the
`access controller 10 shown in FIG. 2, although the
`skilled person in the art will readily understand the
`structural modifications required for operation in
`accordance with the access controller shown in FIG. 3.
`
`35
`
`(=
`
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`

`

`kr,
`C5
`tn
`
`E3
`
`to
`115
`
`-16-
`
`5
`
`In this embodiment, address_ extractor 42 detects and
`decodes an online information provider address embedded
`in the video or audio program signal, but does not store
`the address.
`As described in the foregoing embodiments of
`the invention, address. extractor 42 provides a signal to
`indicator signal generator 46 when it successfully
`detects an online information provider address in the
`electronic signal. Address extractor 42 detects and
`10 decodes the embedded address and passes it to modem 54.
`Modem 54, in turn, only uses the extracted - address if it
`has first received a user command to initiate access to
`the online information provider. It will be appreciated
`that this embodiment of the invention can be used with a
`15 video or an audio program signal wherein the online
`address, is
`provider
`frequently
`information
`or
`continuously transmitted. Modem 54 is provided with
`hardware and/or software to automatically establish,
`upon receiving a user command to initiate online access,
`20 a direct digital communication link with the online
`information provider associated with the next received
`online information provider address.
`As an example of the operation of this
`non-address storing embodiment of the invention, a video
`25 or an audio program 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
`30 does not store it before passing it to modem 54. Modem
`54 does nothing with the online information 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
`35 signal over network 30 using the next received address
`to establish a digital communication link with the
`online information provider. The function and operation
`
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`

`-17-
`
`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.
`
`5
`
`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
`10 program as produced incorporates 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 &tiring portions of the program when an online
`15 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
`20 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
`25 will appreciate that this embodiment 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
`30 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
`35 the invention.
`
`(P
`
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`

`-18-
`
`WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
`A method of providing to a user of online
`nformation services, at the time of viewing a video
`p ogram represented by an electronic signal, direct
`5 d gital communication access to an online information
`provider through a link provided in said video program,
`corn
`
`•
`
`I I
`
`
`
`address
`an
`extracting
`electronically
`assoc'
`ted with an online information provider from an
`ion signal embedded in said electronic signal;
`inform
`indicating to the user that an address has
`cted permitting communication with an online
`been eat
`provider; and
`informatio
`said
`using
`is a
`ly
`extracted
`'auto
`initiated command, to
`0 a us
`esponse
`address,
`communication link with the
`
`i ect di
`establish
`a di
`rov der associated with said
`ion
`
`online i forma
`extracted
`dress
`2.
`metho
`The
`in accordance with Claim 1
`20 further comp
`ising
`sing said direct communication link
`
`to provide i teracti e xchange of information between
`
`said online in
`nmatio
`rovider and the user.
`3. The
`in accordance with Claim 1
`wherein said step
`of i dicating includes producing a
`25 visual indication to be d i splayed on the system wherein
`said program is displdyed.
`4. The method i accordance -.with Claim 1
`wherein said step of indica ing includes producing an
`auditory indication to be soun ed on a speaker where an
`30 audio portion of said progeam is reproduced..
`5. The method in ac rdance with Claim 1
`wherein said step of indicating •
`activating a
`sensory indicator on a system se rate from that on
`which said program is reproduced.
`
`6. The method in accorda e with Claim 1
`wherein said step of indicating f rther includes
`indicating that more information relating to the content
`
`35
`
`(
`
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`

`_19_
`
`of
`id video program is available through said
`extrac ed address.
`7, A method of providing online information
`services to a user of such online services, comprising
`5 the steps of:
`
`providing an audio or video signal having
`an em.-dded information signal representing the address
`of an o line information provider;
`extracting and storing the address of said
`10 online in rmation provider from said audio or video
`signal;
`
`automatically using said stored address,
`in response tn a user initiated command, to transmit a
`signal to conne• t said user with the onlina information
`id stored addr s; and
`15 provider associat
`with
`rec ving on
`inform ion signals from
`on prove
`said online info
`of prov
`ding to a user of online
`8. A etho
`me of viewing a video
`information sere 'ces,
`at the
`an ele
`20 program represen ed b
`Ironic signal, direct
`
`digital communica ion ac ess to
`an online information
`nvided
`provider through a link. p
`in said video program,
`comprising:
`
`user that an address is
`to t
`indicati
`25 available for extraction fro said electronic signal
`which permits communication wit an online information
`provider;
`
`automatically electr nically extracting,
`in response to a user initiated smmand, an address
`30 associated with an online information provider from an
`information signal embedded in said electronic signal,
`and using said extracted address toesta n lish a direct
`digital communication link with the'onlinr• information
`provider associated with said extracted address.
`9. A media online services access ystem far
`providing to a user of online information ervices,
`while viewing or listening to a video or audio program
`
`35
`
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`

`

`is
`
`rz
`
`..p
`
`..P
`
`kJ
`
`t.
`
`-20-
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`repr ented by an electronic signal, a direct digital
`commu cation link with an online information provider
`a link provided in said electronic signal.
`thrcug
`c mprisi g;
`
`electronic detecting means for extracting
`ddre s associated with an online information
`an
`provider from an information signal embedded in said
`electro is signal;
`means for indicating to the user that an
`address h. been extracted which permits communication
`with an onl e information provider; an
`means responsive to a user initiated
`command for a tomatically establishing a direct digital
`communication 1 nk with the online information provider
`associated with said extracted addre s
`ices access system in
`10. The
`aid program is a video
`accordance with
`program, further comp
`mans to
`an information signal
`vider; and
`from said onlina informa
`aying an image signal
`means for
`ormation signal.
`detected from sa
`received
`11. The edia onli
`services access system in
`accordance with Cl \.m 9 wh
`in said indicating means
`comprises a visual iIa ator displayed on a system on
`which said program is displayed.
`12. The media online ser 'ces'-access system in
`accordance with Claim 9 wherein said •rogram is an audio
`program.
`
`30
`
`35
`
`online services access system in
`9 further comp ising a user
`to said system t permit said
`Communicate with
`aid online
`
`13. The media
`accordance with Claim
`control device coupled
`user to interactively
`information provider.
`14. The media online services access ystem in
`accordance with Claim 9 wherein said means further
`includes means far indicating that more info mation
`
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`

`In
`Ts--
`1;4
`
`10
`
`-21-
`
`relati g/ to the content of - said video program is
`avails e through said extracted address.
`15. A media online services access system for
`• rovidincj to a user of online information services,
`ile viewing or listening to a video or audio program
`re resented by an electronic signal, a direct digital
`co unication link with an online information provider
`through a link provided in said electronic signal,
`comprising:
`
`means for extracting and storing an
`address ssociated with an online information provider
`from an 1 formation signal embedded in said electronic
`signal;
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`means for indicating to the user that an
`• -
`en extracted which permits
`address has
`communication
`with an online Ilformation provider; and
`ser initiated
`me s responsive to a
`ly establishing a direct digital
`command for autom t•
`ith t
`communication lin
`online ' reformation provider
`20 associated with s id tored a ress.
`16. Th media online
`ervices access system in
`
`whe ei said means further
`'accordance with Claim
`includes means or indi atin
`th t more information
`relating to the content of
`said video program is
`25. available through s id extrac
`address.
`17. A medi online
`rvices -access system for
`providing to a user . .nlin
`information services,
`while viewing or listening to
`a ideo or audio program
`represented by an electronic sign 1, a direct digital
`30 communication link with an-online i formation provider
`through a link provided in said e ctronic signal,
`comprising:
`
`means for indicating to the user that an
`address is available for extraction from sal electronic
`35 signal which permits communication with
`n online
`information provider; and
`means responsive to a user inl iated
`
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`

`-22-
`
`c and for extracting an address associated with an
`nfor'ation provider from an information signal
`onlin
`for
`signal,
`and
`electronic
`said
`embedde
`digital
`hing
`a
`direct
`automat
`with the online information provider
`5 communi
`extracted address.
`associated
`
`ko
`iw
`
`is
`
`p
`
`•ij
`k0.1
`
`15
`
`20
`
`.
`
`•
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
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`

`-23-
`
`ABSTRACT
`A system is disclosed for providing direct
`automated access to an online information services
`provider through an address embedded in a video or audio
`5 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 information provider is encoded
`10 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
`15 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
`20 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. The system then automatically
`establishes a direct digital communication link to the
`25 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 displayed on a conventional
`television, transduced on a sound system, or also on a
`30 high resolution reproducing system such as a computer
`monitor, or other reproduction device.
`
`-g
`
`ID
`
`35 2125h
`
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`Fiw r OF DRAW LINGS
`A5 oRicIIVALLY FILED
`
`23
`
`22
`
`26
`
`(40
`
`20
`
`(36
`
`38
`
`CHANNEL
`SELECTOR
`
`--------
`
`NETWORK
`
`10
`
`30
`
`34a
`
`1
`
`24
`
`ACCESS
`CONTROLLER
`n
`56
`
`18
`
`28
`
`PLAYBACK'
`SYSTEM
`
`VIDEO INPUT
`15
`
`FIG. 1
`
`ONLINE
`INFORMATION
`PROVIDERS
`
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