.
`
`96/¢0/p0AANA‘S'nLggol
`
`Old
`
`
`
`
`
`See MPEP
`
`Express Mail Label No.
`
`EH8274216580S
`
`
`
`Approvedfor use through 09/30/00 OMB 0651-0032
`Pleasetype a plus sign (+) inside this box —> CJ
`PTO/SB/05 (12/97)
`Patent and Trademark Office. U.S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no
`
`
`ersons are required to respondto a collection ofinformation unlessit displays a valid OMB control number
`TotalPages |)
`96262/6
`AttorneyDocketNo.
`
`
`
`UTILITY
`First Named Inventor or Application Identifier
`
`
`PATENT APPLICATION
`
`
`
`TRANSMITTAL
`
`Thomas R. Wolzien
`
`(Only for new nonprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
`
`
`
`
`
`.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`.
`
`5
`
`NAME
`
`Michael J. Berger
`
`Amster, Rothstein & Ebenstein
`90 Park Avenue
`
`ADDRESS
`
`zpcone|10016
`
`
`Assistant Commissioner for Patents
`BoxPatent Application
`ADDRESS TO:
`APPLICATION ELEMENTS _
`Washington, DC 20231
`chapter 600 concemingutilitypatent application contents.
`
`
`[x](Submitan original, anda duplicate forfeeprocessing) Microfiche Computer Program (Appe:nix)
`Fee Transmittal Form
`C]
`
`
`
`2 [x|Specification (Totalpeses/23|] 7. Nucleotide and/orAminoAcid Sequence Submission
`
`
`(preferred arrangement set forth below)
`(if applicable, all necessary)
`- Descriptive title of the Invention _
`a [| Computer Readable Copy
`
`
`- Cross References to Related Applications
`- Statement Regarding Fed sponsored R & D
`b. [| Paper Copy (identical to computer copy)
`
`
`- Reference to Microfiche Appendix
`c.[] Statement verifying identity of above copies
`
`
`- Backgroundofthe Invention
`
`
`
`- Brief Summary of the Invention
`ACCOMPANYING APPLICATION PARTS
`
`
`- Brief Description of the Drawings(i filed)
`8. [| Assignment Papers (cover sheet & document(s))
`- Detailed Description
`
`
`
`WWSs
`- Claim(s)
`9. LJ (when there is an assignee)
`PowerofAttorney
`
`
`37 CFR 3 73(b) Statement [|
`
`- Abstract of the Disclosure
`
`
`
`3[x|Drawing(s) (35 USC 113) _[TotalSheets[3)
`10. [| English Translation Document(ifappicable)
`
`
`
`
`44 [_] Information Disclosure
`Copies of IDS
`
`4. Oath or Declaration
`[TotalPages [ai
`
`Citations
`Statement (IDS)/PTO-1449
`.
`
`
`12.[x|PreliminaryAmendment
`
`
`Newly executed (original or copy)
`a.
`
`Copy from a prior application (37 CFR 1.63(d))
`
`
`y
`b.
`13. [x|Return Receipt Postcard (MPEP 503)
`(for continuation/dwisional with Box 17 completed)
`(Should be specifically itemized)
`[Note Box 5 below]
`
`
`
`i [] DELETION OF INVENTOR
`14 [| Small Entity
`Statementfiled in prior application,
`
`
`
`Signed statementattached deleting
`,
`Statement(s)
`Statusstill proper and desired
`
`
`
`45. [] Certified Copyof Priority Document(s)
`inventor(s) named in the prior application,
`
`see 37 CFR 1.63(d)(2) and 1.33(b).
`(if foreign priority is claimed)
`
`
`.
`Incorporation By Reference (useable #f Box 4b 1s checked)
`
`Tbe nee ene nee eee tee e eect eet e eee eee
`The entire disclosure of the prior application, from whicha}
`copy of the oath or declaration is supplied under Box 4b,
`
`1s considered as being part of the disclosure of the
`
`
`accompanying application and is hereby incorporated by
`reference therein.
`
`
`17. Ifa CONTINUING APPLICATION,check appropriate box and Supply the requisite information:
`O08
`[4 Continuation CJ Divisional (] Continuation-in-part (CIP)
`of prior application No
`/ 597,432
`
`
`
`
`18. CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
`
`STOO Hoe meme ese ae er seeserreeereseerereeeetTn
`
`
`OO CustomerNumberor Bar Code Label :
`:
`or kl Correspondence address below
`: (insert CustomerNo. or Attach bar codelabel here) :
`Deere ever ere r orc cere rere ase sees ssreraervesl
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cowry[|u.s.a.|mervone|(212)697-5995|{212/286-0854
`Burden Hour Statement. This form is estimated to take 0 2 hours to complete. Time will vary depending upon the needsof the indimdual case Any
`comments on the amountof time you are required to complete this form should be sentto the Chief Information Officer, Patent and Trademark Office,
`Washington, DC 20231. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS. SEND TO: Assistant Commissionerfor Patents,
`Box Patent Application, Washington, OC 20231.
`
`

`

`PTO.S8'7 «Sa:
`Approved for use through 9/30/2000 OMB 2651-5032
`Patent and Trademark Office US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under tne Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respondto a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB contro! sUmver
`
`
`
`
`FEE TRANSMITTAL|ApplicationNumber||Fiingdate|sd
`
`
`
`PeepsaeesoacneSenseah
`
`
`
`othenwiselarge entity fees must be paid. See Forms PTO/SB/09-12. FExamineName|ssid
`Small Entity payments must be supported by a small entity statement,
`
`
`
`
`Group/ Art Unit
`
`
`TOTAL AMOUNT OF PAYMENT|($)477 00 06262/6
`
`METHOD OF PAYMENT(check one)
`1 x] TheCommissioner is hereby authonzed tocharge
`
`indicated fees and credit any over payments to
`
`01-1785
`
`FEE CALCULATION(continued)
`ITIONAL FEES
`+aeotyONA Entity
`
`.
`
`Fee Paid
`
`2.42] Payment Enclosed:
`x] Check
`CO Gorey CT Other
`FEE CALCULATION
`1. BASIC FILING FEE
`Large Entity Small Entity
`one ‘n fen ‘- Fee Description
`101
`790
`201 395 Ubtity filing fee
`106 330
`206 165 Designfiling fee
`107 540
`207 270
`Plantfiling fee
`208
`Reissuefiling fee
`Provistonal filing
`fee
`
`Fee Paid
`395
`
`Fee
`Fee Fee
`Fee
`.
`Code ($) Code ($)
`Deposit
`Surcharge- latefiling fee or oath
`105
`130
`208
`65
`Account
`Number
`Surcharge - late provisional filing fee or
`127.
`50
`227
`25
`"
`Deposit
`cover sheet
`Noount Amster, Rothstein & Ebenste@in
`ame
`Non-English specification
`139 130
`130
`em Charge Any Additional
`Chargethe issue Foe Set in
`139
`;
`Fee Required Under
`37 CFR 1 18 at the Mailing of the
`Forfiling a request for reexamination
`37 CFR 1 16.and 117
`Notice of Allowance
`147 2,520 147 2,520
`112
`920°
`112 920° Requesting pubtication of SIR prior to
`Examiner action
`113 1,840° 113 1,840* Requesting publication of SIR after
`Examineraction
`Extension for reply within first month
`55
`215
`15 110
`Extension forreply within second month
`216 200
`116
`400
`Extensionfor reply within third month
`217 475
`117.
`980
`Extension for reply within fourth month
`118 1,510 218 755
`Extension for reply within fifth month
`128 2,060 228 1,07
`Notice of Appeal
`119
`310
`219 155
`Filing abrief in support of an appeal
`120
`310
`220
`155
`Requestfor oral heanng
`121
`270
`221
`136
`Pettion to institute a public use proceeding
`138 1,510 1387,510
`Petron to reve - unavoidable
`140
`110
`240
`55
`—~Petition to rewve - unintentional
`141 1,320 241
`6680
`Utility Issue fee (or reissue)
`142 1,320 242 660
`Design issue fee
`143
`450
`243 225
`#Plantissue fee
`144
`670
`244 335
`Petitions to the Commissioner
`122
`independ
`130
`122 130
`
`
`Multiple Dependent 50—Petitions related to prowsional applications123, 50 123
`
`
`
`**or number previously paid, ifgreater, For Reissues, see belowFf126 240 126 240 Submission of information Disclosure Stmt
`
`
`Large
`Entity
`Smail En
`ree eee Fee Fee
`Fee Description
`581
`581
`40
`Recording each patent assignment per
`Code ($) Code ($)
`property (times number of properties)
`103
`22
`203
`11
`Claimsin excess of 20
`146
`395
`Filing a submission afterfinal rejection
`102
`82
`202
`41
`Independent claims in excess of 3
`(37 CFR 1 129{a))
`395
`h
`additi
`ion
`to b
`104 270
`204 135 Multiple dependent ciaim, it not paid
`cuammned(37CFRA280)
`109
`82
`209
`41
`** Reissueindependent clams
`over original patent
`** Reissue clams in excess of 20
`and over original patent
`
` Fee Description
`
`
`
`HMvee' i
`Whe
`
`
`
`110
`
`22
`
`210
`
`114
`
`
`
`SUBTOTAL (2) |($) 477-00|J+ Reduced by Basic Filing Fee Paid
`
`SUSMITTED BY
`
`Other fee (specify)
`
`Sstimated to take 0.2 hours to complete. Time will vary depanding upon the needs of the individual case Any
`ant;
`comments on the amount of time you are required to complete this form should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, Patent and Trademark Office
`Washington, DC 20231. DO NOT SENO FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS
`SEND TO: Assistant Commissioner for Patents,
`Washington, DC 20231.
`
`
`
`

`

`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`Applicant
`.
`Serial No.
`
`:
`Filed
`
`For
`
`:
`:
`
`:
`
`:
`
`Thomas H. Wolzien
`Unknown
`
`:
`Herewith
`
`MEDIA ONLINE SERVICE ACCESS
`SYSTEM AND METHOD
`
`PRELIMINARY AMENDMENT
`
`Assistant Commissioner for Patents
`Washington, D.C. 20231
`
`Sir:
`
`cH 27401 @S8US
`|
`‘Tx press Mat” matting tabel no
`“-_* vo
`Uo a Sepost _____04/03
`: hereby certify that this 9a5°
`:
`wire deposited
`with the United States Posta! Se. /
`oss Malt Post Office
`te Addressee” service under 37 Cr~
`—. . "ne date indicated
`above and #s addressed to the Asx.ant Commusssoner for
`Trademarks, 2900 Crystal Orive BAL a 3
`
`
`
`
`j
`
`@ of person maring paperor fee)
`
`Prior to examination of the above-identified application, please amend the
`
`application as follows:
`
`In the Specification
`
`After the Title and beforethefirst line, kindly insert: -- This is a
`
`continuation of Ser. No. 08/597,432, filed February 8, 1996.--
`
`In the Claims
`
`Kindly delete Claims 1-17 and add the following claims:
`
`18. A methodof providing to a user of online information services access
`
`to online information through an address associated with an online information source
`
`provided with a video program comprising:
`
`indicating to the user that an address has been provided with said video
`
`program; and
`
`27914.1
`
`

`

`-2-
`
`electronically extracting said address to establish a communication link
`
`with the online information source associated with said address.
`
`19. The method in accordance with Claim 18 further comprising using
`
`said communication link to provide interactive exchange of information betweensaid
`
`online information source and theuser.
`
`20. The method in accordance with Claim 18 wherein said step of
`
`indicating includes producing a visual indication to be displayed on the system wherein
`
`said program is displayed.
`
`21. The method in accordance with Claim 18 wherein said step of
`
`indicating includes producing an auditory indication to be sounded on a speaker where
`
`an audio portion of said program is reproduced.
`
`22. The method in accordance with Claim 18 wheresaid step of indicating
`
`includes activating a sensory indicator on a system separate from that on which said
`
`program is reproduced.
`
`23. A method of providing online information services to a user of such
`
`online services, comprising the steps of:
`
`receiving a television broadcast signal having an informationsignal
`
`representing the address of an online information source;
`
`extracting the address of said online information source from said received
`
`television broadcastsignal;
`
`27914.1
`
`
`
`WaddBuditilt
`
`WW
`ltWE
`
`i a
`
`wae
`hale
`
`

`

`3.
`
`automatically using said address, in responseto a userinitiated command,
`
`to transmit a signal to connect said user with the online information source associated
`
`with said address; and
`
`receiving online information signals from said online information provider.
`
`24. A method of providing to a user of online informationservices, at the
`
`time of viewing a video program represented by an electronic signal, access to online
`
`information through a link provided in said video program, comprising:
`
`indicating to the user that an addressis available for establishing
`
`communication with an online information source;
`
`
`
`electronically extracting, in response to a user initiated command, an
`
`address associated with an online information source from an information signal
`
`embeddedin said electronic signal, and using said extracted address to establish a
`
`communication link with the online information source associated with said extracted
`
`address.
`
`25. A methodof providing to a user of online information services 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 information; and
`
`electronically accessing said online information associated with said link in
`
`response to a userinitiated command.
`
`27914.1
`
`

`

`-4-
`
`26. A media online services access system for providing to a user of online
`
`information services while viewingorlistening to a video or audio program represented
`
`by an electronic signal, a direct digital communication link with an online information
`
`source through a link provided in said electronic signal, comprising:
`
`meansfor indicting to the user that an addressis available for extraction
`
`from said electronic signal which permits communication with an online information
`
`source; and
`
`WLLLeke
`
`meansfor extracting an address associated with an online information
`
`source from an information signal embeddedin said electronic signal, and for
`
`establishing a link with the online information source associated with said extracted
`
`address.
`
`27. The media online services access system in accordance with Claim 26
`
`wherein said program is a video program, further comprising:
`
`means for receiving an information signal from said online information
`
`source; and
`
`meansfor displaying an imagesignal detected from said received
`
`information signal.
`
`28. The media online services access system in accordance with Claim 26
`
`wherein said indicating means comprises a visual indicator displayed on a system on
`
`whichsaid program is displayed.
`
`27914.1
`
`

`

`-5-
`
`29. The media online services access system in accordance with Claim 26
`
`further comprising a user control device coupled to said system to permit said user to
`
`interactively communicate with said online information source.
`
`
`
`
`
`WESELHedidhagefoal
`
`Saais
`
`thetBalla
`
`27914.1
`
`

`

`-6-
`
`REMARKS
`
`Applicant has amended the Specification to indicate that the present applicationis
`
`a continuation of parent U.S. Application Ser. No. 08/597,432 which wasfiled on
`
`February 8, 1996. Additionally, Applicant has canceled Claims 1-17 and added Claims
`
`18-29 for prosecution on the merits. Claims 1-17 have been allowed in the parent
`
`application which is expected to issue shortly.
`
`A check for the filing fee has been enclosed. Thefiling fee has been calculated
`
`based on the numberof claims in issue as a result of this Preliminary Amendment. Any
`
`other fee required and not submitted herewith should be charged to the Deposit Account
`
`of the undersigned attorneys, Account No. 01-1785; any refund should be credited to the
`
`same account.
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`AMSTER, ROTHSTEIN & EBENSTEIN
`Attorneys for Applicant
`90 Park Avenue
`New York, New York 10016
`(212) 697-5995
`
` ichael
`
`47 Berger
`Registration No. 25,829
`
`SoWotAaahi
`
`Hovieehhud
`Saadi
`
`wa
`
`shat
`
`Dated: New York, New York
`April 3, 1998
`
`27914.1
`
`

`

`2125h
`
`MEDIA ONLINE SERVICES ACCESS SYSTEM AND METHOD
`
`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
`
`embedded in an electronic
`through an address
`provider
`Signal which carries a program segment
`(e.g.,
`through
`television,
`radio,
`or
`a pre-recorded video or
`audio
`
`medium).
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`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
`
`the
`systems exist which permit
`Some
`limited ways.
`information with the viewer of
`a
`exchange of digital
`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
`
`30
`
`signal.
`
`The
`
`recent explosion in the usage of online
`
`information services
`
`through digital networks
`
`such as
`
`35
`
`Prodigy
`(R), America Online
`the
`Internet,
`(R)
`and
`for example,
`Compuserve
`(R),
`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
`
`

`

`~2-
`
`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
`
`Gesirable for
`
`there to be a system which automatically
`
`and directly provides access
`
`to an online information
`
`10
`
`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
`
`15
`
`program could
`
`easily
`
`locate
`
`additional materials
`
`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.
`a
`Consumers
`seeking more
`information about
`specific
`advertised product could easily find such information by
`accessing the online address of an information provider
`designated by
`the advertiser.
`News
`program viewers
`seeking specific information from news stories or more
`
`20
`
`detailed
`
`information
`
`could
`
`easily
`
`access
`
`such
`
`25
`
`information
`
`through
`
`an_
`
`online
`
`information
`
`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
`manufacturer could make
`information available directly
`
`to a consumer
`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
`
`Gelivery,
`
`or
`
`for
`
`other
`
`shopping
`
`needs.
`
`A
`
`catalog
`
`30
`
`35
`
`

`

`-3-
`
`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
`
`10
`
`available information following the airing of public
`
`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-minute information
`
`15
`
`from online bulletin boards
`
`and databases
`
`regarding
`
`topics presented in a video program,
`
`even though the
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`program was recorded some time in the past.
`
`Systems exist at present
`
`in which digitally
`
`encoded information is transmitted and received through
`
`a modified video signal of
`
`a conventional
`
`television
`
`transmission.
`
`For
`
`example,
`
`a
`
`system is described in
`
`U.S. Patent No. 4,894,789 wherein a digital
`
`information
`
`is
`Signal
`interval of
`
`transmitted during
`an analog broadcast
`
`blanking
`the vertical
`television signal
`and
`
`decoded
`
`and displayed on
`
`the
`
`television screen
`
`in
`
`addition to the analog broadcast video signal.
`
`U.S. Patent No. 5,128,752 describes a system in
`
`which a
`
`retailer broadcasts
`
`information for
`
`reception
`
`upon a conventional
`
`television set
`
`regarding products
`
`available
`
`through
`
`ae
`
`central
`
`location.
`
`The
`
`system
`
`includes
`
`a
`
`decoder
`
`for
`
`displaying
`
`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
`
`35
`
`information includes data related to token redemption
`
`and value considerations available upon purchase of
`
`the
`
`product.
`
`

`

`-4-
`
`U.S. Patent No. 5,285,278 describes a system in
`
`which
`
`coupon-related digital
`
`information is
`
`received
`
`from a
`
`transmitted television signal
`
`through a decoder.
`
`The decoder
`
`records
`
`the coupon-related data for
`
`later
`
`readout and redemption when a product is purchased.
`
`U.S. Patent No. 4,905,094 (“the ‘094 Patent”)
`
`describes
`
`an
`
`interactive cable
`
`television system in
`
`which a
`
`subscriber
`
`tunes
`
`to a
`
`channel
`
`and
`
`requests
`
`10
`
`15
`
`connection to a
`
`remote
`
`location by either dialing a
`
`number
`predetermined telephone
`television channel.
`When
`the
`
`a
`accessing
`or
`system identifies’
`
`cable
`the
`
`the
`frame of
`subscriber
`the
`television set displays
`information)
`video
`(and possibly accompanying
`audio
`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
`system enabling a
`a
`television signal, or
`program viewer to access online information providers by
`establishing
`connection
`automatically
`through
`such
`
`20
`
`extracted address.
`
`25
`
`of
`capable
`are
`exist which
`systems
`Thus,
`providing interactive 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
`
`30
`
`which carries an video or audio program.
`
`the invention
`is an object of
`it
`Accordingly,
`to provide a
`system for extracting an address of
`an
`online information provider
`from an electronic signal
`
`which carries an video or audio program.
`
`35
`
`It
`
`is
`
`a
`
`further object of
`
`the invention to
`
`system which indicates to the program user
`provide a
`(i.e., viewer or
`listener), after extracting an online
`
`

`

`-5-
`
`information provider address,
`
`that more
`
`information is
`
`available.
`to
`invention is
`the
`Still another object of
`a
`provide an automated system which,
`upon receipt of
`Single
`user
`command,
`directly
`and
`automatically
`a
`establishes
`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
`The media online services access system of
`invention provides
`a
`system and process which
`present
`video
`and
`audio
`program content with online
`links
`information
`signal
`content.
`The
`system provides
`heretofore unattained direct automated user access from
`a media
`program such
`as
`a
`received or pre-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 audio/video program from an available medium
`(e.g., broadcast
`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
`information provider.
`The online information provider
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`

`

`~6-
`
`interactive information
`any one of millions of
`can be
`providers which can be
`accessed through exchange of
`Gigital
`information signals,
`for
`example,
`a publisher
`who
`is available through the Internet
`for
`interactive
`
`transactions.
`As
`the media
`program 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
`extraction,
`for
`use
`in
`accessing the
`online
`of
`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
`the access system provides a
`indicator signal
`address,
`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, would
`eliminate the need for the access system to incorporate
`specific structure to provide indication to the user,
`in
`response to successful extraction of an online provider
`address.
`
`the
`if
`signal,
`receiving the indicator
`After
`request
`user desires more
`information,
`the user may
`access
`to the online
`information provider
`through a
`command to the access system, e.g.,
`through pushbutton,
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`

`

`-7-
`
`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
`
`system enables
`
`interactive communications with the online information
`
`provider.
`
`10
`
`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
`connection
`exists,
`
`system and a network. Where
`the
`access
`system provides
`
`such
`an
`
`15
`
`to the user upon successful extraction
`indicator signal
`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
`
`system extract
`the access
`receiving such command does
`the next received address from the electronic signal and
`
`20
`
`use it to establish a direct connection to the online
`
`information provider.
`In a preferred embodiment, after accessing an
`services provider,
`the access
`system receives
`online
`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
`information 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
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`

`

`~8-
`
`for
`signal
`analog
`an
`to
`signal
`video
`encoded
`set.
`conventional
`television
`a
`on
`reproduction
`system is
`also provided with
`access
`the
`Preferably,
`receiving and processing user commands
`for
`hardware for
`transmission to
`the online
`information provider
`for
`providing
`user
`communication
`transactions with
`the
`provider.
`
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`diagram
`FIG.
`1
`is
`a
`block
`and
`schematic
`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. l.
`
`schematic diagram of
`a block and
`is
`3
`FIG.
`another embodiment of an access controller used with a
`computer in accordance with the present
`invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`An online services access
`system according to
`present
`invention
`is
`illustrated
`in
`FIG. 1.
`the
`Referring to FIG. 1,
`the online services access system
`includes
`access controller 10 which
`incorporates all
`components necessary to provide online access
`and
`to
`access
`received
`online
`information
`signals.
`Access
`controller
`10
`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
`switchable to provide output
`from a channel selector 16
`connected to a cable or broadcast video input 15 or from
`a video playback system 18 which may be,
`for example,
`a
`videocassette 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 controiler
`10 can be constructed
`to receive and decode program signals at radio frequency
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`

`

`-~9-
`
`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,
`
`10
`
`or disc media.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`Access controller 10 is connected via a primary
`
`reproducing
`to a conventional
`line 36
`signal
`output
`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,
`
`link,
`cellular,
`coaxial
`cable,
`fiber
`optic
`Network 30, which
`radiotelephone, or satellite link.
`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
`
`25
`
`controller
`
`10
`
`and
`
`a
`
`selected one of
`
`a plurality of
`
`online information providers 34a,
`
`34b,
`
`34c, .. . 34n.
`
`Access
`
`controller
`
`10
`
`receives
`
`from the
`
`online
`
`information
`through network 30,
`information provider,
`Signals having 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
`
`30
`
`35
`
`10
`
`is described with reference
`
`to FIG.
`
`2.
`
`Access
`
`controller 10
`
`is provided with an address extractor 42
`
`

`

`-10-.
`
`which
`
`receives
`
`the
`
`electronic.
`
`signal
`
`12.
`
`Address
`
`extractor
`
`42
`
`includes
`
`hardware
`
`and/or
`
`software
`
`to
`
`been
`address which has_
`store an
`and
`decode
`detect,
`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
`affected.
`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
`addres