Media online service access system and method
DC
First Claim
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 provided with a video program comprising:
- 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.
3 Assignments
Litigations
3 Petitions
Accused Products
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 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 in a vertical blanking interval or other non-displayed portion of an electronic signal which represents the video or audio program so as not to interfere with the program as displayed or transduced on a television or audio sound system. The online information provider address is detected and decoded from the electronic signal and used in establishing a direct digital communication link to the online information provider. Upon detecting an online provider address, the system indicates to the user that more information is available. The user may then elect to establish a connection with the online information provider by giving a simple command, e.g., pushing a special button on a remote control. 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 displayed on a conventional television, transduced on a sound system, or also on a high resolution reproducing system such as a computer monitor, or other reproduction device.
329 Citations
12 Claims
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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 provided with a video program comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of providing to a user of online information services automatic and direct access to online information, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a television broadcast signal having an information 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 associated with said address so that the user as direct access to the online information; and
receiving online information signals from said online information provider.
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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, comprising:
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indicating to the user that an address is 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 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.
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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:
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indicating to the user that a link to online information services is available for receiving the online information; 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.
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9. A media online services access system for providing to a user of online information services while viewing or 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:
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means for indicating to the user that an address is available 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 embedded in said electronic signal, and for automatically establishing, in response to a user initiated command, a direct link with the online information source associated with said extracted address so that the user has direct access to the online information. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
means for receiving an information signal from said online information source; and
means for displaying an image signal detected from said received information signal.
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11. The media online services access system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said indicating means comprises a visual indicator displayed on a system on which said program is displayed.
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12. The media online services access system in accordance 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.
Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeOpenTV, Inc. (Kudelski SA)
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Original AssigneeMedia Online Services, Inc. (Kudelski SA)
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InventorsWolzien, Thomas R.
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Primary Examiner(s)Miller, John W.
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Application NumberUS09/054,740Time in Patent Office1,138 DaysField of SearchH04/N.700, H04/N.710, H04/N.714, 348/6, 348/10, 348/12, 348/13, 348/460, 348/461, 348/465, 348/468, 348/469, 348/473, 348/476-479, 348/563, 348/564, 348/565, 455/3.1, 455/5.1, 455/6.1, 455/6.2, 455/6.3, 709/217-219, 725/105, 725/109, 725/110, 725/111, 725/112, 725/113, 725/131, 725/133US Class Current725/110CPC Class CodesH04H 20/28 Arrangements for simultaneo...H04H 20/38 Arrangements for distributi...H04H 20/93 which locates resources of ...H04H 2201/30 characterised by the use of...H04H 2201/37 via a different channelH04H 60/68 Systems specially adapted f...H04H 60/82 the transmission system bei...H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or addit...H04N 21/812 involving advertisement dat...H04N 21/8586 by using a URL processing c...H04N 7/088 the inserted signal being d...
