Access to internet data through a television system.

(54) Title: ACCESS TO INTERNET DATA THROUGH A TELEVISION SYSTEM. (54) Title: ACCESS TO INTERNET DATA THROUGH A TELEVISION SYSTEM.

(57) Summary

An interactive television system, in which a data address site representing a site on the Internet, is encoded into a television signal. The user can link to the website by selecting an icon (95) displayed on the television screen.

(57) Abstract

An Interactive television system in which a URL representing an Internet web site is encoded in a television signal. The user may link to the web site by selecting an ¡con (95) displayed on the television screen.

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Institute

Mexican Property

Industrial

PATENT TITLE NO. 341827 _SE_ «CHITARIA Μ Κ0Ν0ΜΙΛ

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Owner (s): GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Address: 135 North Los Robles Avenue, Suite 870, Pasadena, California, 91101, USA

Name: ACCESS TO INTERNET DATA THROUGH A TELEVISION SYSTEM.

Classification: lnt.CI.8: G06F13 / 00; H04N5 / 00; H04N5 / 445; H04N7 / 088; H04N7 / 173

Inventor (s): DOUGLAS B. MACRAE; HENRY C. YUEN; ROY J. MANKOVITZ; ELSIE Y.

LEUNG; DANIEL S. KWOH; THOMAS E. WESTBERG

REQUEST

Number: International filing date:

MX / a / 2015/003148 October 16, 1997

Divisional Patent Number: 328459

<td>Country:</td><td>PRIORITY Date:</td><td>Numbers</td>

<td>US</td><td>October 16, 199®</td><td> 60/028,138</td>

<td>US</td><td>December 4, 1996</td><td> 60/032,571</td>

<td>US</td><td>December 9, 1996</td><td> 60/032,136</td>

<td>US</td><td>January 1, 1997</td><td> 60/035,236</td>

<td>US</td><td>January 8, 1997</td><td> 60/035,029</td>

<td>US</td><td>March 14, 1997</td><td> 60/040.763</td>

Validity: Twenty years

Expiration Date: October 16, 2017

The reference patent is granted based on articles 1, 2 fraction V, 6 fraction JB, and Sfr da Mi Lfrjf of Industrial Property. In accordance with article 23 of the Industrial Property Law, this patent has a validity of twenty years, which cannot be extended, counted from the filing date of the international application and will be_;eta to the payment of ia ta-ifa to keep the rights in force.

• Whoever signs this title does so based on the provisions of articles e · sections lll and 7 ° bis 2 of the Industrial Property Law (Diario Oficial de la Federación (DO F) 27 / ΟβίΜβ ,, nftRlMa ei 02SM / 1994, 10/25/1996, 12/26/1 »7, 05/17/1999, 01/26/2004, 06/16/2005, 01/25/2006, 06/05/2009, 06/06/01 / 2010, 06/18/2010, 06/28/5910, 01/07/2012 and 04/09/2012); articles 1 '. 3 »fraction V inpiso p), 4 ° and 12 ° fraoeiones I and lll of the Regulation of the Mexican Institute of Property tndyslnal (DOF 14/12/1998, amended on 07/01/2002, 07/15/2004, 28 / 07/2004 and 7/09/2007); articles 1 ·, 3 «, 4 ·, 5 'fraction V Clause a), 16 fractions t and ffl and 30 of the Organic Statute of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (DOF 12/27/1999, amended on 10/10/2002, 07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007); 1, 3 and 5 Clause a) of the Agreement that delegates powers to the Deputy Directors General, Coordinator, Divisional Directors, Holders of the Regional Offices, Divisional Deputy Directors, Departmental Coordinators and other subordinates of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property. (DOF 12/15/1999, amended on 02/04/2000, 07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007).

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Arsnai No. 550, Floor 1 Coi. Santa María Tepepan town.

Xochimilco CP 16020, Ciucad de México

Ttíi (55) 53 34 07 00 'nipi, ¿oi. \ Rt).

Issue Date: September 5, 2016

THE DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF PATENTS

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NAHANNY CANAL REYES

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MX / 2016/71436

3W}

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE W LA PMOTIIDAD

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ACCESS TO INTERNET DATA THROUGH A §T§5 * IMA

TELEVISION

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to interactive television systems capable of two-way communication with interconnected computer systems that operate as information service providers, in particular Internet service providers.

The Internet can be seen as a large group of interconnected computer systems, each of which has a different alphanumeric address. The terminal of a user seeking to receive data from one of the interconnected computer systems will send a command to the desired Internet address through the network, so that the system requests that a particular set of data be sent to the terminal. The users 'terminals are connected to the network through the telephone system established in the users' community. An Internet address may be limited to the identity of the particular interconnected computer system, or may include additional information that instructs the interconnected computer system to send a particular set of Internet data. Additional information may include a subdirectory, a file name, or both, both of which

Ref. No .: 255247

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE Dt LA PROTIEDAP INDUSTRIAL

<img file="MX341827B_D0008.tif" />

they indicate to the interconnected computer system which portion of data is desired by the requesting terminal. The system will therefore send the requested data through the network to the terminal. Additional data exchanges may or may not take place between the terminal and the interconnected computer system, depending on the wishes of the terminal user.

The World Wide Web (WWW / Internet)) is an Internet network designed for popular use. The device sold under the brand 'WebTV, distributed by Philips Magnavox and Sony, allows television viewers to access the World Wide Web through their televisions.

Therefore, it is desirable to improve television focus and Internet browsing by providing a more intimate interface between viewers' television and Internet access devices, so that both television and television focus can be improved. Internet browsing simultaneously, and preferably interactively, so that Internet data related to the television program is viewed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an interactive entertainment network system is provided, which includes a number of user interface units.

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

<img file="MX341827B_D0009.tif" />

in individual homes, each of which has a tuner, a display device, and a modem or other data interconnect device to communicate with a data service provider. A television signal provider supplies a plurality of television signals to the tuner of each user interface or interconnect unit, wherein at least one of the television signals has data included including a particular data address site. Information representing the particular data address site is displayed simultaneously with the television program on the visual display device, for example, either as a graphic icon or as text. The data service provider, in bi-directional connection to the modem at each user interface site, retrieves and transmits data corresponding to a data address site requested by an individual user interface unit for display on the display device. visual of that user.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a display controller is provided for coupling to a display device and a data recovery terminal in two-way communication with a data service provider *. Presentation controller includes a tuner to receive a signal

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE / Λ

FROM THE ΡΡΟΤΙΙΓΆΟ X, J?

INDUSTRIAL television containing a television program and at least one included data unit including a data address site, means for extracting at least one included data unit from the television signal, a memory for storing at least one unit of data, and a generator of visual representation of video. The display controller also includes a microcontroller coupled to the tuner and the extraction means and memory to store at least one data unit in memory, control the generator of the video display device to display the address of the data site of the visual display device simultaneously with the television program, selectively retrieving the address of the data site from memory in response to a user request, controlling the data retrieval terminal to request data corresponding to the data address site selected by the user of the data service provider, and controlling the generator of the video display device to format and display the data received from the data service provider on the display device.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for improving the focus of a television program with interactive information retrieval.

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE

DE LA IIWltDAL JÍ,,, INDUSTRIAL - -

The method includes the steps of, at a television signal provider, including at least one data unit which comprises an address of a data site in a television signal containing a television program. Then, at the site of a user, who receives the television signal, extract the data unit from the television signal, present the site representative information of data addresses simultaneously with the television program on a visual display device , and then store the data address site in memory. Once the user selects the information representative of the data address site, a connection is established with a data service provider that has access to the data corresponding to the selected data address site, the data corresponding to the address site Data are requested and transmitted from the data service provider to the user's site. The recovered data is then formatted and presented on the visual display device at the user's site. Preferably, several data address sites are stored in memory simultaneously and, at the request of the user, displayed in a menu from which the user can select a particular address site.

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL MOFIF.DAD

<img file="MX341827B_D0010.tif" />

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The attached figures demonstrate alternative modalities of a system designed in accordance with the present invention, in which

The figure. 1 is a schematic block diagram demonstrating a system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a visual display device that includes an exemplary graphic icon that identifies a data address site available with the presented television program;

FIGURE 3 is a visual display device of an Internet mode according to another embodiment including multiple data address sites;

FIGURE 4 is a visual representation device of the Internet mode according to the modality of the

FIGURE 3 presenting the data corresponding to a selected data address site;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a remote controller for use with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is an Internet mode display device according to yet another embodiment presenting data corresponding to a selected data address site;

ΙΜΡΙ

MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

FIGURE 7 is a schematic block diagram demonstrating a system according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 8 is a table including icons, 5 representative instances of various types of data addresses; and

FIGURE 9 is a schematic block diagram demonstrating a system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, television programs are linked to data and / or graphics on Internet sites to expand the on-screen information available to the television viewer.

FIGURES 1-4 illustrate a specific embodiment of the invention. In FIGURE 1, the numerical references refer to the same elements described in the application

Serial No. 08 / 475,395 filed June 6, 1995, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Referring to FIGURE 1, a television signal source 10, such as a terrestrial antenna, or a cable is connected to a television tuner 11. The output

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF PROPERTY

INDUSTRIAL

<img file="MX341827B_D0012.tif" />

of tuner 11, is a modulated intermediate frequency signal that contains video and audio television information. The tuner 11 is connected by means of an intermediate frequency amplifier (AMP FI) 12 to an image detector (DET IMAGES) 13 and a sound detector (DET SOUND) 14, which will produce baseband video and audio signals , respectively. The audio signal is coupled by a sound amplifier (AMP SOUND) 15 to a speaker 16. The video signal is coupled by a video amplifier not shown to an input of a switch 18. Sound detector 14 and image detector 13 are connected to the audio and video inputs, respectively, of a recording device. video cassettes (VCRs) 17. (Alternatively, the television signal source 10 could be directly connected to the FR input of the VCR 17, if its internal tuner and circuit demodulator are to be used). The departure of the

VCR 17 is connected to the other input of switch 18. The output of switch 18 is connected to an input of a conventional integrated picture-in-picture (PIP) microcircuit 19. The output of integrated PIP 19 is connected to the video input. from a television receiver or monitor (TV) 20, which has a screen (not shown).

ΙΜΡΪ

MEXICAN INSTITUTE BE LA PRUT, INDUSTRIAL AGE

<img file="MX341827B_D0013.tif" />

Internet data, including Internet site addresses, is stored in Internet data memory ^ '36. Internet data memory 36 is connected to a microprocessor 24 that is programmed to control the operation of the described equipment (memory Internet data 36 could be part of the microprocessor RAM 24). An operating program for microprocessor 24 is stored in a read-only memory (ROM) 26.

A viewer input device 28, preferably in the form of a remote IR controller, is coupled to a microprocessor 24 to provide the viewer's commands. A video processor 30 is coupled to microprocessor 24. When the viewer wishes to view Internet site addresses, microprocessor 24 retrieves a portion of the Internet data from memory 36 and couples this to video processor 30, where Internet site addresses are formatted for present them. Preferably, the information stored in video processor 30 is a bitmap of what is displayed on the screen of television receiver 20. The video processor 30 is connected to the other input of the PIP microcircuit 19. Preferably, the viewer input device 28 controls the microprocessor 24 by> moving the cursor on the screen of the receiver 20.

Up to this point, microprocessor 24 and video processor 30 are

IMPI

<img file="MX341827B_D0014.tif" />

coupled to a cursor position register 32. (Alternatively, the viewer can select the topics of information displayed on the screen by typing in the viewer input device 28 the code numbers assigned to those topics). Microprocessor 24 is also coupled to tuner 11 for channel change, to VCR 17 for play / record and start / stop selection to switch 18 for

<td>selection</td><td>of</td><td>one of your inputs, and</td><td>the</td><td>microcircuit</td>

<td>integrated</td><td>PIP</td><td>19 for the selection of</td><td>mode</td><td>of operation</td>

<td>PIP.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td></td><td>Of</td><td>according to a modality,</td><td>a</td><td>provider</td>

Internet services (ISP) 33 is connected to the microprocessor 24 by means of a transmission link 34, such as a telephone network or a television cable. An interconnect device such as a telephone or cable modem 38, or a digital interconnect device (not shown) for a fiber optic connection, couples the transmission link 34 to the microprocessor 24 if necessary. The ISP is connected to an Internet network in a well-known way to access any site on the World Wide Web, or preferably, generally the Internet.

To allow a television viewer to access data about a television program that the viewer is watching, Internet data is included

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IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE I heard THE INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

<td>in the interval</td><td>of extinction</td><td>vertical (VBI) signal</td>

<td>television that</td><td>contains the</td><td>Program. According to a</td>

<td>modality, the</td><td colspan="2">internet data include names and</td>

<td>addresses of</td><td>Internet of</td><td>a plurality of sites</td>

<td colspan="2">Internet. When the signal</td><td>television containing the</td>

program being watched is captured by tuner 11, the Internet data included in its VBI is separated by a VBI decoder 35 coupled to microprocessor 24. Microprocessor 24 then stores the data in Internet data memory 36. The memory addresses of Internet names are linked to the Internet addresses in memory 36.

As shown in FIGURE 2, a graphic icon 95 appears on television screen 20 when the television program is displayed on the entire screen, that is, in a television mode, to inform the viewer that Internet data is accompanying to the television signal and are stored in memory 36. Icon 95 may appear for a limited period of time after the television program is first presented or for the entire period of the program. If the viewer wishes to access the Internet site in connection with the television program, the viewer presses the mode button 56 on the remote controller 50,

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE SAY THE OWNER ·

INDUSTRIAL shown in FIGURE 5, which introduces the Internet mode of operation as described below. Microprocessor 24 is programmed to carry out this operation. By repeatedly pressing the mode button 56, the viewer can toggle back and forth between television mode and Internet mode.

In one embodiment, the Internet site information is placed in a picture-in-picture ('PIP) window on the television screen so that the Internet site information can be viewed simultaneously with the television program. Rather, the television signal can be placed in a PIP window on the television screen as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. In this mode, the information on the Internet site occupies the majority of the television screen, and the television program is presented in a PIP window. In this way, the television video signal can be viewed simultaneously with the Internet information, and thus supplement the information provided to the viewer.

As shown in FIGURE 3, the video portion of the last television program viewed in television mode is displayed in area 42 and the audio portion is played by the speaker system of the television set. As an option, a description is presented

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ΙΜΡΪ

MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL FKOWIDAD

<img file="MX341827B_D0017.tif" />

textual of the program in an area 44 and information about the television program, that is to say that the title of the program, the name of the station and channel number are displayed on a band across the width of the screen 49 under areas 42 and 44. A message is displayed at the top of area 46 to ask the viewer to select from a number of Internet site names displayed in area 46 by moving a cursor 48 with arrow keys 58 and 60 (See FIGURE 5). For example, the names of Internet sites must be related to the particular program (Ί. 'MARRIED WITH CHILDREN' TRIVIA), the particular issuer ('2. TONIGHT ON FOX (HOURS)), general services offered by the system provider (* 3. SPORTS; ^MFour. PURCHASES), or directed to the user's private Internet account ('5. EMAIL).

After the name of an Internet site is selected, the viewer presses the INFO button 54 on the controller 50. As a result, the address of the Internet site to which the name of the selected Internet site is linked is retrieved from the memory 36 by microprocessor 24 and sent via a telephone or cable interface to ISP 33. Once microprocessor 24 has been directed to initiate data acquisition, it will instruct modem 25 to connect to an Internet Service Provider (ISP). After

IMPI

INSTITUTE ME? ICANU '/ hiL — Ti

OE LA FROTIEDAC Τ '* -' 'TN'i'. '.!

INDUSTRIAL establishing a connection to the ISP, the microprocessor 24 initiates a request for data from the address of the Internet site that was received along with the graphic icon transmitted in the data unit. Microprocessor 24 subsequently receives the requested Internet data, and stores it on the network. The requested Internet data may include graphics, text, or a combination of both. After receiving data from the Internet, the microprocessor may or may not terminate the modem connection to the ISP, depending on the mode design, or the consideration options set by the viewer, (if desired, this function of microprocessor 24 could be carried out by commercial team sold under the brand WebTV, distributed by Philips / Magnavox and Sony).

The information on the directed Internet site is downloaded from the ISP 33 on the transmission link 34 to the microprocessor 24 and then presented on the screen simultaneously with a television program to which the information is related, as illustrated in FIGURE 4, after being composed by a video processor

30. As illustrated in FIGURE 4, the name of the Internet site can be displayed above the information text of the Internet site. If the television show is a television series such as Married With Children, the information presented could be a page trivia

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Internet about the program (FIGURE 4), marketing information, and home shopping, or a link to a fan or fan email site. The viewer then browses the Internet site in the manner listed by the viewer's computer programs and systems to find the desired information.

Only an initial portion of Internet data is displayed, as the amount of Internet data received will likely exceed the amount conveniently observable or deployable at one time. The viewer can 'scroll through the rest of the data or Internet page, at their discretion, in a mode using the arrow keys or a remote control. The user interface of the page you are viewing can be done in a conventional way, for example in the form of a typical PC based network browser or browser, or the user interface associated with the WebTV, provided by PhilipsMagnavox, or Sony.

If desired, the visual display device of FIGURE 3 could be removed. In other words, only an Internet site address could be included in the VBI of the television signal and the viewer might not select the Internet site. In this case, the inclusion of the Internet site name is optional, because the viewer has no choice about

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websites. When the viewer wants to teri ^⁾P^TR^ bce5o — ar Internet information with a mobile program 'Cün' im icon, the viewer presses the button 56, the address of the VBI Internet site is sent through a telephone or cable interface to ISP 33, and the The visual display device in FIGURE 4 appears directly on the screen with the name of the VBI Internet site. Preferably, the television program is displayed on the entire screen until the data retrieved from ISP 33 is available for display, i.e. after establishing a connection to ISP 33, requesting data, etc. Preferably, graphic icon 95 is no longer displayed once the viewer selects the data from the Internet.

In a typical Internet network page there are links to other Internet addresses, which provide alternative or complementary data to those found on the originally displayed network page. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a user can select one of those links with a remote control, using the arrow keys 58, and / or a cursor on screen 48. For example, in FIGURE 4, the answer to the trivia question is contained on a linked web page that the viewer can select to confirm their answer. Those links are commonly known as

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OF THE PROPERTY

INDUSTRIAL _ hypertext links. If a link is selected, the microprocessor transmits the desired address to the ISP, and subsequently receives and presents the newly received Internet data in the manner described above. Thus, if it is desired to allow the viewer to link to additional Internet site addresses, the microprocessor must maintain the modem connection with ISP 33 until it is detected by the user to terminate the connection. In this way, the request to receive and repeat successive pages will not require the delays associated with initiating a connection on ISP 33.

To accommodate simultaneous observation of both the Internet site information and the television signal, custom presentation formats can be used. In yet another embodiment, the information for the Internet site is formatted to fit around the PIP window in which the television program is being presented, as shown in FIGURE 6. Typical Internet data received over the World Wide Web is transmitted in the HyperText Markup Language (HTML). A typical HTML file includes text, graphics, and instructions for formatting text and graphics on a screen, along with other included commands. A computer or other terminal displaying or displaying an HTML file will format the „file to

IMPI 'hSTlTUTÜ MEXICANO DÍ LA PROPIEDAD INDUSTRIAL

<img file="MX341827B_D0021.tif" />

present it on the screen, based in part on the instructions included to format the text and graphics, and based in part on the requirements for an aesthetic and efficient presentation of information on the particular display device.

When two video signals are presented simultaneously using the PIP format, one video signal typically occupies the majority of the display screen, while the second video signal is displayed at or near a corner of the television screen and * typically it takes up a quarter of the screen or less. With this type of display format, the second video signal obscures a non-substantial portion of the first video signal. This can result in an inefficient and undesirable presentation of the information to the viewer when PIP is used in connection with the present invention.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention includes a microprocessor adapted to format the received HTML file over the Internet in detail to accommodate the television program signal on a portion of the television screen. In this way, the television program signal can be viewed simultaneously with the Internet HTML information, without obscuring any of the Internet HTML information by the

ΙΜΡΙ

MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF THE PRIW: OAI7 INDUSTRIAL television program signal. For example, if you want to place the television program signal in a PIP window in the upper right corner of the television screen, the HTML file must be reformatted using the WebTV terminal (or other Internet visual display device). associated with the system) to present only the information on the rest of the screen, so that it is not obscured by the superimposed television program signal. In this case, the HTML file should be formatted again in an 'L 69' display of FIGURE 6, so that the right-hand corner of the Internet video signal does not contain information obscured by the program's signal. television.

It should be noted that the user interface of this mode is designed so that the television remote controller 50 can also be used to navigate the web site, in addition to operating the television and guide functions.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGURE 7, a conventional television 70 is provided with a Vertical Extinction Interval (VBI) decoder 72 and a separate Internet access type terminal 74 connected to the Internet, for example, devices sold under the brand 'WebTV. A microprocessor

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IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROWlEDAL

<img file="MX341827B_D0023.tif" />

which controls programmed for the future.

the operation perform those of the television 70 are functions- described more

Internet access terminal 74 includes a microprocessor 78, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a modem 82, a user input device such as a remote control 50 or a keyboard 86, and a video signal generator 88. In typical operation, the microprocessor 78 of the Internet access terminal 74 will receive user input related to the particular data to be received on the Internet; using modem 82, the microprocessor will receive the desired data (typically a network page consisting of text and / or graphic images in a format) and produce a suitable video signal to present the desired data on the screen of a television monitor connected.

Television 70 has a tuner 89 and RAM 90 coupled to Internet access terminal 74. Internet access terminal 74 sends a television signal to the television set. Microprocessor 76 is provided with an infrared transmitter 92 to send orders to Internet access terminal 74.

Additionally, keyboard 86 or remote controller 50 is configured to send infrared commands to anyone

<img file="MX341827B_D0024.tif" />

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF PROPERTY 1ΝΠΙICT · IAI

INDUSTRIAL _ from the Internet access terminal 74 via IR receiver

101 or to television 70 via IR receiver 93.

Internet access terminal 74 is coupled via a standard telephone line to ISP 33, which operates in the mode presented as ISP. The server is configured to send and receive data on the World Wide Web (WWW / Internet) to and from the computer systems interconnected to them.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention corresponding to the system shown in FIGURE 7, data representative of a graphic icon on the screen, together with an associated Internet site address, is transmitted as a single, packaged data unit. or a group of packets in the VPI of a television signal. In the past two decades, the VBI has been shown to be a suitable vehicle for transmitting digital data in conjunction with a television signal. In particular, the VBI is well suited for the transmission of relatively small data packets. Graphic icon 95 is presented or displayed on the screen with the associated television signal as described above with reference to the

FIGURE 2.

A television signal incorporating the aforementioned data units is sent by a television station 96, and is carried by a provider

ΙΜΡΪ

MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF THE PROWF.OAH INDUSTRIAL de cable. In an alternative embodiment, the television signal can be sent by means of a conventional transmission, or by satellite. When the television signal is carried by cable, the user's home is typically equipped with a cable box 98, which extracts the tuned video signal, which is the television signal combined with the data unit in the VBI. Cable decoder 98 is capable of being microprocessor controlled by the infrared transmitter (not shown in the drawings). The video signal is subsequently distributed to a VCR 100, which is also capable of being controlled by the microprocessor by the infrared transmitter (not shown in the drawings). Both the video signal and the data in the VBI of the video signal are distributed to television 70. The VBI decoder 72 to separate the data in the VBI from the video signal, and to distribute the data to the microprocessor.

The data units can be transmitted in the VBI of all the channels that serve a particular transmission region or can be included by the creators of the program (producers, advertisers, etc.) in the VBI of the video tape provided to a transmitter. In this way, when the program is run again to be transmitted by a sender, the data unit containing the Internet site addresses and other information is

<img file="MX341827B_D0025.tif" />

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF EA INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

<img file="MX341827B_D0026.tif" />

present in the transmission and can be received by any device in which the program is being watched.

The information on all Internet sites that correspond to the address of the transmitted Internet site preferably relates to the content of the program that is currently being transmitted on the television signal, which contains the data unit transmitted in the VBI. Preferably, a descriptive title of the Internet site address is also included in the data unit that will allow the viewer to distinguish the site from

Internet from other Internet sites. When the data unit transmitted in the VBI is received in a television receiver with the program, it is stored in a temporary buffer portion 102 of RAM 90. Preferably, the storage capacity of the temporary buffer is one data unit, so that each new data unit is overwritten and replaces the previously received data unit. Alternatively, each successively received data unit is placed on top of a stack in RAM, so that previously received data units will still be accessible to the microprocessor if so desired by the viewer.

The extracted data includes data representative of a graphic icon on the screen and an Internet site address, as previously referred to with

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE

OF OWN AGE C * m¿T5Í

INDUSTRIAL in relation to FIGURE 2. The microprocessor superimposes the graphic icon 95 over a portion of the displayed video signal, thereby indicating to the user that additional information related to the television program is available via the Internet. The graphic icon will preferably be placed in a portion that does not obstruct the television signal, for example, so that it is displayed in a corner of the television monitor as shown in FIGURE 2.

The viewer is therefore alerted to the presence of additional information related to the presented television program. By starting the viewer, the microprocessor can begin the process of acquiring the desired additional information on the Internet. The viewer initiates the data acquisition process by pressing the SELECT button 58 on the remote controller 50 (see FIGURE 5) or other viewer input device. Alternatively, the viewer initiates the process by pointing a cursor 108, with a mouse or other pointing device (not shown) to the location of the icon on screen 95, as shown in the exemplary full-screen device of FIGURE 2. Alternatively, the viewer can direct the microprocessor to store the site address of

<img file="MX341827B_D0027.tif" />

Internet and descriptive title in the form referenced above for last use in response to a screen selection process.

Graphic icon 95 is superimposed on the screen as soon as it is received and is thus presented simultaneously with the program. If the viewer wants to receive more information about the presented program, for example, more details about a commercial, additional details related to a new story, or statistics about a sporting event, the viewer presses the store button 55 on the remote controller. 50 (see FIGURE 5) to transfer the Internet site address and the corresponding descriptive title, for example NFL Game Markers Today to a portion of the RAM directory to extinguish the icon on the screen. Any number of Internet site addresses can be stored in the directory in this manner as the television viewing session progresses.

Alternatively,. the viewer may press a button 54 on the remote control, designated as INFO, or some other informative designation, to access an address. One option is to store the Internet site address and associated descriptive title. Another option may be to immediately access the Internet and

<img file="MX341827B_D0028.tif" />

<img file="MX341827B_D0029.tif" />

MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF PROPERTY obtain additional information. Options consistent with the description of the present invention may be presented in the menu presented to the viewer.

According to yet another embodiment corresponding to the system shown in FIGURE 7, the directory is handled as a bookmark memory of a browser or network browser. Web site addresses and titles are stored in the directory until they are deleted or replaced with new addresses and titles based on the first thing that happens when the directory is full. Alternatively, the newly received web site addresses replace the old addresses and titles based on the next, last one used, i.e. when a new web site address and title is received, they are stored in the Memory in place of the address / title of the web site most frequently accessed in bookmark memory, or in place of the address / title of the most recently accessed web site. Preferably, the microprocessor is programmed to allow the individual user to select which memory management mode to use.

When the viewer wishes to establish a connection to the Internet site from one of the stored addresses, the viewer presses a MENU button 57 to display the titles of the Internet sites, and

INSTITUTO MEXICANO DE LA PRORFDAB INDUSTRIAL of the Internet sites the directory. The viewer cursor over the Dantalla 108 optionally the corresponding addresses, stored in observes the desired title with a and then presses a SELECT button 58. As a result, the microprocessor transfers the address of the Internet site corresponding to the Internet access terminal 74, the Internet site is connected to the Internet access terminal 74 and the information of the Internet site is displayed on the screen instead of TV show.

In yet another embodiment corresponding to the system shown in FIGURE 7, the present invention is incorporated into a cable decoder 98. In a standard cable decoder, there is present a microprocessor 118, a device that facilitates the display of the screen 120 , a VBI 122 decoder (in addressable decoders), and a tuner 124. Thus, the present invention

<td>can</td><td>to be</td><td>implemented in</td><td>An environment</td><td>' of</td><td colspan="2">decoder</td><td>of</td>

<td>cable</td><td>with</td><td colspan="2">adding a modem 126</td><td>for</td><td>the</td><td>Connection</td><td>of</td>

<td>20 data</td><td>with</td><td>an ISP,. and RAM</td><td>enough</td><td>for</td><td>the</td><td>reception</td><td>and</td>

presentation of the 'Internet web page. As bidirectional cable transmission becomes available, the telephone modem 126 can be removed and the cable system, along with the physical components

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PROPERTY PROPERTIES, can be used to connect the user to the Internet and other provider of data.

In yet another embodiment, instead of receiving the desired additional information over the Internet, a dedicated computer system 128 could be used. In a system of this nature, the dedicated system could serve as a home or dedicated database for information storage. related. When an issuer wishes to provide additional information, it transfers the additional information and a unique identification code to the centralized database using conventional techniques. Additionally, the information can be transmitted to the centralized database on a television or cable signal. Finally, the additional information can be provided to the user in the form of a CD-ROM or other large-scale portable memory device. Subsequently, when a user wants additional information, the microprocessor would initiate a connection to the dedicated system to receive and present the additional information in the manner described above. Such a dedicated system could be integrated into the Internet so that some information could be supplied to the user over the Internet and some information could be supplied via the dedicated system. The dedicated system could be the user's own personal computer system, so that the

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE PE THE PROPERTY

INDUSTRIAL

<img file="MX341827B_D0030.tif" />

Data site addresses received on the VBI correspond to data previously stored, by one of the methods described above, on the user's personal computer, for example, on a CD-ROM or transferred via modem.

In another embodiment of the present invention, Internet data at an Internet site may also be linked to particular television programs to expand the information available to an Internet browser or browser. Specifically, Internet texts or graphics on an Internet site are marked with an icon or designated as hypertext to represent the related television program that is scheduled for broadcast. If desired, different icons could be used to distinguish between the program currently broadcast and the programs that will be broadcast in the future. The icons are linked to data on the Internet site that represents the channel, day, time, and duration (that is, CDTL) or related television programs. This aspect of the invention is particularly convenient for a television hobbyist who is reading articles such as the online Television Guide by selecting with a mouse click on the hypertext in the article to select a television program to watch or record. If the Internet user wants to watch or record a television program,

<img file="MX341827B_D0031.tif" />

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE

FROM LA RROTIEDAL!

INDUSTRIAL the user clicks with the mouse on the icon, for example, one click to view and two clicks to record, and the CDTL data is transmitted by the Internet connection to the WebTV terminal at the user's location. The terminal

WebTV couples the CDTL data to the microprocessor. If the CDTL data identifies a program that is currently being broadcast, the microprocessor operates the television receiver or VCR, depending on whether one or two clicks were made, and sets the tuner appropriately on the designated channel. If the CDTL data identifies a future program, the microprocessor stores the CDTL data in the record / record / play stack for use to record or record or play the designated motion.

The embodiment described in FIGURE 7 is therefore capable of performing the functions described above in accordance with the present invention. Furthermore, the ISP is capable of providing the data that must be incorporated into the VBI of the transmitted television signal that notify a particular user that he has received an email. Thus, when watching television, the viewer can be informed by the icon on the screen 30 that they have received e-mail, and the viewer can subsequently direct the microprocessor to control the Internet access terminal 74 to obtain and present the email message or messages. When is

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<img file="MX341827B_D0032.tif" />

identification device that designates only one particular viewer's device, so that only the device designated at the site where the email message is actually received displays the email icon. The email data units with the identification codes are routed to the respective transmission regions where the receivers are located. The data to be transmitted in a particular region can be provided to an affiliated network in that region to be inserted into the VBI prior to transmission.

The data unit transmitted to a particular user to inform him that he has received email, may also include the object or sender of the email message. In this way, the viewer can see the object or sender of the email message on the television screen without connecting to an ISP to receive the entire email message. The viewer can therefore 'protect his email, and connect only when the email is of interest or importance to him. Data units indicating the presence of email, or other targeted data units may only be transmitted on all channels in a particular transmission region, or may be provided on a

<img file="MX341827B_D0033.tif" />

INDUSTRIAL__ channel only, which the tuner tunes when the television is not in use. When not in use, the microprocessor can therefore verify the VBI of this single channel and obtain any directly addressed data units. Alternatively, an apparatus can be equipped with two tuners, one of which is constantly tuned to the channel that contains the VBI data, and one of which is used to tune the television signals for display.

As shown in FIGURE 8, the potential icons on the screen include an icon 132 representative of the availability of additional information in a video program. For example, an extended commercial, or how to show, or a local information program may be available at another time on another channel. By pressing an appropriate button on the remote control, the microprocessor can be directed to record or record a program. Data in the representative CTDL data unit can be placed in RAM, so that the VCR is ready to record a program the moment it appears. Furthermore, a data unit can be transmitted and directed to a particular user apparatus, containing a command for the microprocessor to record or record a television program on a particular channel, date, time and time. If a user does not have a

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO DE LA PROPIEDAD INDUSTRIAL program or to be recorded by your VCR, you can direct that data unit to be sent to your device with a command to record the particular program or programs. The order could be a complex recording and recording sequence set up for serially broadcast television shows, such as a miniseries airing at different times on different nights of the week. This can be particularly useful when a user has forgotten to schedule a future recording, but has left home. The user may direct the transfer of such a data unit using email to an ISP, or via a telephone link to a location that will direct the transfer of a data unit.

Another potential icon on the screen is an icon representing an address link of a website on the Internet 134. As described in detail above, the user can select this icon to obtain an address of the website to locate and view information. additional related to a particular news program, sporting event or advertiser.

A third potential icon on the screen is a representative icon of a VCR Plus + link 136, which may be provided, for example, in connection with an advertiser of another television program. When a user presses the appropriate keys on their remote control, the

<img file="MX341827B_D0034.tif" />

<img file="MX341827B_D0035.tif" />

which

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO DE IA PROTIEDAD INDUSTRIAL microprocessor stores the CDTLs of that program, they are transmitted in the data unit, and it records or presents the program when it goes on the air.

A fourth potential icon on the screen is a representative icon of a Purchase Link 138, which can be provided to order the product or service provider via the built-in modem 177, or via the WebTV terminal 74. The microprocessor will be guided by the data in the data drive to the address or other place to send the viewer's order.

As an alternative to standard icons, which represent the type of option available to the user, the data unit may include a particular descriptive icon, which will be presented on the screen. For example, the transmitted icon could consist of a digitized version of a manufacturer's logo.

If the particular modality is adapted to display standardized icons as set forth in FIGURE 8, the digital data representative of the graphic icons could be stored in RAM or ROM at the viewer's location, with the data unit including an indicator to refer to the stored graphic icon. In this way, the amount of data to be transmitted can be reduced. Also, if you want to use specialized logos in addition to, or instead of standardized icons, the data

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INSTI TUTO MEXICANO

E> E PROPERTY - representative digital of those icons can^NDuá? '£^t'enerated

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE 'kFROPir ·⁴'en masse at a particular time (such οόϊαό' ​​S'1 'ΓϊϊϊδΓ3 night when the television set is unlikely to be used). Subsequently, the data unit need only include an indicator of the graphic icon, rather than the entire representative digital data set of the particular icon.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the microprocessor 24 built into the television is equipped with an infrared transmitter suitable for transferring data to a portable device 142, as shown in FIGURE 9. The system shown in FIGURE 9 is substantially similar to the system shown in FIGURE 1, with identical components having the same reference numbers. The transmitter built into the microprocessor 24, may also be provided in the form of a direct wire link, radio frequency transmitter, or some other means to provide digital data to the portable device. The microprocessor is adapted to transmit the address of the received Internet site and / or its descriptive title to the portable device, to store it there. The portable device must therefore be adapted to receive the transmissions, as well as to store the transmission in RAM or some other storage media.

<img file="MX341827B_D0037.tif" />

MEXICAN INSTITUTE Dt THE PROPERTY

... INDUSTRIAL - -

Once the address and / or descriptive title of the Internet site have been stored in the portable device, the user can subsequently transfer the stored Internet site address to a suitable personal computer 142 to connect to the Internet. Portable device 140 is therefore equipped with a transmitting, possibly infrared, radio frequency, or direct wire link apparatus for sending the digital data representative of the Internet site address to the personal computer. Once received by the personal computer via interface 144, the user can connect to the Internet and obtain additional information about the Internet.

The portable device can take the form of a portable computer, such as a Pilot or Newton, or it can take the form of a portable Internet terminal, which operates on its own to connect to the Internet through an ISP, possibly by two-way wireline communications, such as a cell phone connection. Alternatively, the laptop

<td>could</td><td>to be</td><td>removed from</td><td colspan="3">system and microprocessor</td><td> 24</td>

<td>could</td><td>to be</td><td colspan="2">linked in communication</td><td>direct</td><td>with</td><td>the</td>

<td colspan="2">computer</td><td>staff of</td><td>user 142, by</td><td>example,</td><td>by</td><td>a</td>

<td>issue</td><td>of</td><td>information</td><td>IR and signals</td><td>orders</td><td>for</td><td>the</td>

interface or interconnection of PC 144.

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The described embodiments of the invention are only considered the preferred illustrative of the inventive concept; the scope of the invention is not restricted to such an embodiment. Various and numerous other arrangements were visualized by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to put the aforementioned invention into practice, is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

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JICAMO INSTITUTE OF PROPERTY

INDUSTRIAL