US4860123A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic store
Assignee: SOURCE SUITE LLC
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Filing: 1988-06-30
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Granted: 1989-08-22
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Expires: 2008-06-30
Abstract
Abstract An electronic store is designed in the form a video/audio presentation network stored on a medium from which it can be retrieved by subscriber's to an interactive communication system. The presentations in the network comprise still picture images viewed by the subscriber with accompanying audio. These presentations, for example, can depict the offering of products or services to subscribers.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl W. McCalley
- 👤 John R. Bertram
- 👤 Walter W. Sloan
- 👤 Rory T. McClure
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:01
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/06; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/21; H04N1/2166; H04N1/2179; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/32; H04N2201/3201; H04N2201/3261; H04N2201/3264
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
An electronic store comprising: menu driven computer means responsive to signals presented to it over a communication line for selecting the next of several nodes so as to define a path through a network of nodes; a video disk having stored thereon segments of information comprised of a plurality of video frames, and possibly audio frames, for the respective nodes of the network, means responsive to said menu driven computer means for reading the frames of a segment for a selected node so as to provide video and audio signals for reproduction by a television receiver and, said menu driven computer means including a segment file for identifying the video and audio frames, and a navigation file for defining the pathways between nodes of said network, so that subscribers to the electronic store can as they desire proceed about the network of nodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
An electronic store comprising: menu driven computer means responsive to signals presented to it over a communication line for selecting the next of several nodes so as to define a path through a network of nodes; a video disk having stored thereon segments of information comprised of a plurality of video frames, and possibly audio frames, for the respective nodes of the network, means responsive to said menu driven computer means for reading the frames of a segment for a selected node so as to provide video and audio signals for reproduction by a television receiver and, said menu driven computer means including a segment file for identifying the video and audio frames, and a navigation file for defining the pathways between nodes of said network, so that subscribers to the electronic store can as they desire proceed about the network of nodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electronic store as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a magnetic disc containing picture graphics commands, and product, segment and navigational files.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
An electronic store as set forth in claim 1 wherein said menu driven computer means can be commanded to provide signals that can be combined with said video signals so as to superimpose video images on the video frames read from said video disc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electronic store as set forth in claim 1 wherein the networks of nodes represents presentations of products.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The electronic store as set forth in claim 4 wherein the menu driven computer means includes a product file defining characteristics about the products represented in the presentations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electronic store as set forth in claim 1 wherein the network of nodes represents presentations of services.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
89 words
A video presentation network accessible to subscribers of a communication system, comprising: a plurality of nodes forming the structure of said presentation network; a segment visually defining each node of said presentation network, each said segment including at least one still-image; means defining the pathways by which subscribers can selectively navigate from one to the other of the nodes of said presentation network; and means for receiving subscribers request to view selected nodes in said presentation network and for transmitting to the subscriber said segment defining said selected nodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
89 words
A video presentation network accessible to subscribers of a communication system, comprising: a plurality of nodes forming the structure of said presentation network; a segment visually defining each node of said presentation network, each said segment including at least one still-image; means defining the pathways by which subscribers can selectively navigate from one to the other of the nodes of said presentation network; and means for receiving subscribers request to view selected nodes in said presentation network and for transmitting to the subscriber said segment defining said selected nodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The video presentation network as set forth in claim 7 wherein said segment also audibly defines each node.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The video presentation network as set forth in claim 7 wherein said segment includes one to five still images.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The video presentation network as set forth in claim 9 wherein said segment further includes an audio message no more than 40 seconds in length.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-08-21 | 1993-02-20 | 1993-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-21 | 1997-02-20 | 1997-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-21 | 2001-02-20 | 2001-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |