US5818441A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for simulating two-way connectivity for one way data streams
Assignee: Intel Corp
•
Filing: 1995-06-15
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Granted: 1998-10-06
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Expires: 2015-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A system supplying information associated with a broadcast television program to a consumer such that said consumer perceives the associated data as the result of two way interactivity with external sources of data such as online services or the Internet. The system includes equipment for inserting the associated data into the vertical blanking interval of the television signal on the supplier side of the system. On the receiving side, the system includes a personal computer capable of receiving the television program and storing the associated data locally. The consumer may then interact with the stored associated data in an apparently two way interactive manner. Additional interactivity may be achieved by adding an actual two way communication channel to the personal computer so that online services or the Internet may be accessed. This two way communication channel is made particularly effective if the associated data contains pointers to locations in the online services or the Internet which are particularly relevant to the television program.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Throckmorton
- 👤 Edward R. Harrison
- 👤 Burt Perry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:24
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1626; H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/235; H04N21/242; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/4104; H04N21/4117; H04N21/414; H04N21/4143; H04N21/426; H04N21/43; H04N21/435; H04N21/4355; H04N21/45; H04N21/462; H04N21/4622; H04N21/47; H04N21/472; H04N21/4722; H04N21/478; H04N21/4782; H04N21/4788; H04N21/488; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/8126; H04N21/85; H04N21/858; H04N21/8586; H04N7/00; H04N7/08; H04N7/087; H04N7/088; H04N7/0887; H04N7/16; H04N7/162; H04N7/163; H04N7/173
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A system comprising: creation means for creating a primary data stream and associated data; one-way delivery means for delivering said primary data stream and said associated data in a single integrated signal stream from a network to a consumer; consumer location equipment comprising: means for receiving and separating said primary data stream and associated data; memory means storing said associated data, said means being connected to said receiving means; processing means connected to said memory means for accessing said stored associated data; and human interface means connected to said processing means for selectively interacting with said associated data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A system comprising: creation means for creating a primary data stream and associated data; one-way delivery means for delivering said primary data stream and said associated data in a single integrated signal stream from a network to a consumer; consumer location equipment comprising: means for receiving and separating said primary data stream and associated data; memory means storing said associated data, said means being connected to said receiving means; processing means connected to said memory means for accessing said stored associated data; and human interface means connected to said processing means for selectively interacting with said associated data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1 further characterized by a two-way communications channel connected to said processing means, said two-way communications channel being adapted to carry digital data in two directions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said means for processing said associated data includes means for consummating transactions over said two-way communications channel based at least in part upon said associated data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said means for processing said associated data includes means for requesting additional data over said second channel of data based at least in part on information in said associated data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said associated data includes data from an online service.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said means for delivering said associated data is storage media.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said primary data stream and said associated data are communicated by the same delivery medium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said primary stream of data is audio only.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
104 words
A system comprising: a one-way delivery sub-system for delivering from a network to a consumer a combined data stream having a primary data stream that contains a plurality of programs and associated data that relates to one or more of said plurality of programs; consumer location equipment comprising: a receiver for receiving said combined data stream; a digital processor connected to said receiving means for separating said associated data from said combined data stream; memory storing said associated data, said memory being connected to said processor; a human interface connected to said memory means for accessing and selectively interacting with said stored associated data.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
104 words
A system comprising: a one-way delivery sub-system for delivering from a network to a consumer a combined data stream having a primary data stream that contains a plurality of programs and associated data that relates to one or more of said plurality of programs; consumer location equipment comprising: a receiver for receiving said combined data stream; a digital processor connected to said receiving means for separating said associated data from said combined data stream; memory storing said associated data, said memory being connected to said processor; a human interface connected to said memory means for accessing and selectively interacting with said stored associated data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said one-way delivery means for delivering said combined data stream to said consumer is television.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said associated data is inserted into available unused bandwidth in said television signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said television is broadcast television.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said one-way delivery means for delivering said combined data stream to said consumer is radio.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
132 words
A system comprising: first creation means for creating a primary data stream; second creation means for creating associated data, first one-way delivery means communicating with said first creation means for delivering said primary data stream to said consumer; second one-way delivery means communicating with said second creation means for delivering said associated data to said consumer; consumer location equipment comprising: first means for receiving said primary data stream; second means for receiving said associated data stream; memory means storing said associated data; processing means connected to said memory means for accessing said stored associated data; a two-way communications channel connected to said processing means, sand two-way communications channel being adapted to carry digital communications in two directions; and a consumer interface connected to said processing means for interacting with said associated data.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
132 words
A system comprising: first creation means for creating a primary data stream; second creation means for creating associated data, first one-way delivery means communicating with said first creation means for delivering said primary data stream to said consumer; second one-way delivery means communicating with said second creation means for delivering said associated data to said consumer; consumer location equipment comprising: first means for receiving said primary data stream; second means for receiving said associated data stream; memory means storing said associated data; processing means connected to said memory means for accessing said stored associated data; a two-way communications channel connected to said processing means, sand two-way communications channel being adapted to carry digital communications in two directions; and a consumer interface connected to said processing means for interacting with said associated data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said second one-way delivery means for communicating said associated data is a sideband carrier.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said second one-way delivery means for communicating said associated data is a cable television communications network.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said second one-way delivery means for communicating said associated data is a telephone line.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said means for processing said associated data includes means for requesting additional data over said two-way communications channel and wherein said additional data is referenced by said associated data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said means for processing said associated data includes means for consummating transactions over said second channel of communication based at least in part upon said associated data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said associated data includes pointers to data in an online service.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said associated data includes data acquired from the Internet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said associated data includes pointers to data on the Internet.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 14, wherein said associated data includes pointers to instructions and data on another computer to be executed by said processing means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said primary stream of data is audio only.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said primary stream of data is a subscription digital audio service.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
63 words
A method comprising: generating a stream of primary data; generating a stream of associated data; combining said primary and associated data into a single data stream; delivering said combined data stream to a consumer; separating said associated data from said combined data stream; storing said separated associated data; displaying said accessed associated data; selectively interacting with said stored associated data using a computer.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
63 words
A method comprising: generating a stream of primary data; generating a stream of associated data; combining said primary and associated data into a single data stream; delivering said combined data stream to a consumer; separating said associated data from said combined data stream; storing said separated associated data; displaying said accessed associated data; selectively interacting with said stored associated data using a computer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 26 further including processing said associated data before the displaying thereof.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 27 further including storing said associated data in local non-volatile storage.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said processing said associated data includes sorting said associated data.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said processing said associated data includes categorizing said associated data.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 26 further including accessing remote computers based upon references included in said associated data.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 26 further including printing portions of said associated data.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
141 words
A system comprising: a primary data stream generator; an associated data stream generator; a data synchronizer; a sequencer having as inputs said primary data stream generator, said associated data stream generator and said synchronizer, said sequencer being adapted to generate a combination signal containing said primary data stream and said associated data; a delivery sub-system connected to the output of said sequencer for delivering said combination signal to said consumer; consumer location equipment comprising: a receiver for said combination signal; a decoder connected to said receiver for separating said associated data from said combination signal; a memory storing said associated data, said means being connected to said decoder; a processor connected to said memory for accessing said stored associated data; a human interface connected to said processor for displaying said associated data; and a two-way communications channel connected to said processor.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
141 words
A system comprising: a primary data stream generator; an associated data stream generator; a data synchronizer; a sequencer having as inputs said primary data stream generator, said associated data stream generator and said synchronizer, said sequencer being adapted to generate a combination signal containing said primary data stream and said associated data; a delivery sub-system connected to the output of said sequencer for delivering said combination signal to said consumer; consumer location equipment comprising: a receiver for said combination signal; a decoder connected to said receiver for separating said associated data from said combination signal; a memory storing said associated data, said means being connected to said decoder; a processor connected to said memory for accessing said stored associated data; a human interface connected to said processor for displaying said associated data; and a two-way communications channel connected to said processor.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said human interface comprises a computer monitor and keyboard.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said associated data includes data acquired from an online service.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said associated data includes data acquired from the Internet.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said associated data includes pointers to data in an online service.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said associated data includes instructions and data to be executed by said processing means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said associated data includes pointers to data on the Internet.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said associated data includes pointers to Internet News Group articles.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said associated data includes pointers to Internet Relay Chat forums.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said associated data includes pointers to World Wide Web pages.
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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) | 2001-10-05 | 2002-04-06 | 2002-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-05 | 2006-04-06 | 2006-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-05 | 2010-04-06 | 2010-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |