Information retrieval system

• US 20020080163A1
• Filed: 06/19/2001
• Published: 06/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dale D. Morey
• Original Assignee: Dale D. Morey
• Inventors: Morey, Dale D.
• Application Number:
  US09/885,795
• Publication Number:
  US 20020080163A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/727
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4722 for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A system and method are described for the access and retrieval of information, which integrates television, video and/or similar sources with the information resources available on the Internet. This invention permits a user to select an item displayed on a television screen and, without significant interruption, order the item or request additional information on the item or provide feedback to the television source signal provider, for example, the television network or advertiser.

Claims

1. An information retrieval system comprising:

(A) an audio-visual display for displaying received audio-visual signals to a user;

(B) a transceiver electrically coupled to said audio-visual display, said transceiver further comprising an interface generator for displaying internet links on said audio-visual display, a CPU which upon command creates a URL for access to the internet and an A/V connection which provides a connection to the internet for receiving internet information associated with said URL; and

(C) a controller in communication with said transceiver which permits the user to select and view selected audio-visual information from a signal source and to issue commands to said CPU of said transceiver.

2. An information retrieval system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said interface generator further provides a graphical digital overlay on said audio-visual display.

3. An information retrieval system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said controller further comprises an actuator for activating and interfacing with internet links displayed on said audio-visual display.

4. An information retrieval system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said interface generator further comprises a list generator for selectively displaying on said audio-visual display a list of information.

5. An information retrieval system, as recited in claim 4, wherein said list generator provides a picture-in-picture window.

6. An information retrieval system, as recited in claim 5, wherein said picture-in-picture window provides for continuous display of both Internet provided information and information received from a broadcast signal source.

7. An information retrieval system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said transceiver receives information from Internet.

8. An information retrieval system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said transceiver receives information from standard RF television signal reception.

9. An information retrieval system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said transceiver receives information from a broadcast system.

10. An information retrieval system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said transceiver receives information from a recorded media.

11. An information retrieval system, as recited in claim 6, wherein said picture-in-picture window provides information based on the user'"'"'s selection using said controller.

12. An information retrieval system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said transceiver further comprises

(1) a central processing unit;

(2) digital memory electrically connected to said central processing unit;

(3) a remote control interface electrically connected to said central processor through a remote controller; and

(4) an audio-visual module, electrically connected to said central processing unit, to interface between said transceiver and an audio-visual signal source and said audio-visual display.

13. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 3, wherein said actuator further comprises:

(1) one or more buttons for user control of said transceiver; and

(2) a remote communication transmitter for providing a communication channel between said actuator and said transceiver.

14. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 1, wherein said interface generator provides listings of program and time information on said audio-visual display, upon command of said controller.

15. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 1, wherein said controller further comprises a recorder for storing user-selected information.

16. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 13, wherein said one or more buttons further comprises a mark button for use by the user in commanding said interface generator to display a reminder mark corresponding to a selected audio-visual program.

18. A method for generating and displaying audio-visual information, as recited in claim 17, wherein said selecting step further comprises:

(1) providing a list of information related to said received audio-visual signal;

(2) activating said provided list for display upon user command;

(3) identifying an item from said activated list;

(4) displaying said identified item on an audio-visual display;

(5) communicating the selection of said item to a computer device for said generation of an associated Internet address.

19. A method for generating and displaying audio-visual information, as recited in claim 17, wherein said displaying step further comprises:

(1) opening a display window on the audio-visual display device;

(2) inserting selected information in said opened display window; and

(3) continuing the display of audio-visual information from an audio-visual information source.

20. A method for generating and displaying audio-visual information, as recited in claim 17, wherein said selecting information step further comprises selecting programming information.

21. A method for generating and displaying audio-visual information, as recited in claim 17, wherein said selecting information step further comprises selecting product information.

22. A method for generating and displaying audio-visual information, as recited in claim 17, wherein said selecting information step further comprises selecting service information.

23. A method for generating and displaying audio-visual information, as recited in claim 17, wherein said selecting information step further comprises selecting public service information.

24. A method for generating and displaying audio-visual information, as recited in claim 17, further comprising inquiring of a user for user information.

17. A method for generating and displaying audio-visual information received from the internet and at least one other audio-visual source, comprising the steps of:

(A) receiving an audio-visual signal;

(B) displaying said received audio-visual signal, wherein said audio-visual signal further comprises a selectable item;

(C) selecting said selectable item from said displayed audio-visual signal;

(D) generating an Internet address associated with said selected item;

(E) receiving information from the internet for said internet address of said displayed item from said audio-visual signal; and

(F) displaying said selected information on an audio-visual display.