Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated internet information segments

• US 20020035600A1
• Filed: 11/16/2001
• Published: 03/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1996
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ACTV, Inc. (Kudelski SA)
• Original Assignee: ACTV, Inc. (Kudelski SA)
• Inventors: Spivack, Nova T., Ullman, Craig, Hidary, Jack D.
• Application Number:
  US09/998,588
• Publication Number:
  US 20020035600A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/748 Hypervideo linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object in the context of video distribution systems H04N21/858
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/322 used signal is digitally coded
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2393 involving handling client requests scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/262 Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists scheduling strategies for dispatcher in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/4881; arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services H04H60/06; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10; establishing a time schedule or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• 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 21/4722 for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8547 involving timestamps for synchronizing content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/858 Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
• 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

Abstract

A system for integrating video programming with the vast information resources of the Internet. A computer-based system receives a video program with embedded uniform resource locators (URLs). The URLs, the effective addresses of locations or Web sites on the Internet, are interpreted by the system and direct the system to the Web site locations to retrieve related Web pages. Upon receipt of the Web pages by the system, the Web pages are synchronized to the video content for display. The video program signal can be displayed on a video window on a conventional personal computer screen. The actual retrieved Web pages are time stamped to also be displayed, on another portion of the display screen, when predetermined related video content is displayed in the video window. As an alternative, the computer-based system receives the URLs directly through an Internet connection, at times specified by TV broadcasters in advance. The system interprets the URLs and retrieves the appropriate Web pages. The Web pages are synchronized to the video content for display in conjunction with a television program being broadcast to the user at that time. This alternative system allows the URLs to be entered for live transmission to the user.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting addresses identifying online content, with the online content relating to a program, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining one or more addresses for identifying an online information source of the online content; and

transmitting the address to a user;

wherein the user is automatically presented the online content at predetermined times during the program.

2. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the address is transmitted to the user independently of the program.

3. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the address is transmitted to the user prior to initiation of the program.

4. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the address is transmitted to the user during the program.

5. A method as described in claim 1, further comprising the step of associating a time stamp with the address, wherein the time stamp indicates to a user device when, during the program, to present the online content identified by the address.

6. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the address is an Internet URL, the URL identifying the online information source.

7. A method as described in claim 1, further comprising the step of storing the address on a server prior to transmission.

8. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the server is an Internet server.

9. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the online information source is an Internet service provider.

10. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the online content comprises content in a form selected from the group consisting of:

text, data, graphics, video, audio, animation, video stills, slow frame video, and multimedia.

11. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to a sports program.

12. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to an advertisement program.

13. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the online content is an advertisement.

14. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to a motion picture program.

15. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to a game show program.

16. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to an interactive game show program

17. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to a video program.

18. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to a live program.

19. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to an audio program.

20. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to a music video program.

21. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to a pre-recorded program.

22. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the online content relates to a news program.

23. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the online content related to a sitcom program.

24. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the online content is transmitted to the user over the Internet.

25. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the online content is transmitted via at least one transmission medium selected from the group consisting of:

the Internet, an intranet, terrestrial broadcast, cable, satellite broadcast, fiber optics, a telephone circuit, a wireless connection, a public network, and a private network.

26. A method as described in claim 7, wherein multiple addresses are stored in a link file in a server.

27. A method as described in claim 26, wherein the link file is transmitted to the user.

28. A method as described in claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting the address, wherein the address is selected based on a profile of a collection of users.

29. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining the address further comprises the step of obtaining a specific time point, wherein the time point indicates when to transmit the address to the user.

30. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the address is stored in one selected from the group consisting of:

magnetic tape, compact disc, digital versatile disc, computer hard drive, random access memory, read only memory, CD ROM, a magnetic data storage medium, and an optical data storage medium.

31. A method as described in claim 20, wherein the online content contains additional information related to the music video program, the additional content selected from the group consisting of:

biographical information on an artist, a concert schedule, and information on buying goods related to the artist.

32. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the online content contains a query for the user to respond to a poll.

33. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the online content is selected based, at least in part, on a user profile.

34. A method as described in claim 33, wherein the user profile is stored in a storage device at a location selected from the group consisting of:

a user station, a personal computer, a cable head-end, a cable box, a satellite receiver, an intranet site, an Internet site, a telephone center, and a satellite operations center.

35. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the address relates to a polling question.

36. A method as described in claim 1, further comprising the step of retrieving information about a user from a data management storage device.

37. A method as described in claim 36, further comprising the step of performing an analysis on the user information.

38. A method as described in claim 36, wherein the user information contains user clicks made by the user on a user interface while using an online service provider.

39. A method as described in claim 36, wherein information on a plurality of users is stored in the data management storage device.

40. A method as described in claim 36, wherein the user information contains information selected from the group consisting of:

the geographic location of the user, clicks made by the user on a user interface while using an on line service provider, user viewing habits, and demographics of the user.

41. A method as described in claim 36, wherein the data management storage device is located at a location selected from the group consisting of:

a user station, a personal computer, a cable head-end, a cable box, a satellite receiver, an intranet site, a public network, a private network, and an Internet site.

42. A method as described in claim 36, wherein the program contains a predetermined advertisement and wherein selection of the predetermined advertisement is based, at least in part, on the user information.

43. A method as described in claim 36, wherein at least one online information segment is based, at least in part, on the user information.

44. A method as described in claim 36, wherein the address is selected based, at least in part, on the user information.

45. A method as described in claim 36, wherein the online content contains an advertisement and wherein the advertisement is selected based, at least in part, on the user information.

46. A method as described in claim 36, wherein the program contains a graphics segment and wherein the graphics segment is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.

48. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the address is transmitted to the user independently of the program.

49. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the address is transmitted to the user prior to initiation of the program.

50. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the address is transmitted to the user during the program.

51. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, further comprising the instruction of associating a time stamp with the address, wherein the time stamp indicates to a user device when, during the program, to present the online content identified by the address.

52. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the address is an Internet URL, the URL identifying the online information source.

53. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, further comprising the instruction of storing the address on a server prior to transmission.

54. A computer readable medium as described in claim 53, wherein the server is an Internet server.

55. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the online information source is an Internet service provider.

56. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the online content comprises content in a form selected from the group consisting of:

text, graphics, video, data, audio, animation, video stills, slow frame video, and multimedia.

57. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the online content relates to a sports program.

58. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the online content relates to an advertisement program.

59. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the online content is an advertisement.

60. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the online content relates to a motion picture program.

61. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the online content relates to a game show program.

62. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the online content relates to a video program.

63. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the online content relates to a live program.

64. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the online content relates to an audio program.

65. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the online content relates to a music video program.

66. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the online content relates to a pre-recorded program.

67. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the online content relates to a news program.

68. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the online content is transmitted to the user over the Internet.

69. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the online content is transmitted via at least one transmission medium selected from the group consisting of:

the internet, an intranet, terrestrial broadcast, cable, satellite broadcast, fiber optics, a telephone circuit, a wireless connection, a public network, and a private network.

70. A computer readable medium as described in claim 53, wherein multiple addresses are stored in the server in a link file.

71. A computer readable medium as described in claim 70, wherein the link file is transmitted to the user.

72. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, further comprising the instruction of selecting an address, wherein the address is selected based on the profile of a collection of users.

73. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the address obtaining instruction further comprises the step of obtaining a specific time point, wherein the time point indicates when to transmit the address to the user.

74. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the online content relates to a sitcom program.

75. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the online content relates to an interactive game show program.

76. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the online content is stored in one selected from the group consisting of:

magnetic tape, compact disc, digital versatile disc, computer hard drive, random access memory, read only memory, CD ROM, a magnetic data storage medium, and an optical data storage medium.

77. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the online content relates to a polling question.

78. A computer readable medium as described in claim 65, wherein the online content contains additional information related to the music video program, the additional information selected from the group consisting of:

biographical information on an artist, a concert schedule, and information on buying goods related to the artist.

79. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the online content contains a query for the user to respond to a poll.

80. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the online content is selected based, at least in part, on a user profile.

81. A computer readable medium as described in claim 80, wherein the user profile is stored in a storage device at a location selected from the group consisting of:

a user station, a personal computer, a cable head-end, a cable box, a satellite receiver, an intranet site, an Internet site, and a satellite operations center.

82. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the address relates to a polling question.

83. A computer readable medium as described in claim 47, wherein the instructions further comprise accessing information about a user stored in a data management storage device.

84. A computer readable medium as described in claim 83, wherein the instructions further comprise performing an analysis on the user information.

85. A computer readable medium as described in claim 83, wherein the user information contains user clicks made by the user on a user interface while using an online service provider.

86. A computer readable medium as described in claim 83, wherein information on a plurality of users is stored in the data management storage device.

87. A computer readable medium as described in claim 83, wherein the user information contains information selected from the group consisting of:

the geographic location of the user, clicks made by the user on a user interface while using an on line service provider, user viewing habits, and demographics of the user.

88. A computer readable medium as described in claim 83, wherein the data management storage device is located at a location selected from the group consisting of:

a user station, a personal computer, a cable head-end, a cable box, a satellite receiver, an intranet site, a public network, a private network, and an Internet site.

89. A computer readable medium as described in claim 83, wherein the program contains a predetermined advertisement and wherein selection of the predetermined advertisement is based, at least in part, on the user information.

90. A computer readable medium as described in claim 83, wherein the online content is based, at least in part, on the user information.

91. A computer readable medium as described in claim 83, wherein the address is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.

92. A computer readable medium as described in claim 83, wherein the online content contains an advertisement and wherein the advertisement is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.

93. A computer readable medium as described in claim 83, wherein the program contains a graphics segment and wherein the graphics segment is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.

47. A computer readable medium containing instructions for transmitting addresses identifying online content, with the online content relating to a program, by:

obtaining one or more addresses for identifying an online information source of the online content;

encoding the address onto a signal; and

transmitting the signal with the address to a user;

wherein the user automatically receives the online content at predetermined times during the program.

94. A hosting system for transmitting one or more addresses identifying online content at an online information source, with the online content relating to a program, the system comprising:

a storage device for storing the address prior to transmission; and

a transmitter, operably connected to the storage device, wherein the transmitter transmits the address to a user;

wherein the online content is automatically pushed to the user after the address is received by the user for presentation of the online content to the user during the presentation of the program to the user.

95. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online content is synchronized to the program and the user receives the content at predetermined times during the program.

96. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the address is transmitted to the user independently of the program.

97. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the address is transmitted to the user prior to initiation of the program.

98. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the address is transmitted to the user during the program.

99. A system as described in claim 94, wherein a time stamp is associated with the address, the time stamp indicating to a user device when, during the program, to present the online content identified by the address.

100. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the address is an Internet URL, the URL identifying the online content.

101. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the storage device is a server.

102. A system as described in claim 101, wherein the address identifies the online content stored in the storage device and the online information source is the host system.

103. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online information source is an Internet service provider.

104. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online content comprises content in a form selected from the group consisting of:

text, graphics, video, data, audio, animation, video stills, slow frame video, and multimedia.

105. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online content relates to a sports program.

106. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online content relates to an advertisement program.

107. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online content is an advertisement.

108. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online content relates to a motion picture program.

109. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online content relates to a game show program.

110. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online content relates to a video program.

111. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online content relates to a live program.

112. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online content relates to an audio program.

113. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online content relates to a music video program.

114. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online content relates to a pre-recorded program.

115. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online content relates to a news program.

116. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online content is transmitted to the user over the Internet.

117. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online content is transmitted via at least one transmission medium selected from the group consisting of:

the internet, an intranet, terrestrial broadcast, cable, satellite broadcast, fiber optics, a telephone circuit, a wireless connection, a public network, and a private network.

118. A system as described in claim 94, further comprising a server, wherein multiple addresses are stored in the server in a link file.

119. A system as described in claim 118, wherein the transmitter transmits the link file to the user.

120. A system as described in claim 94, further comprising means for selecting the address, wherein the address is selected based on the profile of a collection of users.

121. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the storage device also stores a specific time point, wherein the time point indicates when to transmit the address to the user.

122. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online content relates to a sitcom program.

123. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online content relates to an interactive game show program.

124. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online content is stored in one selected from the group consisting of:

magnetic tape, compact disc, digital versatile disc, computer hard drive, random access memory, read only memory, CD ROM, a magnetic data storage medium, and an optical data storage medium.

125. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online content relates to a polling question.

126. A system as described in claim 113, wherein the online content contains additional information related to the music video program, the additional information selected from the group consisting of:

biographical information on an artist, a concert schedule, and information on buying goods related to the artist.

127. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online content contains a query for the user to respond to a poll.

128. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the online content is selected based at least in part on a user profile.

129. A system as described in claim 128, wherein the user profile is stored in a storage device at a location selected from the group consisting of:

a user station, a personal computer, a cable head-end, a cable box, a satellite receiver, an intranet site, an Internet site, and a satellite operations center.

130. A system as described in claim 94, wherein the address relates to a polling question.

131. A system as described in claim 94, further comprising a data management storage device, wherein information about the user is stored in the data management storage device.

132. A system as described in claim 131, wherein an analysis is performed on the user information.

133. A system as described in claim 131, wherein the user information contains user clicks made by the use on a user interface while using an online service provider.

134. A system as described in claim 131, wherein information on a plurality of users is stored in the data management storage device.

135. A system as described in claim 131, wherein the user information contains information selected from the group consisting of:

the geographic location of the user, clicks made by the user on a user interface while using an on line service provider, user viewing habits, and demographics of the user.

136. A system as described in claim 131, wherein the program is selected at least in part based on the user information.

137. A system as described in claim 131, wherein the data management storage device is located at a location selected from the group consisting of:

a user station, a personal computer, a cable head-end, a cable box, a satellite receiver, an intranet site, a public network, a private network, and an Internet site.

138. A system as described in claim 131, wherein the program contains a predetermined advertisement and wherein selection of the predetermined advertisement is based, at least in part, on the user information.

139. A system as described in claim 131, wherein the online content is based, at least in part, on the user information.

140. A system as described in claim 131, wherein the address is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.

141. A system as described in claim 131, wherein the online content contains an advertisement and wherein the advertisement is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.

142. A system as described in claim 131, wherein the program contains a graphics segment and wherein the graphics segment is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.

144. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online content is synchronized to the program and the user receives the content at predetermined times during the program.

145. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the address is transmitted to the user independently of the program.

146. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the address is transmitted to the user prior to the presentation of the program.

147. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the address is transmitted to the user during the program.

148. A method as described in claim 143, wherein a time stamp is associated with the address, the time stamp indicating to a user device when, during the program, to present the online content identified by the address.

149. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the address is an Internet URL, the URL identifying the online content.

150. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online information source is the host site.

151. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the address identifies the online content stored in the storage device and the online information source is the host site.

152. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online information source is an Internet service provider.

153. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online content comprises content in a form selected from the group consisting of:

text, graphics, video, data, audio, animation, video stills, slow frame video, and multimedia.

154. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online content relates to a sports program.

155. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online content relates to an advertisement program.

156. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online content is an advertisement.

157. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online content relates to a motion picture program.

158. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online content relates to a game show program.

159. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online content relates to a video program.

160. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online content relates to a live program.

161. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online content relates to an audio program.

162. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online content relates to a music video program.

163. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online content relates to a pre-recorded program.

164. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online content relates to a news program.

165. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online content is transmitted to the user over the Internet.

166. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online content is transmitted via at least one transmission medium selected from the group consisting of:

the internet, an intranet, terrestrial broadcast, cable, satellite broadcast, fiber optics, a telephone circuit, a wireless connection, a public network, and a private network.

167. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the storage device is a server and multiple addresses are stored in a link file in the server.

168. A method as described in claim 172, wherein the step of transmitting further includes transmitting the link file to the user.

169. A method as described in claim 143, further comprising the step of selecting an address, wherein the address is selected based on a profile of a collection of users.

170. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the step of storing further stores a specific time point in the storage device, wherein the time point indicates when to transmit the address to the user.

171. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online content relates to a sitcom program.

172. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online content relates to an interactive game show program.

173. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online content is stored in one selected from the group consisting of:

magnetic tape, compact disc, digital versatile disc, computer hard drive, random access memory, read only memory, CD ROM, a magnetic data storage medium, and an optical data storage medium.

174. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online content relates to a polling question.

175. A method as described in claim 162, wherein the online content contains additional information related to the music video program, the additional information selected from the group consisting of:

biographical information on an artist, a concert schedule, and information on buying goods related to the artist.

176. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online content contains a query for the user to respond to a poll.

177. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the online content is selected based, at least in part, on a user profile.

178. A method as described in claim 183, wherein the user profile is stored in the storage device at a location selected from the group consisting of:

a user station, a personal computer, a cable head-end, a cable box, a satellite receiver, an intranet site, an Internet site, and a satellite operations center.

179. A method as described in claim 143, wherein the address relates to a polling question.

180. A method as described in claim 143, further comprising the step of retrieving information about the user from a data management storage device.

181. A method as described in claim 180, further comprising the step of performing an analysis on the user information.

182. A method as described in claim 180, wherein the user information contains user clicks made by the user on a user interface while using an online service provider.

183. A method as described in claim 180, wherein information on a plurality of users is stored in the data management storage device.

184. A method as described in claim 180, wherein the user information contains information selected from the group consisting of:

the geographic location of the user, clicks made by the user on a user interface while using an on line service provider, user viewing habits, and demographics of the user.

185. A method as described in claim 180, further comprising the step of selecting the program based, at least in part, on the user information.

186. A method as described in claim 180, wherein the data management storage device is located at a location selected from the group consisting of:

a user station, a personal computer, a cable head-end, a cable box, a satellite receiver, an intranet site, a public network, a private network, and an Internet site.

187. A method as described in claim 180, wherein the program contains a predetermined advertisement and wherein selection of the predetermined advertisement is based, at least in part, on the user information.

188. A method as described in claim 180, wherein the online content is based, at least in part, on the user information.

189. A method as described in claim 180, wherein the address is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.

190. A method as described in claim 180, wherein the online content contains an advertisement and wherein the advertisement is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.

191. A method as described in claim 187, wherein the program contains a graphics segment and wherein the graphics segment is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.

193. A method as described in claim 192, wherein the step of receiving at least one address includes receiving for each one of the at least one address an associated time indicia for controlling when each one of the at least one address is to be used for retrieving respective ones of the on-line information segments so that the on-line information segments are provided for display in respective timing relationship with the presentation of the video programming.

194. A method as described in claim 192, wherein the network is the Internet;

the on-line information segments comprise at least one web page;

the at least one server comprises at least one Internet web site;

the step of receiving at least one address comprises receiving at least one uniform resource locator for retrieving over the Internet from respective ones of the at least one Internet web site the at least one web page;

the at least one uniform resource locator being received in respective specified timing relationship with the video programming carried by the received signal;

the step of using the at least one address comprises using the at least one uniform resource locator for retrieving over the Internet from respective ones of the at least one Internet web site the at least one web page; and

the step of providing the retrieved on-line information segments comprises providing the retrieved at least one web page for display in respective predetermined timing relationship with the presentation of the video programming.

195. A method as described in claim 192, wherein the at least one address is received on an encoded signal carrying the at least one address and the video programming in respective specified timing relationship with one another, and the method further comprises the step of decoding the encoded signal to extract the at least one address.

196. A method as described in claim 195, wherein the network is the Internet, and the at least one address comprises at least one uniform resource locator, and wherein the step of extracting the at least one address from the encoded signal comprises extracting the at least one uniform resource locator from the encoded signal.

143. A method implemented at a host site for transmitting addresses identifying online content at an online information source, with the online content relating to a program, the method comprising:

storing the address in a storage device prior to transmission;

transmitting the address to a user;

whereby the online content is automatically pushed to the user after the address is received by the user for presentation to the user during the presentation of the program to the user.

192. A method for retrieving over a network on-line information segments having content related to video programming carried by a received signal, the video programming being provided for presentation, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving at least one address useable for retrieving over the network from at least one server on the network the on-line information segments, the at least one address being received in respective specified timing relationship with the video programming carried by the received signal;

using the at least one address for retrieving over the network from respective ones of the at least one server the on-line information segments; and

providing the retrieved on-line information segments for display in respective predetermined timing relationship with the presentation of the video programming.