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

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 In 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.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A computer readable medium containing instructions for presenting a received programming signal and at least one corresponding related online information segment obtained from an online information source, by: 
 receiving an address identifying the online information source providing the online information segment related to the programming signal;    automatically establishing a communications link with the online information source;    automatically receiving the online information segment providing online content from the online information source related to the programming signal;    presenting the online information segment; and    presenting the programming signal.    
     
     
         2 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the programming signal is received via a transmission medium selected from the group consisting of: the Internet, an intranet, radio frequency broadcast, a wireless connection, satellite broadcast, cable, fiber optics, a telephone circuit, a public network, and a private network.  
     
     
         3 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the programming signal comprises at least one of a form selected from the group consisting of: a video signal, a combined audio and video signal, an audio signal, animation, text, graphics, multimedia, slow frame video, data, video stills, and a sequence of individual frames.  
     
     
         4 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the programming signal includes a news program and the online information segment contains additional information related to the news program.  
     
     
         5 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the programming signal includes an advertisement and the online information segment contains additional information related to the advertisement.  
     
     
         6 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the programming signal includes a sports program and the online information segment contains additional information related to the sports program.  
     
     
         7 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the programming signal includes an entertainment program and the online information segment contains additional information related to the entertainment program.  
     
     
         8 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the programming signal includes a music video and the online information segment contains additional information related to the music video.  
     
     
         9 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the programming signal includes music and the online information segment contains additional information related to the music.  
     
     
         10 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the online content relates to a sports program.  
     
     
         11 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the online content relates to an advertisement.  
     
     
         12 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the online content relates to a game show program  
     
     
         13 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the online content relates to a motion picture program.  
     
     
         14 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the online content relates to a video program.  
     
     
         15 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the online content relates to a live program.  
     
     
         16 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the online content relates to an audio program.  
     
     
         17 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the online content relates to a music video program.  
     
     
         18 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the online content relates to a pre-recorded program.  
     
     
         19 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the online content relates to a news program.  
     
     
         20 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the instructions further comprise storing information about a user in a data management storage device.  
     
     
         21 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 20 , wherein the user information includes user clicks made by the user on a user interface while using an online service source.  
     
     
         22 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 20 , wherein the received programming signal is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.  
     
     
         23 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 20 , wherein the received online content is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.  
     
     
         24 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 20 , wherein the received address is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.  
     
     
         25 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the online content relates to at least one selected from the group consisting of: a sports program, an advertisement, a motion picture program, a game show program, a video program, a live program, an audio program, a music video program, a prerecorded program, a sitcom program, a non-commercial program, and a news program.  
     
     
         26 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the online content relates to a polling question.  
     
     
         27 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the instructions further comprise establishing a chat interface, the chat interface facilitating interactive communications between a user and a second user.  
     
     
         28 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the instructions further comprise initializing an electronic mail interface, the electronic mail interface facilitating the sending and receiving of electronic messages to others.  
     
     
         29 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 1 , wherein the address is an Internet URL, the URL identifying the online information source.  
     
     
         30 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 20 , wherein information about a plurality of users is stored in the data management storage device.  
     
     
         31 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 20 , 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 source, user viewing habits, and demographics of the user.  
     
     
         32 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 20 , 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 box, a cable head-end, a satellite receiver, an intranet site, a public network, a private network, and an Internet site.  
     
     
         33 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 20 , wherein the programming signal contains a predetermined advertisement and wherein selection of the predetermined advertisement is based, at least in part, on the user information.  
     
     
         34 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 20 , wherein the online content contains an advertisement and wherein the advertisement is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.  
     
     
         35 . A computer readable medium as described in  claim 20 , wherein the programming signal contains a graphics segment and wherein the graphics segment is selected, at least in part, based on the user information.