Media online service access system and method

Abstract

A system is disclosed for providing direct automated access to an online information services provider through an address embedded in a video or audio program, commercial message, or news story. The system operates with video or audio programs which are received through broadcast, cable or pre-recorded media, and which are encoded in either analog or digital formats. The address of an online information provider is encoded in a vertical blanking interval or other non-displayed portion of an electronic signal which represents the video or audio program so as not to interfere with the program as displayed or transduced on a television or audio sound system. The online information provider address is detected and decoded from the electronic signal and used in establishing a direct digital communication link to the online information provider. Upon detecting an online provider address, the system indicates to the user that more information is available. The user may then elect to establish a connection with the online information provider by giving a simple command, e.g., pushing a special button on a remote control. The system then automatically establishes a direct digital communication link to the online information provider through the address and provides for interactive information exchange and processing to permit signals received from the online information provider to be displayed on a conventional television, transduced on a sound system, or also on a high resolution reproducing system such as a computer monitor, or other reproduction device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of providing to a user of online information services, at the time of viewing a video program represented by an electronic signal, direct digital communication access to an online information provider through a link provided in said video program, comprising: 
 electronically extracting an address associated with an online information provider from an information signal embedded in said electronic signal;    indicating to the user that an address has been extracted permitting communication with an online information provider; and    automatically using said extracted address, in response to a user initiated command, to establish a direct digital communication link with the online information provider associated with said extracted address.    
     
     
         2 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising using said direct communication link to provide interactive exchange of information between said online information provider and the user.  
     
     
         3 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said step of indicating includes producing a visual indication to be displayed on the system wherein said program is displayed.  
     
     
         4 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said step of indicating includes producing an auditory indication to be sounded on a speaker where an audio portion of said program is reproduced.  
     
     
         5 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said step of indicating includes activating a sensory indicator on a system separate from that on which said program is reproduced.  
     
     
         6 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said step of indicating further includes indicating that more information relating to the content of said video program is available through said extracted address.  
     
     
         7 . A method of providing online information services to a user of such online services, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an audio or video signal having an embedded information signal representing the address of an online information provider;    extracting and storing the address of said online information provider from said audio or video signal;    automatically using said stored address, in response to a user initiated command, to transmit a signal to connect said user with the online information provider associated with said stored address; and    receiving online information signals from said online information provider.    
     
     
         8 . A method of providing to a user of online information services, at the time of viewing a video program represented by an electronic signal, direct digital communication access to an online information provider through a link provided in said video program, comprising: 
 indicating to the user that an address is available for extraction from said electronic signal which permits communication with an online information provider;    automatically electronically extracting, in response to a user initiated command, an address associated with an online information provider from an information signal embedded in said electronic signal, and using said extracted address to establish a direct digital communication link with the online information provider associated with said extracted address.    
     
     
         9 . A media online services access system for providing to a user of online information services, while viewing or listening to a video or audio program represented by an electronic signal, a direct digital communication link with an online information provider through a link provided in said electronic signal, comprising: 
 electronic detecting means for extracting an address associated with an online information provider from an information signal embedded in said electronic signal;    means for indicating to the user that an address has been extracted which permits communication with an online information provider; and    means responsive to a user initiated command for automatically establishing a direct digital communication link with the online information provider associated with said extracted address.    
     
     
         10 . The media online services access system in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said program is a video program, further comprising: 
 means for receiving an information signal from said online information provider; and  
 means for displaying an image signal detected from said received information signal.  
 
     
     
         11 . The media online services access system in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said indicating means comprises a visual indicator displayed on a system on which said program is displayed.  
     
     
         12 . The media online services access system in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said program is an audio. program.  
     
     
         13 . The media online services access system in accordance with  claim 9  further comprising a user control device coupled to said system to permit said user to interactively communicate with said online information provider.  
     
     
         14 . The media online services access system in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said means further includes means for indicating that more information relating to the content of said video program is available through said extracted address.  
     
     
         15 . A media online services access system for providing to a user of online information services, while viewing or listening to a video or audio program represented by an electronic signal, a direct digital communication link with an online information provider through a link provided in said electronic signal, comprising: 
 means for extracting and storing an address associated with an online information provider from an information signal embedded in said electronic signal;    means for indicating to the user that an address has been extracted which permits communication with an online information provider; and    means responsive to a user initiated. command for automatically establishing a direct digital communication link with the online information provider associated with said stored address.    
     
     
         16 . The media online services access system in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said means further includes means for indicating that more information relating to the content of said video program is available through said extracted address.  
     
     
         17 . A media online services access system for providing to a user of online information services, while viewing or listening to a video or audio program represented by an electronic signal, a direct digital communication link with an online information provider through a link provided in said electronic signal, comprising: 
 means for indicating to the user that an address is available for extraction from said electronic signal which permits communication with an online information provider; and    means responsive to a user initiated command for extracting an address associated with an online information provider from an information signal embedded in said electronic signal, and for automatically establishing a direct digital communication link with the online information provider associated with said extracted address.