Remote communication apparatus

Abstract

A remote learning system combines on-line service information and remote user information with a television signal designed to be received by students using multimedia personal computers. The combined signal is then transmitted to all of the students at their personal computers. At each personal computer, the received signal is separated into its component parts by a VBI modem for display or control on/of the personal computers. Each personal computer is capable of communicating back to a main server over a network such as a public telephone network. A broadcasting facility integrates the information transmitted over the network from a single student with the television signal.

1 . An interactive television-computer apparatus, comprising: 
 a component that receives a broadcast signal and separates the broadcast signal into a video signal for display on a display device, an audio signal for transmission to an audio output device, and a data signal, at least part of the data signal being sent for display on the display device; and    a networking device for transmitting data to a host facility that is operative in providing said broadcast signal.    
   
   
       2 . A television-computer apparatus employing a user interface for presenting video and data received from an integrated broadcast signal while at the same time being used for inputting data that is sent to a host facility by means of a network connection.  
   
   
       3 . A single integrated television tuner/data decoding device that is attachable to a computer and is configured to receive a broadcast signal, separating audiovisual data and other display data from the broadcast signal.  
   
   
       4 . The television tuner/data decoding device of  claim 3  configured as a single circuit card that attaches to an expansion slot of the computer.  
   
   
       5 . The television tuner/data decoder device of  claim 3  configured as an external module connected to the computer.  
   
   
       6 . A system comprising: 
 a single integrated television tuner/data device that is attachable to a computer and configured to receive a broadcast signal, separating audiovisual data and other display data from the broadcast signal,    a user interface for displaying the data received from the broadcast signal and for receiving input data for transmission to a communication server.