US5236199A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interactive media system and telecomputing method using telephone keypad signalling
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-06-13
•
Granted: 1993-08-17
•
Expires: 2011-06-13
Abstract
Abstract Telephone DTMF keypad signalling is converted to a unique user input protocol in conjunction with interactive media and telecomputing network systems to permit one or more participants to provide directional, triggering, and other input to computer or computer controlled systems with telephone keypads or like devices as if using a computer system mouse, joystick, keyboard, or similar input device. Such utilization of readily available push-button telephones as a participant's computer input device, permits user interaction with computer generated, influenced, or controlled video programming, databases, and applications providing visual feedback over a video network.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Thompson, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:31
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04H; H04H20/00; H04H20/38; H04H60/00; H04H60/76; H04H60/81; H04H60/93; H04H60/94; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/08; H04M11/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
An interactive television and telecomputer system comprising: (a) at least one user installation including a telephone station with DTMF keyboard means for controlling movement of a pointer on a video display means, and telephone station being co-located with a video receiving and displaying means, said DTMF keyboard means being configured to output signals indicative of pointer movement along an x-axis, a y-axis and at least two axes diagonal to said x and y axes using a dual element set (DES) protocol; (b) DTMF protocol conversion means for converting said DES protocol, said DTMF protocol conversion means being remotely located from said user installation and connected thereto through a switched telecommunications network (STN); (c) a graphic user interface (GUI) program computer means for generating real time continuous audiovisual data output resulting from user interaction from said GUI program computer means via said keyboard means and said DTMF protocol conversion means; (d) video encoding means for encoding the output of said GUI program computer means into video signals; (e) transmission means for transmitting said video signals over at least one channel of a video transmission system (VTS) in real time to said video receiving and displaying means at said user installation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
An interactive television and telecomputer system comprising: (a) at least one user installation including a telephone station with DTMF keyboard means for controlling movement of a pointer on a video display means, and telephone station being co-located with a video receiving and displaying means, said DTMF keyboard means being configured to output signals indicative of pointer movement along an x-axis, a y-axis and at least two axes diagonal to said x and y axes using a dual element set (DES) protocol; (b) DTMF protocol conversion means for converting said DES protocol, said DTMF protocol conversion means being remotely located from said user installation and connected thereto through a switched telecommunications network (STN); (c) a graphic user interface (GUI) program computer means for generating real time continuous audiovisual data output resulting from user interaction from said GUI program computer means via said keyboard means and said DTMF protocol conversion means; (d) video encoding means for encoding the output of said GUI program computer means into video signals; (e) transmission means for transmitting said video signals over at least one channel of a video transmission system (VTS) in real time to said video receiving and displaying means at said user installation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 1, wherein said DTMF keyboard means consists solely of a 3×4 telephone keypad.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 2, further comprising trigger means for initiating voice communication between said user installation and a second STN connection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 1, wherein said video receiving and displaying means consists of a video receiver not dedicated to interactive use.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 1, further comprising multiple user installation connected to said DTMF protocol conversion means through said STN.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 5, further comprising multiple DTMF protocol conversion means connected to said multiple user installations through said STN.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 6, further comprising multiple GUI program computer means connected to said multiple DTMF protocol conversion means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 7, wherein said video transmission system comprising a plurality of channels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 7, wherein said GUI program computer means generate multiple pointers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 9, wherein said multiple pointers are of different types.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 5, wherein pointer movement is based upon information from multiple users as determined by statistical analysis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 1, said transmission means further comprises addressable broadcast means for providing pay-per-view capability to said user installation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
220 words
An interactive television and telecomputer system comprising: (a) at least one user installation including a telephone station with DTMF keyboard means for controlling movement of a pointer on a video display means, said telephone station being co-located with a video receiving and displaying means, said DTMF keyboard means being configured to output signals indicative of pointer movement and to output trigger signals indicative of command functions using dual element set (DES) protocol; (b) DTMF protocol conversion means for converting said DES protocol; said DTMF protocol conversion means being remotely located from said user station and connected thereto through a switched telecommunication network (STN), said DTMF protocol conversion means further comprising means for storing a previously received trigger signal from said keyboard means to simulate simultaneous receipt of both directional information and command information; (c) a graphic user interface (GUI) program computer means for generating real time continuous audiovisual data output resulting from user interaction with said GUI program computer means via said DTMF keyboard means and said DTMF protocol conversion means; (d) video encoding means for encoding the output of said GUI program computer means into video signals; (e) transmission means for transmitting said video signals over at least one channel of a video transmission system in real time to said video receiving and displaying means at said user installation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
220 words
An interactive television and telecomputer system comprising: (a) at least one user installation including a telephone station with DTMF keyboard means for controlling movement of a pointer on a video display means, said telephone station being co-located with a video receiving and displaying means, said DTMF keyboard means being configured to output signals indicative of pointer movement and to output trigger signals indicative of command functions using dual element set (DES) protocol; (b) DTMF protocol conversion means for converting said DES protocol; said DTMF protocol conversion means being remotely located from said user station and connected thereto through a switched telecommunication network (STN), said DTMF protocol conversion means further comprising means for storing a previously received trigger signal from said keyboard means to simulate simultaneous receipt of both directional information and command information; (c) a graphic user interface (GUI) program computer means for generating real time continuous audiovisual data output resulting from user interaction with said GUI program computer means via said DTMF keyboard means and said DTMF protocol conversion means; (d) video encoding means for encoding the output of said GUI program computer means into video signals; (e) transmission means for transmitting said video signals over at least one channel of a video transmission system in real time to said video receiving and displaying means at said user installation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 13, further comprising trigger means for initiating voice communication between said user installation and a second connection.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 13, wherein said DTMF keyboard means consists solely of a 3×4 telephone keypad.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 13, wherein said video receiving and displaying means consists of a video receiver not dedicated to interactive use.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
228 words
An interactive television and telecomputer system comprising: (a) at least one user installation including a telephone station with DTMF keyboard means for controlling movement of a pointer on a video display means, said telephone station being co-located with a video receiving and displaying means, said DTMF keyboard means being configured to output signals indicative of pointer movement and to output trigger signals indicative of command functions using dual element set (DES) protocol; (b) DTMF protocol conversion means for converting said DES protocol, said DTMF protocol conversion means being remotely located from said user station and connected thereto through a switched telecommunications network (STN); (c) a graphic user interface (GUI) program computer means for generating real time continuous audiovisual data output resulting from user interaction with said GUI program computer means via said keyboard means and said DTMF protocol conversion means; (d) video encoding means for encoding the output of said GUI program computer means into video signals, said video encoding means further comprising genlocking means for overlaying a first video image generated in response to said output signals from said DTMF keyboard means onto a second video image; (e) transmission means for transmitting video signals representative of said overload first and second video images over at least one channel of a video transmission system in real time to said video receiving and displaying means at said user installation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
228 words
An interactive television and telecomputer system comprising: (a) at least one user installation including a telephone station with DTMF keyboard means for controlling movement of a pointer on a video display means, said telephone station being co-located with a video receiving and displaying means, said DTMF keyboard means being configured to output signals indicative of pointer movement and to output trigger signals indicative of command functions using dual element set (DES) protocol; (b) DTMF protocol conversion means for converting said DES protocol, said DTMF protocol conversion means being remotely located from said user station and connected thereto through a switched telecommunications network (STN); (c) a graphic user interface (GUI) program computer means for generating real time continuous audiovisual data output resulting from user interaction with said GUI program computer means via said keyboard means and said DTMF protocol conversion means; (d) video encoding means for encoding the output of said GUI program computer means into video signals, said video encoding means further comprising genlocking means for overlaying a first video image generated in response to said output signals from said DTMF keyboard means onto a second video image; (e) transmission means for transmitting video signals representative of said overload first and second video images over at least one channel of a video transmission system in real time to said video receiving and displaying means at said user installation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 17, wherein said DTMF keyboard means consists solely of a 3×4 telephone keypad.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 18, wherein said 3×4 telephone keypad output signal is indicative of pointer movement along an x-axis, a y-axis, and at least two axes diagonal to said x and y axes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 18, further comprising trigger means for initiating voice communication between said user installation and a second STN connection.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 17, wherein said video receiving and displaying means consists of a video receiver not dedicated to interactive use.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 17, further comprising multiple user installations.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 22, further comprising multiple DTMF protocol conversion means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 23, further comprising multiple GUI program computer means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 24, wherein said video transmission system comprises a plurality of channels.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 22, wherein said GUI program computer means generate multiple pointers.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 26, wherein said multiple pointers are of different types.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 22, wherein pointer movement is based on data from said multiple users as determined by statistical analysis.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 17, wherein said video transmission system comprises addressable broadcast means for providing pay-per-view capability to said multiple user installations.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
256 words
A method of operating an interactive television and telecomputer system, wherein said system includes a user installation having a telephone station with DTMF keyboard means and video display means, DTMF protocol conversion means located separately from said user installation and connected thereto through a switched telecommunication network (STN), graphic user interface (GUI) program computer means for generating real time audiovisual data output, video encoding means for encoding the output of said GUI program computer means into video signals, and transmission means for transmitting said video signals over at least one channel of a video transmission system in real time to said video receiving and displaying means at said user installation, said method comprising the following steps: (a) using said DTMF keyboard means to generate output signals indicative of pointer movement along an x-axis, a y-axis and at least two axes diagonal to said x and y axes; (b) sending said output signals from said DTMF keyboard means to a DTMF protocol conversion means through said STN; (c) converting said output signals from said keyboard means to a dual element set (DES) protocol compatible with a GUI format; (d) generating real time continuous audiovisual data output from said GUI program computer based upon an output from said protocol converter; (e) mixing said output of said GUI program computer means in said video encoding means with signals from at least one other video source; (f) transmitting said output of said video encoder over a video transmission system to said video receiving and displaying means at said user installation.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
256 words
A method of operating an interactive television and telecomputer system, wherein said system includes a user installation having a telephone station with DTMF keyboard means and video display means, DTMF protocol conversion means located separately from said user installation and connected thereto through a switched telecommunication network (STN), graphic user interface (GUI) program computer means for generating real time audiovisual data output, video encoding means for encoding the output of said GUI program computer means into video signals, and transmission means for transmitting said video signals over at least one channel of a video transmission system in real time to said video receiving and displaying means at said user installation, said method comprising the following steps: (a) using said DTMF keyboard means to generate output signals indicative of pointer movement along an x-axis, a y-axis and at least two axes diagonal to said x and y axes; (b) sending said output signals from said DTMF keyboard means to a DTMF protocol conversion means through said STN; (c) converting said output signals from said keyboard means to a dual element set (DES) protocol compatible with a GUI format; (d) generating real time continuous audiovisual data output from said GUI program computer based upon an output from said protocol converter; (e) mixing said output of said GUI program computer means in said video encoding means with signals from at least one other video source; (f) transmitting said output of said video encoder over a video transmission system to said video receiving and displaying means at said user installation.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of operating an interactive television and telecomputer system of claim 30, further comprising the steps of: (g) sending a command signal from said keyboard means to request a menu display to be transmitted to said video receiving and displaying means; (h) operating said keyboard means to move a pointer over said menu; (i) sending a command signal from said keyboard means to select from said menu according to pointer position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-16 | 1997-02-15 | 1997-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-16 | 2001-02-15 | 2001-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-16 | 2005-02-15 | 2005-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |