US6018764A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mapping uniform resource locators to broadcast addresses in a television signal
Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
•
Filing: 1996-12-10
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Granted: 2000-01-25
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Expires: 2016-12-10
Abstract
Abstract Web pages and other Internet information resources are retrieved from a one-way broadcast signal such as a broadcast television signal. A user selects from a range of available information, including hypertext markup language (HTML) pages, which is carried in the broadcast stream by invoking a command which is defined according to a uniform resource locator (URL) format. Table mapping data is carried in the broadcast signal and provides a broadcast address corresponding to the URL of the user request signal for use in identifying a location in the broadcast signal from which the desired information can be retrieved. The broadcast address may provide information regarding a frequency, packet identifier, satellite, transponder, cryptographic scheme, modulation scheme, data rate, error correction scheme, page number or other relevant criteria associated with the broadcast signal which must be known to retrieve the requested information. The system has the look and feel of a two-way Internet connection, and is compatible with existing transmission schemes.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Field
- 👤 Mark K. Eyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:47
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/438; H04N21/4383; H04N7/00; H04N7/14; H04L; H04L65/00; H04L65/60; H04L65/61; H04L65/611; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/235; H04N21/236; H04N21/2362; H04N21/434; H04N21/4345; H04N21/435; H04N21/45; H04N21/462; H04N21/4622; H04N21/47; H04N21/478; H04N21/4782; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/812; H04N21/85; H04N21/858; H04N21/8586; H04N7/16; H04N7/162; H04N7/165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 75
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for retrieving information identified by a uniform resource locator (URL) from a broadcast signal that is broadcast over a communication network to a decoder, comprising the steps of: receiving a user command at said decoder designating said URL of said information; and determining a broadcast address of said broadcast signal according to said user command; wherein: said broadcast address is indicative of a location in said broadcast signal from which said information can be retrieved.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for retrieving information identified by a uniform resource locator (URL) from a broadcast signal that is broadcast over a communication network to a decoder, comprising the steps of: receiving a user command at said decoder designating said URL of said information; and determining a broadcast address of said broadcast signal according to said user command; wherein: said broadcast address is indicative of a location in said broadcast signal from which said information can be retrieved.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, comprising the further steps of: retrieving said information from said location of said broadcast signal; and processing said information to provide a video signal suitable for display on a television.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: said broadcast address is indicative of a frequency of said broadcast signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: said broadcast signal comprises a packetized digital data stream; and said broadcast address is indicative of a packet identifier of said packetized digital data stream.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: said information is represented by a hypertext markup language.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: said information comprises a plurality of pages which are represented by a hypertext markup language, said pages being linked according to at least one hyperlink.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of: recovering mapping table data from said broadcast signal; wherein: said mapping table data maps said URL to said broadcast address.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 7, comprising the further step of: providing updated mapping table data in said broadcast signal to account for changes in information which is available to the user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 7, wherein: said mapping table data maps a plurality of URLs to a corresponding plurality of broadcast addresses in said broadcast signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: programming service data is carried with said information in said broadcast signal to a plurality of decoders via said communication network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the URL designated by the user command is one of a plurality of available URLs that the user may selectively designate, each of which identifies corresponding information that is broadcast in the broadcast signal in locations indicated by corresponding broadcast addresses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
91 words
A decoder apparatus for retrieving information identified by a uniform resource locator (URL) from a broadcast signal that is broadcast over a communication network to said decoder, comprising: a user command processor responsive to a user command designating said URL of said information; and a table data processor responsive to said user command processor; said table data processor determining a broadcast address of said broadcast signal according to said user command; wherein: said broadcast address is indicative of a location in said broadcast signal from which said information can be retrieved.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
91 words
A decoder apparatus for retrieving information identified by a uniform resource locator (URL) from a broadcast signal that is broadcast over a communication network to said decoder, comprising: a user command processor responsive to a user command designating said URL of said information; and a table data processor responsive to said user command processor; said table data processor determining a broadcast address of said broadcast signal according to said user command; wherein: said broadcast address is indicative of a location in said broadcast signal from which said information can be retrieved.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: means for retrieving said information from said location of said broadcast signal; and a processor responsive to said retrieving means for processing said information to provide a video signal suitable for display on a television.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein: said broadcast address is indicative of a frequency of said broadcast signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein: said broadcast signal comprises a packetized digital data stream; and said broadcast address is indicative of a packet identifier of said packetized digital data stream.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein: said information is represented by a hypertext markup language.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said information comprises a plurality of pages which are represented by a hypertext markup language, said pages being linked according to at least one hyperlink.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein: said table data processor is responsive to said user command processor for recovering mapping table data from said broadcast signal; and said mapping table data maps said URL to said broadcast address.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein: updated mapping table data is provided in said broadcast signal to account for changes in information which is available to the user.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein: said mapping table data maps a plurality of URLs to a corresponding plurality of broadcast addresses in said broadcast signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein: programming service data is carried with said information in said broadcast signal to a plurality of decoders via said communication network.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein: the URL designated by the user command is one of a plurality of available URLs that the user may selectively designate, each of which identifies corresponding information that is broadcast in the broadcast signal in locations indicated by corresponding broadcast addresses.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for providing information identified by a uniform resource locator (URL) in a broadcast signal that is broadcast over a communication network to a decoder, comprising the steps of: providing mapping table data that maps a broadcast address of said broadcast signal to said URL; said broadcast address indicating a location in said broadcast signal from which said information can be retrieved; and broadcasting said mapping table data with said information in said broadcast signal to said decoder.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for providing information identified by a uniform resource locator (URL) in a broadcast signal that is broadcast over a communication network to a decoder, comprising the steps of: providing mapping table data that maps a broadcast address of said broadcast signal to said URL; said broadcast address indicating a location in said broadcast signal from which said information can be retrieved; and broadcasting said mapping table data with said information in said broadcast signal to said decoder.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 23, wherein: said mapping table data is adapted to be recovered by said decoder for use in recovering said information in response to a user command at said decoder designating said URL of said information.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 23, wherein: said information is adapted to provide a video signal suitable for display on a television.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 23, wherein: said broadcast address is indicative of a frequency of said broadcast signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 23, wherein: said broadcast signal comprises a packetized digital data stream; and said broadcast address is indicative of a packet identifier of said packetized digital data stream.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 23, wherein: said information is represented by a hypertext markup language.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 23, wherein: said information comprises a plurality of pages which are represented by a hypertext markup language, said pages being linked according to at least one hyperlink.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 23, comprising the further step of: providing updated mapping table data in said broadcast signal to account for changes in information that is available to the user.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 23, wherein: programming service data is carried with said information in said broadcast signal to a plurality of decoders via said communication network.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 23, wherein: said mapping table data maps a plurality of URLs to a corresponding plurality of broadcast addresses in said broadcast signal.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 23, comprising the further steps of: providing programming service data together with said information in said broadcast signal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 23, wherein: the mapping table data maps a plurality of broadcast addresses to corresponding available URLs, each of which identifies corresponding information that is broadcast in the broadcast signal in locations indicated by the broadcast addresses thereof.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
80 words
An apparatus for providing information identified by a uniform resource locator (URL) in a broadcast signal that is broadcast over a communication network to a decoder, comprising: means for providing mapping table data that maps a broadcast address of said broadcast signal to said URL; said broadcast address indicating a location in said broadcast signal from which said information can be retrieved; and means for broadcasting said mapping table data with said information in said broadcast signal to said decoder.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
80 words
An apparatus for providing information identified by a uniform resource locator (URL) in a broadcast signal that is broadcast over a communication network to a decoder, comprising: means for providing mapping table data that maps a broadcast address of said broadcast signal to said URL; said broadcast address indicating a location in said broadcast signal from which said information can be retrieved; and means for broadcasting said mapping table data with said information in said broadcast signal to said decoder.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 35, wherein: said mapping table data is adapted to be recovered by said decoder for use in recovering said information in response to a user command at said decoder designating said URL of said information.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 35, wherein: said information is adapted to provide a video signal suitable for display on a television.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 35, wherein: said broadcast address is indicative of a frequency of said broadcast signal.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 35, wherein: said broadcast signal comprises a packetized digital data stream; and said broadcast address is indicative of a packet identifier of said packetized digital data stream.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 35, wherein: said information is represented by a hypertext markup language.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 35, wherein: said information comprises a plurality of pages which are represented by a hypertext markup language, said pages being linked according to at least one hyperlink.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 35, wherein: said mapping table function provides updated mapping table data in said broadcast signal to account for changes in information that is available to the user.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 35, wherein: programming service data is carried with said information in said broadcast signal to a plurality of decoders via said communication network.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 35, wherein: said mapping table data maps a plurality of URLs to a corresponding plurality of broadcast addresses in said broadcast signal.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising: means for combining said information and programming service data together in said broadcast signal.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 35, wherein: the mapping table data maps a plurality of broadcast addresses to corresponding available URLs, each of which identifies corresponding information that is broadcast in the broadcast signal in locations indicated by the broadcast addresses thereof.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
89 words
A decoder apparatus for retrieving information identified by a uniform resource locator (URL) from a broadcast signal that is broadcast over a communication network to said decoder, comprising: user command processing means responsive to a user command designating said URL of said information; and table data processing means responsive to said user command processing means for determining a broadcast address of said broadcast signal according to said user command; wherein: said broadcast address is indicative of a location in said broadcast signal from which said information can be retrieved.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
89 words
A decoder apparatus for retrieving information identified by a uniform resource locator (URL) from a broadcast signal that is broadcast over a communication network to said decoder, comprising: user command processing means responsive to a user command designating said URL of said information; and table data processing means responsive to said user command processing means for determining a broadcast address of said broadcast signal according to said user command; wherein: said broadcast address is indicative of a location in said broadcast signal from which said information can be retrieved.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 47, further comprising: means for retrieving said information from said location of said broadcast signal; and processing means responsive to said retrieving means for processing said information to provide a video signal suitable for display on a television.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 47, wherein: said broadcast address is indicative of a frequency of said broadcast signal.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 47, wherein: said broadcast signal comprises a packetized digital data stream; and said broadcast address is indicative of a packet identifier of said packetized digital data stream.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 47, wherein: said information is represented by a hypertext markup language.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 47, wherein: said information comprises a plurality of pages which are represented by a hypertext markup language, said pages being linked according to at least one hyperlink.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 47, wherein: said table data processing means is responsive to said user command processing means for recovering mapping table data from said broadcast signal; and said mapping table data maps said URL to said broadcast address.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 53, wherein: updated mapping table data is provided in said broadcast signal to account for changes in information which is available to the user.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 53, wherein: said mapping table data maps a plurality of URLs to a corresponding plurality of broadcast addresses in said broadcast signal.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 47, wherein: programming service data is carried with said information in said broadcast signal to a plurality of decoders via said communication network.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 47, wherein: the URL designated by the user command is one of a plurality of available URLs that the user may selectively designate, each of which identifies corresponding information that is broadcast in the broadcast signal in locations indicated by corresponding broadcast addresses.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
61 words
A broadcast signal carried in a communication network from a headend to a decoder, comprising: an information portion identified by a uniform resource locator (URL); and a mapping table data portion that maps a broadcast address of said broadcast signal to said URL; wherein: said broadcast address indicates a location in said broadcast signal from which said information can be retrieved.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
61 words
A broadcast signal carried in a communication network from a headend to a decoder, comprising: an information portion identified by a uniform resource locator (URL); and a mapping table data portion that maps a broadcast address of said broadcast signal to said URL; wherein: said broadcast address indicates a location in said broadcast signal from which said information can be retrieved.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
41 words
The broadcast signal of claim 58, wherein: said mapping table data portion is adapted to be recovered by said decoder for use in recovering said information in response to a user command at said decoder designating said URL of said information.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
23 words
The broadcast signal of claim 58, wherein: said information portion is adapted to provide a video signal suitable for display on a television.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
19 words
The broadcast signal of claim 58, wherein: said broadcast address is indicative of a frequency of said broadcast signal.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
32 words
The broadcast signal of claim 58, wherein: said broadcast signal comprises a packetized digital data stream; and said broadcast address is indicative of a packet identifier of said packetized digital data stream.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
17 words
The broadcast signal of claim 58, wherein: said information portion is represented by a hypertext markup language.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
33 words
The broadcast signal of claim 58, wherein: said information portion comprises a plurality of pages which are represented by a hypertext markup language, said pages being linked according to at least one hyperlink.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
33 words
The broadcast signal of claim 58, wherein: said mapping table data portion provides updated mapping table data in said broadcast signal to account for changes in information that is available to the user.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
23 words
The broadcast signal of claim 58, wherein: said broadcast signal is a broadcast television signal that is broadcast to a plurality of decoders.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
28 words
The broadcast signal of claim 58, wherein: said mapping table data portion maps a plurality of URLs to a corresponding plurality of broadcast addresses in said broadcast signal.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
11 words
The broadcast signal of claim 58, further comprising: programming service data.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
39 words
The broadcast signal of claim 58, wherein: the mapping table data portion maps a plurality of broadcast addresses to corresponding available URLS, each of which identifies corresponding information that is broadcast in locations indicated by the broadcast addresses thereof.
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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) | 2003-01-24 | 2003-07-26 | 2004-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-24 | 2007-07-26 | 2008-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-24 | 2011-07-26 | 2012-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |