Interactive TV system for mass media distribution
DC CAFC
First Claim
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1. An interactive data system comprising:
- at least one response unit where end user'"'"'s are located, the unit having normally received TV programs playing thereat, the programs presenting questions to the end user;
audible beeps, corresponding to unique preselected codes, independent of program identification, being played by the TV program at the same time a corresponding question is posed;
means located at the response unit for(a) indicating a response to a question;
(b) picking up the audio beep;
(c) generating a unique signal from both the picked up beep, indicative of the response to a particular question, and an identification of the response unit;
(d) transmitting the generated signal to a local area repeater station; and
means located at the repeater station for transmitting data, derived from the signal, to an audience response data center for processing of the data.
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Abstract
A TV viewer is presented various offers for products and services displayed on his TV screen. Pre-obtained unique product and service codes are generated by the TV program during the offers. The viewer has a remote control device for indicating his acceptance of an offer. An audio beep corresponding to the unique code is transmitted by the program along with the offer. This beep is picked up by a microphone and is transmitted, along with the remote control acceptance indication, by a transmitter located at the viewer'"'"'s location to a nearby repeater station. The transmitted signal is data including an identification of the viewer'"'"'s location as well as the accepted offer code. This data is relayed to a nearby repeater station and then to a central data collection station where the acceptance is processed. A universal IR remote control device is employed that can communicate a viewer'"'"'s selections from TV offer'"'"'s, or can alternately read bar codes from printed media offers at the viewer'"'"'s location for transmission through the system to the central data collection station.
233 Citations
6 Claims
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1. An interactive data system comprising:
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at least one response unit where end user'"'"'s are located, the unit having normally received TV programs playing thereat, the programs presenting questions to the end user; audible beeps, corresponding to unique preselected codes, independent of program identification, being played by the TV program at the same time a corresponding question is posed; means located at the response unit for (a) indicating a response to a question; (b) picking up the audio beep; (c) generating a unique signal from both the picked up beep, indicative of the response to a particular question, and an identification of the response unit; (d) transmitting the generated signal to a local area repeater station; and means located at the repeater station for transmitting data, derived from the signal, to an audience response data center for processing of the data.
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2. An interactive data system comprising:
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at least one response unit where end user'"'"'s are located, the unit having normally received TV programs playing thereat, the programs presenting questions to the end user; audible beeps, corresponding to unique preselected codes, independent of program identification, being played by the TV program at the same time a corresponding question is posed; means located at the response unit for (a) indicating a response to a question; (b) picking up the audio beep; (c) generating a unique signal from both the picked up beep, indicative of the response to a particular question, and an identification of the response unit; (d) transmitting the generated signal to a local area repeater station; and means located at the repeater station for transmitting data, derived from the signal, to an audience response data center for processing of the data wherein printed media is available at the response unit presenting questions to the end user, the media also having unique preselected printed bar codes representing various fixed responses;
the system further including;a bar code reader for reading selected bar code responses and generating unique corresponding electrical signals therefrom; answering means for transmitting the electrical signal, along with an identification of the response unit, to a local repeater station; manual actuation means located at the response unit for gating transmission of the electrical signal through the answering means; and means located at the repeater station for transmitting data, derived from the signal, to an audience response data center for processing of the data. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4)
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5. A method or returning responses from at least one response unit of an interactive data communication system, the method comprising the steps;
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establishing at least one response unit site which receives normal TV or radio programs from a party the programs including questions accompanied by an audible beep corresponding to a unique preobtained code from the question; indicating a response to the question; picking up the audio beep; generating a unique signal from the picked up beep, indicative of a response to a particular question as well as an identification of the response unit; transmitting the generated signal to a local area repeater station; and transmitting data, derived from the signal, to an audience response data center for processing of the data.
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6. A method of data communication comprising the steps:
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generating a unique signal by receiving an audible signal from an electronic device; combining the received audible signal with a unique identifier of a response unit; communicating the unique signal from the response unit to a local area repeater station; verifying the unique signal at the local area repeater station; and communicating the generated signal from the repeater station to a data center for peocessing.
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Specification
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Litigation Data
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Current AssigneeInteractive Return Service, Inc.
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Original AssigneeInteractive Return Service, Inc.
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InventorsMorales, Fernando
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Primary Examiner(s)Harvey, David E.
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Application NumberUS08/214,414Time in Patent Office1,796 DaysField of Search348/1-7, 348/12, 348/13, 348/460, 348/484, 348/485, 348/486, 348/473US Class Current725/24CPC Class CodesH04H 20/38 Arrangements for distributi...H04N 21/42203 sound input device, e.g. mi...H04N 21/47815 Electronic shopping payment...H04N 21/6581 Reference data, e.g. a movi...H04N 21/6582 Data stored in the client, ...H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of...H04N 7/17327 with deferred transmission ...H04N 7/17354 in an intermediate station ...
