Method and apparatus for accessing electronic data via a familiar printed medium
OwnerSpencer A. Rathus, Jeffrey S. Nevid +1inventors
InventorsSpencer A. Rathus, Jeffrey S. Nevid, Lois Fichner-Rathus
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Abstract
The disclosed methods and apparatus relate generally to the electronics media industry, such as cable television (CATV), home shopping services, on-line computer services and computer memory applications. These methods and apparatus allow a user to access and make use of electronic media input and output devices by reference to and/or utilization of standard printed matter, such as magazines, textbooks, or any other printed matter that can be correlated to electronic media.
Claims167
A system for delivering electronic programming to a user, the system comprising:
- a printed matter having at least one sensor and a transmitter for transmitting a coded signal in response to an actuation of said sensor;
- an intelligent controller having associated therewith a receiver for receiving said coded signal and a means for accessing programming material;
- and
- a display unit for presenting said programming material;
- wherein said user actuates said sensor to cause said intelligent controller to access said programming material and said display unit to present said programming material to said user.
A system for displaying programming to a user, the system comprising:
- a printed matter having at least one machine recognizable feature;
- a feature recognition unit having associated therewith a means for recognizing said feature and a transmitter for transmitting a coded signal in response to the recognition of said feature;
- an intelligent controller having associated therewith a receiver for receiving said coded signal and means for accessing programming material;
- and
- a display unit for presenting said programming material;
- wherein said recognition unit, in response to the recognition of said feature, causes said intelligent controller to access said programming material and said display unit to execute or display said programming material.
A system for delivering electronic programming to a user, the system comprising:
- a printed matter having associated therewith at least one sensor, a controller responsive to an actuation of said sensor, and a transmitter responsive to said controller for transmitting a coded signal;
- and
- a display unit having associated therewith a receiver for receiving said coded signal, means for accessing programming material in response thereto, and means for displaying or executing said programming material;
- and
- wherein said user actuates said sensor to cause said programming material to be accessed and displayed or executed.
A method of providing, accessing or utilizing electronic media services, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a printed matter having at least one sensor associated therewith;
- providing or programming an intelligent controller to, in response to an actuation of said sensor, perform a pre-programmed command;
- and
- executing said pre-programmed command to access or control an electronic media.
A method of providing electronic programming material, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a printed matter to a potential customer;
- pre-programming an intelligent controller to access or control the transmission of electronic programming material in response to an event wherein the customer interacts with the printed matter in a particular manner;
- and
- displaying or executing said programming material in response to the intelligent controller.
A method of providing or accessing shop-at-home services, the method including the steps of:
- incorporating within a printed catalogue at least one sensor or machine-recognizable feature;
- programming a controller to execute a pre-programmed command in response to an event wherein a customer interacts with said sensor or feature;
- and
- responding to the execution of said pre-programmed command.
An improved method of instruction, said method including the steps of:
- providing a printed textbook having at least one sensor or machine-recognizable feature associated therewith;
- providing a means, distinct from said textbook, for executing a pre-programmed command in response to an event wherein a reader of the textbook interacts with said sensor or feature;
- and responding to the execution of said command.
A low cost, throw-away printed matter useful for accessing electronic media services, said printed matter including:
- at least one sensor;
- and
- means, responsive to an actuation of said sensor, for transmitting a coded signal indicative of said sensor.
A feature recognition unit useful, in combination with a printed matter, for accessing electronic media services, said recognition unit comprising:
- means for recognizing features on said printed matter;
- and
- means, responsive to the recognition of a feature, for transmitting a coded signal indicative of said recognized feature.
A system for delivering an electronic advertisement to a user, the system comprising:
- a printed advertisement having associated therewith at least one sensor or machine-recognizable feature, a controller, responsive to an actuation of said sensor or a recognition of said machine-recognizable feature, and a transmitter, responsive to said controller, for transmitting a coded signal;
- and
- a display unit including a receiver for receiving said coded signal and means for providing said user with said electronic advertisement related to said printed advertisement.
A system for delivering information services to a user, the system comprising:
- a printed reference having associated therewith at least one sensor or machine-recognizable feature, a controller, responsive to an actuation of said sensor or a recognition of said machine-recognizable feature, and a transmitter, responsive to said controller, for transmitting a coded signal;
- and
- a display unit including a receiver for receiving said coded signal and means for providing said user with said information services related to said printed reference.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.