Access system and method for providing interactive access to an information source through a networked distribution system

A system for providing access to the Internet through a television distribution network comprising:

• a) a source of Internet based information;
• b) a plurality of terminals, each said terminal interfaced to a television signal receiving device and including;
• 1) a multiple channel receiver for receiving Internet based information from said information source and a plurality of broadcast television transmission signals on a corresponding plurality of channels;
• 2) means for generating a request for information to be received from said information source, said request including identification information for the transmission signal being received at the time of said request;
• and
• 3) means for transmitting said request for information;
• and
• c) a network for receiving Internet based information from said information source and said transmission signals from at least one broadcast television transmission signal source, and distributing Internet based information from said information source to a receiver of one of said terminals transmitting a request for Internet based information and distributing said broadcast television transmission signals from said signal source on a plurality of channels to said plurality of terminals, said network including;
• 1) a receiver for receiving requests for Internet based information from said terminals;
• and
• 2) means responsive to receipt of a said request for Internet based information from said first of said terminals, and employing said transmission signal identification information for accessing Internet based information in said information source which is related to the information content of a first of said broadcast transmission signals being received by said first of said terminals at the time said request for Internet based information is generated, and;
• 3) means for transmitting to said first terminal for reception by said television signal receiving device, Internet based information which is related to the information content of said first of said broadcast television transmission signals at the time said request is generated by said first terminal.

A method for accessing transmission signal content related information from an information source, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a terminal, said terminal including a receiver for receiving a transmission signal and a transmitter for sending a request for information;
• b) providing a transmission signal distribution network for receiving a transmission signal from a signal source and broadcasting said transmission signal to said terminal receiver;
• c) providing an information source interfaced to said network, said information source containing information related to the information content of said transmission signal;
• d) transmitting said transmission signal from said network to said terminal receiver;
• e) generating a request at said terminal for information related to the information content of said transmission signal during reception thereof said request including identification information for said transmission signal being received at the time of said request, and transmitting said request to said network;
• f) in response to reception of said request from said terminal, said network:
• 1) identifying information in said information source which is related to the information content of said transmission signal;
• 2) accessing said content related information;
• and
• 3) transmitting said content related information to said terminal.

A method for accessing broadcast television transmission signal content related information from the Internet, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a plurality of terminals, each said terminal being interfaced to a television transmission signal receiving device, and including a multiple channel receiver for receiving a transmission signal and a transmitter for sending a request for Internet based information which is related to the information content of a currently received television transmission signal;
• b) providing a television transmission signal distribution network for receiving a plurality of broadcast television transmission signals from at least one signal source and transmitting said television transmission signals to said terminal receivers;
• c) providing an information source interfaced to said network, said information source containing Internet based information related to the information content of said television transmission signals;
• d) transmitting said television transmission signals from said network to said terminal receivers;
• e) generating at least a first request at a first of said terminals for information related to the information content of one of said television transmission signals during reception by said first terminal, said request including identification information for said transmission signal being received at the time of said request and transmitting said request to said network;
• f) in response to reception of said request from said first terminal, said network:
• 1) identifying Internet based information in said information source which is related to the information content of said television transmission signal;
• 2) accessing said content related information;
• and
• 3) transmitting said content related information to said first terminal.