Method and system for supporting interactive commercials displayed on a display device using a telephone network

Patent 6178446 Issued on January 23, 2001. Estimated Expiration Date:

December 31, 2017. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventors

Application

No. 001578 filed on 12/31/1997

US Classes:

709/217, REMOTE DATA ACCESSING725/105, VIDEO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM WITH UPSTREAM COMMUNICATION725/131Receiver (e.g., set-top box)

Examiners

Primary: Flynn, Nathan J.

International Class

H04N 007/10

Abstract

A subscriber to a service will have the ability to order or request additional information on products that are being advertised. The service will have the ability to know which commercial is being aired in which subscriber initiated the request. The subscriber to the service upon viewing a commercial on a display terminal can click on the advertisement to alert the advertiser that the customer is interested in the item that is being advertised. Such interest may include, receiving an information pamphlet, receiving a coupon, and ordering the product directly from the manufacturer or distributor through a requisition request.

Other References

US Patent Application 08/943,312 filed Oct. 14, 1997, entitled Wideband Communication System for the Home, to Robert R. Miller, II and Jesse E. Russell, 21 pages
US Patent Application 08/858, 170 filed May 14, 1997, entitled Wide Band Transmission Through Wire, to Robert R. Miller, II, Jesse E. Russell and Richard R. Shively, 15 page