Abstract:
A method of providing information to a viewer having a television, an input device, and an output device includes transmitting a first digital signal that includes first information for display on the television. The method further includes providing an output device digital signal to the output device if the viewer sends an input device signal when the first information from said first digital signal is displayed to the viewer on the television. The output device digital signal includes second information for the output device to provide at least one from the group consisting of image and text. The second information is related to the first information displayed to the viewer on the television.

Description:
RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/430,529, filed Mar. 26, 2012, which was a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/342,574, filed Dec. 23, 2008 which claimed priority of Provisional Patent Application 61/009,565, filed Dec. 31, 2007, all incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    This patent application generally relates to an interactive television system. More particularly, it relates to a system for distributing useful information to viewers and for receiving information from viewers. Even more particularly, it relates to a system in which viewers can choose to receive additional information. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Viewers have long sought ways of avoiding advertisements on TV, such as by changing channels or by recording shows and fast forwarding through commercials. To counter this advertisers have sought ways to maintain viewer interest in their advertisements. In addition advertisers have sought ways to determine the effectiveness of their advertisements. The present applicants recognized a better scheme to maintain viewer interest and to provide information back to advertisers indicating the effectiveness of particular advertisements, and this solution is provided in the following description. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    One aspect of the present patent application is a method of providing information to a viewer having a television, an input device, and an output device. The method includes transmitting a first digital signal that includes first information for display on the television. The method further includes providing an output device digital signal to the output device if the viewer sends an input device signal when the first information from said first digital signal is displayed to the viewer on the television. The output device digital signal includes second information for the output device to provide at least one from the group consisting of image and text. The second information is related to the first information displayed to the viewer on the television. 
         [0005]    Another aspect is a computer-usable medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor corresponding to the above method. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The foregoing will be apparent from the following detailed description, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a flow chart illustrating a process that allows a viewer to choose to print information related to an advertisement broadcast on television; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating a process in which a customer uses a coupon printed out according to the process of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3 a    illustrates an embodiment in which a reading device is connected to a source of transmitted television signal, a television, a printer, and a phone line; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3 b    illustrates a remote control for controlling the system of  FIG. 3 a   , including a select button for initiating printing information related to an advertisement; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4 a    illustrates an embodiment in which a reading device is connected to a television and a computer, and the reading device is wire-connected to the computer; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4 b    illustrates an embodiment similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 4 a    except the reading device is wirelessly connected to the computer. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5 a    illustrates an embodiment similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 3  except the reading device includes the printer; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 5 b    illustrates an enlarged view of the reading device of  FIG. 5 a    and its printer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    In one embodiment, the present applicants provide an interactive television system that allows a viewer to choose to print information related to an advertisement broadcast on television. The printed information can include coupons, recipes, prize certificates, or other printed attractions. In one embodiment, the interested viewer presses the select button on a remote control device to initiate the printing. In a further embodiment, the fact that the viewer pressed the select button to receive the printed information is stored for transmission back to the advertiser. Associated information, such as the particular advertisement, the advertiser, the name of the television show being watched, the date, and the time, is also stored for transmission back to the advertiser. In another embodiment, this associated information is printed on the coupon. The associated information may be printed on the coupon as a code, such as a bar code. When the customer uses the coupon to purchase the advertised product or service, the information on the bar code is retrieved for transmission to the advertiser. Thus, the advertiser gets feedback showing the success of the particular advertisement. 
         [0016]    Various embodiments of the present system are illustrated in the flow charts of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In one embodiment, a television advertisement, or a “commercial,” is recorded in a television studio, as shown in box  20  of  FIG. 1 . A digital file is included with the advertisement. This digital file has a first part to be displayed along with the advertisement on television  40 , as shown in  FIG. 3 a   . The digital file has a second part that is for printing on printer  42 , as shown in box  21 . The advertisement and the digital file are transmitted by the source of television transmission to television viewers over cable  43 , as shown in box  22 . Satellite or airwaves transmission can also be used. 
         [0017]    A viewer receives the advertisement and the digital file with reading device  44   a,  such as an integrated reading device (IRD) or any other digital conversion box, as shown in box  23 . Reading device  44   a  sends the advertisement and the first part of the digital file to television  40  over connector  45  for audio and visual display to the viewer, as shown in box  24 . Television  40  displays the advertisement and the first part of the digital file, as shown in box  25 . In this embodiment, the display of the first part of the digital file includes a message that tells the viewer to press “select” button  46  on remote control  48 , as shown in  FIG. 3 b   , if he or she wishes to print out a coupon. Any other button on remote control  48  can be assigned for this task or a special print button can be designated. The message on the television display may be in the form of a recognizable icon. It may also have a text message, such as “press select to print $1.00 off coupon.” 
         [0018]    The viewer has the choice as to whether or not to press “select” button  46  on remote control  48 , as shown in box  26 . If the viewer does not press “select” button  46  nothing is printed, as shown in box  27 . If the viewer presses “select,” reading device  44   a  stores associated information, as shown in box  28 , and sends the second part of the digital file to printer  42 , as shown in box  29 . The second part of the digital file includes the digital code for the coupon. This code may provide image or text. 
         [0019]    Connection to printer  42   a  may be by way of cable  52 , such as an ethernet or USB cable, as shown in  FIG. 3 a   . In this embodiment printer  42  is directly connected to reading device  44   a.  Alternatively, reading device  44   a,    44   b  and computer  60  may be members of a wired or wireless network, as shown in  FIGS. 4 a , 4 b   , while printer  42  is connected to computer  60 . The wireless network includes reading device  44   b  wirelessly communicating with computer  60  through wireless router  62 . In another embodiment, printer  42 ′ is integrated in one box with reading device  44   c,  as shown in  FIGS. 5 a , 5 b   . In another embodiment, the reading device is integrated in one unit with the television (not shown). 
         [0020]    Printer  42 ,  42 ′ receives the second part of the digital file and prints coupon  64  along with the associated information, as shown in box  30 . 
         [0021]    At the same time coupon  64  is printed, or at another time, reading device  44   a,    44   b,    44   c  transmits the advertisement information and the associated information to the cable, satellite, or broadcast company or to another company designated for receiving such information, as shown in box  31 . In one embodiment, reading device  44   a,    44   b,    44   c  has a modem (not shown) and transmits the associated information with telephone line  66 . Other transmission schemes can be used, such as through an internet connection. Transmission of the advertisement information and the associated information may be on a schedule, such as once per day or it can be after each coupon or several coupons have been printed by the viewer. 
         [0022]    The viewer who printed out coupon  64  can now use coupon  64  to purchase the advertised product or service, as shown in box  32  of  FIG. 2 . In one embodiment, the merchant receiving coupon  64  sends coupon  64  to a coupon counting center, as shown in box  33 . The coupon counting center reads the advertisement and associated information printed on coupon  64 , as shown in box  34 , and transmits that information to the advertiser, as shown in box  35 . Thus, the viewer receives the benefit of coupon  64  and the advertiser receives information about an advertisement that was effective to produce a purchase. 
         [0023]    While the system of the present patent application has been described in terms of television advertisements and coupons, it is also useful for other television applications that involve the choice of printing material that may be described during a television program or during an advertisement, such as travel brochures, instructions, cooking recipes, political platforms, posters, flyers, and educational materials. For some of these applications, storage of associated information and feedback to the provider may be included and for others these features may be omitted. Other applications include providing forms for printing, for example for polling viewers. For children&#39;s programs, cartoons, games, and coloring pages can be provided for printing. Along with recipes coupons may be provided for certain ingredients. Non coupon related advertising may also be provided for printing, such as phone number, web address, other contact information, product image, and product description. Other applications include providing pictures of celebrities. Other applications allow interaction with the television program through printing out material or certificates for prizes or free samples. For example, shows relating to hunting or fishing may provide a list of useful tips that can be sent to the printer. Similarly, sports programs can provide game schedules, race schedules, participants, and race results for printing. Hobby shows can provide instructions and materials lists for viewers to print so they can acquire the materials before the next show. And gaming shows can provide cheats and codes for printing. 
         [0024]    While several embodiments, together with modifications thereof, have been described in detail herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident that various further modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Nothing in the above specification is intended to limit the invention more narrowly than the appended claims. The examples given are intended only to be illustrative rather than exclusive.