초록 ▼

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 o

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.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system for displaying programming material to a user, the system comprising:a printed document issued by an educational institution having at least one machine recognizable feature;a feature recognition unit having associated therewith a means for recognizing said machine recognizable feature a

1. A system for displaying programming material to a user, the system comprising:a printed document issued by an educational institution having at least one machine recognizable feature;a feature recognition unit having associated therewith a means for recognizing said machine recognizable feature and a means for transmitting a coded signal in response to the recognition of said machine recognizable feature;an intelligent controller having associated therewith a means for accessing said programming material in response to receiving said coded signal; anda display unit for presenting said programming material. 2. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said printed document issued by an educational institution comprises a course catalogue. 3. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said printed document issued by an educational institution comprises a brochure about programs. 4. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said printed document issued by an educational institution comprises a registration printed document. 5. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said printed document issued by an educational institution comprises a financial aid application. 6. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said printed document issued by an educational institution comprises instructional material. 7. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said printed document issued by an educational institution comprises a test. 8. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said printed document issued by an educational institution comprises a library card. 9. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said printed document issued by an educational institution comprises an identification card. 10. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said printed document issued by an educational institution comprises a tag. 11. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said printed document issued by an educational institution comprises a decal. 12. A system as defined in claim 11 wherein said decal comprises a parking permit. 13. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said printed document issued by an educational institution comprises an invoice. 14. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said printed document issued by an educational institution comprises a receipt. 15. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said printed document issued by an educational institution comprises a credit card. 16. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said printed document issued by an educational institution comprises an application form. 17. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said printed document issued by an educational institution comprises a transcript. 18. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said printed document issued by an educational institution comprises a poster. 19. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said printed document issued by an educational institution comprises a banner. 20. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said printed document issued by an educational institution comprises a meal ticket. 21. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said printed document issued by an educational institution comprises a schedule of events. 22. A system as defined in claim 21 wherein said schedule of events comprises athletic events. 23. A system as defined in claim 21 wherein said schedule of events comprises cultural events. 24. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said printed document issued by an educational institution comprises a letter of recommendation. 25. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature has associated therewith a data link which is recognized by said feature recognition unit. 26. A system as defined in claim 25 wherein said data link comprises an image data link. 27. A system as defined in claim 25 wherein said data link comprises a video data link. 28. A system as defined in claim 25 wherein said data link comprises a programming data link. 29. A system as defined in claim 25 wherein said data link comprises a sound data link. 30. A system as defined in claim 25 wherein said data link comprises an online data link. 31. A system as defined in claim 25 wherein said data link comprises an online shopping data link. 32. A system as defined in claim 25 wherein said data link comprises a pictorial data link. 33. A system as defined in claim 25 wherein said data link comprises an electronic data link. 34. A system as defined in claim 25 wherein said data link comprises an electronic media link. 35. A system as defined in claim 25 wherein said data link comprises an “information superhighway” data link. 36. A system as defined in claim 35 wherein said “information superhighway” data link comprises the internet. 37. A system as defined in claim 35 wherein said “information superhighway” data link comprises the world wide web. 38. A system as defined in claim 35 wherein said “information superhighway” data link comprises a computer network. 39. A system as defined in claim 35 wherein said “information superhighway” data link comprises an integrated service digital network (ISDN). 40. A system as defined in claim 35 wherein said “information superhighway” data link comprises a telephone line. 41. A system as defined in claim 35 wherein said “information superhighway” data link comprises a cable television (CATV) line. 42. A system as defined in claim 35 wherein said “information superhighway” data link comprises a local area network. 43. A system as defined in claim 35 wherein said “information superhighway” data link comprises a wide area network. 44. A system as defined in claim 35 wherein said “information superhighway” data link comprises a data communications network. 45. A system as defined in claim 35 wherein said “information superhighway” data link comprises an Internet Product Service Directory. 46. A system as defined in claim 35 wherein said “information superhighway” data link comprises a globally based digital communications network. 47. A system as defined in claim 35 wherein said “information superhighway” data link comprises a wireless network link. 48. A system as defined in claim 35 wherein said “information superhighway” data link comprises a Wireless Application Protocol internet. 49. A system as defined in claim 35 wherein said “information superhighway” data link comprises an ethernet network. 50. A system as defined in claim 35 wherein said “information superhighway” data link comprises a radio frequency (“RF”) cellular network. 51. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises a bar code. 52. A system as defined in claim 51 wherein said bar code comprises a Universal Product Code. 53. A system as defined in claim 51 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises an invisible bar code. 54. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises a magnetic code. 55. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises a printed character. 56. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises a symbol. 57. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises a pictorial icon. 58. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises an invisible indicia. 59. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises a two-dimensional figure. 60. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises an icon. 61. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises an invisible icon. 62. A sys tem as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises a watermark. 63. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises an invisible watermark. 64. A system as defined in claim 63 wherein said invisible watermark comprises a digital watermark. 65. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises a series of alphanumeric characters. 66. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises a binary code. 67. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises a digital watermark. 68. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises a magnetic strip. 69. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises a code. 70. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises an online shopping product code. 71. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises a home shopping product code. 72. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises an online shopping service code. 73. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises a home shopping service code. 74. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises an analog pattern. 75. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one machine recognizable feature comprises a hieroglyphic character. 76. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said programming material comprises information. 77. A system as defined in claim 76 wherein said information comprises information about an educational institution. 78. A system as defined in claim 76 wherein said information comprises information about an individual identified by said printed document issued by an educational institutional. 79. A system as defined in claim 76 wherein said information comprises a “background check” of an individual identified by said printed document issued by an educational institutional. 80. A system as defined in claim 76 wherein said information comprises information about an organization identified by said printed document issued by an educational institutional. 81. A system as defined in claim 76 wherein said information comprises a “background check” of an organization identified by said printed document issued by an educational institutional. 82. A system as defined in claim 76 wherein said information comprises information about a product associated with said educational institution. 83. A system as defined in claim 76 wherein said information comprises a description of the campus of an educational institution. 84. A system as defined in claim 76 wherein said information comprises a map of a campus. 85. A system as defined in claim 76 wherein said information comprises a map of the locale of the campus. 86. A system as defined in claim 76 wherein said information comprises directions for traveling to the campus. 87. A system as defined in claim 76 wherein said information comprises information about visitor accommodations. 88. A system as defined in claim 76 wherein said information comprises an academic calendar. 89. A system as defined in claim 76 wherein said information comprises course information. 90. A system as defined in claim 76 wherein said information comprises application requirements. 91. A system as defined in claim 76 wherein said information comprises financial aid information. 92. A system as defined in claim 76 wherein said information comprises tuition schedules. 93. A system as defined in claim 76 wherein said information comprises course grades. 94. A system as defined in claim 76 wherein said information comprises information on job opportunities in the locale of said educational institution. 95. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said programming material comprises a service. 96. A system as defined in claim 95 wherein said service includes displaying promotional programming material on said display unit of said user. 97. A system as defined in claim 95 wherein said service includes conducting an interaction with said user via a telephone. 98. A system as defined in claim 95 wherein said service includes conducting an interaction between a plurality of users via an online communication chat link. 99. A system as defined in claim 95 wherein said service includes a virtual tour of an educational institution. 100. A system as defined in claim 95 wherein said service includes conducting an interaction with said user and an educational institution staff member. 101. A system as defined in claim 95 wherein said service includes conducting an interaction with said user and a student. 102. A system as defined in claim 95 wherein said service includes registering for courses. 103. A system as defined in claim 95 wherein said service includes cancelling courses. 104. A system as defined in claim 95 wherein said service includes applying for admission. 105. A system as defined in claim 95 wherein said service includes registering for online courses. 106. A system as defined in claim 95 wherein said service includes applying for financial aid. 107. A system as defined in claim 95 wherein said service includes paying tuition and fees. 108. A system as defined in claim 95 wherein said service includes taking an online examination. 109. A system as defined in claim 95 wherein said service includes obtaining tickets for events. 110. A system as defined in claim 109 wherein said events comprise on-campus events. 111. A system as defined in claim 109 wherein said events comprise off-campus events. 112. A system as defined in claim 95 wherein said service includes tracking a users online activities. 113. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said display unit comprises a personal computer. 114. A system as defined in claim 113 wherein said personal computer comprises a laptop computer. 115. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said display unit comprises a television. 116. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said display unit comprises a device containing a microprocessor. 117. A system as defined in claim 116 wherein said device containing a microprocessor is hand-held. 118. A system as defined in claim 116 wherein said device containing a microprocessor is portable. 119. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said display unit comprises a personal digital planner. 120. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said display unit comprises an internet appliance. 121. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said display unit comprises a cellular telephone. 122. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said display unit comprises a wireless communication device. 123. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said display unit comprises a simulated book. 124. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said display unit comprises an intelligent terminal. 125. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said display unit comprises a web-based television. 126. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said display unit comprises a pager. 127. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said display unit comprises an Internet-enabled telephone. 128. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said feature recognition unit is selected from a group consisting of a hand-held unit, a scanner, a bar code scanner, an optical code reader, an optical reader, a personal camera, a personal computer reader, a digital camera, a digital mouse and an optical mouse. 129. A system as defined in claim 128 wherein said feature recognition unit is linked to a personal computer. 130. A system as defined in claim 128 wherein said feature recognition unit is linked to a wireless interface. 131. A system as defined in claim 130 wherein said wireless interface comprises a wireless network. 132. A system as defined in claim 131 wherein said wireless network comprises a cellular network. 133. A system as defined in claim 130 wherein said wireless interface comprises a cellular telephone. 134. A system as defined in claim 130 wherein said wireless interface comprises a pager. 135. A system as defined in claim 130 wherein said wireless interface comprises a wireless personal computer. 136. A system as defined in claim 130 wherein said wireless interface comprises a personal digital assistant. 137. A system as defined in claim 130 wherein said feature recognition unit is linked to a personal digital assistant. 138. A system as defined in claim 128 wherein said feature recognition unit is linked to an Internet appliance. 139. A system as defined in claim 128 wherein said feature recognition unit is linked to a television set. 140. A system as defined in claim 128 wherein said feature recognition unit comprises a portion of a cellular telephone. 141. A system as defined in claim 128 wherein said feature recognition unit comprises a portion of a personal digital assistant. 142. A system as defined in claim 128 wherein said feature recognition unit comprises a portion of a remote control unit. 143. A system as defined in claim 128 wherein said feature recognition unit comprises a portion of a handwriting implement. 144. A method of providing a user access to programming material, comprising the steps of:printing a machine recognizable feature within a printed document issued by an educational institution;scanning said machine recognizable feature of said printed document issued by an educational institution; andtransmitting data associated with said machine recognizable feature via a communication link to access said programming material, wherein said programming material is related to said printed document issued by an educational institution. 145. The method of claim 144 wherein said communication link includes the Internet. 146. The method of claim 144 wherein said machine recognizable feature is selected from a group consisting of bar code, universal product code, invisible bar code, magnetic code, printed character, symbol, invisible indicia, two-dimensional figure, icon, invisible icon, watermark, invisible watermark, digital watermark, series of alphanumeric characters, binary code, magnetic strip, code, analog pattern, and hieroglyphic character. 147. A method of providing a user access to supplemental programming material associated with a printed document issued by an educational institution, comprising the steps of:printing a machine recognizable feature within said printed document issued by an educational institution, wherein said machine recognizable feature has associated therewith a command sequence for accessing programming material;scanning said machine recognizable feature within said printed document issued by an educational institution and downloading data indicative of said machine recognizable feature via the Internet to a remote server;accessing programming material from said remote server; andtransmitting said programming material to said user allowing said user to perceive said programming material in a humanly perceivable form, wherein said programming material is related to said printed document issued by an educational institution. 148. The method of claim 147 wherein said programming material comprises multimedia. 149. The method of claim 147 wherein said machine recognizable feature is selected from a group consisting of a bar code, a universal product code, invisible bar code, magnetic code, printed character, symbol, invisible indicia, two-dimensional figure, icon, invisible icon, watermark, invisible watermark, digital watermark, series of alphanumeric characters, binary code, magnetic strip, code, analog pattern, and hieroglyphic character.