CZ338695A3

CZ338695A3 - Information retrieval system

Info

Publication number: CZ338695A3
Application number: CZ953386A
Authority: CZ
Inventors: Steven Bradford Greene; Peter Edward Paul Murphy
Original assignee: Steven Bradford Greene; Peter Edward Paul Murphy
Priority date: 1993-06-22
Filing date: 1994-06-21
Publication date: 1996-08-14
Also published as: FI956155A; AU6977094A; PL312224A1; JPH08511642A; BR9407268A; NO955216D0; NO955216L; KR960703252A; FI956155A0; CA2165966A1; EP0705467A1; CN1127561A; WO1995000923A1

Abstract

The invention provides an information retrieval system comprising: a) a dedicated single switch (4); b) receiving means (b) responsive to manual actuation of said single switch to receive coded information; c) means for decoding the coded information (3), and; d) means for presenting the decoded information (9) to a user. Thus, by actuation of a single switch, the information, for example advertising information, is received, decoded and presented to the user.

Description

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Technical field

The present invention relates to an information retrieval system. In particular, the invention relates to the transmission of information between suppliers and end users, and in particular the transmission of promotional or advertising information from an advertiser to a potential consumer of a promoted product or promoted service.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In the communications industry, there are often reports, basic information and advertisements that are desirable to convey as an offer or other information to a user, such as a selected audience of a particular media. On television, for example, information may take the form of a phone number, a guide or a recommendation that the program seeks to convey to viewers, or information may take the form of an offer or promotion of the product's recommended product. Similarly, in newspapers, information may also be coupons or promotional information, or it may simply be a phone number on which more detailed information or cash desk opening times can be learned.

So far, the effect of transmitting such information has been limited by requiring the end user of the information either to write the information in question or to memorize the information, to punch the coupon, or to write an address to send the requested information. As a result of the user's lack of readily accessible writing tools or due to the laziness of the user, the requirement of this user activity has often been a significant obstacle to the efficiency of the transmission of the 2 information. This problem is particularly noticeable and annoying for ads where the advertiser's goal is to create an interest in the final purchase of the product. 5 10 In attempting to overcome these problems and to further increase product purchase, promotional schemes based on incentives or attractions such as gift coupons in newspapers, pricing, phone talks and competitions and the like are created. Unfortunately, the takeover of these schemes is limited by the fact that selected listeners in contemporary Madx programs and ads still need to interact interactively with the traditional methods described above. 15 20

One way to solve the above problems is to install interactive systems. For example, in the telecommunications field, interactive shopping systems have already been developed in which communication between the telecommunications network and the user takes place in the actual real time or effective real time. However, these systems are complicated and costly, limiting their use. In addition, the application of such a system is limited by the circumstances in which interactive user interaction can take place, such systems are not suitable for newspapers or magazines. Thus, there is a need for a system for transmitting the above information in an efficient, economical and simple manner. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system in which information can be transmitted between the information provider and the end user of the information in an efficient, economical and simple manner. 30 3 - Substance - v-ynal-ez -

According to the present invention, said object is achieved by an information retrieval system comprising: 5. a) single-purpose single switch; b) receiving means responsive to manual control of the dedicated single switch for receiving code information 10; c) decoding means for decoding the code information; and d) presentation means for presenting the decoded information to the user. 15

Thus, by controlling a dedicated single switch, information such as advertising information is received, decoded and presented to the user. 20

The system may further include memory means for storing received code information or storage means for storing the decoded code information. This provides flexibility in using a system with simultaneous technologies. In one embodiment of the invention, the memory means and units a) and b) are formed as a portable or handheld unit and the units c) and d) are arranged in the second unit. In another embodiment of the invention, the memory means and units a), b) and c) are formed as a portable sky hand unit and the unit d) is arranged in the second unit. And in yet another embodiment of the invention is. the entire information retrieval system is organized as a manual unit. Thus, the user simply holds the hand unit and, to taste, controls the dedicated single switch to receive the code information for subsequent presentation. This provides considerable flexibility of use to allow the device to be held and used whenever appropriate, for example, while reading newspapers or watching television. Advantageously, the communication between the hand unit and the second unit takes place via infrared light or similar remote communication because it is simple and reliable.

The communication between the hand unit and the second unit CL / " can also be performed " via a plug-in and plug connection of the hand unit and the second unit. In one embodiment of the present invention, the receiving means includes a transmitter for transmitting infrared light to sense code information, a receiver for receiving the infrared light reflected from the code information, and a code extraction means for extracting the code information from the received infrared scanning light. Again, this arrangement is simple and reliable. In one embodiment, the transmitter may be operable to provide communication between the hand unit and the second unit.

The system may be used for television, in addition to having information extraction means for extracting code information from the received television signal and for displaying the extracted code information on the television screen. Thus, the code information may not be seen by the viewer for a long time during normal operation, since the system serves to provide code information that can be sensed using a handheld unit. 30 5 --------------- Advantageously, the information may be extracted - by means of a message - by a """ In another embodiment, the information extraction means is part of the second unit and includes additional memory means for storing additional extracted information to correlate with the information code transmitted from the handheld unit. Consequently, additional information to the information on the screen can be obtained from the television signal. Preferably, the presentation means for presenting the decoded information may be controlled by a simple switch or controlled by a further dedicated single switch. Thus, the received information can be maintained on the system until the time to present the coded information for consultation is appropriate. 15

It is preferred that the presentation means for presenting the decoded information include a printer because a permanent record can be created. Alternatively, the presentation means for presenting the decoded information may be a printer and / or a display. For the sake of simplicity, a simple switch, consisting merely of a switch, can be a switch on the hand unit.

It is preferred that the decoding means for decoding the stored information include a decoding apparatus for decoding the bar code.

Alternatively, the switch and technology are incorporated into another remote control such as a television remote control or a video remote control. Some preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. * '5' Overview of Drawings 10

FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. 3 of the invention; and illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention for television. EXAMPLES 15 20 25 The present invention is within its scope. 1. A handheld unit for capturing information from a source and for presenting information to an end user includes an infrared beam transducer 1 coupled via a driver circuit 2 to a microprocessor 3. The manually compressible switch A, located in the center of the hand unit 10, is so that when the manually compressible switch 6 is actuated, the microprocessor 3 actuates the drive circuit 2 so that the infrared emitter 1 emits the infrared light. The reflected infrared light from the infrared emitter 1 is received at the receiver 6, processed by the microprocessor 3 and stored in the direct access memory 7. When the second manually compressible switch 6 is pressed together with the microprocessor 3, the stored information is read from the memory 1 with direct access to the display means or to the permanent recording means, such as the printer control unit 9, so that the information can be printed on the paper 11. 30 7 -------------------- -Use -...... r ......... unit-- 10-- will ......... now described-yes ...... to ~ 5 -pflkl-ttda-ďekíaBty in -new "'Ixiz ^ rČT.'" frro 'ilus te- ~ -information from an ad source presented in a bar code, although other forms of presentation may be used. Thus, it is understood that the advertisement does not only contain readable information but also code information for the machine reading by the hand unit 3J. The method of reading and decoding the bar code information content is already well known and will not be described in detail here. 10

In order to use the hand unit 10, the user reading the relevant information in the newspaper advertisement, communicating the advertisement and providing the cash register telephone number, points the infrared beam transmitter 1 to the bar code and presses the manually compressible switch 4. The microprocessor 3 controls the infrared emitter 1 via the driver circuit 2 so that the bar code on the advertisement is sensed by infrared light in a known manner. Reflected light is received at receiver 5, processed by microprocessor 3, in order to extract a bar code in a known manner, which is decoded and stored in direct access memory 7. The received information can be immediately conveyed by depressing the second manually compressible switch 6 to create a permanent record. There is no need for a user to write a phone number, cut out a newspaper ad, or even remember a phone number. Consequently, the information contained in the advertisement is much more accessible and the efficiency of the information transfer to the end user is improved. Alternatively, the user may retain the information as long as he needs, for example, to call the box office. Only then is the second manually compressible switch 8 pressed to print or display the telephone number. 5 10

It will now be appreciated that the second manually compressible switch 8 may be omitted if the imaging means or the printer control unit 9 is already activated when the manually compressible switch i is pressed so that the selected information is simply decoded and sent directly to the controller 9 without storage. The manually compressible switch 4 can also be modified so that, in a single press, the information is stored and, in the case of two depressions, the information is printed, or another method of controlling the device can be created based on a manually compressible switch A. 15

The apparatus of Figure 1 may be used to receive code information that is presented in a variety of media, such as newspapers, magazines, and television. Thus, if the user is interested in something or is interested in something, simply pressing the manually compressible switch switch 4 will catch the information so that the user can act immediately on the basis of the information being presented. This overcomes the problems of laziness as described above. Although FIG. 1 illustrates a system of the present invention contained in a single handheld device, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, it is not essential that the printer unit 9 is a printer unit 9 or display means. FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the components, together with the embodiment of FIG. 1, are designated by the same reference numerals. The hand unit 10A is actuated to capture the information as in the embodiment of FIG. 1. The device is then directed to or controls the second unit 12, which may be a dedicated unit comprising a control unit. printer. In the compression of the second compressible switch, the second scanner can be selected and transmitted from the infrared transmitter 1 to the receiver 13 in a direct access memory 7. 12. The receiving circuit 14 processes the received signal into a suitable form before it is transmitted to the printer control unit 9. Referring to FIG. 2, a communication path via infrared transmitter 1 and receiver 13 is shown, a communication path may also be used via plug and socket connections on the hand unit 10 and the second unit 12.

It is now also apparent that the information stored in the direct access memory 1515 may be in the form of code information or decoded information. Accordingly, the decoding means for decoding the code information may also be provided within the hand unit 10, as in Fig. 1, or may be part of the receiving circuit 14 in the second unit 12, 20.

The hand unit 10 or 10A may include a display (not shown) for displaying stored information, wherein more than one information may be captured and stored in the direct access memory 7. It is also apparent that the hand unit 10 and 10A is provided with a suitable power source, such as a battery. 25

As mentioned above, the code information to be captured can take many forms. For example, barcode code information may be included as part of a television video signal, either as a section at the bottom of the television screen or as a subliminal (unregistered) image incorporated in the received television signal. In such a case, when the user of the hand unit 10 and 10A is interested in the content of the television screen, a manually compressible switch may be pressed so that the infrared beam transmitter 1 is triggered to screen the screen and capture the information at the bottom of the screen or code subliminal information. Then, when the second manually compressible switch is depressed, the information is selected and printed by the printer control unit 9 or stored for display. 10 15 20

Another embodiment of the present invention, particularly suitable for television, is shown in Fig. 3. In this case, code information and additional information is received over the broadcasting network. The special unit 30 is connected to the line between the television 31 and the antenna 32. The cable from antenna 32 is plugged into. the input 36 of the special unit 30, wherein the received television signals are routed directly to the output 37 for connection to the television 31 and to the splitter 33, which separates the additional information from the received television signals. Additional information may be contained on special transmission lines or lines that are not usually displayed on a television screen, and the method of separating such information is already known and will not be described in more detail herein. The additional information is temporarily written to RAM 31 to a certain address under the control of microprocessor 35, this address directly related to the received code information. 25

The embodiment of FIG. 3 operates as follows. If the user watches the television with the device, for example, in FIG. 2, and sees something on the television screen that interests him, he may. manually press the switch 4 ^. At this point in time, a bar code may be included in the received TV signal, which blinks on the screen for, for example, 1/60 second every second, or alternatively, there may be a '11 " The bottom of the '' screen for this barcode is set aside at the time of broadcasting. Subsequently, the bar code is stored by activating the manually compressible switch 6. Then the user directs the hand unit 10A to the special units 30 and 5 presses the second manually compressible switch 11 so that the special unit 30 > receives bar code code information via receiver 38 coupled to microprocessor 35. According to the received bar code, the microprocessor 35 selects additional information associated with this bar code from the respective RAM memory addresses 34 and sends this information to the printer control unit 39 for printing, or to another storage and display unit.

Alternatively, it allows the manually compressible switch 4 to be controlled so that digital information representing bar code 15 is stored for a limited time and then automatically printed or displayed on the screen.

For example, if a particular car has been promoted during advertising, the additional information may be separated by the splitter 33 and temporarily stored at a predetermined address O Λ in the SAM memory. Then, by sending this bar code to the special unit 3 (3, additional information, such as a complete specification, on the promoted car may be selected. Alternatively, when it is preferred, a telephone number may be called to receive detailed information by mail. It should also be understood that the information that can be decoded from the code information is limited by the amount of 30 information that can be occupied in the code and the length of the code.

For barcodes, this amount of information is not large. Using the embodiment of Fig. 3, much more information can be effectively captured, although it is clear that the RAM memory 30 should be rewritten, say each time during a 5-minute advertisement. The present invention differs significantly. from the prior art in that it proposes a simple and economically advantageous device with which the user simply captures the code information for subsequent display or printing. 10 Capture is based on the user's decision " yes " i want info or " no " I do not ask for information. This is not the actual interaction as such with the prior art information, but rather the instantaneous capture and reproduction of a group of information.

1 R

Thus, in one case, the owner of the system of the present invention, watching the advertisement of interest, simply directs the device to the television and activates the manually compressible switch 11 to capture the code information from the screen, and press the second manually compressible switch 8 to print the decoded information. Alternatively, the owner of a system of the present invention reading a newspaper advertisement that includes a phone number, discount coupon or detailed information, can take code information and then at the appropriate time, say at home, 5 decoded information may be printed or displayed and ready for use and consultation. Accordingly, the present invention provides for the ease of transferring information from supplier to end user, since there is no longer any requirement for the user to perform any activity other than simply pushing the switch for 30 '*, ^ > -hr8V ffft, · SS! Information ”and for ...... its " selected and used at leisure. 10

It will be appreciated that the present invention may take many forms, and although the code information in the preferred embodiment of the invention is in the form of a bar code, other forms of information compression may be used for transmission, including audio transmission for use with radio. In addition, the present invention may be a separate system or may be incorporated as part of a device having other functions and features such as an electronic personal diary or organizer, or a television remote control or video driver.

Represents: 15 Or. ZDENKA 20 20 ø 30

Claims

14. PATENT CLAIMS 1. An information retrieval system comprising: b) receiving means for receiving code information that is additional to and in a specific relation to external information communicated to the user in a readable form; -: -------------- c.) ------- single-purpose — simple — with, —- with 10 15 20 25 additional information stored in memory means while the user activates this dedicated single switch; d) decoding means for decoding additional information; and e) presentation means for presenting the decoded additional information that has been stored in the memory means while the user has activated a dedicated single switch. The system of claim 1, further comprising memory means for storing received code information. The system of claim 1, further comprising memory means for storing the decoded code information. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the memory means and the components b) and c) are arranged as a portable or manual unit and the units d) and e) are provided in the second unit. "U TC Let's In." O o rc c. O < CT5 X. fc 30 TV < 77 < 77 < 77 < 77 < 77 < 77 < 77 < 77 < "Claim 3, -v γ denotes' jic i ........... s e -------------------------- = ; === ^ r: t ^ Fi ^ r ^ ž «; ^^ amtettyv ^ ';: pfPS" trδ3Τ ^^' á ^ ceíkýhf > "~ č7 ::“ á ~ - ^ and the whole d) 'is provided in the second unit. 5

A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is a hand-held unit.

System according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the communication between the hand unit and the second unit takes place via infrared light.

System according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the communication between the hand unit and the second unit is effected by means of a socket and plug connection.

A system according to any of the claims. 4 to 8, characterized in that the receiving means comprises a transmitter for transmitting infrared light for. scanning the code information, the receiver for receiving the scanning infrared light reflected from the code information, and the code extraction means for extracting the code information from the received scanning infrared light.

The system of claim 7 and 9, wherein the transmitter is operable to provide communication between the hand unit and the second unit. 30 16 pt J-7 < f

A system according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that it is for television and further comprises information extraction means for extracting the code information from the received television signal and for displaying the extracted code information on the television screen.

The system of claim 1 and claim 4 or —5 > -v " the information extraction means is part of a second unit.

System according to claim 10 and 11 and according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the information extraction means are part of the second unit and comprise additional memory means for storing additional extracted information for correlation with the information code transmitted from the hand unit.

The system of any one of claims 4 to 13, wherein the presentation means for presenting the decoded information is controlled by further controlling the simple switch.

System according to any one of claims 4 to 13, characterized in that the presentation means for presenting the decoded information is controlled by further controlling another dedicated single switch.

The system of any one of claims 4 to 15, wherein the presentation means for presenting the decoded information is formed by a printer. 17 (T7T) is a system according to any one of the claims. 10 16, characterized in that the presentation means for presenting the decoded information comprises a printer and / or a display. 18. The system according to. any one of claims 4 to 17, characterized in that the simple switch is formed only by a switch on the hand unit. System according to any one of claims 4 to 18, characterized in that the decoding means for decoding the stored information is formed by a barcode decoding device. li ;, V. Represents: r / / 0r. ZDENKA KOREJZOltó / 20 25 30