Prior art — US Patent US6098106

Prior Art Analysis for US Patent US6098106

Based on the "References Cited" section of US Patent US6098106, the following patents are identified as relevant prior art. The analysis focuses on how these references might anticipate the independent claim (Claim 1) of the '106 patent under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

Claim 1 of US6098106 describes: A method for retrieving information where a broadcast program contains an embedded routing signal. This signal is extracted and used to control a personal computer to retrieve specific information from a defined location on a network for the user.

1. US Patent 5,774,664: Network-based interactive system

Full Citation: Tinsky, et al., "Network-based interactive system," US Patent 5,774,664, filed May 1, 1995, issued June 30, 1998.
Description: This patent details a system where supplemental information related to a broadcast (like a TV show) is sent to a user's computer. The broadcast can include a reference or an address (like a URL) that points to a specific location on a computer network. A user can then use their computer to access this location and retrieve the supplemental data. The system is designed to provide an interactive experience by linking broadcast content with network-based information.
Potential Anticipation of Claim(s): This patent appears to strongly anticipate the core elements of Claim 1.
- It discloses broadcasting a program with an embedded reference (the "routing signal").
- This reference is used by a computer to access a "defined location" (a network server).
- The computer is controlled to "retrieve the information" from that location for the user.
  The method described in the '664 patent is fundamentally similar to the process outlined in Claim 1 of the '106 patent, where a broadcast signal triggers a computer to fetch related online content.

2. US Patent 5,761,606: System for selecting and retrieving information based on broadcast data

Full Citation: Wolzien, "System for selecting and retrieving information based on broadcast data," US Patent 5,761,606, filed December 27, 1995, issued June 2, 1998.
Description: The '606 patent describes a system where data is transmitted along with a television signal. This data can include URLs or other identifiers for network resources. A computer or a set-top box receives this data and can automatically use it to retrieve information from the specified network location. The system is designed to allow a viewer to easily access internet content related to what they are watching on TV.
Potential Anticipation of Claim(s): This patent also appears to anticipate Claim 1.
- It describes broadcasting a program (TV signal) with embedded data, including URLs (the "routing signal").
- It details a user terminal (a computer) extracting this signal.
- The terminal then uses this information to retrieve content from a "defined location" on a network.
  The process of embedding a URL in a broadcast to trigger a computer to fetch that URL's content is central to both this patent and Claim 1 of the '106 patent.

3. US Patent 5,594,934: System and method for generating and presenting supplemental program information

Full Citation: Lu, et al., "System and method for generating and presenting supplemental program information," US Patent 5,594,934, filed November 2, 1994, issued January 14, 1997.
Description: This invention covers a system for providing supplemental information for a broadcast program. An "event" in the broadcast triggers the generation of a message containing information related to the program. This message can be sent to a user's device, which then presents the supplemental information. While the focus is broad, it includes the concept of a trigger within a broadcast leading to the delivery of additional, related data to a viewer's device.
Potential Anticipation of Claim(s): This patent potentially anticipates the broader concept of Claim 1, although it may be less specific about the use of a "routing signal" for network retrieval.
- It describes a trigger within a "broadcast program."
- This trigger causes supplemental information to be delivered to a "personal computer."
- This process effectively allows a user to "retrieve the information."
  Depending on the interpretation of "routing signal," this patent describes a very similar cause-and-effect relationship between a broadcast and a computer-based information retrieval action.

4. US Patent 5,778,181: Method for providing on-line data services to a user

Full Citation: Hidary, et al., "Method for providing on-line data services to a user," US Patent 5,778,181, filed December 26, 1995, issued July 7, 1998.
Description: This patent discloses a method where a user watching television can be presented with an on-screen icon. By selecting this icon (e.g., with a remote control), the user's computer is automatically connected to a specific online location corresponding to the content being viewed (e.g., an advertiser's website). The link between the broadcast content and the specific online location is managed by a central server.
Potential Anticipation of Claim(s): This patent describes a system that achieves the same outcome as Claim 1, albeit with a different user interaction model (clicking an icon versus an automatic audio trigger).
- It involves a broadcast program that provides a link to a "defined location" on a network.
- It controls a "personal computer" to "retrieve the information" from that location.
  The core inventive concept of linking a broadcast to a specific network location for information retrieval is present. The distinction lies in the nature of the "routing signal" (a visual icon versus an embedded audio/data tone), but the fundamental process is highly relevant prior art.