Method and system for identifying data locations associated with real world observations

Abstract

A method and system for identifying data locations or uniform resource locators associated with physical observations in the real world. The method and system includes selecting certain physical parameters based upon an observation of real world objects and events and associating such physical parameters with data locations on the Internet or other computer network. When the real world object is observed or a real world event occurs, physical parameters relating to the object or event are sensed and recorded. These stored physical parameters are then communicated to a database, which returns a data location corresponding to the observed physical parameters. Thus, the present invention allows a user to “click” on objects or events in the real world in order to find data locations related to the objects or events in the on-line world.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a method and system for sensing physical parameters corresponding to an object or event in the physical world and, based on the observed physical parameters, retrieving a data location on a computer network pointing to information associated with the physical world object or event. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The increasing use of wide area networks such as the Internet has resulted in an explosion in the provision of on-line services. Computer users can access a vast wealth of information and services by utilizing a wide area network to establish a connection with other computers connected to the network. [0003] The Internet is a global network of millions of computers belonging to various commercial and non-profit entities such as corporations, universities, and research organizations. The computer networks of the Internet are connected by gateways that handle data transfer and conversion of messages from a send...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] Thus, the present invention allows a user to use an appropriate sensing device to merely mark or key in on objects or events in the real world in order to find data locations related to the objects or events in the on-line world.

[0020] The database corresponding to the clicker described above may include Internet addresses or other data locations specific to a particular channel or frequency and a range of times. For example, the listener may become interested in the subject matter of a particular radio advertisement broadcast on a radio channel. According to the invention, the listener activates the clicker, which identifies and stores in memory the frequency to which the radio receiver is tuned and the time the clicker was activated. This information is transmitted to the database, as more fully described below, to identify the Internet address associated with the observed broadcast frequency and time and, hence, the radio advertisement. Thus, an Internet address associated with the time and channel of the broadcast may be determined even though access to the Internet is not available at the time of the broadcast and even though no Internet address is given. Moreover, the device described above allows the listener to essentially perform a search of the Internet without articulating a query and entering it into a search engine.

Problems solved by technology

This becomes problematic, however, when there is no immediate access to a computer connected to the Internet.

Beyond this method, there are no alternative ways of identifying data locations or URLs based upon an observation of a particular product or event.

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