Simon & Koerner LLP
Method and apparatus for building a uniform resource locator menu in an Internet television system
 The present invention provides a method and apparatus for building a URL menu to access Internet web sites. The URL menu is stored in a set top box after accessing from a server. A URL is divided into a plurality of fields, e.g. three. Discrete fields are stored in databases within a server, and may be accessed and stored independently by the user into corresponding locations within the set top box. These three fields are individually and separately selected by the user with a plurality of buttons on a remote control. In another embodiment, URLs are obtained by keying on information in a broadcast vertical blanking interval, such as close-captioning data. A further embodiment involves generating URLs from a history of previously-accessed URLs. A final embodiment involves keying on information in a current document to select a word or term that may be utilized in a URL. 
Sony Electronics Inc. Sony Corporation
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