Система дл создани интерактивной телевизионной программы и способ создани такой программы

... 1. Система для создания интерактивной телевизионной программы, характеризующаяся тем, что она содержит результирующий модуль для сбора результатов голосования, модуль управления для выбора программных фрагментов, производимого, по меньшей мере, частично на основе собранных результатов голосования, программный модуль для комбинирования программных фрагментов в соответствии с управляющими командами главного модуля; и записывающие средства для записи программных фрагментов. 2. Система по п.1, отличающаяся тем, что модуль управления содержит средства для выбора программных фрагментов, производимого, по меньшей мере, частично на основе собранных результатов голосования и, по меньшей мере, частично на основании перечня заданных инструкций. 3. Система по п.1, отличающаяся тем, что она содержит средства для реализации процедуры голосования телезрителей и средства, включенные в модуль управления, для выбора выносимых на голосование вариантов, производимого, по меньшей мере, частично на основе выбранных ...

METHODE UND APPARAT ZUR STROMERZEUGUNG FÜR EIN KOAXIALES KABELNETZWERK

Kabelfernsehverteilung

Transaktionsbasiertes interaktives Fernsehsystem

Menügesteuertes Fernsehprogrammzugangssystem und Verfahren

AUSWAHL- UND VERTEILSYSTEM FÜR AUDIO- UND VIDEOINFORMATIONEN UND VERFAHREN

Verfahren zum UEbertragen von Rundfunk- und Fernsehdarbietungen betreffenden Zeichenueber Fernsprechleitungen

Überwachungssystem für ein Übertragungssystem und Verfahren zum Prüfen der Übertragungsqualität

Einrichtung zum Weiterleiten eines Telefonanrufs an eine Rundfunkstation

Interaktive Anwendungen

CONTROLLING ACCESS TO BROADCAST SIGNALS

A method of controlling access to a broadcast signal characterised by the method comprising: issuing a first substantially unique key to each intending user; issuing to each user to be allowed access a message enciphered by use of the key unique to that user so as to permit local deciphering of the ciphered message by use of the issued first key to constitute a second key; and broadcasting a signal enciphered by use of said second key so as to permit local deciphering of the ciphered signal by use of the second key. The invention also provides a television receiver control apparatus for use with the above method.

Evaluation of responses of participatory broadcast audience with prediction of winning contestants

A system and method for evaluating responses to broadcast programs, such as television programs, include an instructional signal modulated onto a signal transmitted concurrently with the television program, simulcast, or time-multiplexed with a television. At each of a plurality of remote receiving stations, one or more members of a remote audience has the opportunity to respond to a situation presented in the television program by entering a response on a keyboard. The system includes response evaluation circuitry which may be located at a central facility or partially at the central facility and partially at each remote receiving station, or completely within a response unit at each remote receiving station, in the latter case the response unit having a memory responsive to the instructional signal for storing acceptable responses, a comparison circuit for comparing responses entered at the keyboard with those stored in the memory, circuitry for scoring responses in accordance with commands ...

Evaluation of responses of participatory broadcast audience with prediction of winning contestants

Sub-carrier broadcast system

LOGIC CIRCUITS

KABELFERNSEHSYSTEM ZUM WAHLWEISEN AUSGEBEN AUFGEZEICHNETER BILD- UND TONMITTEILUNGEN

PURPOSEFUL RECRUITING IN A CABLE TV SYSTEM

CABLE TV SYSTEM FOR OPTIONAL SPENDING OF NOTED PICTURE AND REPORTS OF CLAY/TONE

VIEWER DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM.

TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

IMPROVED ESSAY-FINALTURN OUT FUR OF CABLE TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

System for public opinion poll by over a remote message net, in particular telephone network, transferred signals

PROCEDURE AND DEVICE FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF BROADCAST PROGRAMS

PROCEDURE FOR THE INFORMATION INQUIRY AND TRANSFER IN A DIGITAL BROADCAST SYSTEM

REMOTE MAINTENANCE FOR CABLE TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

REPEATS PROGRAMMABLE TERMINAL FOR PROGRAM PROPOSALS OF A DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR TELEVISION PROGRAMMES

CLAY/TONE PROGRAM RECEIVER TERMINAL FOR TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Apparatus and methods for accessing information relating to radio and television programs

Generation of enlarged participatory broadcast audience

Network controller for cable television delivery systems

Information transmission/reception system

TELEVISION AUDIENCE SURVEYING SYSTEM

Apparatus and method for identifying broadcast programs and accessing information relating thereto

PULSE CONTROLLED SWITCHING CIRCUITS

A logic circuit is described for controlling a plurality of solid state switches in a wired broadcasting system. The circuit is arranged to distinguish between dialling and reset pulse signals applied to an input, and has a plurality of outputs to which the solid state switches are connected. The circuit sequentially switches the condition of the outputs in response to dial pulse signals, and resets the outputs to a datum condition in response to the reset pulse signal.

AN OPERATION CENTER FOR A TELEVISION PROGRAM PACKAGING AND DELIVERY SYSTEM

An Operations Center for television entertainment systems that provide television programming to consumer homes is disclosed. The Operations Center organizes and packages television programming and program information for delivery to and from consumer homes. The Operations Center includes a computerized packaging system for creating a program control information signal.

SET TOP TERMINAL FOR CABLE TELEVISION DELIVERY SYSTEMS

A viewer interface for a television program delivery system is described. The innovation relates to methods and devices for viewer pathways to television programs. Specifically, the interface involves hardware and software used in conjunction with a television at the viewer home to create a user friendly menu based approach to television program access. The device is particularly useful in a program delivery system with hundreds of programs and a data signal carrying program information. The disclosure describes menu generation and menu selection of television programs.

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING BROADCAST PROGRAMS AND ACCESSING INFORMATION RELATING THERETO

... 2115772 9400842 PCTABS00030 Apparatus for providing auxiliary information of broadcast programs (100). The apparatus allows a user to instantaneously identify a broadcasting program by actuating a switch (116). An idenditification of the station broadcasting the program, the date and the time of the broadcasting program is registered in a memory upon actuation of the switch. The identification can then be sent to a center in which a schedule of the broadcast programs is stored, along with other auxiliary information which the respective broadcasters wish to provide. From the program identification, such information can then be retrieved and sent to the user. The identification information from the user is stored by the center and used to compile audience-monitoring statistics.

DIGITAL CABLE HEADEND FOR CABLE TELEVISION DELIVERY SYSTEM

Several cable headend (34) configurations that utilize digial technology are disclosed. The present invendon provides grater capability and flexibility than existing cable headends (34). Specifically, a modular design for a cable headend (34) and a combiner (104) component for cable headends (34) are disclosed. The invention is particularly useful in cable television program delivery systems transponding large numbers of digitally compressed signals. The combiner (104) disclosed allows cherry-picking of programs from transponded signals.

CUSTOMER PREMISES EQUIPMENT RECEIVES HIGH-SPEED DOWNSTREAM DATA OVER A CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM AND TRANSMITS LOWER SPEED UPSTREAM SIGNALING ON A SEPARATE CHANNEL

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a home controller receives signals from the cable television system and utilizes a cable demodulator tuned to the RF frequency of the channel which carries the data information. The cable demodulator demodulates the RF encoded signals into conventional baseband digital form which are transmitted to a packet receiver which decodes packets addressed to individual users. If a packet is addressed to the user, the packet receiver transmits the corresponding data such as by am ETHERNET transceiver to the user's personal computer. A communication controller may be utilized to provide an interface between the personal computer and the cable demodulator, thereby enabling the personal computer to select the channel to which the cable demodulator is tuned, in order to permit multiple data channels to be utilized.

INTELLIGENT DIGITAL AUDIOVISUAL PLAYBACK SYSTEM

Ce système de reproduction audio-visuelle déclenché par paiement de redevances est remarquable en ce qu'il est élaboré autour d'un dispositif à microprocesseur, d'une part comportant principalement des moyens de mémorisation, pour entre autres stocker, sous forme numérique, les informations visuelles et sonores à exploiter, et d'autre part associé, par l'intermédiaire d'interfaces, à des moyens de visualisation et des moyens de reproduction sonores permettant de créer un univers multimédia, l'ensemble étant géré au moyen d'un système d'exploitation multitâche incluant une librairie d'outils et de services intégrée dans les moyens de mémorisation. De plus, associé, par l'intermédiaire d'une interface, à un modem de télécommunications, ledit système peut être connecté à un réseau de distribution d'informations audio-visuelles au moyen du modem de télécommunications et de liaisons de télécommunications, cette fonction de télécommunications étant également gérée par le système d'exploitation ...

CALLER IDENTIFICATION FOR TELEVISION

A novel advanced set top terminal capable of digital decompression, menu generation, interactivity and other advanced functional capabilities for use in a television program delivery system (200) is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for upgrading existing set top terminals (220) to provide menu generation capability and advanced functional capabilities. The invention is particularly useful in television program delivery systems (200) with hundreds of channels of programming, providing (i) menu driven program selection through the addition of an upgrade module (300) or menu generation card and (ii) advanced functional capabilities using a set of hardware upgrades (e.g. 130) and/or an expansion card. Specifically, the invention is an upgradeable system that supports advanced set top functionality through the use of internal software, hardware upgrades, an upgrade module and/or expansion cards. The upgraded hardware generally includes a microprocessor, various input ...

Anordnung zur Übertragung der von entfernten Aussenstellen aufgenommenen Daten an eine Zentralstelle

Anlage zur Meinungsbefragung

Einrichtung zur Überwachung mehrerer digitaler Variabeln in Aussenstellen und Übertragung der Variabeln an eine Zentralstation

LOGICAL CIRCUIT FOR STEERING A MAJORITY OF SOLID SWITCHES, IN PARTICULAR IN A CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM.

Network controller for cable television delivery systems and method thereof

SYSTEME DE TELEVISION PAR CABLE DISTRIBUANT SELECTIVEMENT DES MESSAGES SONORES ET VIDEO PREENREGISTRES

L'INVENTION CONCERNE UN SYSTEME DE TELEVISION PAR CABLE 15 DISTRIBUANT SELECTIVEMENT DES IMAGES COMPLETES VIDEO PREENREGISTREES ET DES MESSAGES D'AUDIOFREQUENCE, COMPORTANT UN CENTRE DE TELEVISION 20, UN CABLE LONGUE DISTANCE 21, PLUSIEURS NOEUDS 25 DISPOSES LE LONG DU CABLE, UN CABLE DE DISTRIBUTION 31 PARTANT DE CHAQUE NOEUD ET ABOUTISSANT, VIA UN CABLE DE BRANCHEMENT 36, AU POSTE 45 DE TELEVISION D'UN ABONNE, UNE UNITE DE COMMANDE CENTRALE 28 COMPRENANT ENTRE AUTRES DES LECTEURS DE VIDEODISQUES ET DES MEMOIRES D'IMAGE COMPLETE AUDIO, UNE MEMOIRE 30 D'IMAGE COMPLETE VIDEO DISPOSEE A CHAQUE NOEUD ET EQUIPEE DE FACON A TRANSMETTRE DE MANIERE REPETEE L'IMAGE COMPLETE RECUE, QU'ELLE SELECTIONNE GRACE A UN CODAGE PARTICULIER DE L'INTERVALLE DE SUPPRESSION VERTICALE.

RECEIVER APPARATUS.

SYSTEM OF CABLE TELEVISION DISTRIBUTING SOUND AND VIDEO MESSAGES SELECTIVELY PREREGISTER

DATA COLLECTION AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

Telephone link establishment method for radio station phone-in

L'auditeur dispose d'un récepteur radio (3) et d'un poste téléphonique (5) relié au réseau RTC (7). Le média (1) diffuse un signal d'invitation au couplage microphonique du récepteur radio (3, 4) et du poste téléphonique (5, 51) de l'auditeur, - l'auditeur répond à l'invitation, puis - le média (1) diffuse un signal DTMF de connexion du poste téléphonique (5) de l'auditeur et du centre de réception des appels (9). Grâce au procédé, on peut sélectionner au hasard un auditeur pour lui offrir un dialogue en direct avec un présentateur.

PROCEDE DE COMMUNICATION POUR SYSTEME DE REPRODUCTION AUDIOVISUELLE NUMERIQUE INTELLIGENT

La présente invention concerne un procédé de communication pour système de reproduction audiovisuelle numérique intelligent. Le procédé de communication entre un serveur central et un juke-box informatisé est caractérisé en ce qu'il fonctionne dans un mode conférence et comporte les étapes suivantes: - envoi d'un entête avant toute transaction qui inclura l'identité de la cible de destination, l'identité de l'émetteur, et la taille des paquets; - la réponse du serveur envoyée sous forme de paquet de données chaque paquet envoyé par le serveur étant encrypté en utilisant le code d'identification du logiciel du juke-box; - la réception d'un paquet de donnée par le juke-box qui décrypte, le paquet effectue en même temps un contrôle des données reçues par la méthode CRC et envoie un accusé de réception au serveur indiquant l'exactitude des informations reçues, pour lui permettre de préparer et envoyer un nouveau paquet à destination de l'unité.

Apparatus and method for combining high bandwidth and low bandwidth data transfer

Interactive apparatus for providing a user access to remote data, the apparatus comprising: a low bandwidth network; a high bandwidth network; a data source for the remote data, the source being accessible via both the low bandwidth network and the high bandwidth network; user access means for receiving the remote data; coupling means for coupling the user access means to the data source, the coupling means including high bandwidth coupling means for coupling the user access means to the data source via the high bandwidth network and low bandwidth coupling means for coupling the user access means to the data source via the low bandwidth network; and coupling control means coupled to the user access means via the low bandwidth network and to the coupling means for responding to a first access command by causing the low bandwidth coupling means to bidirectionally couple the user access means to the source via the low bandwidth network and to a second access command by causing the high bandwidth ...

ELECTRONIC BALLOTTING

La présente invention concerne un dispositif et un procédé de vote électronique dans lequel les identités des candidats sont publiées en même temps que leur numéro téléphonique respectif. Les candidats peuvent, par exemple, participer à une émission concours mettant en jeu un talent, comme une émission de télévision, et les numéros téléphoniques respectifs sont publiés en étant inclus dans l'émission. Les téléspectateurs peuvent aussi envoyer, via l'Internet, des pages HTML contenant une information de vote à un serveur qui permet un comptage des votes reçus pour chaque candidat. Un multiplexeur permet de récupérer le nombre de réponses téléphoniques effectuées sur les numéros publiés ainsi que le nombre de votes reçus au serveur, et de présenter un résultat de vote. L'organisateur du vote, par exemple le producteur du programme de télévision, effectue un seul appel téléphonique, ou envoie une interrogation au moyen d'une page Web, au cours duquel, après autorisation, le résultat du vote ...

Logic circuits

A logic circuit is described for controlling a plurality of solid state switches in a wired broadcasting system. The circuit is arranged to distinguish between dialling and reset pulse signals applied to an input, and has a plurality of outputs to which the solid state switches are connected. The circuit sequentially switches the condition of the outputs in response to dial pulse signals, and resets the outputs to a datum condition in response to the reset pulse signal.

Evaluation of responses of participatory broadcast audience with prediction of winning contestants; monitoring, checking and controlling of wagering, and automatic crediting and couponing

A system and method for evaluating responses to broadcast programs, such as television programs, include an instructional signal modulated onto a signal transmitted concurrently with the television program, simulcast, or time-multiplexed with a television. At each of a plurality of remote receiving stations, one or more members of a remote audience has the opportunity to respond to a situation presented in the television program by entering a response on a keyboard. The system includes response evaluation circuitry which may be located at a central facility or partially at the central facility and partially at each remote receiving station, or completely within a response unit at each remote receiving station, in the latter case the response unit having a memory responsive to the instructional signal for storing acceptable responses, a comparison circuit for comparing responses entered at the keyboard with those stored in the memory, circuitry for scoring responses in accordance with commands ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUPERVISED DOWNLOADING OF BROADCAST DATA

There is disclosed a data processing system for receiving at least one of a user data file and an application program wirelessly transmitted from a central server. The data processing system comprises an RF transceiver for receiving in a forward channel blocks of data transmitted by the central server and transmitting to the central server in a reverse channel at least one of user input data and user commands. The blocks of data comprise the user data file and the application program. The data processing system further comprises a download controller for monitoring the received blocks of data and detecting therein corrupted data associated with a first block of data. The download controller, in response to the detection of the corrupted data, transmits to the central server via a wireline network a retransmission request capable of causing the central server to retransmit the first block of data.

RADIO TELEPHONE SYSTEM

PURPOSE: To listen suitably to the content of a command by using a telephone set used only for a talking with a normal opposite station and having only to dial a prescribed special number to start automatically a rewinding and reproduction circuit thereby simplifying the operation of the operator. CONSTITUTION: In reproducing the recorded content, when a number decided especially in a telephone set 2 is called, a line switch control circuit 10 discriminates its number to send a signal to reproduce it to a remote control circuit 8. A signal to rewind a tape up to the recording start point is given from the circuit 8 to a tape position control circuit 7, the reproducing circuit 6 supervises the end of rewinding and when the rewinding is finished, the content of recording is sent to the telephone set by the operation of the circuit 6. Thus, the content of command is reproduced quickly and surely by the simple operation of the operator and the management of a smooth disaster radio equipment ...

NOTICE BROADCASTING SYSTEM AND ITS TERMINAL DEVICE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable other subscribers to receive a music broadcast even in a notice broadcast. SOLUTION: The main channel and subchannel of a TV sound multiplex system are used. Music information (b) is always distributed from a CATV center 100 over the subchannel. A notice broadcast and a specific address (a) are sent from the terminal device 200 of a notifier to subscribers through the CATV center 100 when needed. The terminal device 300 of a subscriber receives notice information by changing the channel when the address is coincident and changes the channel again at the end of the notice information to receive the music broadcast. A terminal device 300 of a subscriber whose address is not coincident, receives the music broadcast continuously over the subchannel. Consequently, even when a specific terminal device receives the notice broadcast, the reception of the music information by other terminal devices is never interrupted. Further, the existent sound multiplex system ...

TRANSMITTING EQUIPMENT AND RECEIVING EQUIPMENT FOR TELEVISION SIGNAL

PURPOSE: To obtain an autodialing control device for automatically executing dialing operation of a telephone set by means of a telephone number displayed on a TV program. CONSTITUTION: Telephone information is superposed during the vertical blanking interval of a TV signal and transmitted by/from a broadcasting station side 1. A telephone information extracting part 26 on the receiving side 2 extracts the telephone information, a, memory 28 stores the information when it is effective information, and when a viewer turns on a switch 29, a telephone line switching part 31 is connected to an NTT side line 32. At the time of dialing the telephone number stored in the memory 28, a correct and quick calling can be attained. COPYRIGHT: (C)1993,JPO&Japio ...

СИСТЕМА И СПОСОБ, ПОЗВОЛЯЮЩИЕ ОСУЩЕСТВЛЯТЬ КОММЕРЧЕСКИЕ ОПЕРАЦИИ ПО ТЕЛЕВИДЕНИЮ ОДНОВРЕМЕННО ПО МНОЖЕСТВУ КАНАЛОВ И ДЛЯ МНОЖЕСТВА ПОСТАВЩИКОВ

... 1. Система обеспечения возможности интерактивной покупки по телевидению, по меньшей мере, для одного зрителя, содержащая первую подсистему, выполненную с возможностью осуществления подготовки телевизионной программы для обеспечения возможности покупки и передачи указанной телевизионной программы с обеспечением возможности покупки по кабельным каналам передачи видеосигнала, вторую подсистему, выполненную с возможностью приема указанной телевизионной программы с обеспечением возможности покупки, передаваемой по кабельным каналам передачи телевизионного сигнала и для представления ее, по меньшей мере, одному зрителю, причем вторая подсистема автоматически генерирует запрос, инициируемый, по меньшей мере, одним зрителем, на покупку по меньшей мере, одного предмета товара, содержавшегося в представленной телевизионной программе с обеспечением возможности покупки, и третью подсистему, предназначенную для приема запроса на покупку от второй подсистемы, выполненную с возможностью автоматической ...

Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Erzeugen von Programminformation und Empfängsgerät zur Bearbeitung von Nachrichten in einem Rundfunksystem

Signal reception and processing system for television, radio and/or data signals has memory within signal processing device used for holding services data

The signal reception and processing system has at least one antenna for reception of the television, radio and/or data signals and a signal processing device (6) containing a memory (58), e.g. CD-ROM disc, for storing services data, which is accessible via at least one external communications system, e.g. a fixed or mobile remote signal network.

AUFSATZ-ENDGERÄT FÜR KABELFERNSEHVERTEILSYSTEME

VERFAHREN UND VORRICHTUNG ZUR KODIERUNG/DEKODIERUNG VON GESENDETEN ODER AUFGEZEICHNETEN AUSSCHNITTEN UND ÜBERWACHUNG DER ZUHÖRERREAKTION DARAUF

GAME PLAYING SYSTEM

A community communications system

A communications system that combines the long distance capabilities of communications satellites 4, with a terrestrial local delivery format that incorporates a community processing facility 8 designed to eliminate the use of TV set top decoders and other electronics in the end user premises other than the conventional telephone and television sets which become integrated to give interactive capability, by multiplexing the telephones to coaxial cables 10 connected to a nearby processing point 8 which serves the proximate community with a range of wired and wireless communications services. The system also includes facilities for electronics funds transfers and responses from viewers to programmers or goods and service providers in other countries via a secure ordering, delivery and transfer system where the community point processes data and relays signals. The community facility 8 may also provide security services, relaying signals from end-user's monitoring equipment. ...

CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEMS SELECTIVELY DISTRIBUTING PRE-RECORDED VIDEO AND AUDIO MESSAGES

Storing data relating to television viewing

An arrangement is disclosed which stores data received via a mains wiring system from people monitoring means which produces information relating to the number of people watching a television set and/or from television channel detection means of a television monitoring system. The arrangement transmits such data to a remote computer by means of a telephone line (87) of a public telephone network upon interrogation by the computer. ...

Evaluation of responses of participatory broadcast audience with prediction of winning contestants

Data communications system

Method and apparatus for providing power to a coaxial cable network

INTERACTIVE SYSTEM AND PROCEDURE

NUMERIC, INTELLIGENT, AUDIOVISUAL REPRODUCTION SYSTEM

AUSWAHLUND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR AUDIOUND VIDEO INFORMATION AND PROCEDURE

CABLE TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION

ESSAY TERMINAL FOR CABLE TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

NETWORK PRICE INCREASE FOR CABLE TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM SELECTIVELY DISTRIBUTING PRE-RECORDED VIDEO AND AUDIO MESSAGES

Network controller for cable television delivery systems

Digital cable headend for cable television delivery system

Method for audience measurement of interactive applications broadcast or integrated on a television receiver decoder

Set top terminal for cable television delivery systems

WIRED BROADCAST SELECTING ARRANGEMENT

Interactive applications

Transaction based interactive television system

Evaluation of responses of participatory broadcast audience with prediction of winning contestants: monitoring, checking and controlling of wagering, and automatic crediting and couponing

ADVANCED SET TOP TERMINAL FOR CABLE TELEVISION DELIVERY SYSTEMS

A novel advanced set top terminal capable of digital decompression, menu generation, interactivity and other advanced functional capabilities for use in a television program delivery system (200) is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for upgrading existing set top terminals (220) to provide menu generation capability and advanced functional capabilities. The invention is particularly useful in television program delivery systems (200) with hundreds of channels of programming, providing (i) menu driven program selection through the addition of an upgrade module (300) or menu generation card and (ii) advanced functional capabilities using a set of hardware upgrades (e.g. 130) and/or an expansion card. Specifically, the invention is an upgradeable system that supports advanced set top functionality through the use of internal software, hardware upgrades, an upgrade module and/or expansion cards. The upgraded hardware generally includes a microprocessor, various input ...

CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM SELECTIVELY DISTRIBUTING PRE-RECORDER VIDEO AND AUDIO MESSAGES

CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM SELECTIVELY DISTRIBUTING PRE-RECORDED VIDEO AND AUDIO MESSAGES INVENTORS Terrence Henry POCOCK; Peter Johannes Maria COUMANS; Richard Michael McNORGAN; and George Maynard HART; A method of, and a system for, selectively delivering still television video with accompanying audio to home subscribers over a cable television system for advertising, promotional or educational purposes. A maximum number of home subscribers can interactively request presentations of their own choosing to be displayed on their home television sets. Only one standard television channel is required for transmission of still video with accompanying audio to serve 300 concurrent users. No equipment is required in the subscriber's home. The video is presented as still frames from one of a number of videodisc players, transmitted over one television channel during the appropriate time interval of 1/30th (or 1/25th) of a second. Such video frames, which may also contain overlaid graphics information ...

PROCEDE ET SYSTEME D'ACQUISITION ET DE TRANSMISSION D'INFORMATIONS SUR L'AUDIENCE DE PROGRAMMES TELEVISES

L'invention concerne l'acquisition et la transmission en temps réel d'informations sur l'audience des programmes télévisés, au moyen d'appareils de détection (10) associés aux postes de télévision (12) et reliés par le réseau téléphonique commuté (22) et le réseau TRANSPAC (28) à une unité de centralisation recueillant et traitant les informations transmises en temps réel par les appareils (10). FIGURE UNIQUE.

SET TOP TERMINAL FOR CABLE TELEVISION DELIVERY SYSTEMS

A viewer interface for a television program delivery system is described. The innovation relates to methods and devices for viewer pathways to television programs. Specifically, the interface involves hardware and software used in conjunction with a television at the viewer home to create a user friendly menu based approach to television program access. The device is particularly useful in a program delivery system with hundreds of programs and a data signal carrying program information. The disclosure describes menu generation and menu selection of television programs.

Customer Premises Equipment Receives High-Speed Downstream Data Over a Cable Television System and Transmits Lower Speed Upstream Signaling on a Separate Channel

DIGITAL CABLE HEADEND FOR CABLE TELEVISION DELIVERY SYSTEM

Several cable headend (34) configurations that utilize digital technology ar e disclosed. The present invention provides greater capability and flexibility than existing cable headends (34). Specifically, a modular design for a cable headend (34) and a combiner (104) component for cable headends (34) are disclosed. The invention is particularly useful in cable television program delivery systems transponding large numbers of digitally compressed program signals. The combiner (104) disclose d allows cherry-picking of programs from transponded signals.

TELEVISION PROGRAM DELIVERY SYSTEM

An expanded television program delivery system (200) is described which allows viewers to select televison and audio program choices from a series of menus. The primary components of the system include an operations center (202), a digital cable headend (208), and at least one set top terminal (220) having a remote control (900). The system allows for a great number of television signals to be transmitted by using digital compression techniques. A combined signal is transmitted over satellite to a cable headend (208), which may modify the combined signal for changes or additions in programming or menu content. The combined or modified signal is subsequently distributed to individual set top terminals (220) in the cable network (210). Menus are partially stored in a set top terminal (220) in each subscriber's home and may be reprogrammed by signals sent from the operations center (202) or headned (208). Numerous types of menus may be used, incorporating information included within the video ...

SYSTEM FOR ON-DEMAND REMOTE ACCESS TO A SELF-GENERATING AUDIO RECORDING, STORAGE, INDEXING AND TRANSACTION SYSTEM

The system allows radio broadcast listeners to use a telephone to connect to a database that contains prerecorded audio descriptions (e.g- spoken text and/or music) of material played by the radio station. The database is indexed by the radio station's program schedule or play list to allow the user to select a particular audio description of interest (e.g. the song currently airing, the song last played, etc.). Hearing the audio description over the telephone insures the listener that the requested selection is in fact correct. By using the telephone DTMF touch tone controls, the listener can place an order to purchase the selected material over the telephone.

HOME DIGITAL AUDIOVISUAL INFORMATION RECORDING AND PLAYBACK APPARATUS

La présente invention concerne un appareil domestique d'acquisition et de restitution de l'information numérique audiovisuelle élaboré autour d'un dispositif à microprocesseur associé par l'intermédiaire d'interface numérique à des moyens de visualisation et par une autre interface à des moyens de reproduction sonore et par une interface de télécommunication de charger les informations numériques constituant la sélection audio ou la sélection visuelle, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte des moyens de commande (1021 à 1025) permettant de contrôler un dispositif d'affichage et de sélectionner par l'intermédiaire d'un menu, un mode de fonctionnement parmi trois dans lesquels le dispositif, soit restitue une information mémorisée dans sa mémoire de masse, soit permet l'enregistrement dans sa mémoire de masse d'une nouvelle information numérisée, soit mixe aux informations numérisées délivrées par la mémoire de masse une information analogique délivrée par un microphone.

LOGGING INDIVIDUALS FOR TV MEASUREMENT COMPLIANCE

A TV audience survey system for determining the TV viewing activities of a plurality of individuals in a household includes a master device and multiple tags, each tag assigned to an individual. After an individual logs into the system and starts watching the TV, the master device communicates with the corresponding tag repeatedly to accumulate data representing the individual's TV viewing activities. Such data can be used to determine when the individual stops watching the TV for an extended period of time without logging out of the system and when the household member remains watching the TV after logging or being logged out of the system. The master device then reports the accumulated data to a remote server, which uses the data to determine whether the individual complies with the logging protocol defined by the TV audience survey system and update the TV viewership data associated with this household. 125-. (canceled)26. A method comprising:receiving, at a computer server, a plurality of TV audience records from a TV audience survey system, the TV audience survey system comprising a master device and one or more tags each associated with a respective individual, wherein a respective TV audience record includes an individual's TV viewing activities including generated status update entries based on locations of the one or more tags relative to the master device, the locations determined by a respective broadcast strength of signals sent by the one or more tags to the master device;receiving a plurality of TV broadcast records from the TV audience survey system, wherein a respective TV broadcast record includes an audio fingerprint derived from a TV program being broadcast at the household and an associated timestamp; andcorrelating the plurality of TV broadcast records with the plurality of TV audience records to generate TV viewership data for the individuals in the household based on the respective associated timestamps and based on the locations determined by ...

Method of and apparatus for optimal scheduling of television programming to maximize customer satisfaction

In a method of and apparatus for providing a list of optimal television programs for each individual, it is possible to give a computer center a subscriber's complaints about the individual television program list (timing table), through a telephone line or the like, without sending back a subscriber's recording medium to the computer center. The subscriber himself can correct his television timing table to control a TV or VCR when there is any program which he must, or would like to, watch. The subscriber can also specify a priority order to programs recorded during his absence in order to play back the recorded programs within a given time. The program contents of each TV station at any hour specified by the subscriber can be displayed in one picture, so that the subscriber can select any one among all programs of the same kind.

Broadcast confirmation system utilizing aural signal band

Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding brodcast or recorded segments and monitoring audience exposure thereto

Transaction based interactive television system

An interactive television system where interactive information is inserted in the vertical blanking interval of a standard television signal or some other appropriate medium. The signal is received and decoded by a settop device which sends the decoder signal, via an infrared signal, to a handheld device. The system includes an interactive program authoring system, and programmer tables in the memory of the handheld device which store data for the various interactive events. This system allows a viewer to enter and exit events at any time without having to wait for information to be downloaded and without losing scores. Furthermore, this system allows many interactive programs to run concurrently over extended periods of time while maintaining cumulative scores in the handheld for each interactive program or series of programs.

Real-time communication processing method, product, and apparatus

The present invention detects indicia, identifiers, or partial URLs to mark up in real time from input sources such as that of radio, television, cable, and other sources that have a digital, analog or digital/analog signal where text can be decoded from. A device receives a broadcast and decodes text data from the broadcast signal. The data is stored and words are parsed from the stored data. The words may be matched against a table of identifiers or rules to determine whether indicia have been detected. If not and it is determined that there is more data, then the next word may be parsed from the stored data. If an identifier or the like has been detected then it may be determined whether the word is a phone number. When the word is a phone number, the number is stored in a phone cache to speed-dial, auto-dial, generate a hyperdial link, or update a phone book. If the word is not a phone number, then it may be determined whether the word is a lottery number, stock symbol and price, zip code, e-mail, domain name, weather and any other indicia types that may be detected to perform an operative function.

Generation of enlarged participatory broadcast audience

A system and method for wagering and for evaluating responses to broadcast programs, such as television programs, includes an instructional signal modulated onto a signal transmitted concurrently with the television program, or time-multiplexed with a television. At each of a plurality of remote receiving stations, one or more members of a remote audience has the opportunity to respond to a situation presented in the television program by entering a response on a keyboard. The system includes, at each remote receiving station, a response unit having a memory responsive to the instructional signal for storing acceptable responses, a comparison circuit for comparing responses entered at the keyboard with those stored in the memory, circuitry for scoring responses in accordance with commands from the instructional signal, and a recording device for providing a permanent record of the audience score at the remote station. For conducting a sweepstakes, numbers or other responses are entered at the remote stations and are stored at a central facility for verification. Evaluation of a response may be performed at a central location or by a player's response unit. The program may be presented live conducted by a host at a central station, or by a prerecorded message accessible by telephone from a remote station with regulation from a central station, and may be transmitted via satellite simultaneously to numerous central stations for rebroadcast to an enlarged participatory audience.

Apparatus and method for broadcast program identification and program related information access

Receiving equipment and method, transmitting equipment and method, transmit-receive equipment and method

一种用于接收广播信号的接收设备，该广播信号是从发送侧发送的并包括由代表针对具体收看者的关于特定节目的信息的数据组成的个人化信息。该接收设备包括：用于从接收的广播信号中提取代表关于特定节目的信息的数据的提取单元；和用于根据代表关于特定节目信息的数据显示该关于特定节目信息的显示装置。

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUBSCRIBER INTERACTIVITY IN A TELEVISION SYSTEM

가입자 텔레비젼 시스템에서 대화 서비스를 제공하기 위한 시스템은 가입자 트랜젝션 식별 데이터, 트랜잭션 식별 데이터 및 트랜젝션 리턴 데이터를 저장하기 위한 제어기 메모리, 및 제어기 메모리에 결합되고 대화식 트랜잭션 데이터 및 트랜잭션 식별 데이터를 가지는 트랜잭션을 생성하기 위한 프로세서를 제어하기 위한 시스템 네트워크 제어기 (28)를 포함한다. 프로세서는 최소의 상기 트랜젝션 식별 데이터를 가지는 수신된 트랜잭션 리턴 데이터를 상호 관계시키고 그것으로부터 대략적인 데이터를 계산한다.

Response method for interactive broadcast program, remote control transmitter for response operation, response information transmitting device, interactive broadcast receiving device, and response information receiving device

TV operation condition monitoring transmission and evaluation method - is to provide data on operating times durations and program selection

A transmission outstation at the remote TV receiver records the required data and it is transmitted via the telephone network to the data processing centre. The data includes individual TV receiver identification. Individual device addresses and timing information may be included in TV transmissions. The cost effectiveness of the system may be improved by using a data store in the outstation and a time-clock dailling unit for the transfer of data periodically. The outstation may include a control processor. A keyboard may be added to record the identity of the viewer.

METHOD FOR TELEVISION OF RECORDED INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY MUSIC WORKS, AND IMPLEMENTATION SYSTEM

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ACQUIRING AND TRANSMITTING INFORMATION ON THE AUDIENCE OF TELEVISION PROGRAMS

L'invention concerne l'acquisition et la transmission en temps réel d'informations sur l'audience des programmes télévisés, au moyen d'appareils de détection 10 associés aux postes de télévision 12 et reliés par le réseau téléphonique commuté 22 et le réseau TRANSPAC 28 à une unité de centralisation recueillant et traitant les informations transmises en temps réel par les appareils 10. The invention relates to the acquisition and transmission in real time of information on the audience of television programs, by means of detection devices 10 associated with television sets 12 and linked by the switched telephone network 22 and the TRANSPAC network. 28 to a centralization unit collecting and processing the information transmitted in real time by the devices 10.

Systems, methods and devices for processing audio signals

Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method comprising a plurality of activities, comprising: via a CPE gateway: initiating a communications connection between an audio device coupled to the CPE gateway and a network coupled to the CPE gateway; and negotiating on behalf of the audio device with the network for a parameter associated with processing an audio signal to be transmitted across the network, the audio signal corresponding to a selected audio bandwidth from a plurality of audio bandwidths.

METHOD FOR MEASURING AUDIENCE OF INTERACTIVE BROADCASTED OR ON-BOARD APPLICATIONS ON A TELEVISION RECEIVER DECODER

IMPROVEMENTS TO LOGIC AND RELATIVE CIRCUITS

La présente invention concerne des circuits logiques pour commander plusieurs commutateurs à semi-conducteur. Le circuit logique est caractérisé par le fait qu'il combine : - une entrée à laquelle on applique, en cours d'utilisation, des signaux d'impulsions discernables de composition de numéro sur un cadran et de remise à zéro, - un certain nombre de sorties auxquelles sont connectés, en cours d'utilisation, les commutateurs à semi-conducteur respectifs, - des moyens destinés à distinguer entre eux les signaux de composition de numéro sur un cadran et les signaux de remise à zéro, - des moyens pour commuter de façon séquentielle la condition des sorties en réponse aux signaux d'impulsion de composition de numéro sur un cadran, - et des moyens pour remettre les sorties à une condition donnée en réponse au signal d'impulsion de remise à zéro. Application à la télévision par câble, notamment. The present invention relates to logic circuits for controlling multiple semiconductor switches. The logic circuit is characterized by the fact that it combines: - an input to which, in use, discernible pulse signals of dialing a number on a dial and reset are applied, - a certain number outputs to which are connected, in use, the respective semiconductor switches, - means for distinguishing between them the dialing signals on a dial and the reset signals, - means for switching sequentially condition the outputs in response to the dial pulse signals on a dial, - and means for resetting the outputs to a given condition in response to the reset pulse signal. Application to cable television, in particular.

Method and device for generating individual television program

Apparatus and method to generate and access broadcast information

A method and system for managing and providing information relating to radio and television telecasts and Internet datacasts. Listeners and viewers of radio, television or Internet telecasts or datacasts connect through a user interface, such as a telephone or computer terminal, to a database that contains descriptions relating to program information, program listings or other information with additional associated links. This descriptive information can be in the form of text, audio, video, data or combination thereof and may be stored in various formats and potentially stored on separate systems. The database can be indexed in various ways and may be indexed by a station's or datacaster's program schedule or play-list enabling a user to select a particular description of interest. Additionally, the database may be accessed by a selection of a program item contained within a program schedule or program listing.

Paid broadcasting system.

L'invention concerne un système (1, 2, 3, 4) de diffusion payante qui comprend: une station de diffusion (11, 12, 13; 21, 22; 31, 32) qui transmet un programme de diffusion; un centre de facturation (41) qui envoie, en réponse à une demande de vision ou de distribution effectuée (43) par l'intermédiaire d'un ligne téléphonique publique (42), un code d'autorisation de vision ou de distribution pour voir ou distribuer un programme payant, et collecte aussi une redevance pour ledit programme payant; et un dispositif récepteur (14, 15, 16; 23, 24; 33, 34, 35) qui débrouille le programme payant reçu selon ledit code d'autorisation de vision ou de distribution à la réception dudit code d'autorisation de vision. La station peut transmettre, avec un programme de diffusion, un numéro de programme ouvert ou non ouvert. A pay broadcast system (1, 2, 3, 4) includes: a broadcast station (11, 12, 13; 21, 22; 31, 32) which transmits a broadcast program; a billing center (41) which sends, in response to a vision or distribution request made (43) via a public telephone line (42), a vision or distribution authorization code to view or distribute a paid program, and also collects a fee for said paid program; and a receiving device (14, 15, 16; 23, 24; 33, 34, 35) which unscrambles the paid program received according to said vision authorization or distribution code upon receipt of said vision authorization code. The station can transmit, with a broadcast program, an open or unopened program number.

Information distribution system

In an information distribution system for a number of subscribers, particularly a cable television system, the subscriber stations (11) of which are equipped with centrally controlled switching devices (26, 27), the control signals to the switching devices (26, 27) are transmitted via the line system (17) via which the information is also transmitted. <IMAGE>

Information delivery system

이용자 단말기에 있어서의, 액세스 허가 정보 유무 판정에 추가하여, 유효기한을 판정한다.       In addition to the access permission information determination in the user terminal, the expiration date is determined. 정보 제공자로부터 이용자에 CD-ROM(42)을 제공한다. 통신 인터페이스부 (36)에 의해, 정보 식별 정보와 매체 식별 정보와 이용 주체 식별 정보를 이용자측로부터 정보 제공자측에 송출하고, 정보 제공자측에서, 상기 정보 식별 정보와 상기 매체 식별 정보와 상기 이용 주체 식별 정보에 기초하여, CD-ROM(42)의 정보를 이용자가 액세스하여 판독하는 것을 허가하는 액세스 허가 정보를 정보 제공자측으로부터 이용자측에 송출하여 기억되도록 한다. 이것에 의해, CD-ROM 판독장치(31)는 CD-ROM(42)으로부터 소정의 정보를 판독하는 것이 가능하게 된다. Provide the CD-ROM 42 to the user from the information provider. The communication interface unit 36 sends out the information identification information, the medium identification information, and the user identification information from the user side to the information provider side, and at the information provider side, the information identification information, the medium identification information, and the user principal. Based on the identification information, access permission information for allowing the user to access and read the information on the CD-ROM 42 is sent from the information provider side to the user side for storage. As a result, the CD-ROM reading apparatus 31 can read predetermined information from the CD-ROM 42.

Apparatus and method for combing high bandwidth and low bandwidth data transfer

Data gathering device

(57)【要約】本公報は電子出願前の出願データであるた め要約のデータは記録されません。

Apparatus and method for identifying broadcast programs and accessing information relating thereto

Apparatus for providing auxiliary information of broadcast programs (100). The apparatus allows a user to instantaneously identify a broadcasting program by actuating a switch (116). An idenditification of the station broadcasting the program, the date and the time of the broadcasting program is registered in a memory upon actuation of the switch. The identification can then be sent to a center in which a schedule of the broadcast programs is scored, along with other auxiliary information which the respective broadcasters wish to provide. From the program identification, such information can then be retrieved and sent to the user. The identification information from the user is stored by the center and used to compile audience-monitoring statistics.

System for providing information to subscribers via telephone lines

An information offering system allows users to obtain desired information readily without being swayed by their own level of skill. The information offering system is composed of a centre CE as an information offerer and user terminals TE which receive the offer of the information from the centre CE. The centre CE is provided with a transmission antenna AT for transmitting radio signals RF1 to a communication satellite SA. The communication satellite SA re-transmits radio signals RF2 to the terminal TE. Thereby, a satellite broadcasting network is constructed as a first communication mode for supplying partial information from the centre CE to the terminal TE. A communication network such as ISDN using a cable CA as a medium is also constructed between the centre CE and the terminal TE to be able to transmit whole information specified by the terminal TE from the centre CE to the terminal TE in a second communication mode by means of a line transmission mode.

Broadcast receiver, broadcast receiver method, broadcast transmitter, broadcast transmitter, broadcast receiver and broadcast receiver

본 발명은 비밀성을 확보하면서 각 시청자에게 개별정보를 제공하고, 많은 프로그램 중에서 프로그램 선택을 지원하기 위한 것이다. 특정한 시청자를 대상으로 편집된 개인화 정보로부터 확장정보 추출부(201)가 확장정보를 추출하고, 상기 확장정보에 포함되는 제어용 데이터에 근거하여, 처리부(28)가 프로그램 리스트 또는 상품 리스트 등을 표시한다. 시청자는 표시된 이들 리스트를 참조하여 프로그램의 수신을 결정하거나, 상품 구입 결정을 행할 수 있다. The present invention is to provide individual information to each viewer while ensuring confidentiality, and to support program selection among many programs. The extended information extracting unit 201 extracts the extended information from the personalized information edited for a specific viewer, and the processing unit 28 displays a program list, a product list, or the like based on the control data included in the extended information. . The viewer can refer to these displayed lists and decide to receive the program or make a product purchase decision.

Cable television system selectively distributing pre-recorded video and audio message

내용 없음. No content.

Interactive broadcasting system

An interactive broadcast system is provided where customers can order goods or services from vendors. The system requires that each customer have a messaging device (11) which can automatically cll via a telephone land line or other communication system a call collection company (an indication transfer means) and wherein the call collection company can process data sent by the customer from the messaging device (11) to, in turn, provide information to particular vendors so that the vendors can, in turn, supply goods or services back to the particular customer. The system also has application in cable TV environments where a person may wish to interrogate a boadcasting station to, in turn, select particular programs for viewing. A messaging device (11) is provided which will call a call collection company (indication transfer means) at the television station, such as a cable TV provider. The messaging device (11) will permit signals to be transmitted to negotiate menu options provided selectively back to each customer via the cable TV service. Once a menu option is chosen then the cable TV provider can provide the television program material to the customer.

Method and apparatus for encoding / decoding a broadcast or recording segment and monitoring its viewing

Methods and apparatus for encoding / decoding broadcast or recorded segments and monitoring viewer exposure to such segments

방송 또는 기록된 세그멘트신호의 정보를 엔코딩하고 디코딩하는 방법과 장치가 기술된다. 양호한 실시예에 있어서, 시청자 모니터링 시스템은 확산 스펙트럼 엔코딩(100)을 사용하여 방송 또는 기록된 세그멘트의 음성부에서 식별 정보 X(w)를 엔코딩한다. 개인용 모니터링 장치(200)는 마이크로폰(230)을 통해 방송 또는 기록된 신호의 음향적으로 재생된 버전을 수신하고, 심각한 주변 잡음에도 불구하고 음성 신호부로부터 식별 정보를 디코딩해서 이 정보를 저장하며(260), 그 후에 중앙 데이터 처리 장치로 업로드되는 시청자 일원에 대한 다이어리를 자동적으로 제공하고 있다. 별개의 모니터링 장치(700)는 방송 신호로부터 추가 정보를 디코딩하고, 이 방송신호는 중앙 데이터 처리장치에서 시청자 다이어리 정보와 매칭된다. 이 모니터(700)는 다이얼-업 전화망을 사용하여 중앙 데이터 처리 장치로 데이터를 동시에 전송할 수도 있고, 확산 스펙트럼 기술을 사용하여 엔코딩되고 제3자로부터 방송 신호로 변조된 신호를 통해 중앙 데이터 처리 장치로부터 데이터를 수신할 수도 있다. A method and apparatus are described for encoding and decoding information of broadcast or recorded segment signals. In a preferred embodiment, the viewer monitoring system uses spread spectrum encoding 100 to encode identification information X (w) in the voice portion of the broadcast or recorded segment. The personal monitoring device 200 receives an acoustically reproduced version of the broadcast or recorded signal via the microphone 230, decodes the identification information from the voice signal section and stores this information despite severe ambient noise ( 260) and automatically provides a diary for a viewer member that is then uploaded to the central data processing unit. A separate monitoring device 700 decodes additional information from the broadcast signal, which is matched with viewer diary information in the central data processing unit. The monitor 700 may simultaneously transmit data to the central data processing unit using a dial-up telephone network, and from the central data processing unit via a signal encoded using spread spectrum technology and modulated into a broadcast signal from a third party. You can also receive data.

Audio-video- or data server using telephone lines

A system for offering a large amount of information such as images and musics safely, accurately, effectively and at low cost is provided. In the system, a CD-ROM 42 is offered from an information offerer to an user. An user ID is transmitted from the user to the information offerer through a communication interface section 36. When the user ID is determined to be an ID of a legitimate user by the information offerer, access authorizing information which authorizes the user to access to and read information in the CD-ROM 42 is transmitted from the information offerer to the user. Thereby, a CD-ROM reader 31 can read the predetermined information from the CD-ROM 42.

Apparatus for interconnection of TV and information service through telephone network

System for On-Demand Remote Access to a Self-Generating Audio Recording, Storage, Indexing and Transaction System

The system allows radio broadcast listeners to use a telephone to connect to a database that contains prerecorded audio descriptions (e.g- spoken text and/or music) of material played by the radio station. The database is indexed by the radio station's program schedule or play list to allow the user to select a particular audio description of interest (e.g. the song currently airing, the song last played, etc.). Hearing the audio description over the telephone insures the listener that the requested selection is in fact correct. By using the telephone DTMF touch tone controls, the listener can place an order to purchase the selected material over the telephone.

Television viewer data collection system

TELEVISION VIEWER DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A data storage and transmission system is provided for accumulating and transmitting data from a plurality of remote T.V. panelist locations to a central location. Each remote unit includes a microprocessor, a control memory, and a data store memory. The control memory stores control information for the remote unit, which may include dynamic allocation information. The data store memory is event driven and stores data as to television channel selection and times thereof, and can store viewer reaction data and the like. At a preselected time, each remote unit initiates a telephone call to a central location and identifies itself. Upon successful telephone connection between a remote unit and the central location, any data such as viewer habit and/or reaction data and the like contained in the data store memory is transmitted over the telephone line to the central location.

Cable television systems

Cable television system selectively distributing pre-recorded video and audio messages

ABSTRACT A method of, and a system for, selectively delivering still television video with accompanying audio to home subscribers over a cable television system for advertising, promotional or educational purposes. A maximum number of home subscribers can interactively request presentations of their own choosing to be displayed on their home television sets. Only one standard television channel is required for transmission of still video with accompanying audio to serve 300 concurrent users. No equipment is required in the subscriber's home. The video is presented as still frames from one of a number of videodisc players, transmitted over one television channel during the appropriate time interval of 1/30th (or 1/25th) of a second. Such video frames, which may also contain overlaid graphics information, are uniquely addressed to a remote storage device. Unused bandwidth is used for the transmission of up to 300 discrete audio messages. The remote storage device identifies the appropriate video still frame, stores it, combines it with the corresponding audio message and conveys both to the home subscribers' television on a pre-selected channel. By uniquely addressing video frames to the remote storage device, either 30 (or 25) different video frames per second can be conveyed on on television channel to 30 (or 25) different remote storage devices for retransmission to home subscribers. Thus, if a home subscriber sees a given still video frame for 10 seconds, his remote storage device need not be updated for those 10 seconds, enabling the system to transmit 300 (10 seconds x 30/second) different video frames to 300 other remote storage devices, thereby serving 300 concurrent users.

Program information creating method and apparatus and information processing apparatus for broadcasting system

프로그램 정보 작성 장치(13)가 주관 프로그램(subjective program)의 프로그램 정보 이외에 주관 프로그램과 동일한 프로그램 그룹에 속하는 다음 프로그램의 프로그램 정보를 방송한다. 방송 수신 장치(20)가 주관 프로그램의 수신된 프로그램 정보에 의거하여 다음 프로그램의 프로그램 정보를 표시함으로써, 시청자는 일련의 프로그램들의 각 이벤트를 시청하는 도중에 그 내용을 체크한 후 다음 프로그램을 예약할 수 있게 한다. The program information creating device 13 broadcasts the program information of the next program belonging to the same program group as the main program in addition to the program information of the subjective program. By displaying the program information of the next program on the basis of the received program information of the supervisory program, the viewer can check the contents of the series of programs while watching each event and reserve the next program Let's do it.

Transaction based interactive television system

An interactive television system where interactive information is inserted in the vertical blanking interval of a standard television signal or some other appropriate medium. The signal is received and decoded by a settop device which sends the decoder signal, via an infrared signal, to a handheld device. The system includes an interactive program authoring system, and programmer tables in the memory of the handheld device which store data for the various interactive events. This system allows a viewer to enter and exit events at any time without having to wait for information to be downloaded and without losing scores. Furthermore, this system allows many interactive programs to run concurrently over extended periods of time while maintaining cumulative scores in the handheld for each interactive program or series of programs.

DEVICE FOR ACQUIRING AND TRANSMITTING AUDIO OR AUDIO SIGNALS AND METHOD USING THE SAME

La présente invention concerne un dispositif d'acquisition et de transmission de signaux sonores ou audio et procédé mettant en oeuvre ce dispositif. Dispositif caractérisé en ce qu'il est principalement constitué, d'une part, par une pluralité de modules d'enregistrement locaux (1), composés, chacun, essentiellement de circuits (2, 3, 4) de traitement et de conversion numérique de signaux audio, de circuits (5) de mémorisation numériques de grande capacité et de circuits (6, 7) de conversion analogique et de connexion à au moins une ligne du réseau téléphonique commuté (8) et, d'autre part, par une ou plusieurs unité(s) (9) d'évaluation et de contrôle, commandant le fonctionnement des différents modules d'enregistrement locaux (1) et centralisant les données, correspondant à des signaux audio, issues de ces derniers, ce par l'intermédiaire du réseau téléphonique commuté (8).

Information distribution and processing system

An information distribution and processing system uses a transmitter to deliver a set of digital data and a bi-directional channel for allowing a user to obtain additional information. The additional information is stored in a database. The set of digital data contains a first set of displayable data, a second set of displayable data, at least one non-displayable symbol, and at least one linking reference associated with the second set of displayable data. If desired, the user can select the second set of displayable data. The associated linking reference is sent to the database via the bi-directional channel. The database uses the selected linking reference to search for information, and returns the requested information to the user.

Radio receiving and transmitting device and method of receiving and transmitting radio signals

A radio receiving and transmitting device (27) includes a receiver (50) receiving a radio signal (24) carrying an audio and a data component, a memory (54) coupled to the receiver (50) and storing at least some data from the data component, and a transmitter (56) in communication with the memory (54). The transmitter (56) transmits at least some of the data in the memory (54) over a wireless communication system control channel. A method of accessing information via a wireless communication system comprising the steps of receiving a message including a wireless subscriber number and radio broadcast data at a communication unit within the wireless communication system, mapping the wireless subscriber number into a wireless subscriber computer network address; and transmitting the radio broadcast data and the computer address to a radio broadcast data system (20) in communication with the wireless communication system.

Recording information remote distance distributing method and system for performing same method

(57)【要約】本公報は電子出願前の出願データであるた め要約のデータは記録されません。

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CAPTURING, TRANSMITTING AND PROCESSING TECHNICAL INFORMATION RELATING TO THE BEHAVIOR OF TELESPECTORS IN THE USE OF TELEVISIONS, TO DATE

Data distribution system, distribution equipment, terminal equipment and data distribution method

In a data distribution system for distribution of music data from an information service center to remote user terminal equipment, the music data distributed to the user's terminal is divided into an outline data part representing an outline of the music data and a supplement data part recombinable with the outline part to restore the music data. The outline and supplement parts are time-division transmitted to the terminal equipment. Even if the terminal equipment receives data at a low transfer rate it can receive the outline part first and reproduce, for continuous monitoring, the music data being downloaded.

Cable Television System

A method of, and a system for, selectively delivering still television video with accompanying audio to home subscribers over a cable television system for advertising, promotional or educational purposes. A maximum number of home subscribers can interactively request presentations of their own choosing to be displayed on their home television sets. Only one standard television channel is required for transmission of still video with accompanying audio to serve 300 concurrent users. No equipment is required in the subscriber's home. The video is presented as still frames from one of a number of videodisc players, transmitted over one television channel during the appropriate time interval of 1/30th (or 1/25th) of a second. Such video frames, which may also contain overlaid graphics information, are uniquely addressed to a remote storage device. Unused bandwidth is used for the transmission of up to 300 discrete audio messages. The remote storage device identifies the appropriate video still frame, stores it, combines it with the corresponding audio message and conveys both to the home subscribers' television on a pre-selected channel. By uniquely addressing video frames to the remote storage device, either 30 (or 25) different video frames per second can be conveyed on one television channel to 30 (or 25) different remote storage devices for retransmission to home subscribers. Thus, if a home subscriber sees a given still video frame for 10 seconds, his remote storage device need not be updated for those 10 seconds, enabling the system to transmit 300 (10 secondsx30/second) different video frames to 300 other remote storage devices, thereby serving 300 concurrent users.

Transmission monitoring system and method

A system and method that overcomes the deficiencies of prior television/multimedia system integrity monitoring schemes by providing a system and method wherein a remote field component receives a test signal from a given source via a particular signal path, and, in response, provides feedback indicative of the received test signal to the source via a standard voiceband telephone connection. This enables the invention to facilitate simple, economical real-time testing/monitoring of television/multimedia distribution systems. The invention is particularly suited to television/multimedia systems that employ terrestrial cables as a means to distribute signals to end-users or remote nodes, but can also be applied to wireless signal distribution systems.

Transmitter/receiver matching method of mugungwa satellite broadcasting

본 발명은 무궁화 위성방송의 송/수신기 정합 방법에 관한 것으로, 수신기에서 프로그램 조합 테이블을 찾은 후 그 테이블에서 해당 프로그램 번호를 찾아내 수신기 제어 메시지 패킷 번호를 추출하고, 추출된 패킷 번호를 이용하여 수신기 제어 메시지를 추출한다. 수신기 제어 메시지에 의해 공중전화망과 공중데이터망 번호를 추출하고, 수신기에서 네트워크 정보 테이블 구조를 찾은 후 이벤트 정보 테이블 구성 지시자에서 원하는 시간대의 이벤트 정보 테이블 패킷 번호를 찾아서 해당 이벤트 정보 테이블 구조를 찾아낸다. 이벤트 정보 테이블 구조 안에 비디오 예약 녹화 지시자를 삽입하여 해당 프로그램의 고유번호를 제공하여 예약 녹화를 할 수 있도록 하고, 이벤트 정보 테이블 구조 안에 프로그램 가격 정보를 전달할 수 있는 가격 정보 지시자 구조를 삽입하여 프로그램 가격 정보를 전달 할 수 있도록 하며, 이벤트 정보 테이블 구조안에 자막 정보 지시자를 삽입하여 프로그램을 시청하기전에 자막정보를 제공할 수 있도록 한다. The present invention relates to a receiver / receiver matching method of a H.264 satellite broadcast, in which a receiver finds a program combination table, finds a corresponding program number in the table, extracts a receiver control message packet number, And extracts the control message. The public telephone network and the public data network number are extracted by the receiver control message, the network information table structure is found in the receiver, and the event information table packet number of the desired time zone is found in the event information table configuration indicator to find the corresponding event information table structure. It is possible to insert a video schedule recording indicator into the event information table structure to provide a unique number of the program to enable scheduled recording and to insert a price information indicator structure capable of delivering program price information into the event information table structure, And inserts a caption information indicator in the event information table structure so that caption information can be provided before watching the program.

Patent JPS6315779B2

Information provision method that can reduce data communication charges and information provision system implementing this method

규칙적 또는 불규칙적 간격으로 갱신되는 원정보의 세트로부터의 정보를, 전송(轉送)될 데이터의 유형, 데이터의 제공에 관한 사용자의 특정 선호도, 데이터 통신 네트워크의 현재 동작 상태 등에 따라서 선택될 수 있는 데이터 전송(傳送) 경로(18)를 통해 정보 제공 장치(1)로부터 각 이용자의 각 정보 수신 장치(2)로 제공하는 정보 제공 방법 및 시스템에 관한 것이다. 고정(framework) 데이터의 세트는, 적당히 긴 기간에 걸쳐 제공될 원정보를 모니터함으로써 간헐적으로 갱신되는 데이터로서 선택되고, 정보 제공 장치 및 정보 수신 장치에 저장된다. 그 후에, 고정 데이터의 새로운 세트가 선택될 때까지, 새로이 갱신된 원정보 및 고정 데이터 간의 소정의 차분이 변동 데이터로서 얻어지고, 각 정보 수신 장치로 전송(傳送)되어 저장되며, 이 정보 수신 장치는 국부적으로 저장된 고정 데이터 및 변동 데이터의 적절한 일부분을 조합함으로써 사용자로부터의 요청에 대해 원하는 데이터를 재구성할 수 있어, 정보 수신 장치로 전송되어야 하는 데이터량을 최소화한다.

PROCEDURE FOR USING DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION AND CABLE PLANT AND EQUIPMENT FOR EXERCISING THE PROCEDURE

Patent TW224554B

A television system with acoustic back-link

An interactive television system having a television or TVPC or any other addressable television terminal (STB), the system being operable to use an acoustic back-link to enable communication between the television terminal (STB) and a remote service provider. The television terminal (STB) is operable to generate acoustic signals that are representative of an interactive viewer selection. These acoustic signals are forwarded to a service provider (12) via an audio telephonic link. Responses to the viewer initiated acoustic signals are forwarded from the service provider (12) to the viewer via a television network (14).

Method and apparatus for producing program information and receiving apparatus for processing the information in a broadcast system

A program information producing apparatus (13) broadcasts a subjective program with viewing requirements and a related promotion program which are scheduled in a same time slot, and produces and broadcasts program information for each of the subjective and promotion programs (Fig. 11) so as to include linking information for correlating the subjective and promotion programs. A broadcast receiving apparatus (20) cancels a display of the subjective program when the viewing requirements are not fulfilled and replaces the display of the subjective program by a display of the promotion program linked to the subjective program (Fig. 12).

Information processing apparatus and method, information processing system, and transmission medium

When a user gets interested in some music he/she listens to somewhere, for example, in a coffee shop, the user records that music in a memory provided in a portable terminal. A processor reads the information stored in the memory and performs a predetermined process on it. The resultant information is stored on a storage device. The information stored on the storage device is then transferred to a server via a communication device. The server searches the database for the title of the music corresponding to the received information, and returns the result to the terminal. Thus, the user can easily get information about the title of the music.

Television audience interaction system

A systems for inserting feedback from members of the viewing public into a television program. Viewers submit reactions to programming in realtime in the form of spoken messages, text messages, or graphics which are incorporated into the program being watched or into a separate program broadcast subsequently. The invention has many applications in the entertainment industry, including, for example, making television programs more entertaining and creating an extra revenue source for broadcasters.

Method and apparatus for producing program information and receiving apparatus for processing the information in a broadcast system

A program information producing apparatus (13) broadcasts program information of a subjective program of a program group, wherein the program information of the subjective program includes information of a spare program as to whether the spare program will be broadcasted or not (Figs. 5, 6). A broadcast receiving apparatus (20) receives the program information of the subjective program sent from the program information producing apparatus (13) and displays the spare program on a program table (Figs. 7, 8) based on the received program information, thereby allowing a viewer to make a reservation of the spare program.

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CODING / DECODING TRANSMITTED OR RECORDED CUT-OUTS AND MONITORING THE READER'S REACTION THEREFOR

Reception apparatus, reception method, transmission apparatus, transmission-reception apparatus, and transmission-reception method

Information processing apparatuses for extracting first linkage reference if a second set of displayable set is selected

An information distribution and processing system uses a transmitter to deliver a set of digital data and a bi-directional channel for allowing a user to obtain additional information. The additional information is stored in a database. The set of digital data contains a first set of displayable data, a second set of displayable data, at least one non-displayable symbol, and at least one linking reference associated with the second set of displayable data. If desired, the user can select the second set of displayable data. The associated linking reference is sent to the database via the bi-directional channel. The database uses the selected linking reference to search for information, and returns the requested information to the user.

Patent FR2371093B1

Apparatus for a system that provides interactive services in a pay-TV system method to provide interactive services between a central source and a subscriber terminal of a pay-TV system method for communicating interactive information between a central source and a subscriber terminal a pay-TV system and subscriber terminal for communicating interactive information between a central source and the subscriber terminal for use with a subscription television system

PROCEDURE FOR CAPTURING, TRANSFERRING AND PROCESSING TECHNICAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TELEVISION SWITCH-ON BEHAVIOR OF TELEVISION USERS

CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM SELECTIVELY DISTRIBUTING PRE-RECORDED SOUND AND VIDEO MESSAGES

SYSTEM FOR MEASURING THE LISTENING RATE OF EMISSIONS FROM A STATION

Broadcast type network kara OK system containing supplement communication channels

网络卡拉OK系统中，中心站发送歌曲数据，多个卡拉OK终端接收歌曲数据。该中心站含有：广播歌曲数据的第一发送机；响应于各个卡拉OK终端的请求时个别地向各个卡拉OK终端发送歌曲数据的第二发送机。各卡拉OK终端含有：接收中心站所广播的歌曲数据的第一接收机；探测什么时候第一接收机没有能成功地接收到广播的歌曲数据，以通知中心站关于重新发送歌曲数据的请求的探测器；接收中心站的第二发送机在响应于该请求时所重新发送的歌曲数据的第二接收机。

Cable Television System

A method of, and a system for, selectively delivering still television video with accompanying audio to home subscribers over a cable television system for advertising, promotional or educational purposes. A maximum number of home subscribers can interactively request presentations of their own choosing to be displayed on their home television sets. Only one standard television channel is required for transmission of still video with accompanying audio to serve 300 concurrent users. No equipment is required in the subscriber's home. The video is presented as still frames from one of a number of videodisc players, transmitted over one television channel during the appropriate time interval of 1/30th (or 1/25th) of a second. Such video frames, which may also contain overlaid graphics information, are uniquely addressed to a remote storage device. Unused bandwidth is used for the transmission of up to 300 discrete audio messages. The remote storage device identifies the appropriate video still frame, stores it, combines it with the corresponding audio message and conveys both to the home subscribers' television on a pre-selected channel. By uniquely addressing video frames to the remote storage device, either 30 (or 25) different video frames per second can be conveyed on one television channel to 30 (or 25) different remote storage devices for retransmission to home subscribers. Thus, if a home subscriber sees a given still video frame for 10 seconds, his remote storage device need not be updated for those 10 seconds, enabling the system to transmit 300 (10 secondsx30/second) different video frames to 300 other remote storage devices, thereby serving 300 concurrent users.

System and method for playing games and rewarding successful players

A system and method for evaluating responses to broadcast programs, such as television programs, includes an instructional signal modulated onto a signal transmitted concurrently with the television program, or time-multiplexed with television signals. At each of a plurality of remote receiving stations, one or more members of a remote audience has the opportunity to respond to a task or situation presented in the television program by entering a response vocally or on a keyboard. The system may include a video game machine suitable for playing commercially available games such as an NINTENDO game or a SEGA game, and wherein such game may be played back from a recording. The system includes response evaluation circuitry, a memory responsive to the instructional signal for storing acceptable responses, a comparison circuit for comparing responses entered at the keyboard with those stored in the memory, circuitry for scoring responses in accordance with commands from the instructional signal, and a recording device for providing a permanent record of the audience score at the remote station. Electronic circuitry for evaluation and scoring purposes may be located at a remote station and/or a central location. Multiple players at a common game may be ranked in their performance, and games may be interrupted for a sponsor's message, and wherein a response to the message may serve as a basis for an enhanced score.

Method and apparatus for providing power to a coaxial cable network

전력을 포함한 광섬유/동축케이블 전화통신 네트워크에 관한 것이다. 전력은 화상네트워크의 동축케이블부를 통해 케이블 네트워크에 공급되며, 여기서 전력은 변환되고 가입자 구역장치를 포함하는 장치에 공급된다. A fiber / coaxial telephony network containing power. Power is supplied to the cable network through the coaxial cable portion of the video network, where power is converted and supplied to the device including the subscriber area device.

SYSTEM

Offenbart ist ein System zur Kommunikation zwischen Verkehrsteilnehmern, dass es zumindest zwei Verkehrsteilnehmern ermöglicht, direkt oder über den Umweg einer stationären Vorrichtung und/oder eines Netzwerks miteinander zu kommunizieren und Daten auszutauschen. Disclosed is a system for communication between road users that allows at least two road users to communicate directly or via the detour of a stationary device and / or a network and to exchange data.

Receiving equipment and method, transmitting equipment and method, transmit-receive equipment and method

一种接收设备和方法、发送设备和方法、发送接收设备和方法，用于发送-接收广播信号，该广播信号是从发送侧发送的并包括由代表针对具体收看者的关于特定节目的信息的数据组成的个人化信息。该接收设备包括：分离处理装置，用于从所接收的广播信号中分离出所述个人化信息；解码装置，用于解码所述个人化信息，并提取消息和密钥信息；提取装置，用于从所述接收的消息中提取代表关于所述特定节目的所述信息的所述数据；处理装置，用于对所述密钥信息和代表关于所述特定节目的所述信息的所述数据进行处理；和显示装置，用于在代表关于所述特定节目的所述信息的所述经处理的数据的基础上显示关于所述特定节目的所述信息和来自所述解码装置的所述消息。

Interactive broadcast system and reply system

Data distribution system, distribution equipment, terminal equipment, and data distribution method

In a data distribution system for service of a music data from an information service center to a terminal equipment remote from the information service center, the music data to be served to the user's terminal is divided into an outline data part permitting to know the outline of the music data and a supplement data part recombinable with the outline part, to restore the complete music data, the outline and supplement parts are time-division transmitted to the terminal equipment. Even if the terminal equipment can receive a data only at a low transfer rate, it can receive the outline part first and reproduce, for continuous monitoring, the music date being downloaded for monitoring.

Recording schedule reservation system

There is disclosed a recording schedule reservation system for reserving a recording schedule of a broadcasting program through a network with an enhanced operating capability by enabling recording of a broadcasting program to be scheduled for a video recording/reproducing apparatus such as a home video recorder by utilizing an externally portable telephone or the like, and the system comprises: a program information server connected to a network, having broadcasting program information and client's information; a video recording/reproducing apparatus having a function to access the program information server to reserve a recording schedule of a predetermined program; and a information terminal apparatus which accesses the program information server to browse broadcasting program information and is capable of selecting any desired broadcasting program, in which the program information server enables the video recording/reproducing apparatus to reserve the recording schedule of the selected broadcasting program selected by the data communicating terminal apparatus.

Information distribution and processing system

A method for delivering computer code to a plurality of processing units is disclosed. A first set of digital data is distributed to the plurality of processing units. The first set of digital data is unencrypted and comprises a first set of computer code and an identification label. The first set of code is executable by the plurality of processing units. At least one of the processing units sends the identification label to a remote station. The remote station then encrypts a second set of computer code and delivers the encrypted code to the requesting processing unit. The requesting processing unit can decrypt the encrypted computer code.

Network karaoke system of broadcast type having supplementary communication channel

In a network karaoke system, a center station transmits song data, and a plurality of karaoke terminals communicate with the center station to receive therefrom the song data so that each karaoke terminal can provide a karaoke service based on the received song data. The center station has a first transmitter that broadcasts the song data to transmit the same simultaneously to all of the karaoke terminals, and a second transmitter that responds to a request from each karaoke terminal to individually transmit the song data to each karaoke terminal. Each karaoke terminal has a first receiver that is capable of receiving the song data broadcasted by the center station, a detector that detects when the first receiver has failed to receive the broadcasted song data for communicating with the center station to notify thereto the request for re-transmission of the song data, and a second receiver that receives the song data re-transmitted from the second transmitter of the center station in response to the request.

Television viewer data collection system

A data storage and transmission system is provided for accumulating and transmitting data from a plurality of remote T.V. panelist locations to a central location. Each remote unit includes a microprocessor, a control memory, and a data store memory. The control memory stores control information for the remote unit, which may include dynamic allocation information. The data store memory is event driven and stores data as to television channel selection and times thereof, and can store viewer reaction data and the like. At a preselected time, each remote unit initiates a telephone call to a central location and identifies itself. Upon successful telephone connection between a remote unit and the central location, any data such as viewer habit and/or reaction data and the like contained in the data store memory is transmitted over the telephone line to the central location.

Cable television system selectively distributing pre-recorded video and audio messages

A method of, and a system for, selectively delivering still television video with accompanying audio to home subscribers over a cable television system for advertising, promotional or educational purposes. A maximum number of home subscribers can interactively request presentations of their own choosing to be displayed on their home television sets. Only one standard television channel is required for transmission of still video with accompanying audio to serve 300 concurrent users. No equipment is required in the subscriber's home. The video is presented as still frames from one of a number of videodisc players, transmitted over one television channel during the appropriate time interval of 1/30th (or 1/25th) of a second. Such video frames, which may also contain overlaid graphics information, are uniquely addressed to a remote storage device. Unused bandwidth is used for the transmission of up to 300 discrete audio messages. The remote storage device identifies the appropriate video still frame, stores it, combines it with the corresponding audio message and conveys both to the home subscribers' television on a pre-selected channel. By uniquely addressing video frames to the remote storage device, either 30 (or 25) different video frames per second can be conveyed on one television channel to 30 (or 25) different remote storage devices for retransmission to home subscribers. Thus, if a home subscriber sees a given still video frame for 10 seconds, his remote storage device need not be updated for those 10 seconds, enabling the system to transmit 300 (10 secondsx30/second) different video frames to 300 other remote storage devices, thereby serving 300 concurrent users.

A telecommunication system

In a telecommunication system (1) a central receiving unit (2) is coupled with several devices (4) via a transmission network (3), which devices (4) transmit data input with the aid of data input means (8) to the central receiving unit (2), usually within a short period of time. The data transmitted has at least partly been created on the basis of interactive communication with for example a television programme (6) being broadcast. The data to be transmitted is stored in a temporary memory (10) of the device (4), in groups accessible for being read jointly. The device (4) comprises a local processing unit (9) coupled with the temporary memory (10), by means of which said joint reading is started on command and the groups of input data are made ready for being transmitted contiguous thereto. Due to the resulting compact set-up of the data to be transmitted the transmission network (3) is occupied only briefly and congestion problems are reduced.

Method for establishing a telecommunication connection

The first subscriber (TLN1) has a receiver (REE) detecting signals (TV,A2) from a broadcast transmitter (RSE). Signals are transmitted to a display (AE) and call signals (R(A1,A2)) are transmitted to an interface (GW). The signals are transmitted to connection modules (VK). Signals (V) are sent through the network (TN) to end connections (TE1,TE2) in the first and second (TLN2) subscribers.

Method and apparatus for providing power to a coaxial cable network

A fiber optic/coaxial cable telephony network including power. Power is supplied through the coaxial cable portion of the video network to a cable network unit where the power is converted and supplied to the equipment including customer premises equipment.

Apparatus and method for integrating downstream data transfer over a cable television channel with upstream data carrier by other media

A split channel bridging unit includes a router that operates under the control of a control processor to route packets of information destined for a user to a modulator which is connected to the cable distribution head-end of the cable television system which serves the requesting user. The modulator encodes the digital information transmitted from the router and encodes it in an RF channel to be carded by the television cable. The cable distribution head-end combines this channel with other conventional cable television sources to broadcast these channels to its users. The customer premises equipment of the user includes an RF demodulator and packet receiver which demodulates the RF encoded signals and utilizes the packet receiver to transmit the digital information addressed to the particular user to the user's personal computer. Upstream requests are made by the user by utilizing a modem connection over the public switched telephone network with a terminating modem contained in the split channel bridging unit. Secured low-speed control information is preferably supported bidirectionally by utilizing a modem connection over the public switched telephone network.

Systems, methods and devices for processing audio signals

Patent KR960005338A

Appartus and method for integrating downstream data transfer over a cable television channel with upstream data carried by other media

스플릿 채널 브릿징 유닛은 요구 유저에 해당하는 케이블 텔레비젼 시스템의 케이블 분배 선단과 결합하는 변조기로, 유저에 대한 도착 정보의 패킷들을 전달하기 위해, 제어 프로세서의 제어하에 동작하는 루터를 포함한다. 변조기는 루터로부터 전송된 디지탈 정보를 암호화하고, 텔레비젼 케이블에 의해 전달되는 채널에서 디지탈 정보를 암호화한다. 케이블 분배 선단은 해당 유저에 대한 이 채널들을 방영(송)하기 위해 다른 종래의 케이블 텔레비젼 소스들과 이 채널을 조합한다. 유저의 고객 구내 장비는 RF 복조기와 패킷 수신기를 포함하며, RF 암호화 신호들을 복조하고, 패킷 수신기를 이용하여 유저의 개인용 컴퓨터로 특정 유닛에 어드레스 지정된 디지탈 정보를 전송한다. 업스트림 요구는 스플릿 채널 브릿징 유닛에서 포함된 말단(terminating) 모뎀과 함께 공중 회선 전화 교환망에 대하여 모뎀 접속을 이용하여 유저에 의해 이루어진다. 안전한 저속 제어 정보는 양호하게 공중 회전 전화 교환망에 대하여 모뎀 접속을 이용하여 유저에 의해 이루어진다. 안전한 저속 제어 정보는 양호하게 공중 회선 전화 교환망에 대하여 모뎀 접속을 이용하므로서 양방향으로 지원된다.

System for accessing a remote processor on a network

A system for accessing a remote processor on a network The system includes a data set relating to a commercial event, embedded in a broadcast. A receiving device responsive to a non-video portion of said broadcast is operable to detect the data set and extracting received data therefrom. A local processor, having an input for receiving the received data, a first memory for storing the received data and an output is operable for accessing a program stored in a second memory for processing the received data. A communication device is coupled to the output and responsive to the program and the received data for facilitating connection of the local processor with the remote processor via said network.

Method foraudience measurement of interactive applications broadcast integrated on a television receiver decoder

本发明涉及到一种通过连接至接收器的检测设备对应用程序的探测，来进行互动应用程序的观众检测的方法。对于一个被细分成连续的必要显示步骤(SS i )的互动应用程序(IAI)，它由在完成每一个必要步骤(SS i )时，将表示这个应用程序(IAI)和完成的必要步骤的信息项从接收器传输到观众检测设备组成。本发明可以被应用于互动应用程序的自动管理。

Apparatus and method for identifying broadcast programs and accessing information relating thereto

Appareil permettant d'obtenir des informations de service concernant des émissions radiodiffusées (100). L'appareil permet à l'usager d'identifier instantanément une émission radiodiffusée en appuyant sur une touche (116), ce qui entraîne la mémorisation de la station qui diffuse l'émission et celle du jour et de l'heure de la diffusion. L'identification peut alors être envoyée à un centre où l'on garde la liste des émissions radiodiffusées ainsi que d'autres informations de service que les différents radiodiffuseurs souhaitent fournir. Grâce à l'identification de l'émission, on peut retrouver ces informations et les faire parvenir à l'usager. Les informations d'identification concernant l'usager sont mémorisées dans le centre et utilisées pour compiler des statistiques permettant de contrôler les audiences Apparatus for obtaining service information relating to radio broadcasts (100). The apparatus allows the user to instantly identify a broadcast program by pressing a key (116), which stores the station broadcasting the program and the day and time of the broadcast. The identification can then be sent to a center where the list of radio broadcasts and other service information that the various broadcasters wish to provide are kept. Thanks to the identification of the program, we can find this information and send it to the user. User identification information is stored in the center and used to compile statistics to monitor audiences

Data processing apparatus.

System and method for subscriber interactivity in a television system

Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding broadcast or recorded segments and monitoring audience exposure thereto

Methods and apparatus for encoding and decoding information in broadcast or recorded segment signals are described. In certain embodiment, an audience monitoring system encodes identification information x(w) in the audio signal portion of a broadcast or recorded segment using spread spectrum encoding. A personal monitoring device receives an acoustically reproduced version of the broadcast or recorded signal via a microphone, decodes the identification information from the audio signal portion despite significant ambient noise and stores this information, automatically providing a diary for the audience member which is later uploaded to a centralized facility. A separate monitoring device decodes additional information from the broadcast signal, which is matched with the audience diary information at the central facility. This monitor may simultaneously send data to the centralized facility using a dial-up telephone line, and receive data from the centralized facility through a signal encoded using a spread spectrum technique and modulated with a broadcast signal from a third party.

Communication network including a standard multi channel cable television network processes and sends hypertext markup language information over telephone network to local cable networks

A communication network including a standard multi channel cable TV network stores HTML or similar data in a remote controlled personal computer (PC) for preparation by the Fritz Data software and transmission via a Cluster PC with modulator over the telephone network to several local cable TV networks. INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for the procedures used by the network.

DEVICE FOR ACQUIRING AND TRANSMITTING SOUND OR AUDIO SIGNALS AND METHOD USING THE SAME

Tv monitor

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A TV monitor includes an antenna coupler capable of selectively coupling the TV receiver being monitored to an antenna or an r.f. oscillator. The oscillator is selectively operated to impose an r.f. signal onto the antenna input of the receiver between successive horizontal blanking periods on an active video line. One probe, connected to the horizontal retrace circuit of the receiver monitors the receiver for an "on" or "off" condition. A second probe, connected to the kinescope circuits of the receiver, detects the channel to which the receiver is tuned. A third probe, connected to the vertical retrace circuitry, detects the vertical retrace signal to determine when the r.f. signal is to be imposed onto the receiver's antenna input. By successively stepping the r.f. oscillator through successive frequencies within the bandwidth of individual channels, and by monitoring the kinescope probe for that frequency which compares to that generated, channel identification may be determined, A plurality of individual monitors may be utilized with individual receivers within a household and the data may be collected and stored in a household collector for eventual transmission to a central station.

PROCESS AND SYSTEM OF ACQUISITION AND TRANSMISSION OF INFORMATION ON THE HEARING OF TELEVISIONED PROGRAMS

Broadcast type communication karaoke system with supplementary communication channels

통신 네트워크 시스템에 있어서, 센터국은 곡데이타를 송신하고, 복수의 가라오케 단말들은 각 가라오케 단말이 가라오케 서비스를 제공하도록 상기 센터국으로부터 곡데이타를 수신하기 위한 센터국과 통신한다. 센터국은 모든 가라오케 단말에 동시에 곡데이타를 송신하도록 방송하는 제 1송신기와, 각 가라오케 단말에 개별적으로 곡데이타를 송신하도록 각 가라오케 단말의 요청에 응하는 제 2송신기를 구비한다. In a communication network system, a center station transmits song data, and a plurality of karaoke terminals communicate with a center station for receiving song data from the center station so that each karaoke terminal provides karaoke service. The center station has a first transmitter that broadcasts song data to all karaoke terminals simultaneously, and a second transmitter that responds to requests of each karaoke terminal to transmit song data individually to each karaoke terminal. 각 가라오케 단말들은 센터국에서 방송된 곡데이타를 수신하는 제 1수신기와, 제 1수신기가 상기 센터국에서 방송된 곡데이타를 수신하지 못하여 곡데이타의 재전송 요청을 통지해야 함을 검출하는 검출기와, 상기 요청에 응해서 센터국의 제 2송신기에서 재송신된 곡데이타를 수신하는 제 2수신기가 구성되어 있다. Each karaoke terminal includes a first receiver for receiving the song data broadcast from the center station, a detector for detecting that the first receiver should not notify the retransmission request of the song data because it has not received the song data broadcast from the center station; In response to the request, a second receiver is configured to receive the song data retransmitted by the second transmitter of the center station.