Did You Know...
...that the video game, Pong, was invented by a guy who graduated at the bottom of his engineering class? Nolan Bushnell spent more time running the games at a local amusement park than he did on his studies at the University of Utah. His dreams of working for Disney's amusement empire were dashed when the company wouldn't hire him. Taking a boring job, Nolan daydreamed about electronic versions of popular games. He invented Pong, the first video game, and went on to found Atari Co.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7428744 | Method and device for detecting data concerning the viewing of video information and the relaying of this information to a central data processing installation Method, device and system for capturing and processing viewing data, which viewing data relates to the viewing behavior of users when viewing video data. Data about lines of sight of a user relative to the viewed video data are determined by projecting video data di... | 09/23/2008 |
| 7401350 | Local area information terminal device Mobile terminals capable of transmitting and receiving HTML data etc. are prepared for actualizing simple bidirectional communications specified in a local area, and some broadcasting channels are prepared for ensuring the communications between the mobile terminals... | 07/15/2008 |
| 7330662 | System and method for remote optical digital networking of computing devices The extended range of optical data communication is enabled through the use of intermediary relay stations spaced fairly far apart. IRDA communicatiOn, as is well known, uses very short duration optical pulses to send data up to 1 Mbit/sec; this has the concomitant ... | 02/12/2008 |
| 7292821 | Communication line connecting apparatus and method of controlling communication line connecting apparatus An apparatus includes an acquiring circuit to acquire a definition file which specifies a band for use in the internal communication network for the terminal device, and a controller which allocates the band to the requesting terminal device based on the definition ... | 11/06/2007 |
| 7277010 | Monitoring apparatus and method Monitoring apparatus and method including a processor, associated with a web site and capable of providing audio and video, which receives audio information recorded or obtained at a vehicle or premises. The processor, located remote from the vehicle or premises, re... | 10/02/2007 |
| 7212729 | Information recording apparatus and method, information processing terminal, method and apparatus, and recording medium The invention provides an information recording apparatus and method by which unattended recording can be executed in accordance with a set condition. If a hard disk recorder recognizes that unattended recording set by a user cannot be executed because of insufficie... | 05/01/2007 |
| 7165224 | Image browsing and downloading in mobile networks Systems and methods are provided for browsing miniaturized versions of images stored locally on a mobile device while allowing the associated full-sized image to be transferred to the mobile device as needed. In one embodiment of the invention, a method of viewing a... | 01/16/2007 |
| 7155734 | Methods of operating a data broadcast service A broadband data broadcast system that allows rich multimedia content to be delivered to a plurality of subscribers is disclosed. The broadband data broadcast system operates by multiplexing a plurality of rich multimedia digital information streams together at a ce... | 12/26/2006 |
| 7126417 | Distributed gain network A system and method for a distribution network is provided wherein cascaded power amplifiers with bypass switching are disposed along the branches of the network. The amplifiers may have an RF modem and a programmable digital computer that enables communication with... | 10/24/2006 |
| 7103315 | Selective media capture via a communication device Methods and systems for selectively capturing content and delivering the captured content to mobile communications devices via wireless communications are disclosed. In some embodiments, a mobile unit sends a request for content to a nearby content server, to which ... | 09/05/2006 |
| 7062222 | Initiating a wireless connection to a broadcast program A method and system for users to select and participate in call-in broadcast programs are disclosed. A user speaks a station name into a mobile device, providing an indication that the request is for a broadcast channel, to tune the mobile device to that channel. Th... | 06/13/2006 |
| 7007296 | Active cable modem outside customer premises servicing multiple customer premises A signal distribution system to save on the cost of cable modems for cable TV headend operators who wish to deliver broadband digital data services, DSL, video-on-demand or POTS service over their HFC CATV delivery networks. All species within the genus have a share... | 02/28/2006 |
| 6940857 | Broadcast/multicast system and protocol for circuit-switched networks A system and method directed to providing a broadcast/multicast in a circuit-switched network. An exemplary method includes receiving at a first switch a call directed to a called number; determining whether the first switch has an active connection to the called nu... | 09/06/2005 |
| 6907225 | Selective media capture via a communication device Methods and systems for selectively capturing content and delivering the captured content to mobile communications devices via wireless communications are disclosed. In some embodiments, a mobile unit sends a request for content to a nearby content server, to which ... | 06/14/2005 |
| 6845090 | Radio communication system and radio terminal device using faster and slower radio networks cooperatively A communication system including a first terminal device connected to first and second networks, having only a reception function with respect to the first network and transmission and reception functions with respect to the second network, the first network being a... | 01/18/2005 |
| 6793352 | Projector wireless control system and wireless control method A projector and a mobile terminal are connected wirelessly in two-way communication, and thus the projector is controlled by the mobile terminal. Also, projection data is exchanged between the mobile terminal and the projector, or between a data server connected to ... | 09/21/2004 |
| 6678501 | Method and apparatus for vehicular ordering of radio-based programs A method of use provides an extremely efficient manner of ordering a radio program occurring at approximately the time presented, minimizing the need to remember any details. The method is embodied in a range of tactile and voice controls which people in ... | 01/13/2004 |
| 6671883 | Method and apparatus for lost connectivity recovery The method and device carry out communication between a settop box and a target network through nay of a number of head ends. When a connectivity between the settop box and the target network through a first head end is lost, a call is initiated over a wi... | 12/30/2003 |
| 6574795 | Reliable communication of data by supplementing a unidirectional communications protocol An information delivery system includes receiving platforms to receive data communicated from a transmitting source according to a unidirectional transfer protocol over a link. At least some receiving platforms process the received data to determine if a ... | 06/03/2003 |
| 6535480 | System and method to provide survivability for broadcast video and interactive IP-based services on cable access networks A hybrid fiber/coaxial cable is attached to an autonomous controller which includes a wireless receiver, transmitter, and antenna. Typically, the autonomous controller is connected near the end of the cable which is remote from the headend. At least one o... | 03/18/2003 |
| 6526580 | Broadband data broadcasting service A broadband data broadcast system that allows rich multimedia content to be delivered to a plurality of subscribers is disclosed. The broadband data broadcast system operates by multiplexing a plurality of rich multimedia digital information streams toget... | 02/25/2003 |
| 6496982 | Device and method relating to cable TV networks A method and an apparatus transmit and receive information in a cable TV network including at least one base station connected to a branching cable network, branching from the base station to at least two subscribers, provided with transmitters. A unique ... | 12/17/2002 |
| 6378131 | Local upstream hub for one-way cable system data/video/services requests Most cable television systems in the United States (over 75% as of this application) are structured for one-way only service between the cable headend and the user. With more and more services being introduced that require a two-way connection with the us... | 04/23/2002 |
| 6377782 | Method and apparatus for communicating between a client device and a linear broadband network A method of upstream communication over a linear broadband network includes the steps of generating an upstream baseband signal and modulating it onto an upstream wireless radio frequency carrier to produce a first upstream modulated carrier signal. The m... | 04/23/2002 |
| 6243866 | Method and device for video, sound and data transmission Through a memory device and a control circuit on the transmitter side, temporal gaps are inserted into the data stream, said temporal gaps being removed again on the receiving side by an additional memory device. Consequently, the necessary continuous dat... | 06/05/2001 |
| 6199205 | Data delivery services A telecommunications data transmission system can provide transmission of data blocks using a unidirectional broadband link and a duplex narrowband link between two subscribers, the narrowband link providing control and addressing information regarding th... | 03/06/2001 |
| 6184920 | Picture signal transmitting system using CATV network in which the local oscillator is transmitted separately A picture signal transmitting system using a CATV network sends a picture signal from a transmission path to subscribers by using a radio transmitter and receiver, and in the picture signal transmitting system, there is no physical wire connection from a ... | 02/06/2001 |
| 6072984 | Apparatus for monitoring cable television system remote equipment performance and status using a cell modem A wireless remote data sensor is disclosed for use in the cable television industry. It senses the status of equipment in the field, such as battery backup power equipment, amplifiers, pilot and signal level monitors, and voltage level for powering active... | 06/06/2000 |
| 5903301 | Apparatus for removing unnecessary data in communication network An apparatus for removing unnecessary data in communication networks and used in a television transmitting and receiving devices of a cable television system and the like is disclosed. In a television receiving device capable of carrying out data communic... | 05/11/1999 |
| 5898901 | Carrier-frequency transmission of digital return signals in burst mode Quadrature amplitude modulation with two carrier signals orthogonal relative to one another is often used for the transmission of digital television and/or radio signals from a head end to subscribers in coaxial cable networks. This modulation method, how... | 04/27/1999 |
| 5880721 | Radio computer audio-video transmission device The subject invention relates to a type of radio computer audio-video transmission device, comprising a transmitter and a receiver, wherein the transmitter includes a 2.4 GHZ transmitting antenna, a UHF receiving antenna, a VGA and A/V output, a computer ... | 03/09/1999 |
| 5870134 | CATV network and cable modem system having a wireless return path A two-way CATV network having a radio return path. A cable headend controller is used to control downstream as well as upstream communications over the two-way CATV network. Downstream signals are sent to subscribers' cable modems through conventional coa... | 02/09/1999 |
| 5867763 | Method and apparatus for integration of a wireless communication system with a cable T.V. system The present invention is a method and apparatus for integrating a personal communication system with a cable television plant. A set of radio antenna devices (RAD) are connected to the cable plant. The RADs provide frequency conversion and power control o... | 02/02/1999 |
| 5818825 | Method and apparatus for assigning communications channels in a cable telephony system A method and apparatus in a communications system (100) for providing communications units (134) access to the communications system (100). The communications system (100) includes a cable distribution network (106) with a base communications unit (102) a... | 10/06/1998 |
| 5818906 | Connection event reporting in a cable telephony system A cable telephony system (100) including a plurality of subscriber units (142) connected to a cable control unit (102) by a cable distribution network (106) in which the cable control unit (102) detects events associated with connections occurring in the ... | 10/06/1998 |
| 5812184 | Transmission of frame-to-frame reversed polarity signals in a two-way cable TV conversion system A bidirectional cable television system provides for transmission of signals from cable subscribers downlink in the same direction as the ensemble of television channels which the cable television system is already constructed to deliver. The subscriber s... | 09/22/1998 |
| 5812931 | Two-way interactive television system incorporating pager transmitter and receiver for conducting messaging with information provider A system for two-way communication between a television viewer operating a remote control unit to control a television and a television signal or other information provider located at a central site. A set-top box coupled to the television includes an inf... | 09/22/1998 |
| 5754555 | Subscriber network arrangement for connecting subscribers to a telephone network A subscriber network arrangement for connecting several subscribers to a telephone network, in which the subscriber network includes (a) several subscriber sets and, (b) several subscriber terminals. To one subscriber terminal is connected at least one su... | 05/19/1998 |
| 5729281 | Catv system in which chanel selection signal is transmitted from the subscriber location A center station 1 generates an all-channel signal 2 obtained by multiplexing signals on all channels, and transmits the signals to a selective distribution station 10 through 1 wire transmission line such as an optical fiber. Subscribers' transmitting de... | 03/17/1998 |
| 5715305 | Apparatus for and method of providing consumers with local access carrier In accordance with the present invention, a selected local carrier may be operated by receiving a first signal and initializing provision of a second signal to a residential communications device in response to the first signal. More specifically, the fir... | 02/03/1998 |
