Subclasses list- 1 BILLING IN VIDEO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Patents: 217 Patent Applications: 101 - 2 Data stored locally (e.g., at set-top box)
Patents: 67 Patent Applications: 24 - 3 On nonelectronic medium (e.g., paper tape or meter)
Patents: 6 Patent Applications: 3 - 4 Data stored at intermediate point (i.e., at location between headend or server and receiver)
Patents: 40 Patent Applications: 9 - 5 Payment method or scheme
Patents: 85 Patent Applications: 58 - 6 Card reader (e.g., reader for credit, debit, or smart card)
Patents: 61 Patent Applications: 22 - 7 Coin operated
Patents: 7 Patent Applications: 2 - 8 Having variable cost or free preview period
Patents: 93 Patent Applications: 33 - 9 USE SURVEYING OR MONITORING (E.G., PROGRAM OR CHANNEL WATCHED)
Patents: 236 Patent Applications: 274 - 10 Monitoring physical reaction or presence of viewer
Patents: 104 Patent Applications: 108 - 11 With entry of user identification
Patents: 29 Patent Applications: 11 - 12 By passive determination and measurement (e.g., by detecting motion or ambient temperature, or by use of video camera)
Patents: 62 Patent Applications: 53 - 13 Manual entry (e.g., using keypad or by written response)
Patents: 89 Patent Applications: 126 - 14 By passively monitoring receiver operation
Patents: 253 Patent Applications: 251 - 15 By detecting local oscillator or IF signal
Patents: 35 Patent Applications: 19 - 16 By polling
Patents: 26 Patent Applications: 9 - 17 By monitoring sync or blanking pulse
Patents: 19 Patent Applications: 6 - 18 By use of audio signal
Patents: 66 Patent Applications: 32 - 19 By use of pattern recognition or signature
Patents: 82 Patent Applications: 78 - 20 By data encoded in video signal (e.g., VBI data)
Patents: 116 Patent Applications: 44 - 21 Combined with detecting VCR operation
Patents: 38 Patent Applications: 6 - 22 COMMERCIAL OR PROGRAM AIRING VERIFICATION SYSTEM
Patents: 163 Patent Applications: 47 - 23 SYSTEM FOR AWARDING COUPON, TOKEN, OR CREDIT
Patents: 102 Patent Applications: 90 - 24 INTERACTIVE OPINION POLLING
Patents: 152 Patent Applications: 66 - 25 ACCESS CONTROL OR BLOCKING
Patents: 349 Patent Applications: 456 - 26 By mechanical lock
Patents: 33 Patent Applications: 8 - 27 Of specific channel
Patents: 95 Patent Applications: 32 - 28 Of specific program (e.g., based on program rating)
Patents: 238 Patent Applications: 205 - 29 Time dependent (e.g., time spent viewing program, time of day, etc.)
Patents: 90 Patent Applications: 33 - 30 Access via PIN or password
Patents: 101 Patent Applications: 82 - 31 With encryption or scrambling of video signal
Patents: 316 Patent Applications: 274 - 32 PROGRAM, MESSAGE, OR COMMERCIAL INSERTION OR SUBSTITUTION
Patents: 482 Patent Applications: 758 - 33 Emergency warning
Patents: 81 Patent Applications: 99 - 34 Specific to individual user or household
Patents: 399 Patent Applications: 670 - 35 Based on demographics or geographical area
Patents: 237 Patent Applications: 388 - 36 Insertion of local commercial or local program at headend or network affiliate
Patents: 225 Patent Applications: 61 - 37 OPERATOR INTERFACE
Patents: 451 Patent Applications: 433 - 38 To facilitate tuning or selection of video signal
Patents: 345 Patent Applications: 519 - 39 Electronic program guide
Patents: 615 Patent Applications: 911 - 40 For displaying additional information
Patents: 370 Patent Applications: 391 - 41 Video still or clip
Patents: 223 Patent Applications: 122 - 42 Commercial or advertisement
Patents: 207 Patent Applications: 219 - 43 With separate window, panel, or screen
Patents: 247 Patent Applications: 136 - 44 Content arrangement
Patents: 203 Patent Applications: 265 - 45 Based on genre, theme, or category
Patents: 226 Patent Applications: 273 - 46 Based on personal preference, profile, or viewing history (e.g., to produce redacted listing)
Patents: 531 Patent Applications: 730 - 47 User customization of display content
Patents: 207 Patent Applications: 113 - 48 Combined from plural information providers (e.g., combined terrestrial and satellite sources)
Patents: 118 Patent Applications: 53 - 49 Combined at local receiver
Patents: 133 Patent Applications: 24 - 50 Information updating
Patents: 230 Patent Applications: 131 - 51 Having link to external information resource (e.g., online resource)
Patents: 146 Patent Applications: 105 - 52 Navigational feature
Patents: 243 Patent Applications: 171 - 53 Searching (e.g., by title or actor's name)
Patents: 178 Patent Applications: 161 - 54 Transmission scheme
Patents: 212 Patent Applications: 115 - 55 Provided on recordable medium
Patents: 48 Patent Applications: 29 - 56 Channel guide (i.e., channel-specific as opposed to program-specific guide)
Patents: 118 Patent Applications: 141 - 57 Tune-by-label (i.e., channel selection by alphanumeric character entry)
Patents: 29 Patent Applications: 8 - 58 Program reserve or reminder system
Patents: 306 Patent Applications: 385 - 59 Selecting from multiple inputs or sources
Patents: 99 Patent Applications: 40 - 60 Interactive product selection
Patents: 178 Patent Applications: 162 - 61 Interactive program selection
Patents: 200 Patent Applications: 286 - 62 CELLULAR VIDEO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Patents: 139 Patent Applications: 449 - 63 SATELLITE VIDEO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Patents: 131 Patent Applications: 148 - 64 Two-way
Patents: 33 Patent Applications: 19 - 65 Return path
Patents: 20 Patent Applications: 6 - 66 Terrestrial return path
Patents: 46 Patent Applications: 2 - 67 Transmitter
Patents: 108 Patent Applications: 33 - 68 Receiver
Patents: 304 Patent Applications: 151 - 69 Polarization of signal
Patents: 58 Patent Applications: 10 - 70 For digital signal
Patents: 94 Patent Applications: 42 - 71 For providing signals to plural subsequent receivers
Patents: 78 Patent Applications: 28 - 72 Antenna initialization, calibration, or aiming
Patents: 73 Patent Applications: 49 - 73 TERRESTRIAL MICROWAVE VIDEO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Patents: 60 Patent Applications: 23 - 74 LOCAL VIDEO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Patents: 173 Patent Applications: 173 - 75 Vehicle
Patents: 82 Patent Applications: 131 - 76 Airplane
Patents: 133 Patent Applications: 57 - 77 Seat-back terminal
Patents: 40 Patent Applications: 59 - 78 Multiunit or multiroom structure (e.g., home, hospital, hotel, office building, school, etc.)
Patents: 251 Patent Applications: 195 - 79 Using existing power network
Patents: 62 Patent Applications: 7 - 80 Coordinating diverse devices
Patents: 183 Patent Applications: 274 - 81 Using wireless link
Patents: 192 Patent Applications: 330 - 82 Local server or headend
Patents: 162 Patent Applications: 69 - 83 Having additional amenity (e.g., access to outside network, room service, etc.)
Patents: 39 Patent Applications: 9 - 84 Combined with call bell system for hospital use
Patents: 4 Patent Applications: 0 - 85 Receiver
Patents: 89 Patent Applications: 28 - 86 USER-REQUESTED VIDEO PROGRAM SYSTEM
Patents: 273 Patent Applications: 292 - 87 Video-on-demand
Patents: 495 Patent Applications: 459 - 88 VCR-like function
Patents: 193 Patent Applications: 190 - 89 By use of memory at receiver
Patents: 107 Patent Applications: 199 - 90 With particular transmission scheme (e.g., transmitting I-frames only)
Patents: 128 Patent Applications: 131 - 91 Server or headend
Patents: 297 Patent Applications: 93 - 92 Mass storage
Patents: 276 Patent Applications: 61 - 93 Control process
Patents: 431 Patent Applications: 214 - 94 Buffering and switching
Patents: 155 Patent Applications: 53 - 95 Channel or bandwidth allocation
Patents: 253 Patent Applications: 87 - 96 In accordance with server or network congestion
Patents: 80 Patent Applications: 20 - 97 Scheduling (e.g., grouping users together)
Patents: 151 Patent Applications: 66 - 98 Transmission network
Patents: 117 Patent Applications: 67 - 99 Using telephone network
Patents: 58 Patent Applications: 10 - 100 Receiver (e.g., set-top box)
Patents: 263 Patent Applications: 670 - 101 Near video-on-demand system (i.e., providing plural, time-staggered versions of same program)
Patents: 119 Patent Applications: 22 - 102 VCR-like function
Patents: 66 Patent Applications: 108 - 103 Server or headend
Patents: 72 Patent Applications: 8 - 104 Pay-per-view
Patents: 201 Patent Applications: 52 - 105 VIDEO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM WITH UPSTREAM COMMUNICATION
Patents: 447 Patent Applications: 439 - 106 Telephony via television distribution network
Patents: 211 Patent Applications: 105 - 107 Remote testing of cable system
Patents: 192 Patent Applications: 56 - 108 Alarm system using television network
Patents: 42 Patent Applications: 20 - 109 Having link to external network (e.g., interconnected computer network)
Patents: 395 Patent Applications: 587 - 110 Connection to external network at receiver (e.g., set-top box)
Patents: 484 Patent Applications: 632 - 111 Cable modem
Patents: 283 Patent Applications: 166 - 112 Link transmission (e.g., URL sent to user)
Patents: 269 Patent Applications: 334 - 113 Conveyed in video image
Patents: 89 Patent Applications: 209 - 114 Server or headend
Patents: 439 Patent Applications: 330 - 115 Data storage or retrieval
Patents: 238 Patent Applications: 210 - 116 Control process
Patents: 636 Patent Applications: 361 - 117 Communications interface
Patents: 154 Patent Applications: 146 - 118 Transmission network
Patents: 220 Patent Applications: 394 - 119 Having significant intermediate network unit (e.g., hub, substation, etc.)
Patents: 278 Patent Applications: 100 - 120 With two-way connection from unit to receiver (e.g., for the purpose of channel selection)
Patents: 139 Patent Applications: 94 - 121 Return path
Patents: 123 Patent Applications: 23 - 122 Return path via telephone network
Patents: 159 Patent Applications: 9 - 123 Wireless return path
Patents: 57 Patent Applications: 17 - 124 Noise in return path
Patents: 56 Patent Applications: 15 - 125 Ingress noise
Patents: 95 Patent Applications: 26 - 126 Detail of use of two-way spectrum
Patents: 184 Patent Applications: 79 - 127 Network component (e.g., filter, tap, splitter, amplifier, repeater, etc.)
Patents: 224 Patent Applications: 124 - 128 Diplex filter
Patents: 48 Patent Applications: 5 - 129 Hybrid fiber-coax network
Patents: 183 Patent Applications: 63 - 130 Power signal over network
Patents: 44 Patent Applications: 9 - 131 Receiver (e.g., set-top box)
Patents: 675 Patent Applications: 865 - 132 Programmable or upgradeable
Patents: 231 Patent Applications: 169 - 133 With diverse device (e.g., personal computer, game player, VCR, etc.)
Patents: 243 Patent Applications: 243 - 134 Having particular storage feature
Patents: 248 Patent Applications: 391 - 135 VIDEO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM WITH LOCAL INTERACTION
Patents: 207 Patent Applications: 576 - 136 Interactive data transmitted in video signal band (e.g., VBI or HBI data)
Patents: 275 Patent Applications: 194 - 137 Teletext
Patents: 72 Patent Applications: 32 - 138 Headend
Patents: 152 Patent Applications: 46 - 139 Receiver (e.g., set-top box)
Patents: 406 Patent Applications: 274 - 140 Programmable or upgradeable
Patents: 97 Patent Applications: 93 - 141 With diverse device (e.g., personal computer, game player, VCR, etc.)
Patents: 243 Patent Applications: 130 - 142 Having particular storage feature
Patents: 212 Patent Applications: 243 - 143 VIDEO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Patents: 106 Patent Applications: 29 - 144 Headend
Patents: 173 Patent Applications: 61 - 145 Data storage or retrieval
Patents: 72 Patent Applications: 87 - 146 Control process
Patents: 186 Patent Applications: 97 - 147 Communications interface
Patents: 40 Patent Applications: 62 - 148 Transmission network
Patents: 119 Patent Applications: 40 - 149 Network component (e.g., filter, tap, splitter, amplifier, repeater, etc.)
Patents: 156 Patent Applications: 43 - 150 Power signal over network
Patents: 53 Patent Applications: 5 - 151 Receiver (e.g., set-top box)
Patents: 515 Patent Applications: 327 - 152 Programmable or upgradeable
Patents: 117 Patent Applications: 87 - 153 With diverse device (e.g., personal computer, game player, VCR, etc.)
Patents: 186 Patent Applications: 116
| DefinitionGENERAL STATEMENT OF THE CLASS SUBJECT MATTER This class contains interactive video distribution processes, systems, and elements thereof, which are characterized by point-to-multipoint system configurations, and which are used for the unidirectional distribution or delivery of motion video data resulting from interactions between systems operators (access or service providers) or users (subscribers) and systems elements. These systems include dedicated communications systems, such as television distribution systems, which primarily distribute or deliver motion video data in the manner indicated, but which may, in addition, provide a framework for further, diverse data communications or services in either unidirectional or bidirectional form. Typically, system operators interface with transmitter-side elements or users interface with receiver-side elements in order to facilitate, through interaction with such elements, the dynamic control of data processing or data flow at various points in the systems. This interaction is typically occasional or intermittent in nature. SCOPE OF THE CLASS (1) Note. This class includes subject matter directed to the transmission of video data. Systems which are concerned with the transmission of nonvideo data, such as systems which provide audio data or data in the generic sense, are classified elsewhere. See the Search Class notes below. (2) Note. This class includes subject matter directed to the transmission of motion video data. Systems which are solely concerned with the delivery of still video data or picture data, such as facsimile systems, are classified elsewhere. See the Search Class notes below. (3) Note. This class is directed to the unidirectional transmission of motion video data. Systems concerned with the bidirectional transmission of motion video data, such as video conference systems, are classified elsewhere. See the Search Class notes below. (4) Note. This class includes systems which are characterized by point-to-multipoint network architectures with point-to-multipoint connectivity. Systems which are solely concerned with the delivery of motion video data through discrete point-to-point connections, such as interconnected computer networks, are classified elsewhere. See the Search Class notes below. (5) Note. This class is directed to systems which enable occasional or intermittent user interaction. Systems which fundamentally require frequent or continuous user interaction are classified elsewhere. See the Search Class notes below. (6) Note. This class is limited to interactive video distribution processes and systems. Claimed subject matter which is directed to particular receiver details which do not facilitate interactive video distribution, such as television receiver signal processing circuitry, are classified elsewhere. See the Search Class notes below. |
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