System of transmitting an interactive TV signal

Patent 5448568 Issued on September 5, 1995. Estimated Expiration Date:

April 28, 2014. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

3803491

3891792

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Inventors

Assignee

Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.

Application

No. 234139 filed on 04/28/1994

US Classes:

348/423.1, Arrangements for multiplexing one video signal, one or more audio signals, and a synchronizing signal348/14.01, TWO-WAY VIDEO AND VOICE COMMUNICATION (E.G., VIDEOPHONE)348/384.1, BANDWIDTH REDUCTION SYSTEM348/522, Means on video signal generator370/473, Transmission of a single message having multiple packets375/240BANDWIDTH REDUCTION OR EXPANSION

Examiners

Primary: Kizou, Hassan

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Tripoli; Joseph S., Herrmann; Eric P., Kurdyla; Ronald H.

International Classes

H04J 003/24
H04B 001/66
H04N 007/52

Abstract

Apparatus and a method for formatting executable codes and data, defining interactive applications, with video and audio program material, for reliable and convenient access includes compressing (18, 21) audio and video programs according to a protocol such as MPEG. The compressed audio and video (A/V) programs are formed (19, 22) into transport packets. Interactive application programs associated with A/V programs are compiled (10) into functional modules, condensed and formed into transport packets. A module may be executable software or data. Further modules designated "Signal modules", are generated to condition respective receivers to suspend or resume execution of an interactive application. Video packets, audio packets and application packets are time division multiplexed (16) for transmission. Signal modules are multiplexed in the packet stream to appropriately reprogram respective receivers on the occurrence of such changes in received signal components.