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US Patent 5724091 - Compressed digital data interactive program system
US Patent Issued on March 3, 1998
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
May 18, 2015Estimated 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.
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
May 18, 2015Estimated 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.AbstractAn interactive cable television system is disclosed which utilizes a standard cable television distribution network for simultaneously providing a plurality of viewers with an interactive television program comprising a plurality of signals related in time and content. Video signals are transmitted in a digital format, more than one signal being multiplexed onto a data stream on a single channel. The video signals may be compressed for efficiency. A receiver, in conjunction with a signal selector, selects a particular NTSC channel for playback, then selects a particular video signal from the data stream, and decompresses the video signal for playback. Seamless switching between video signals on different channels is provided. An alternative embodiment is disclosed wherein the various signals which comprise the interactive program are switched at the head end rather than at the receiver. The multiple choice control unit selects a desired signal by relaying the multiple choice selections of the user through a relay box back to a remotely located switching station. The switching station routes the correct video signal down the appropriate cable channel for the particular user.Other References
| InventorsApplicationNo. 443607 filed on 05/18/1995US Classes:725/138, Headend725/114, Server or headend725/131, Receiver (e.g., set-top box)725/139Receiver (e.g., set-top box)Field of Search348/725, RECEIVER CIRCUITRY348/726DemodulatorExaminersPrimary: Peng, John K.Assistant: Flynn, Nathan J. 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Foreign Patent References
International ClassH04N 007/173 |
