Compressed digital data interactive program system

Patent 5724091 Issued on March 3, 1998. Estimated Expiration Date:

May 18, 2015. 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

Re32776

Re34340

2612553

2777901

2826828

2908767

2921385

3008000

3020360

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Inventors

Application

No. 443607 filed on 05/18/1995

US Classes:

725/138, Headend725/114, Server or headend725/131, Receiver (e.g., set-top box)725/139Receiver (e.g., set-top box)

Examiners

Primary: Peng, John K.
Assistant: Flynn, Nathan J.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Dorsey & whitney LLP

Foreign Patent References

16314 EP. 10/12/1980
128481 EP. 12/12/1984
314572 EP. 05/12/1989
994233 DE. 06/12/1965
4207885 JP. 07/12/1992
6165170 JP. 06/12/1994
8102961 WO. 10/12/1981
9403851 WO. 02/12/1994

International Class

H04N 007/173

Abstract

An 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

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