Abstract:
A method for automatically selecting optimum frequencies for transmitting data from remote terminals upstream to a system manager is provided. The system manager initially selects a set of frequencies from a larger set of available frequencies and transmits a command downstream to each remote terminal indicating which frequencies to use. Each remote terminal transmits data messsages on each selected frequency in response to addressed commands generated by the system manager. The system manager receives and counts the data messages on each of the frequencies, and after a statistically significant number of messages are received, removes from use the frequency with the lowest number of data messages received. This frequency is replaced with either (1) a previously untried frequency, or if all frequencies have been tried, (2) a previously tried frequency with the highest number of data messages received. In a preferred embodiment, new frequencies are removed from use and added to use only when the number of data messages received and the received signal level on a particular frequency falls within certain predetermined ranges. In another embodiment, the transmission level for a particular frequency is recalibrated when the number of data message received and the received signal level falls within other predetermined ranges. In a further embodiment, two or more sets of optimum frequencies are automatically chosen for different times during the day and the system manager is able to immediately switch between these sets at the appropriate times.
Abstract:
A presentation player is described for use in an interactive digital communications system which may selectively communicate particular multimedia presentations to each of a plurality of subscribers along a CATV cable network, or other communications network. The player is part of a digital interactive system that distributes information representing requested presentations in the form of digital data on distribution channels to a plurality of presentation players located along the communications network. Each of the subscribers has a television set connected to one of these presentation players. The digital data is uniquely addressed to a particular subscriber and is processed by his corresponding presentation player to produce analog TV signals comprising the multimedia presentation. The presentation player automatically tunes itself to a distribution channel and can process data which include motion video sequences, background music, and real-time live video images, in addition to still-video images with audio commentary. The presentation player of the present invention comprises a converter capable of receiving the distribution channel frequencies and selecting one of those frequencies for further processing of digital data transmitted thereon.
Abstract:
A message is transmitted on a subcarrier of a main carrier frequency of a radio station. The message is displayed simultaneously with the audible reproduction of the radio program. The message is capable of being displayed dynamically by having different portions thereof sequencing through the display device until the entire message is concluded and/or using a variety of possible display attributes, such as scrolling and flashing. One feature involves scanning the radio band for a station that carries the message. Scanning of a plurality of subcarriers at each station is also performed. One embodiment transmits the message during the "dead time" of other programming normally transmitted on the same subcarrier. The alphanumeric characters of the message are preferably converted prior to transmission into a signal with an average value of zero. The converted characters are decoded at the receiver.
Abstract:
An electronic information dissemination system electronically distributes information such as bulk mailed letters, bills, and other information from one or more sources to each of a plurality of remote stations located in homes or businesses. The system includes individually addressable receiver/decoders at each remote station. Each receiver/decoder has information processing and memory for identifying its distinct address plus a "global" address common to the plurality of remote stations in the system. Information is gathered from various sources at a centrally located data handling station which encodes the data for transmission to the remote stations. The transmission path is provided by an existing communications network such as CATV or a switched telephone system.
Abstract:
A data communication system for general purposes having a new ternary carrier frequency shift keying (TCSK) signal. The system is applied to a utility load control by transmission of a sub-carrier of an FM broadcast channel. It is decoded by a receiver, SCA decoder, TCSK filter and a two level or binary converter and used to communicate to a pre-programmed microprocessor which enables various load control functions to be performed. The general system also is given for a QPSK (quadraphase shift keying) operating system.A data transmission filter is split between the transmitter and receiver and is operated in cascade to give individual interference filtering at each end of the transmission while also providing combined action and wave shaping. A high accuracy FM decoder using zero crossing detection enables data recovery with simple circuits. A novel random time load restoration circuit for ramp-up is disclosed. A fail safe relay operator is also disclosed.The TCSK employs a novel 19 character hex code format which is 8 bit microprocessor compatible and directly usable for other purposes such as ASCII message transmission. Both QPSK and TCSK systems offer command structures of variable length so as to permit truncation of message and reduce total message transmit time.
Abstract:
A method and system for datacasting and content management. Such a system may have, as its core, a dashboard system for managing data feeds. A dashboard system may receive data feeds from one or more associated devices, such as the hardware devices of first responders or other public safety officers, and may aggregate and prioritize them. The dashboard system may then manage, prioritize and encrypt the video, files and other data in preparation for broadcast over the television or satellite transmitter, via, for example, a television broadcasting station, and may then broadcast the video, files, or other data to a plurality of users. Alerts and notifications may be created, files attached and links to video streams distributed over this same broadcast network. The broadcasting system may be able to send multiple streams of content simultaneously, may be able to target specific users to be broadcast to, and may be able to incorporate data from public data sources, such as public security cameras.
Abstract:
A method and system of content management for datacasting. A dashboard system for managing data feeds. A dashboard system may receive data feeds from one or more associated devices, such as the hardware devices of first responders or other public safety officers, and may aggregate and prioritize them. The dashboard system may then manage, prioritize and encrypt the video, files and other data in preparation for broadcast over the television or satellite transmitter, via, for example, a television broadcasting station, and may then broadcast the video, files, or other data to a plurality of users. Alerts and notifications may be created, files attached and links to video streams distributed over this same broadcast network. The broadcasting system may be able to send multiple streams of content simultaneously, may be able to target specific users to be broadcast to, and be able to incorporate data from public data sources.
Abstract:
A method and system of content management for datacasting. Such a system may have, as its core, a dashboard system for managing data feeds. A dashboard system may receive data feeds from one or more associated devices, such as the hardware devices of first responders or other public safety officers, and may aggregate and prioritize them. The dashboard system may then manage, prioritize and encrypt the video, files and other data in preparation for broadcast over the television or satellite transmitter, via, for example, a television broadcasting station, and may then broadcast the video, files, or other data to a plurality of users. Alerts and notifications may be created, files attached and links to video streams distributed over this same broadcast network. The broadcasting system may be able to send multiple streams of content simultaneously, may be able to target specific users to be broadcast to, and may be able to incorporate data from public data sources, such as public security cameras.
Abstract:
Systems, devices and methods are provided to deliver messages between a television distributor and groups of television receivers. A data processing system provides a message exchange service that routes messages to any number of queues based upon various routing keys. Each of the customer-operated television receivers establishes a queue with the routing service that is bound to any number of routing keys. Keys may be selected based upon characteristics of the receiver, geographic factors, demographic factors, subscribed services, customer preferences or the like. When a service wants to send a message to a particular group, it sends the message to the group's routing key, and the routing service delivers the messages to each of the receivers bound to that particular key.
Abstract:
A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming.