Abstract:
A remote control for operating a consumer electronic device. The remote control device may comprise a housing providing a mounting for a visual display and a keyboard including a plurality of keys; electrical circuitry in the housing including a microprocessor, at least one of an IR or RF receiver circuit coupled to the microprocessor, keyboard circuitry coupled between the microprocessor and the keyboard, a memory coupled to the microprocessor, and at least one of an IR or RF transmitter circuit coupled to the microprocessor. Program guide software is stored in the memory and executable by the microprocessor for causing to be displayed on the visual display, upon actuation of one or more of the keys, a program guide, advertising and/or other content contained in a data set received by the receiver.
Abstract:
The present invention is a digital FM voice paging system which uses digital signal processing (including D/A conversion and data compression) to transmit voice pager data over existing FM broadcast subcarriers.
Abstract:
An interactive response system includes a central control host system and one or more wireless remote systems geographically separated from the host system and interconnected with the host system through a communication network. Each remote system includes a base unit and a plurality of response units coupled with the base units through a wireless communication link. Each of the response units includes a microphone, a user input device and a control. Audio signals entered through the microphone are communicated over the wireless communication channel to the base unit and over the communication network to the host system. Any inputs entered on the input device are communicated over the wireless communication channel to the base unit. The host system includes an instructor selection device and a display. At least one call list is displayed on the display. The instructor may select characteristics of individuals for inclusion on the call list. Individuals requesting to have an audio link with the instructor are placed on the call list if a characteristic of theirs from a database roster matches the characteristic set up by the instructor for that call list.
Abstract:
A novel advanced set top terminal capable of digital decompression, menu generation, interactivity and other advanced functional capabilities for use in a television program delivery system is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for upgrading existing set top terminals to provide menu generation capability and advanced functional capabilities. The invention is particularly useful in television program delivery systems with hundreds of channels of programming, providing (i) menu driven program selection through the addition of an upgrade module or menu generation card and (ii) advanced functional capabilities using a set of hardware upgrades and/or an expansion card. Specifically, the invention is an upgradeable system that supports advanced set top functionality through the use of internal software, hardware upgrades, an upgrade module and/or expansion cards. The upgraded hardware generally includes a microprocessor, various input/output ports, processing circuitry and memory. The invention results in an upgraded set top terminal that supports: menu generation; picture-on-picture displays; program catalogue services; interactive services; telephone caller identification; digital audio reception; VCR control; HDTV reception; and backyard satellite system interoperability, among other features and capabilities.
Abstract:
A selective call receiving apparatus for receiving FM multiplexed broadcasting signals which is designed to suppress consumed power by efficiently using a battery as a power supply. This apparatus has a reception circuit, an FM multiplex decoder, a subframe counter and a CPU. The reception circuit receives frames having plural pieces of subframes including ID data for a local terminal. The FM multiplex decoder detects a sync signal in each received subframe. The subframe counter counts the number of subframes in accordance with the detected sync signal. The CPU stops the operation of the reception circuit and FM multiplex decoder after causing the subframe counter to self-operate to perform the counting operation based on the sync signal detected in a continuous reception mode, and activates the reception circuit and FM multiplex decoder only when the count value of the subframe counter matches with a previously assigned subframe number and executes data processing including a process of determining if ID data in received data matches with that of the local terminal.
Abstract:
The present invention is a digital FM voice paging system which uses digital signal processing (including D/A conversion and data compression) to transmit voice pager data over existing FM broadcast subcarrriers.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method and apparatus provided on a game software broadcasting system for protecting the broadcast game software against unauthorized reception after the prescribed period of authorized reception expires. The method and apparatus allows the subscriber to receive and use the broadcast software within the prescribed period of authorized reception, and beyond that period the subscriber will not able to receive correctly decoded data of the broadcast software. The method and apparatus uses a timer on the transmitting site for clocking off the encoding process and uses another timer on the receiving site for clocking off the decoding process. The operating frequency of the decoding clock signal is prescribed with a specific deviation from that of the encoding clock signal. The deviation is prescribed based on the period of authorized reception given to the subscriber. The decoding clock signal is initially set in synchronization with the encoding clock signal at the time the service begins. The deviation will cause the decoding clock signal to be out of synchronization after the prescribed period of authorized reception expires, thereby causing the receiving site unable to decode the received data of the broadcast software. To continue the authorization, the renewal can be made on the line by setting a resetting signal to reset the decoding clock signal back into synchronization with the encoding clock signal.
Abstract:
An interactive data appliance (IDA) having a receiver and transmitter for sending data messages in a two-way interactive broadcast data service communication system. In one embodiment, a user of a transmitting IDA selects a message from a list of messages stored in the IDA memory. The selected message is transmitted as a data message to a receiving IDA. The receiving IDA converts the data message to a synthesized voice message. Hence, the receiving IDA speaks the message selected by the user of the transmitting IDA.
Abstract:
An interactive data communications system comprises a plurality of subscriber stations each of which has an identification code associated therewith and an entry terminal for manually entering data in response to a broadcast signal. Each entry terminal is connectable to a transmission line, the system including switching means for selectively allowing either data or voice signals to be conveyed down the transmission line. The transmission lines are linked to a data switching mechanism which includes a plurality of voice/data multiplexers. A control station is arranged to communicate with the data switching mechanism via a data link, the control station comprising at least one host computer for processing the data entered from the various entry terminals. The invention extends to a method of establishing a data link between a subscriber station and a host station which utilizes an interactive data communications systems.
Abstract:
A method of, and a system for, selectively delivering still television video with accompanying audio to home subscribers over a cable television system for advertising, promotional or educational purposes. A maximum number of home subscribers can interactively request presentations of their own choosing to be displayed on their home television sets. Only one standard television channel is required for transmission of still video with accompanying audio to serve 300 concurrent users. No equipment is required in the subscriber's home. The video is presented as still frames from one of a number of videodisc players, transmitted over one television channel during the appropriate time interval of 1/30th (or 1/25th) of a second. Such video frames, which may also contain overlaid graphics information, are uniquely addressed to a remote storage device. Unused bandwidth is used for the transmission of up to 300 discrete audio messages. The remote storage device identifies the appropriate video still frame, stores it, combines it with the corresponding audio message and conveys both to the home subscribers'television on a pre-selected channel. By uniquely addressing video frames to the remote storage device, either 30 (or 25) different video frames per second can be conveyed on one television channel to 30 (or 25) different remote storage devices for retransmission to home subscribers. Thus, if a home subscriber sees a given still video frame for 10 seconds, his remote storage device need not be updated for those 10 seconds, enabling the system to transmit 300 (10 seconds.times.30/second) different video frames to 300 other remote storage devices, thereby serving 300 concurrent users.