Abstract:
A wide area communication system (100,200) employs a method and apparatus for providing a localized information (410) to a communication device (500) located in the wide area communication system (100,200). The wide area communication system (100,200) includes a plurality of local coverage areas (110-112, 219-225) that are each served by one or more broadcast transmission sites (103-108, 203-212). A broadcast transmission site (300) providing communication service to a local coverage area that includes the communication device (500) transmit, during a first pre-allocated time interval and/or together with a first pre-allocated broadcast address, information relating to their local coverage area. During a second time interval and/or together with an individual address (414) of the communication device (500), the same broadcast transmission sites together with other broadcast transmission sites in the wide area communication system (100, 200) transmit an individualized information (418) to the communication device (500).
Abstract:
A data file delivery system is provided having, at a head end, a production subsystem which communicates with a delivery subsystem via a local area network, ISDN connection, and the like. The delivery subsystem communicates with an affiliate subsystem, at a tail end, via a satellite link, ISDN link and the like. The production subsystem enables a producer to create audio events which represent sequences of audio which are played to completion before another audio event occurs. Audio events are stored as audio files. Each audio event may include one or more of an audio sequence, text information, delivery instructions, and an attribute list having contact closure information and the like. Optionally, multiple audio events may be assembled at the production subsystem to form a play list. The audio files are transferred to the delivery subsystem. The delivery subsystem places the audio files in delivery envelopes and transmits the envelopes to the affiliate terminals. In addition, the delivery subsystem may transmit live audio and related contact closure information to the affiliate terminals. The affiliate terminal may be located at a user site. The affiliate terminals may store these events on the hard drive, play the events in real time or pass events to other affiliate terminals. The affiliate terminal may later play stored audio events.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for receiving dispatch messages in a broadcast radio receiver. In one embodiment, audio dispatch messages can be received, in another embodiment, data dispatch messages can be received. In either embodiment, a previously selected broadcast channel is received until a dispatch alert message is simultaneously received. The dispatch alert message includes a dispatch ID codes which is compared by the receiver with a previously stored dispatch ID code. If equality is found, the receiver switches from the previously selected broadcast channel to a dispatch broadcast channel to receive the dispatch message. Upon completion of the dispatch message, the receiver automatically switches back to the previously selected broadcast channel.
Abstract:
An expanded television program delivery system is described which allows viewers to select television and audio program choices from a series of menus. The primary components of the system include an operations center, a digital cable headend, and at least one set top terminal having a remote control. The system allows for a great number of television signals to be transmitted by using digital compression techniques. A combined signal is transmitted over satellite to a cable headend, which may modify the combined signal for changes or additions in programming or menu content. The combined or modified signal is subsequently distributed to individual set top terminals in the cable network. Menus are partially stored in a set top terminal in each subscriber's home and may be reprogrammed by signals sent from the operations center or headend. Numerous types of menus may be used, incorporating information included within the video/data signal received by the set top terminal. A remote control unit with icon buttons allows a subscriber to select programs based upon a series of major menus, submenus, and during program menus. Various data gathering and analysis techniques are used to compile programs watched information that in turn is used in packaging programs, customizing menu selections, targeting advertisements, and maintaining account and billing information.
Abstract:
A transceiver is used to receive remotely-broadcast, radio frequency (rf) signals at a first frequency. The remotely-broadcast rf signals contain encoded, partial control commands as message packets. Each transceiver is adapted to respond only to signals addressed to it. Upon receipt of an intended rf signal, the transceiver decodes and authenticates the signal. If authenticity is established and the decoded signal is recognized as a proper control signal, a new control message packet is generated using information contained in the incoming message packet and information stored in the memory of the internal micro-controller. The new message packet is broadcast using by a low-power rf transmitter tuned to a different frequency that the frequency of the incoming rf signal. A random delay may be introduced between the receipt of the incoming message and the broadcast of the outgoing message to minimize the probability of correlating the output signal with the input signal. Each controlled device within range of the low-power transmitter then receives the new signal, decodes its contents, and responds appropriately to signals intended for the individual device.
Abstract:
A satellite uplink/studio system has timing means coupled therewith for precise commercial timing such that prerecorded commercials are simultaneously started with sufficient precision to appear simultaneously to viewers changing channels.
Abstract:
Transmitting data includes grouping the data into one or more packets, constructing a segment of data packets, and transmitting the segment more than once. Control information indicating that the segment is about to commence may be transmitted prior to transmission of the segment. Similarly, control information indicating that the segment has ended may be transmitted after transmission of the segment. The transmission may be performed by superimposing the segment and control information onto a video signal.
Abstract:
A broad band broadcasting transmission system for sending broad band downstream data and telephone signals from a central office to a number subscriber set top terminal. Each frame of data is marked to indicate the set top terminals it is to be received by. A downstream light fiber is located between the head office and a curbside box. A transmitter transmits the frames along a light fiber to a SAC box. A converter converts the light signals from the light fiber to electrical signals. A distribution line coupled to the curbside box carries the electrical signals to a plurality of drop line twisted pair conductors connected to the distribution line. The drop lines are coupled via a residential units to the set top terminals. The downstream data is transmitted in a single broad frequency band in a frequency range starting sufficiently greater than zero so that distinct frequency bands are available between zero and the starting frequency for the transmission of ordinary telephone service and upstream signals from the set top terminals to the central office.
Abstract:
In a karaoke system, a central terminal and a plurality of karaoke terminals are connected by a coaxial cable. A polling modem modulates a polling signal to a predetermined channel signal and transmits it to a karaoke terminal and also receives a response signal (signal for responding as to whether a song has been requested) transmitted from the karaoke terminal in response to the polling signal. When a song is requested, the data transmission control portion retrieves the karaoke song data of the requested song from the memory, modulates it via the data transmission modem into an alternating current signal that differs from the channel of the polling signal, and transmits it to the karaoke terminal.
Abstract:
The present invention provides greater capability and flexibility than existing cable headends. Specifically, the invention comprises a modular design for a cable headend and a combiner component for cable headend. The invention is particularly useful in cable television program delivery systems transponding large numbers of digitally compressed program signals. The combiner allows cherry-picking of programs from transponded signals.