Methods and apparatus for transmitting and receiving television signals
First Claim
1. A method of broadcasting a series of television programmes, the method comprising repeatedly broadcasting a group of programmes in the series and, after a period, repeatedly broadcasting a subsequent group of programmes in the series instead of the previous group of programmes, wherein the subsequent group of programmes includes at least one programme later in the series than the programmes in the previously broadcast group, and continuing in the same way in order to broadcast all of the programmes in the series.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a method of transmitting a series of television programmes and a method of transmitting and receiving a television programme including interactive content, along with associated apparatus. In particular, there is provided a method of broadcasting a series of television programmes, the method comprising repeatedly broadcasting a subsequent group of programmes in the series instead of the previous group of programmes, wherein the subsequent group of programmes includes at least one programme later in the series than the programs in the previously broadcast group, and continuing in the same way in order to broadcast all of the programmes in the series. Consequently, television programmes of a series can be broadcast in groups. This method is particularly suited to broadcasting educational programmes as they provide flexibility in viewing times to encourage viewer participation.
17 Citations
43 Claims
- 1. A method of broadcasting a series of television programmes, the method comprising repeatedly broadcasting a group of programmes in the series and, after a period, repeatedly broadcasting a subsequent group of programmes in the series instead of the previous group of programmes, wherein the subsequent group of programmes includes at least one programme later in the series than the programmes in the previously broadcast group, and continuing in the same way in order to broadcast all of the programmes in the series.
- 9. A method of transmitting a television programme including interactive content, the method comprising transmitting a stream of audiovisual data for display by a receiver and transmitting a separate stream of interactive content data for storage at the receiver, wherein the stream of audiovisual data includes codes in response to the receipt of which the receiver is intended to include the stored interactive content data in the display of the audiovisual data.
- 10. A method of receiving a television programme including interactive content, the method comprising receiving a stream of audiovisual data for display and receiving a separate stream of interactive content data, storing the interactive content data and responding to codes in the stream of audiovisual data to include the stored interactive content data in the display of the audiovisual data.
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16. An apparatus for broadcasting a series of television programmes, the apparatus comprising:
- a transmitter for repeatedly broadcasting a group of programmes in the series and, after a given period, repeatedly broadcasting a subsequent group of programmes in the series instead of the previous group of programmes; and
a controller for including in the subsequent group of programmes at least one programme later in the series than the programmes in the previously broadcast group, wherein the transmitter and controller continue in the same way in order to broadcast all the programmes in the series. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 38)
- a transmitter for repeatedly broadcasting a group of programmes in the series and, after a given period, repeatedly broadcasting a subsequent group of programmes in the series instead of the previous group of programmes; and
- 24. An apparatus for transmitting a television programme including interactive content, the apparatus comprising a transmitter for transmitting a stream of audiovisual data for display by a receiver and transmitting a separate stream of interactive content data for storage at the receiver, and an encoder for including codes in the stream of audiovisual data includes, in response to the receipt of which codes the receiver is intended to include the stored interactive content data in the display of the audiovisual data.
- 25. An apparatus for receiving a television programme including interactive content, the apparatus comprising a receiver for receiving a stream of audiovisual data for display and receiving a separate stream of interactive content data, a memory for storing the interactive content data and a decoder for responding to codes in the audiovisual data to include the stored interactive content data in the display of the audiovisual data.
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31. (canceled)
Specification