Method for combining data signals and video singnals for transmission to video display units

• US 20090168901A1
• Filed: 03/02/2009
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: BMG Digital Video LLC (Pride Tree Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Reagen, Mark, Yarmolich, Paul M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,135,623 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/240.260
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/265 Mixing

Abstract

A method capable of combining data signals and video signals for transmission to a video display unit. The method comprises the steps of generating a data signal, transmitting the data signal to an apparatus, receiving the data signal at the apparatus, receiving a video/audio signal at the apparatus, combining the video/audio signal with the data signal to form a single combined signal, and displaying the combined signal on a video display unit.

Claims

1. A method for combining data signals and video signals for transmission to a video display unit comprises the steps of:

generating a data signal;

transmitting the data signal to an apparatus;

receiving the data signal at the apparatus;

receiving a video/audio signal at the apparatus;

combining the video/audio signal with the data signal to form a single combined signal; and

displaying the combined signal on a video display unit.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of generating a data signal comprises the step of generating a data signal on a remote computer.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the step of transmitting the data signal to an apparatus comprises the step of connecting the apparatus with a remote computer.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the step of connecting includes the use of a modem.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of receiving the data signal further comprises the step of storing the data signal in the apparatus.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of combining comprises the step of:

resizing the video signal;

positioning the video signal along a portion of the video display unit; and

positioning the data signal so as to be separate from the video signal on the video display unit.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of combining comprises the steps of:

positioning the video signal along a portion of the video display unit; and

positioning the data signal so as to overlie at least a portion of the video display unit.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of displaying comprises the step of displaying the combined signal on a plurality of video display units.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the video signal comprises one of the group consisting of terrestrial signals, cable signals, satellite signals, local cameras, remote cameras, video tape recorders and/or DVD players.

10. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of decoding the signal with the apparatus, to in turn, create and manipulate at least one of text and graphics represented by the data signal.

11. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of scheduling the combining, and, in turn, displaying of the data signal.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the step of scheduling is accomplished by the apparatus.

13. A method for individually transmitting data signals to video display units comprising the steps of:

associating at least one apparatus with at least one video display unit;

associating the at least one apparatus with a data source;

transmitting a data signal from the data source to the at least one apparatus; and

transmitting a data signal from the at least one apparatus to the at least one video display unit.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

transmitting a video signal to the at least one apparatus;

combining the video signal with the data signal; and

transmitting the combined video signal along with the step of transmitting the data signal from the at least one apparatus to the at least one video display unit.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of associating an apparatus with a video display unit comprises the step of associating a plurality video display units each with a single apparatus.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of transmitting a data signal from the data source to the at least one apparatus comprises the step of transmitting a unique data signal from the data source to each of the apparatuses.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

transmitting a video signal to each apparatus;

combining the video signal with the data signal at each apparatus; and

transmitting the combined video signal along with the step of transmitting the data signal form each apparatus to the video display unit.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein each apparatus receives a single video signal.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein each apparatus receives a unique video signal.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein the video signal comprises one of the group consisting of terrestrial signals, cable signals, satellite signals, local cameras, remote cameras, video tape recorders and/or DVD players.