Selection of compressed television signals from single channel allocation based on viewer characteristics
First Claim
1. Apparatus for transmitting and selectively receiving a plurality of television signals on a single television channel allocation comprising:
- headend apparatus for transmitting television signals including;
means for compressing a set of television signals, at least two of which correspond to different viewer characteristics,means for combining the plurality of compressed television signals into a combined signal, andmeans for transmitting said combined signal on a single television channel allocation; and
receiver apparatus for receiving the combined signal including;
means for identifying characteristics of a television viewer,selection means responsive to said identifying means for retrieving a particular one of said set of compressed television signals from the received combined signal depending on said viewer characteristics, andmeans for decompressing the retrieved signal for use by a video appliance.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A plurality of television signals are transmitted and selectively received on a single television channel allocation. Headend apparatus compresses a set of television signals, such as a main program signal and a plurality of different demographically targeted commercials. The plurality of compressed television signals are combined into a combined signal for transmission on a single television channel allocation. A receiver receiving the combined signal identifies characteristics of a television viewer, and selects a particular one of the compressed television signals from the received combined signal depending on the viewer characteristics. The retrieved signal is decompressed for use by a video appliance.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. Apparatus for transmitting and selectively receiving a plurality of television signals on a single television channel allocation comprising:
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headend apparatus for transmitting television signals including; means for compressing a set of television signals, at least two of which correspond to different viewer characteristics, means for combining the plurality of compressed television signals into a combined signal, and means for transmitting said combined signal on a single television channel allocation; and receiver apparatus for receiving the combined signal including; means for identifying characteristics of a television viewer, selection means responsive to said identifying means for retrieving a particular one of said set of compressed television signals from the received combined signal depending on said viewer characteristics, and means for decompressing the retrieved signal for use by a video appliance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. Television receiver apparatus comprising:
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means for tuning to a television channel that carries a plurality of compressed television signals; means for identifying characteristics of at least one television viewer using said receiver; and means responsive to said identifying means for retrieving a particular television signal from said plurality of compressed television signals based on the identified characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. Headend apparatus for broadcasting a plurality of different messages for receipt by different television viewers depending on identified viewer characteristics comprising:
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means for compressing a plurality of television signals including at least one program signal and at least one alternate message signal; and means for combining the plurality of compressed television signals for transmission within a single television channel allocation; wherein said, combining means combine said plurality of compressed signals in a predetermined order to enable their retrieval depending upon viewer characteristics associated with said signals. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A method for reproducing different messages in a common television program received by a plurality of different television viewers, comprising the steps of:
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providing a single television channel containing a compressed television program signal and a plurality of different compressed message signals; identifying said different compressed message signals with different viewer characteristics; detecting the occurrence of a message break in a television program represented by said compressed television program signal; and selecting one of said compressed message signals for reproduction during said message break at a particular viewer site based on a correspondence between viewer characteristics identified for said site and viewer characteristics identified with the selected signal.
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Specification