Apparatus for communicating program information corresponding to digital data

• US 5,406,558 A
• Filed: 05/03/1993
• Issued: 04/11/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta Incorporated (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rovira, Luis A., Wall, William E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Olms, Douglas W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOM, SHICK C
• Application Number:
  US08/056,560
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 370/71, 370/73, 370/77, 370/26, 358/84, 358/86, 358/342, 358/332, 358/335, 358/194.1, 358/348, 358/734, 455/45, 455/46, 455/158.4, 455/158.5, 455/186.1, 455/186.2, 455/4.2, 455/6.2, 375/7, 375/40, 375/56, 340/825.06, 340/825.07, 340/825.72
• US Class Current: 370/326
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18523 Satellite systems for providing broadcast service to terrestrial stations, i.e. broadcast satellite service arrangements specially adapted for satellite broadcast receiving H04H40/90; picture transmission via satellite H04N1/00103; television transmission via satellite H04N7/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/28 Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/63 to plural spots in a confined site, e.g. MATV [Master Antenna Television]
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/78 CATV [Community Antenna Television] systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/79 using downlink of the CATV systems, e.g. audio broadcast via CATV network
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/81 combined with telephone network over which the broadcast is continuously available
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/84 combined with power distribution network
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/91 broadcasting computer programmes
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/27 specially adapted for broadcast systems covered by groups H04H20/53 - H04H20/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/23 using cryptography, e.g. encryption, authentication, key distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/74 using programme related information, e.g. title, composer or interpreter
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23614 Multiplexing of additional data and video streams arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information H04H20/28
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23895 involving multiplex stream encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42209 for displaying non-command information, e.g. electronic program guide [EPG], e-mail, messages or a second television channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42225 characterized by types of remote control, e.g. universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4348 Demultiplexing of additional data and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43853 involving multiplex stream decryption arrangements using cryptography for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/23
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 : comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 : Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 : Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/16 : Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems

Abstract

An apparatus and method is described for transmitting, receiving and communicating program data signals which are combined with digital data signals. Preferably, the present invention compresses 30 digital audio signals, multiplexes them with title, track, artist, record label, year, etc., program information, and transmits the combined signals via satellite to a receiving station. The receiving station demultiplexes the signals and sends them via a cable distribution system to a subscriber'"'"'s digital music tuner. This tuner further demultiplexes and decodes the signals so that the digital audio signals may be converted to analog and output for listening, while the corresponding data signals are communicated to the subscriber. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the program data signals are transmitted to a remote control receiver where they are displayed. The system described in the present invention may be used for transmitting video, software or games with program data to subscribers.

Claims

1. A hand held apparatus for communicating program information corresponding to digital data comprising:

receiving means for receiving a plurality of program data signals from a remote receiver that receives both the program data signals and a plurality of distal data signals, each of the program data signals corresponding to one of the digital data signals;

processing means, coupled to the receiving means, for processing the received program data signal; and

communicating means, coupled to the processing means, for communicating the processed program data signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communicating means uses visual communication.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the communicating means is a liquid crystal display.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the communicating means is a cathode ray tube.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the communicating means is a light emitting diode.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the communicating means further comprises a printed text material.

7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the communicating means further comprises a printed text material.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the communicating means further comprises a printed text material.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the communicating means further comprises a printed text material.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communicating means uses audible communication.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the communicating means is a voice synthesizer.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communicating means uses tactile communication.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

input means, coupled to the processing means, for inputting a request; and

transmitting means, coupled to the processing means, for transmitting the request to the remote receiver.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the transmitting means may transmit the request contemporaneously while the receiving means receives one of the program data signals.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the input means selects one of the plurality of digital data signals.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the input means requests a particular information block from the processed program data signal.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the input means requests communication of the processed program data signal.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receiving means is an infrared receiver means.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving means is a radio frequency receiver means.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receiving means is an optical fiber port receiving means.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the remote receiver is a digital music tuner connected to a cable television (CATV) distribution system.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein each of the program data signals describes the attributes of the corresponding one of the digital data signals.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein each of the program data signals includes at least one of a title, a track, an artist, a publisher, a composer, a song identification, and a play time information block.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of digital data signals are digital audio signals.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of digital data signals are digital video signals.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of digital data signals are digital software signals.

27. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a memory, connected to the processing means, for storing the processed program data signal.

28. A handheld apparatus for communicating program information corresponding to digital data comprising:

receiving means for receiving one of a plurality of program data signals from a remote receiver that receives both the program data signals and a plurality of digital data signals, each of the program data signals corresponding to one of the digital data signals;

processing means, coupled to the receiving means, for processing the received program data signal;

communicating means, coupled to the processing means, for communicating the processed program data signal;

input means, coupled to the processing means, for inputting a request; and

transmitting means, coupled to the processing means, for transmitting the request to the remote receiver,

wherein the remote receiver responds to the transmitted request by conducting a selected function.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the transmitting means may transmit the request contemporaneously while the receiving means receives one of the program data signals.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the remote receiver transmits one of the program data signals in response to a selected transmitted request.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the remote receiver selects one of the plurality of digital data signals in response to another transmitted request.

32. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the input means requests a particular information block from the processed program data signal.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the input means requests communication of the particular information block of the processed program data signal.

34. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the receiving means is an infrared receiver and the transmitting means is an infrared transmitter.

35. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the remote receiver is a digital music tuner connected to a CATV distribution system.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein each of the program data signals describes the attributes of one of the plurality of digital data signals.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein each of the program data signals includes at least one of a title, a track, an artist, a publisher, a composer, a song identification, and a play time information block.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the digital data signals are digital audio signals.

39. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the digital data signals are digital video signals.

40. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the digital data signals are digital software signals.

41. A handheld apparatus for communicating program information corresponding to digital audio comprising:

receiving means for receiving one of a plurality of program data signals from a digital music tuner that receives the program data signals and a plurality of digital audio signals via a CATV distribution system, each of the program data signals corresponding to one of the digital audio signals;

processing means, coupled to the receiving means, for processing the received program data signal;

communicating means, coupled to the processing means, for communicating the processed program data signal;

input means, coupled to the processing means, for inputting a request; and

transmitting means, coupled to the processing means, for transmitting the request to the digital music tuner,

wherein the digital music tuner conducts a selected function in response to the transmitted request.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 further comprising a memory coupled to the processing means for storing the program data associated with the processed program data signal.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein each of the program data signals describes the attributes of the corresponding one of the digital audio signals.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the attributes include at least one of a title, a track, an artist, a publisher, a composer, a song identification, and a playtime information block.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the transmitting means is an infrared transmitter, the receiving means is an infrared receiver, the input means is a keyboard, and the communicating means is a display.

46. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the digital music tuner transmits one of the program data signals in response to a selected transmitted request.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the digital music tuner selects one of the plurality of digital audio signals in response to another transmitted request.

48. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the transmitting means may transmit the request contemporaneously while the receiving means receives one of the program data signals.

49. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the input means requests communication of the processed program data signal.

50. A hand held apparatus for communicating program information corresponding to digital data comprising:

a receiver for receiving one of a plurality of program data signals from a remote receiver that receives both the program data signals and a plurality of digital data signals, each of the program data signals corresponding to one of the digital data signals;

a processor, coupled to the receiver, for processing the received program data signal; and

a display, coupled to the processor, for communicating the processed program data signal.

51. The apparatus of claim 50 further comprising:

an input device, coupled to the processor, for inputting a request; and

a transmitter, coupled to the processor, for transmitting the request to the remote receiver.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the transmitter may transmit the request contemporaneously while the receiver receives one of the program data signals.

53. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the remote receiver selects one of the plurality of digital data signals in response to a selected transmitted request.

54. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the input device requests a particular information block from the processed program data signal.

55. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the input device requests communication of the processed program data signal.

56. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the remote receiver is a digital music tuner connected to a CATV distribution system.

57. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein each of the program data signals describes the attributes of the corresponding one of the digital data signals.

58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein each of the program data signals includes at least one of a title, a track, an artist, a publisher, a composer, a song identification, and a playtime information block.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the digital data signals are digital audio signals.

60. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the digital data signals are digital video signals.

61. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the digital data signals are digital software signals.

62. The apparatus of claim 50 further comprising a memory, connected to the processor, for storing the processed program data signal.

63. A handheld apparatus for communicating program information corresponding to digital data comprising:

a receiver for receiving one of a plurality of program data signals from a remote receiver that receives both the program data signals and a plurality of digital data signals, each of the program data signals corresponding to one of the digital data signals;

a processor, coupled to the receiver, for processing the received program data signal;

a display, coupled to the processor, for communicating the processed program data signal;

an input device, coupled to the processor, for inputting a request; and

a transmitter, coupled to the processor, for transmitting the request to the remote receiver,

wherein the remote receiver responds to the transmitted request by conducting a selected function.

64. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the remote receiver transmits one of the program data signals in response to a selected transmitted request.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the remote receiver selects one of the plurality of digital data signals in response to another transmitted request.

66. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the transmitter may transmit the request contemporaneously while the receiver receives one of the program data signals.

67. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the input device requests a particular information block from the processed program data signal.

68. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the input device requests communication of the processed program data signal.

69. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the receiver is an infrared receiver and the transmitter is an infrared transmitter.

70. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein each of the program data signals describes the attributes of one of the plurality of digital data signals.

71. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the remote receiver is a digital music tuner connected to a CATV distribution system.

72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein each of the program data signals includes at least one of a title, a track, an artist, a publisher, a composer, a song identification, and a playtime information block.

73. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the digital data signals are digital audio signals.

74. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the digital data signals are digital video signals.

75. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the digital data signals are digital software signals.

76. A handheld apparatus for communicating program information corresponding to digital audio comprising:

a receiver for receiving one of a plurality of program data signals from a digital music tuner that receives both the program data signals and a plurality of digital audio signals via a CATV distribution system, each of the program data signals corresponding to one of the digital audio signals;

a processor, coupled to the receiver, for processing the received program data signal;

a display, coupled to the processor, for communicating the processed program data signal;

an input device, coupled to the processor, for inputting a request; and

a transmitter, coupled to the processor, for transmitting the request to the digital music tuner,

wherein the digital music tuner conducts a selected function in response to the transmitted request.

77. The apparatus of claim 76 further comprising a memory coupled to the processing means for storing the program data associated with the processed program data signal.

78. The apparatus of claim 77, wherein each of the program data signals describes the attributes of the corresponding one of the digital audio signals.

79. The apparatus of claim 78, wherein the attributes includes at least one of a title, a track, an artist, a publisher, a composer, a song identification, and a playtime information block.

80. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the transmitter is an infrared transmitter, the receiver is an infrared receiver, the input device is a keyboard, and the display is a liquid crystal display.

81. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the digital music tuner transmits one of the program data signals in response to a selected transmitted request.

82. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein the digital music tuner selects one of the plurality of digital audio signals in response to another transmitted request.

83. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the transmitter may transmit the request contemporaneously while the receiver receives one of the program data signals.

84. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the input device requests communication of the processed program data signal.