Identifier generation and remote programming for individually addressable video cassette recorders
First Claim
1. A method of selectively transmitting information to user terminals over a point-to-multipoint television transmission system, the method comprising the steps of:
- randomly generating unique addresses for the respective user terminals in real-time based on actions of users of the respective user terminals;
storing the unique address for each user terminal in a RAM located at the user terminal;
sending the unique address for each user terminal to a point-to-multipoint television transmitter;
inserting a unique address and information designated for transmission to the user terminal identified by such address into a television signal to be telecast from the transmitter;
telecasting the television signal, including the address and the information, from the transmitter;
receiving the telecast television signal at the user terminals;
comparing the unique address of the telecast television signal received at each user terminal with the address stored in the RAM at such user terminal; and
storing the information of the telecast television signal if the unique address of the telecast television signal matches the address stored in the RAM.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods are provided for controlling recording of video programs. In one embodiment an apparatus for controlling the recording of video programs includes a device for retrieving a recorder identifier and recorder programming data from a television signal received from a television signal source, a device for determining whether the retrieved recorder identifier matches a first identifier for the apparatus, a device for storing the recorder programming data, if the retrieved recorder identifier matches the first identifier for the apparatus, and a device for using the stored recorder programming data to control recording. The device for retrieving a recorder identifier and recorder programming data from a television signal includes a vertical blanking interval decoder.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method of selectively transmitting information to user terminals over a point-to-multipoint television transmission system, the method comprising the steps of:
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randomly generating unique addresses for the respective user terminals in real-time based on actions of users of the respective user terminals; storing the unique address for each user terminal in a RAM located at the user terminal; sending the unique address for each user terminal to a point-to-multipoint television transmitter; inserting a unique address and information designated for transmission to the user terminal identified by such address into a television signal to be telecast from the transmitter; telecasting the television signal, including the address and the information, from the transmitter; receiving the telecast television signal at the user terminals; comparing the unique address of the telecast television signal received at each user terminal with the address stored in the RAM at such user terminal; and storing the information of the telecast television signal if the unique address of the telecast television signal matches the address stored in the RAM. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A system for remotely and automatically controlling an information receiving user terminal comprising:
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a) a central station comprising i) means for receiving an identifier of a selected user terminal and a request for controlling the selected user terminal; ii) means for inserting into a television signal to be telecast the received identifier and control signals instructing the selected user terminal to implement the request; and iii) means for telecasting the television signal, including the identifier and the-control signals; b) a plurality of individually addressable user terminals resident at remote locations, each user terminal comprising i) means responsive to one or more user commands at the user terminal for randomly generating an identifier for the user terminal that is different from the identifiers for the other user terminals; ii) means for receiving the television signal telecast from the central station; iii) means for extracting the identifier and the control signals from the television signal telecast from the central station; and iv) means responsive to the control signals for implementing the request when the received identifier matches the generated identifier; and c) a point-to-point transmission link from the user terminals to the central station, permitting the identifiers to be sent to the central station for insertion into the telecast signal. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification