Apparatus and method using compressed codes for scheduling broadcast information recording
First Claim
1. An apparatus for using compressed codes for information broadcast recording that comprises:
- means for entering compressed codes each having at least one digit and each representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a proper subset of the set of channel, date, time-of-day and length commands for an information broadcast; and
means for decoding a compressed code having at least one digit into a proper subset of the set of channel, date, time-of-day and length commands.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Digital compressed codes, associated with advertisements enable a user to selectively record additional information, which would be broadcast on a television channel at a later time. The advertisement could be print advertisement or broadcast advertisement on television or radio. The user enters the digital code (I code) associated with an advertisement into a unit with a decoding means which automatically converts the code into CTL (channel, time and length). The unit within a twenty four hour period activates a VCR to record information on the television channel at the right time for the proper length of time. The decoded channel, time and length information can be communicated directly to a VCR and used by the VCR directly to automatically activate the VCR to record a given television information broadcast corresponding to the communicated channel, time and length. Alternately, the channel, time and length information can be decoded directly in a remote control unit and only start record, stop record and channel selection commands sent to the VCR at the appropriate times. Algorithms for decoding the I codes can be a function of time to ensure security of the decoding method. A method is included for use of the I codes with cable channels.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. An apparatus for using compressed codes for information broadcast recording that comprises:
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means for entering compressed codes each having at least one digit and each representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a proper subset of the set of channel, date, time-of-day and length commands for an information broadcast; and
means for decoding a compressed code having at least one digit into a proper subset of the set of channel, date, time-of-day and length commands. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
has a length less than the length of the concatenation of said incorporated proper subset of the set of channel, date, time-of-day and length commands.
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3. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 1 wherein each compressed code:
comprises one or more alphanumeric characters.
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4. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 1 wherein:
said means for decoding expands each of said compressed codes into an individual, proper subset of the set of channel, date, time-of-day and length commands for an individual information broadcast.
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5. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 1 wherein said means for entering a compressed code comprises:
means for remote control that comprises the means for entering and a signal transmit means for communicating said compressed code to said means for decoding.
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6. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 1 wherein said means for entering a compressed code comprises a keyboard.
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7. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 5 further comprising:
means for recording coupled to said means for decoding.
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8. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 7 further comprising:
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a clock for providing an output as a function of time; and
said means for decoding performing the decoding as a function of said clock output.
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9. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 8 wherein said means for recording comprises:
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said clock;
means for selecting a channel to record in response to said decoded channel commands;
means for turning said means for recording on in response to comparison of said decoded time-of-day commands with said clock output; and
means for turning said means for recording off in response to comparison of the record on time with said decoded length commands.
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10. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 1 further comprising:
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means for recording;
means for remote control, wherein the means for remote control comprises the means for entering said compressed codes and the means for decoding said compressed codes; and
a clock for providing an output as a function of time coupled to said means for decoding.
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11. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 10 wherein:
said means for decoding performs the decoding as a function of said clock output.
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12. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 11 further comprising:
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means for selecting a channel to record in response to said decoded channel commands;
means for turning said means for recording on in response to comparison of said decoded time-of-day commands with said clock output; and
means for turning said means for recording off in response to comparison of the record on time with said decoded length commands.
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13. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 12 wherein said means for remote control comprises:
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signal transmit means for transmitting commands to said means for recording;
means for selecting a channel to record in response to said decoded channel commands;
means for turning said means for recording on in response to comparison of said decoded time-of-day commands with said clock output; and
means for turning said means for recording off in response to comparison of the record on time with said decoded length commands.
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14. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 12 further comprising:
means for transmitting a proper subset of the set of channel, date, time-of-day and length commands from said means for remote control to said means for recording.
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15. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 14 wherein said means for recording comprises:
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a clock for providing an output as a function of time;
means for selecting a channel to record in response to said decoded channel commands;
means for turning said means for recording on in response to comparison of said decoded time-of-day commands with said clock output; and
means for turning said means for recording off in response to comparison of the record on time with said decoded length commands.
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16. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 1 further comprising:
means for remote control, wherein the means for remote control comprises the means for entering said compressed codes and the means for decoding said compressed codes.
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17. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 16 wherein:
said means for remote control comprises a universal remote control capable of learning protocols of a different remote controller with which said means for universal remote control interfaces.
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18. A method for using compressed codes for information broadcast recording that comprises:
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receiving compressed codes, each having at least one digit and each representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a proper subset of the set of channel, date, time-of-day and length commands for an information broadcast; and
decoding a compressed code having at least one digit into a proper subset of the set of channel, date, time-of-day and length commands. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
decoding each of said compressed codes into a individual, proper subset of the set of channel, date, time-of-day and length commands for an individual information broadcast.
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20. The method for using compressed codes of claim 18 further comprises:
receiving a compressed code in a remote control and transmitting said compressed code to said means for decoding using said remote control.
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21. The method for using compressed codes of claim 20 wherein the step of decoding is performed as a function of a clock output.
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22. The method for using compressed codes of claim 21 further comprising:
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selecting a channel to record in response to said decoded channel commands;
turning a recorder on in response to comparison of said decoded time-of-day commands with said clock output; and
turning the recorder off in response to comparison of the record on time with said decoded length commands.
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23. The method for using compressed codes of claim 18 further comprising:
using a remote control to receive and decode the compressed codes.
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24. The method for using compressed codes of claim 23 wherein the step of decoding is performed as a function of a clock output.
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25. The method for using compressed codes of claim 24 wherein said remote control transmits commands to a recorder:
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selecting a channel to record in response to said decoded channel commands;
turning a recorder on in response to comparison of said decoded time-of-day commands with said clock output; and
turning the recorder off in response to comparison of the record on time with said decoded length commands.
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26. The method for using compressed codes of claim 24 further comprising:
transmitting a proper subset of the set of channel, date, time-of-day and length commands from said remote control to a recorder.
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27. The method for using compressed codes of claim 26 further comprising:
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selecting a channel to record in response to said decoded channel commands;
turning a recorder on in response to comparison of said decoded time-of-day commands with said clock output; and
turning the recorder off in response to comparison of the record on time with said decoded length commands.
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28. The method for using compressed codes of claim 18 further comprising:
- using a universal remote control capable of learning protocols of a different remote controller with which said universal remote control interfaces to receive and decode the compressed codes.
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29. An apparatus for using compressed codes for information broadcast recording that comprises:
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an interface that receives compressed codes each having at least one digit and each representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a proper subset of the set of channel, date, time-of-day and length commands for an information broadcast;
a decoder that decodes a compressed code having at least one digit into a proper subset of the set of channel, date, time-of-day and length commands. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
a logic circuit implemented using hardware, software or any combination thereof.
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31. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 29 wherein said interface comprises:
a remote control that comprises the interface and a signal transmitter that communicates said compressed code to said decoder for decoding.
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32. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 31 further comprising:
a recorder that comprises said decoder.
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33. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 29 wherein the interface comprises a keyboard.
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34. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 32 further comprising:
a clock coupled to said decoder.
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35. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 34 wherein:
said decoder performs the decoding as a function of said clock output.
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36. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 35 wherein said recorder further comprises:
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channel selector that selects a channel to record in response to said decoded channel commands;
recorder controller that turns recording on in response to comparison of said decoded time-of-day commands with said clock output and turns recording off in response to comparison of the record on time with said decoded length commands.
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37. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 29 further comprising a remote control, wherein:
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said remote control comprises the interface and decoder; and
a clock providing output as a function of time is coupled to said remote control.
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38. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 37 wherein:
said decoder performs the decoding as a function of said clock output.
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39. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 38 further comprising:
a transmitter that transmits commands from said remote control to a recorder.
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40. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 39 wherein said remote comprises:
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channel selector that selects a channel to record in response to said decoded channel commands;
recorder controller that turns recording on in response to comparison of said decoded time-of-day commands with said clock output and turns recording off in response to comparison of the record on time with said decoded length commands.
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41. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 38 further comprising:
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a recorder; and
a transmitter that transmits a proper subset of the set of channel, date, time-of-day and length commands from said remote control to said recorder.
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42. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 41 wherein said recorder comprises:
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a clock;
channel selector that selects a channel to record in response to said decoded channel commands;
recorder controller that turns recording on in response to comparison of said decoded time-of-day commands with said clock output and turns recording off in response to comparison of the record on time with said decoded length commands.
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43. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 29 further comprising a remote control, wherein:
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said remote control comprises a universal remote control capable of learning protocols of a different remote controller with which said universal remote control interfaces; and
said remote control comprises the interface and decoder.
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Specification