Method for combining data signals and video signals for transmission to video display units
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for combining data signals and video signals for transmission to a video display unit comprising the steps of:
- grouping at least one apparatus from a plurality of apparatuses based on geographic area or type of establishment into an apparatus group;
selecting the apparatus group comprising the at least one apparatus wherein the selection is based, at least in part, on the geographic area or type of establishment wherein the at least one apparatus is located;
transmitting a data signal over a computer network to the selected apparatus group, the data signal comprising an advertisement;
receiving the data signal at the at least one apparatus within the selected apparatus group;
storing the data signal on the at least one apparatus within the selected apparatus group;
receiving a video/audio signal from a main source at the at least one apparatus within the selected apparatus group;
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, wherein the step of displaying the combined signal comprises the step of displaying the video signal and the data signal simultaneously on the video display unit such that the data signal is controlled and maintained independent and regardless of any operational control of, or switching of the main source of the video/audio signal by a viewer of the video display unit.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
64 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A method for combining data signals and video signals for transmission to a video display unit comprising the steps of:
-
grouping at least one apparatus from a plurality of apparatuses based on geographic area or type of establishment into an apparatus group; selecting the apparatus group comprising the at least one apparatus wherein the selection is based, at least in part, on the geographic area or type of establishment wherein the at least one apparatus is located; transmitting a data signal over a computer network to the selected apparatus group, the data signal comprising an advertisement; receiving the data signal at the at least one apparatus within the selected apparatus group; storing the data signal on the at least one apparatus within the selected apparatus group; receiving a video/audio signal from a main source at the at least one apparatus within the selected apparatus group; 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, wherein the step of displaying the combined signal comprises the step of displaying the video signal and the data signal simultaneously on the video display unit such that the data signal is controlled and maintained independent and regardless of any operational control of, or switching of the main source of the video/audio signal by a viewer of the video display unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for transmitting data signals to video display units comprising the steps of:
-
grouping at least apparatus from a plurality of apparatuses based on geographic area or type of establishment into an apparatus group; associating the at least one apparatus with at least one video display unit; associating the at least one apparatus with a server; creating a data signal comprising an advertisement; selecting the apparatus group comprising the at least one apparatus wherein the selection is based, at least in part, on the geographic area or type of establishment; transmitting the data signal over a computer network to the selected apparatus group comprising the at least one apparatus; and transmitting a video signal from a main source to the selected apparatus group comprising the at least one apparatus; combining the video signal with the data signal; transmitting the combined signal from the at least one apparatus to the at least one video display unit; and displaying the combined signal on the video display unit, wherein the step of displaying the combined signal comprises the step of displaying the video signal and the data signal simultaneously on the video display unit, where the data signal is controlled and maintained independent and regardless of any operational control of, or switching of the main source of the video signal by a viewer of the video display unit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method for combining data signals and video signals for transmission to a video display unit, the method comprising the steps of:
-
grouping at least one apparatus from a plurality of apparatuses into a group wherein the grouping is based on geographic area or type of establishment; selecting the apparatus group comprising the at least one apparatus wherein the selection is based, at least in part, on the geographic area or type of establishment; transmitting a data signal comprising an advertisement from a server to the selected apparatus group; receiving the data signal at the selected apparatus group; storing the data signal on the at least one apparatus within the group; receiving a video/audio signal from a main source at the selected apparatus group; 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 such that the video signal and the data signal are displayed simultaneously on the video display unit and the data signal is controlled and maintained independent and regardless of any operational control of, or switching of the main source of the video/audio signal by a viewer of the video display unit.
-
Specification