Interactive video system

• US 5,644,354 A
• Filed: 10/09/1992
• Issued: 07/01/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: UV Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Prevue Interactive Incorporated
• Inventors: Thompson, John R., Trivelpiece, Craig E., Trivelpiece, Steve E.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US07/959,042
• Time in Patent Office: 1,726 Days
• Field of Search: 358/142, 358/141, 358/12, 358/86, 358/85, 358/84, 358/349, 358/145, 358/147
• US Class Current: 725/138
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• 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 7/163 by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309

Abstract

A method of transmitting data for video display in which a composite digital information signal is manipulated to produce an output signal including data code and object code, separately storing the data code and control data, processing the stored data in a dynamic gate array in response to the stored control data to provide a formatted signal that is transmitted to a receiver where the transmitted signal is decoded and passed to a video display in response to satisfaction of one or more predetermined conditions.

Claims

1. A video display, data transmission system comprising:

means having resident programing therein for manipulating a composite digital information signal to produce an output signal, wherein said output signal includes data code and object code;

means for formatting said output signal to produce a formatted signal and for transmitting said formatted signal, wherein said means for formatting and transmitting includes;

an output data storage means for storing said output signal,

a dynamic gate array,

means for determining and maintaining a predetermined configuration sequence in said dynamic gate array, and

means for processing and feeding data stored in said output data storage means to said dynamic gate array; and

means for decoding said transmitted formatted signal to produce a decoded signal, and for enabling said decoded signal to be passed to a video display means in response to satisfaction of one or more predetermined conditions.

2. A system according to claim 1 further comprising:

means for converting generic data into a generic information signal carried by a composite video base band signal; and

means for demodulating said generic information signal to a digital signal, for winnowing said digital signal to produce a winnowed signal and for combining said winnowed signal with a local digital information signal to produce said composite digital information signal.

3. A system according to claim 1 further comprising means external to said decoding and enabling means and operable by a user for controlling the passing of said decoded signal to said video display means.

4. A system according to claim 1, said determining and maintaining means being interchangeable with at least one other determining and maintaining means to change said predetermined configuration sequence of said dynamic gate array.

5. A system according to claim 1, said formatting and transmitting means further comprising a modulating means for receiving formatted data from said dynamic gate array and for transmitting said formatted signal responsive thereto.

6. A system according to claim 5, said modulating means comprising:

an RF amplifying means;

a voltage control oscillator means for driving said RF amplifying means; and

an RF synthesizing means for receiving said formatted data and for controlling said voltage control oscillator means in response thereto.

7. A system according to claim 6 further comprising a stabilizing oscillator means for stabilizing said RF synthesizing means.

33. A system according to claim 2, wherein said generic data comprises program information.

37. A system according to claim 1, wherein said formatting and transmitting means further comprises a control data storing means for storing control data which control data controls the processing and feeding of said data by said processing and feeding means.

8. A video display, data transmission system comprising:

means having resident programming therein for manipulating a composite digital information signal to produce an output signal, wherein said output signal includes data code and object code;

a data code storing means for storing said data code and said object code contained in said output signal;

a control data storing means for storing control data;

a dynamic gate array;

means for determining and maintaining a predetermined configuration sequence in said dynamic gate array;

means for processing and feeding said data code and said object code stored in said data code storing means to said dynamic gate array with said predetermined configuration sequence in response to said control data stored in said control data storing means;

means for receiving said data code and said object code from said dynamic gate array and for transmitting a transmitted output signal responsive thereto; and

means for decoding said transmitted output signal to produce a decoded signal and for enabling said decoded signal to be passed to a video display means in response to satisfaction of one or more predetermined conditions.

9. A system according to claim 8 further comprising means for encrypting said data code and said object code received from said dynamic gate array prior to transmission thereof by said receiving end transmitting means and means for decrypting said transmitted output signal prior to decoding by said decoding and enabling means.

10. A system according to claim 8, said decoding and enabling means comprising:

means for sensing the presence of said data code and said object code in said output signal;

a data memory for storing said data code and said object code;

a selecting means for selecting end passing portions of said data code and portions of said object code to be passed to said data memory, for accessing said portions of said object code passed to said date memory, and for processing said portions of said data code passed to said data memory in response to said portions of said object code to produce processed portions of said data code; and

means for receiving said data code and said object code from said selecting means, for passing said data code and said object code to said data memory and for passing said processed portions of said data code to said video display means.

11. A system according to claim 10 further comprising means for enabling said selecting means to receive said object code received in said data memory.

12. A system according to claim 10 further comprising:

means responsive to said receiving and passing means under the control of said selecting means for modulating said processed portions of said data code to produce modulated processed portions of said data code for transmission to said video display means; and

means for storing said processed portions of said data code for retrieval by said receiving and passing means and for forwarding said processed portions of said data code to said modulating means under the control of said selecting means.

16. A system according to claim 11, said means for sensing comprising:

means for tuning;

means for setting said tuning means to an appropriate initial frequency for finding said data code and said object code identified by said selecting means; and

means responsive to said selecting means for sequentially tuning from said appropriate initial frequency to other frequencies across the FM band until said data code and said object code identified by said selecting means are found.

13. A system according to claim 13 further comprising a switching means responsive to said receiving and passing means under the control of said selecting means for passing said modulated processed portions of said data code to said video display means.

14. A system according to claim 13 further comprising means external to said decoding and enabling means and operable by a user for controlling the passing of said modulated processed portions of said data code to said video display means.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein said selecting means commands operation of said modulating means and said switching means only when a predetermined quantity of said portions of said data code have been processed by said selecting means.

17. A video display, data transmission system comprising:

means having resident programing therein for manipulating a composite digital information signal to produce an output signal, wherein said output signal includes data code and object code;

means for formatting said output signal to produce a formatted signal, and for transmitting said formatted signal;

means for sensing the presence of said data code and said object code in said formatted signal;

means for storing said data code and said object code;

means for selecting portions of said data code and portions of said object code to be passed to said storing means, for accessing said portions of said object code passed to said storing means and for processing said portions of said data code passed to said storing means in response to said portions of said object code to form processed portions of said data code; and

means for receiving said data code and said object code from said sensing means, for passing said data code and said object code to said storing means and for passing said processed portions of said data code to a video display means.

18. A system according to claim 17 further comprising means for encrypting said output signal prior to formatting;

and

means for decrypting said portions of said data code prior to processing by said selecting, accessing and processing means.

19. A video display, data transmission system comprising:

means for converting generic data into a generic information signal carried by a composite video base band signal;

means for demodulating said generic information signal carried by said composite video base band signal to a digital signal, for winnowing said digital signal to form a winnowed signal and for combining said winnowed signal with a local digital information signal to produce a composite digital information signal;

means having resident programing therein for manipulating said composite digital information signal to produce an output signal, wherein said output signal includes data code and object code;

means for formatting said output signal to produce a formatted signal and for transmitting said formatted signal;

means for sensing the presence of said data code and said object code in said formatted signal;

means for storing said data code and said object code;

means for selecting portions of said data code and portions of said object code to be passed to said storing means, for accessing said portions of said object code passed to said storing means and for processing said portions of said data code passed to said storing means in response to said portions of said object code to form processed portions of said data code;

means for receiving said data code and said object code from said sensing means, for passing said data code and said object code to said storing means and for passing said processed portions of said data code to a video display means; and

means operable by a user for controlling the passing of said processed portions of said data code to said video display means.

34. A system according to claim 19, wherein said generic data comprises program information.

20. A method of transmitting data for video display comprising the steps of:

manipulating a composite digital information signal to produce an output signal, wherein said output signal includes data code and object code;

storing said data code contained in said output signal to provide stored data code;

storing control data;

determining and maintaining a predetermined configuration sequence in a dynamic gate array;

processing and feeding said stored data code to said dynamic gate array in response to said stored control data to provide a formatted signal;

transmitting said formatted signal;

decoding said transmitted formatted signal to produce a decoded signal; and

enabling said decoded signal to be passed to a video display means in response to satisfaction of one or more predetermined conditions.

21. A method according to claim 20 further comprising the steps of:

converting generic data into a generic information signal carried by a composite video base band signal;

demodulating said generic information signal carried by said composite video base band signal to a digital signal;

winnowing said digital signal to form winnowed signal; and

combining said winnowed signal with a local digital information signal to produce said composite digital information signal.

22. A method according to claim 20 further comprising the step of controlling the passing of said decoded signal to said video display means by a user.

23. A method according to claim 20, said step of transmitting comprising the substeps of:

receiving formatted data from said dynamic gate array; and

modulating said formatted signal in response to said received formatted data.

24. A method according to claim 23, said substep of modulating comprising the sub-substeps of:

feeding a carrier signal to an RF amplifier;

driving said RF amplifier with a voltage control oscillator;

receiving said formatted data; and

controlling said voltage control oscillator in response to said received formatted data to form said formatted signal.

35. A method according to claim 21, wherein said generic data comprises program information.

25. A method of transmitting data for video display comprising the steps of:

manipulating a composite digital information signal to produce an output signal, wherein said output signal includes data code and object code;

storing said data code and said object code contained in said output signal;

storing control data;

determining and maintaining a predetermined configuration sequence in a dynamic gate array;

processing and feeding said stored data code and said stored object code to said dynamic gate array in response to said stored control data;

receiving data from said dynamic gate array;

transmitting a transmitted output signal responsive to said received data;

decoding said transmitted output signal; and

enabling said decoded transmitted output signal to be passed to a video display means in response to satisfaction of one or more predetermined conditions.

26. A method according to claim 25 further comprising the steps of encrypting said received data prior to transmitting said transmitted output signal;

and

decrypting said transmitted output signal prior to decoding.

27. A method according to claim 25, said step of decoding comprising the substeps of:

sensing the presence of said data code and said object code in said transmitted output signal;

selecting portions of said data code and portions of said object code;

storing said selected portions of said data code and said selected portions of said object code;

accessing said stored portions of said object code;

processing said stored portions of said data code in response to said accessed portions of said object code; and

passing said processed portions of said data code to said video display means.

28. A method according to claim 27 further comprising the step of processing a portion of said object code not contained in said stored portions of said object code to enable accessing said stored portions of said object code.

29. A method according to claim 27, said sensing step comprising the substeps of:

setting a tuning means at an appropriate initial frequency for finding data identified by a selecting means; and

sequentially tuning from said appropriate initial frequency to other frequencies across the FM band in response to said selecting means until said data identified by said selecting means is found.

30. A method of transmitting video data comprising the steps of:

manipulating a composite digital information signal to produce an output signal, wherein said output signal includes data code and object code;

formatting said output signal to produce a formatted signal;

transmitting said formatted signal;

sensing the presence of said data code and said object code in said formatted signal;

selecting portions of said data code and portions of said object code;

storing said selected portions of said data code and said selected portions of said object code;

accessing said stored portions of said object code;

processing said stored portions of said data code in response to said accessed portions of said object code; and

passing said processed portions of said data code to a video display means.

31. A method according to claim 30 further comprising the steps of encrypting said formatted signal prior to transmitting said formatted signal;

and

decrypting said selected portions of said data code and said selected portions of said object code prior to storing.

32. A method of transmitting video data comprising the steps of:

converting generic data into a generic information signal carried by a composite video base band signal;

demodulating said generic information signal carried by said composite video base band signal to a digital signal;

winnowing said digital signal to form a winnowed signal;

combining said winnowed signal with a local digital information signal to produce a composite digital information signal;

manipulating said composite digital information signal to produce an output signal, wherein said output signal includes data code and object code;

formatting said output signal to form a formatted signal;

transmitting said formatted signal;

sensing the presence of said data code and said object code in said transmitted formatted signal;

selecting portions of said data code and portions of said object code;

storing said selected portions of said data code and said selected portions of said object code;

accessing said stored portions of said object code;

processing said stored portions of said data code in response to said accessed portions of said object code; and

passing said processed portions of said data code to a video display means in response to a user demand.

36. A method according to claim 32, wherein said generic data comprises program information.