US6160989A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Network controller for cable television delivery systems
Assignee: Comcast IP Holdings I LLC
•
Filing: 1996-10-23
•
Granted: 2000-12-12
•
Expires: 2016-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A novel network controller for use with a digital cable headend capable of monitoring and controlling set top terminals in a television program delivery system is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for a network controller that manages a configuration of set top terminals in a program delivery system. The invention is particularly useful in program delivery systems with hundreds of channels of programming, a menu driven program selection system, and a program control information signal that carries data and identifies available program choices. Specifically, the invention modifies a program control information signal at the cable headend before the modified signal is transmitted to each set top terminal. This signal is used with polling methods to receive upstream data from the set top terminals. The invention initiates such upstream data retrieval, gathers all data received and compiles viewer demographics information and programs watched information. The invention processes this data and information to generate packages of advertisements, as well as account and billing reports, targeted towards each set top terminal. The invention uses upstream data reception hardware, databases and processing hardware and software to accomplish these functions.
Inventors
- 👤 John S. Hendricks
- 👤 Alfred E. Bonner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:13
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/47; H04N21/478; H04N21/4786; H04H; H04H20/00; H04H20/10; H04H20/103; H04H20/38; H04H20/42; H04H60/00; H04H60/02; H04H60/04; H04H60/35; H04H60/38; H04H60/41; H04H60/43; H04H60/61; H04H60/64; H04H60/66; H04N21/20; H04N21/21; H04N21/218; H04N21/2181; H04N21/21815; H04N21/2187; H04N21/222; H04N21/2221; H04N21/23; H04N21/235; H04N21/236; H04N21/23608; H04N21/2362; H04N21/238; H04N21/2381; H04N21/2389; H04N21/25; H04N21/251; H04N21/252; H04N21/254; H04N21/2543; H04N21/258; H04N21/25866; H04N21/25883; H04N21/25891; H04N21/262; H04N21/26208; H04N21/26283; H04N21/266; H04N21/2668; H04N21/41; H04N21/422; H04N21/42204; H04N21/42206; H04N21/426; H04N21/42653; H04N21/42684; H04N21/43; H04N21/431; H04N21/4312; H04N21/4314; H04N21/4316; H04N21/433; H04N21/4331; H04N21/434; H04N21/4344; H04N21/4345; H04N21/435; H04N21/438; H04N21/4383; H04N21/4385; H04N21/442; H04N21/44204; H04N21/44213; H04N21/44222; H04N21/443; H04N21/45; H04N21/4508; H04N21/4532; H04N21/454; H04N21/458; H04N21/462; H04N21/4622; H04N21/466; H04N21/4668; H04N21/472; H04N21/47211; H04N21/47214; H04N21/475; H04N21/4755; H04N21/4788; H04N21/482; H04N21/4821; H04N21/60; H04N21/63; H04N21/64; H04N21/6405; H04N21/643; H04N21/64307; H04N21/65; H04N21/654; H04N21/6543; H04N21/6547; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/812; H04N21/8146; H04N21/85; H04N21/858; H04N21/8586; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/445; H04N5/44504; H04N5/60; H04N5/602; H04N7/00; H04N7/08; H04N7/087; H04N7/088; H04N7/0882; H04N7/0884; H04N7/0887; H04N7/10; H04N7/102; H04N7/16; H04N7/162; H04N7/163; H04N7/165; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17318; H04N7/17336; H04N7/17345; H04N7/17354; H04H20/02; H04H20/06; H04H60/09; H04H60/14; H04H60/23; H04H60/29; H04H60/31; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/57; H04N5/45
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for providing digital program signals to subscriber locations, capable of inserting local availability signals and selecting digital program signals received from outside sources, comprising: a means for receiving digital program signals; digital logic circuitry, connected to the receiving means, wherein digital program signals may be inserted and wherein digital programs may be selected; a processor, operably connected to the digital logic circuitry, wherein insertion of local availability signals are controlled and wherein the selection of digital program signals are controlled; and means for sending programs, operably connected to the digital logic circuitry, wherein digital program signals are sent to subscriber locations, and wherein digital program signals that have been inserted or selected are sent to subscriber locations.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for providing digital program signals to subscriber locations, capable of inserting local availability signals and selecting digital program signals received from outside sources, comprising: a means for receiving digital program signals; digital logic circuitry, connected to the receiving means, wherein digital program signals may be inserted and wherein digital programs may be selected; a processor, operably connected to the digital logic circuitry, wherein insertion of local availability signals are controlled and wherein the selection of digital program signals are controlled; and means for sending programs, operably connected to the digital logic circuitry, wherein digital program signals are sent to subscriber locations, and wherein digital program signals that have been inserted or selected are sent to subscriber locations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the digital logic circuitry comprises a combiner, wherein digital program signals are combined.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the digital logic circuitry comprises a local inserter, wherein local availability signals are inserted to be sent to subscriber locations.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim wherein the receiving means comprises an integrated receiver decoder.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
133 words
An apparatus for providing digital program signals to subscriber locations, capable of inserting local availability signals and selecting digital program signals received from outside sources, comprising: a means for receiving digital program signals; digital logic circuitry, connected to the receiving means, wherein digital program signals may be inserted and wherein digital programs may be selected; a processor, operably connected to the digital logic circuitry, wherein insertion of local availability signals are controlled and wherein the selection of digital program signals are controlled; means for sending programs, operably connected to the digital logic circuitry, wherein digital program signals are sent to subscriber locations, and wherein digital program signals that have been inserted or selected are sent to subscriber locations; and wherein the sending means comprises a serializer wherein the serializer serializes digital program signals.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
133 words
An apparatus for providing digital program signals to subscriber locations, capable of inserting local availability signals and selecting digital program signals received from outside sources, comprising: a means for receiving digital program signals; digital logic circuitry, connected to the receiving means, wherein digital program signals may be inserted and wherein digital programs may be selected; a processor, operably connected to the digital logic circuitry, wherein insertion of local availability signals are controlled and wherein the selection of digital program signals are controlled; means for sending programs, operably connected to the digital logic circuitry, wherein digital program signals are sent to subscriber locations, and wherein digital program signals that have been inserted or selected are sent to subscriber locations; and wherein the sending means comprises a serializer wherein the serializer serializes digital program signals.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
107 words
An apparatus for use in a cable television system using signals having parts that contain data on programs comprising: an integrated receiver demodulater comprising: a means for receiving an RF signal; a means for amplifying the received RF signal, wherein the means for amplifying minimizes the amount of noise amplified; a means for demodulating the amplified signal; means for filtering the demodulated signal; and a means for transmitting the demodulated signal; and a demultiplexer comprising: a means for splitting the transmitted signal into component parts wherein each component contains video and audio data on a single program; and a means for extracting data from the transmitted signal.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
107 words
An apparatus for use in a cable television system using signals having parts that contain data on programs comprising: an integrated receiver demodulater comprising: a means for receiving an RF signal; a means for amplifying the received RF signal, wherein the means for amplifying minimizes the amount of noise amplified; a means for demodulating the amplified signal; means for filtering the demodulated signal; and a means for transmitting the demodulated signal; and a demultiplexer comprising: a means for splitting the transmitted signal into component parts wherein each component contains video and audio data on a single program; and a means for extracting data from the transmitted signal.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for use in a program delivery system having a plurality of program signals, wherein the apparatus receives directions for local insertion from a remote source, comprising: a receiver, wherein directions for local insertion from a remote source are received; a processor, operably connected to the receiver, wherein the directions from the remote source are processed to generate a processed signal; a local inserter, connected to the processor, wherein local programming is inserted into a program signal using the processed signal from the processor; and a modulator, wherein a plurality of program signals including the program signal carrying the inserted local programming is modulated; and wherein the receiver receives selecting directions on a subset of programs from the plurality of programs to be selected from a remote source, the processor processes the selecting directions, and wherein the local inserter comprises: digital logic, wherein the digital logic selects programs using the processed directions, and wherein the modulator modulates the selected programs.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for use in a program delivery system having a plurality of program signals, wherein the apparatus receives directions for local insertion from a remote source, comprising: a receiver, wherein directions for local insertion from a remote source are received; a processor, operably connected to the receiver, wherein the directions from the remote source are processed to generate a processed signal; a local inserter, connected to the processor, wherein local programming is inserted into a program signal using the processed signal from the processor; and a modulator, wherein a plurality of program signals including the program signal carrying the inserted local programming is modulated; and wherein the receiver receives selecting directions on a subset of programs from the plurality of programs to be selected from a remote source, the processor processes the selecting directions, and wherein the local inserter comprises: digital logic, wherein the digital logic selects programs using the processed directions, and wherein the modulator modulates the selected programs.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for a program signal delivery system wherein digital program signals are used comprising: a receiver, wherein program signals are received; a demultiplexor, connected to the receiver, wherein program signals are demultiplexed for processing; digital logic, connected to the demultiplexer, wherein demultiplexed signals are processed; a control processing unit, operably connected to the digital logic, wherein the processing of the demultiplexed signals in the digital logic is controlled; multiplexor, connected to the digital logic, wherein processed signals are multiplexed; and a modulator, connected to the multiplexer, wherein multiplexed signals are modulated and wherein the modulated signal is forwarded to subscribers.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for a program signal delivery system wherein digital program signals are used comprising: a receiver, wherein program signals are received; a demultiplexor, connected to the receiver, wherein program signals are demultiplexed for processing; digital logic, connected to the demultiplexer, wherein demultiplexed signals are processed; a control processing unit, operably connected to the digital logic, wherein the processing of the demultiplexed signals in the digital logic is controlled; multiplexor, connected to the digital logic, wherein processed signals are multiplexed; and a modulator, connected to the multiplexer, wherein multiplexed signals are modulated and wherein the modulated signal is forwarded to subscribers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the processing of signals includes local insertion of program signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the processing of signals includes selection of certain demultiplexed signals.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for use with a network having subscribers that uses two-way communications allowing upstream data transmission from the subscriber comprising: a two-way communication system comprising one or more diplex filters, wherein the diplex filters facilitate upstream data transmissions; a signal processor, operably connected to the two-way communication system, wherein signals are processed before being sent downstream to subscribers; an RF combiner, connected to the two-way communication system, wherein upstream data transmissions are received front the two-way communication system; and a network controller, connected to the RF combiner, wherein upstream data transmissions are received from the RF combiner and wherein program control information is used, and the network controller comprises a processing unit, wherein program control information is processed.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for use with a network having subscribers that uses two-way communications allowing upstream data transmission from the subscriber comprising: a two-way communication system comprising one or more diplex filters, wherein the diplex filters facilitate upstream data transmissions; a signal processor, operably connected to the two-way communication system, wherein signals are processed before being sent downstream to subscribers; an RF combiner, connected to the two-way communication system, wherein upstream data transmissions are received front the two-way communication system; and a network controller, connected to the RF combiner, wherein upstream data transmissions are received from the RF combiner and wherein program control information is used, and the network controller comprises a processing unit, wherein program control information is processed.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for use with a network having subscribers that uses two-way communications allowing upstream data transmission from the subscriber comprising: a two-way communication system comprising one or more diplex filters, wherein the diplex filters facilitate upstream data transmissions; a signal processor, operably connected to the two-way communication system, wherein signals are processed before being sent downstream to subscribers; an RF combiner, connected to the two-way communication system, wherein upstream data transmissions are received from the two-way communication system; and a network controller, connected to the RF combiner, wherein upstream data transmissions are received from the RF combiner and wherein the network controller comprises memory and a processing unit, wherein programs watched information received from the RF combiner is processed by the processing unit and stored in the memory.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for use with a network having subscribers that uses two-way communications allowing upstream data transmission from the subscriber comprising: a two-way communication system comprising one or more diplex filters, wherein the diplex filters facilitate upstream data transmissions; a signal processor, operably connected to the two-way communication system, wherein signals are processed before being sent downstream to subscribers; an RF combiner, connected to the two-way communication system, wherein upstream data transmissions are received from the two-way communication system; and a network controller, connected to the RF combiner, wherein upstream data transmissions are received from the RF combiner and wherein the network controller comprises memory and a processing unit, wherein programs watched information received from the RF combiner is processed by the processing unit and stored in the memory.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for use with a network having subscribers that uses two-way communications allowing upstream data transmission from the subscriber comprising: a two-way communication system comprising one or more diplex filters, wherein the diplex filters facilitate upstream data transmissions; a signal processor, operably connected to the two-way communication system, wherein signals are processed before being sent downstream to subscribers; an RF combiner, connected to the two-way communication system, wherein upstream data transmissions are received from the two-way communication system; and a network controller, connected to the RF combiner, wherein upstream data transmissions are received from the RF combiner and wherein the network controller comprises: a memory, wherein an interactive game program is stored; and a processor, operably connected to the memory, wherein the processor executes an interactive game program.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for use with a network having subscribers that uses two-way communications allowing upstream data transmission from the subscriber comprising: a two-way communication system comprising one or more diplex filters, wherein the diplex filters facilitate upstream data transmissions; a signal processor, operably connected to the two-way communication system, wherein signals are processed before being sent downstream to subscribers; an RF combiner, connected to the two-way communication system, wherein upstream data transmissions are received from the two-way communication system; and a network controller, connected to the RF combiner, wherein upstream data transmissions are received from the RF combiner and wherein the network controller comprises: a memory, wherein an interactive game program is stored; and a processor, operably connected to the memory, wherein the processor executes an interactive game program.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
146 words
A computer system for a network which is capable of controlling video and audio delivery to subscriber locations and other computer network control functions, wherein signal processing equipment is used, comprising: a network connecting subscriber locations; a plurality of terminals, connected to the network, to allow subscribers at subscriber locations to access the network; a processor, connected to the network, wherein the processor generates control signals to control the distribution of video and audio signals to the plurality of terminals located at subscriber locations; and an interface, connected to the processor, wherein the interface is connected to signal processing equipment; and wherein subscribers interact with other subscribers on the network and the processor processes subscriber requests to interact with other subscribers and wherein the means to allow subscribers to interact with other subscribers comprises an interactive game, wherein more than one subscriber plays the same game.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
146 words
A computer system for a network which is capable of controlling video and audio delivery to subscriber locations and other computer network control functions, wherein signal processing equipment is used, comprising: a network connecting subscriber locations; a plurality of terminals, connected to the network, to allow subscribers at subscriber locations to access the network; a processor, connected to the network, wherein the processor generates control signals to control the distribution of video and audio signals to the plurality of terminals located at subscriber locations; and an interface, connected to the processor, wherein the interface is connected to signal processing equipment; and wherein subscribers interact with other subscribers on the network and the processor processes subscriber requests to interact with other subscribers and wherein the means to allow subscribers to interact with other subscribers comprises an interactive game, wherein more than one subscriber plays the same game.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
91 words
A network controller for use in a cable system for choosing text overlays, wherein a subscriber may request a text overlay representing the audio associated with the video to a program, wherein a set top terminal transmits the subscriber requests comprising: a means for receiving subscriber requests; a processor to identify the subscriber request for text overlays from a plurality of subscriber requests; a means for choosing the corresponding text overlay from a plurality of text overlays; and a means for transmitting text overlay to the set top terminal for display.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
91 words
A network controller for use in a cable system for choosing text overlays, wherein a subscriber may request a text overlay representing the audio associated with the video to a program, wherein a set top terminal transmits the subscriber requests comprising: a means for receiving subscriber requests; a processor to identify the subscriber request for text overlays from a plurality of subscriber requests; a means for choosing the corresponding text overlay from a plurality of text overlays; and a means for transmitting text overlay to the set top terminal for display.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The network controller of claim 15 further comprising: means for receiving control signals with text overlay; means for processing the received control signals for text overlay.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The network controller of claim 15 wherein programs may have sign language video associated with the program wherein the sign language video is displayed.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The network controller of claim 17 wherein the sign language video is transmitted on a separate channel to the subscriber.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
112 words
A system for choosing audio channels, wherein more than one audio channel may exist for a video, comprising: a signal processor, wherein a plurality of video and audio channels are received, and wherein a received video may have multiple audio channels; a controller, wherein the controller selects one or more received audio channels, wherein one or more audio channels that correspond to a received video are selected; and a distribution system, operably connected to the controller, wherein the selected audio channels are distributed and a listener receives one or more audio channels; and wherein a program control information signal is used by the controller to select one or more received audio channels.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
112 words
A system for choosing audio channels, wherein more than one audio channel may exist for a video, comprising: a signal processor, wherein a plurality of video and audio channels are received, and wherein a received video may have multiple audio channels; a controller, wherein the controller selects one or more received audio channels, wherein one or more audio channels that correspond to a received video are selected; and a distribution system, operably connected to the controller, wherein the selected audio channels are distributed and a listener receives one or more audio channels; and wherein a program control information signal is used by the controller to select one or more received audio channels.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 19 wherein the program control information signal is received by the signal processor, further comprising an interface connecting the signal processor and the controller, wherein the program control information signal is passed between the signal processor and controller using the interface.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for use in a program delivery system having a plurality of program signals, wherein the apparatus receives directions for local insertion from a remote source, comprising: a receiver, wherein directions for local insertion from a remote source are received; a database, containing information on the plurality of programs; a processor, operably connected to the receiver and database, wherein the directions from the remote source are processed to generate a processed signal; a local inserter, connected to the processor, wherein local programming is inserted into a digital program signal using the processed signal from the processor; and a modulator, wherein a plurality of program signals including the program signal carrying the inserted local programming is modulated.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for use in a program delivery system having a plurality of program signals, wherein the apparatus receives directions for local insertion from a remote source, comprising: a receiver, wherein directions for local insertion from a remote source are received; a database, containing information on the plurality of programs; a processor, operably connected to the receiver and database, wherein the directions from the remote source are processed to generate a processed signal; a local inserter, connected to the processor, wherein local programming is inserted into a digital program signal using the processed signal from the processor; and a modulator, wherein a plurality of program signals including the program signal carrying the inserted local programming is modulated.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the local programming is advertising and the directions for local insertion are directions for inserting advertisements.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising: a signal processor, operably connected to the modulator, wherein the signal processor receives a plurality of program signals from the remote source.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3891792A
Cited
US4361848A
Cited
US4860379A
Cited
US4398216A
Cited
US4488179A
Cited
US4381522A
Cited
US4688218A
Cited
US4694490A
Cited
US4605964A
Cited
US4484217A
Cited
US4639225A
Cited
US4517598A
Cited
US4528643A
Cited
US4587520A
Cited
US4633462A
Cited
US4805014A
Cited
US4621282A
Cited
US4697209A
Cited
US4724491A
Cited
US4829569A
Cited
US5036537A
Cited
US4712105A
Cited
US4706121A
Cited
US4706121B1
Cited
US4688246A
Cited
US4961109A
Cited
US5144663A
Cited
USD301037S
Cited
US4792972A
Cited
US4712130A
Cited
USD314383S
Cited
EP0281293B1
Cited
US5152011A
Cited
US4876736A
Cited
US4959810A
Cited
US5414426A
Cited
US4947429A
Cited
US5132789A
Cited
US4829558A
Cited
US4816901A
Cited
US4995078A
Cited
US4977455A
Cited
US4977455B1
Cited
US4928168A
Cited
US5027400A
Cited
US4975951A
Cited
USD325581S
Cited
US5105268A
Cited
US5036394A
Cited
US5293633A
Cited
US5038402A
Cited
US4949187A
Cited
US5077607A
Cited
US5001554A
Cited
US4996597A
Cited
US5015829A
Cited
US5014125A
Cited
US5150118A
Cited
US5151782A
Cited
US5078019A
Cited
US5253066A
Cited
US5253066C1
Cited
US5202817A
Cited
US5047867A
Cited
US5663757A
Cited
US5049990A
Cited
US4964825A
Cited
US5166886A
Cited
US5046093A
Cited
US5056138A
Cited
US5343516A
Cited
US5073930A
Cited
US5155591A
Cited
US5283639A
Cited
US5099319A
Cited
US5151789A
Cited
US5353121A
Cited
US5130792A
Cited
US5237610A
Cited
US5446919A
Cited
US5351075A
Cited
US5091782A
Cited
US5020129A
Cited
USD331760S
Cited
US5057917A
Cited
US5260778A
Cited
US5133079A
Cited
US5479268A
Cited
US5103314A
Cited
US5206954A
Cited
US5093718A
Cited
US5319455A
Cited
US5327554A
Cited
US5172413A
Cited
USD329238S
Cited
US5206722A
Cited
US5132992A
Cited
US5253275A
Cited
US5345594A
Cited
US5285272A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-12-12 | 2004-06-12 | 2004-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-12 | 2008-06-12 | 2008-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-12 | 2012-06-12 | 2012-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |