Method and apparatus for automatic insertion of a television signal from a remote source
US5424770A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 15, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jun 13, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 15, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/812
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system is provided for inserting selected commercials from a remote source via satellite into pre-cued cable network commercial breaks at targeted regional groupings of local cable headend operators without storage of the commercials at each headend. By sequencing the avails used for insertion among the groupings of headends, by creating plural levels of simultaneity, and by using compression/decompression techniques, a highly efficient use of the satellite per each transponder channel is achieved despite overlap in breaks as between networks; while, at the same time, allowing sufficient time during each break for the local headend operator to insert his own local ads if desired, and to use as well, if desired, the decompression capabilities of the system without the need for the headend to invest in its own.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.