Television programme distribution signal having the capability to selectively block non-programme material
US5446488A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 1993 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S358/908
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Television programs interupted by non-program material, such as commercials, are broadcasted by the disclosed system over standard TV channels. An ecrypted indicating signal is also broadcasted by the system such that the ecrypted signal can be received and decrypted at authorized viewer locations to provide program identifying information. Each of the authorized viewer locations includes a credit store for storing data representing an available credit. Each authorized location also includes means for editing the viewing/recording of received program signals based on the provided program identifying information when the data in said credit store indicates that credit is available. The available credit represented by the stored data is consumed in response to the usage the means for editing program signals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.