Patent · US Expired

Interactive home information system with signal assignment

US5526034A · kind A · utility

316Cited by
77References
40Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 3, 1993
Grant dateJun 11, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 3, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S715/976
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An interactive home information system having a node in television communication and data communication with a group of home interface controllers. At each home interface controller, there is a signal input for receiving television signals from the node over a cable television distribution network and a data transceiver for conducting data communications with the node. The node determines whether a home interface controller is requesting interactive service. For each interface controller requesting interactive service, the node assigns a television information signal to the requesting home interface controller. Thus, signal assignment is accomplished on a demand basis for those interface controllers determined to be placed in an interactive mode. Signal assignment may involve selection of a given carrier frequency. Alternatively, signal assignment may involve selection of a time slice.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.