Patent · US Expired

Simulcast of interactive signals with a conventional video signal

US5585858A · kind A · utility

558Cited by
155References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 12, 1994
Grant dateDec 17, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 12, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04H60/45
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A system for simulcasting a fully interactive program with a normal conventional program in the same standard video signal bandwidth. It allows active participation by subscribers who have interactive components connected to a television or personal computer display, as well as normal viewing of the conventional program by viewers with conventional television sets. Interactive participants are not limited to any particular reception system. Users can participate using an interactive program box connected to a standard television set or with a multimedia personal computer with an interactive board. An important feature is that interactivity is offered as an option, without any degradation or interruption in program content to users who choose not to interact or do not have the interactive components. Interactivity is personalized through the use of alternative audio responses and/or graphic displays. The interactive elements are presented to the subscriber either immediately after subscriber entry, later during the program at predetermined times, and/or at transparent "trigger points". At trigger points, program content is subtly altered to present specialized attention to each inte…

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