System and method for communicating data and objective code for an interactive video guide system
US5805204A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 20, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 8, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 20, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/84
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An interactive video guide system is provided in which nationally generic guide data, local guide data, and interactive video guide object code are transmitted to set-top decoder units located in customers' homes. Initially, nationally generic data or program information from a variety of sources is gathered together via modem at a central processing unit, and then manipulated, parsed and formatted into a national database compatible for use by a head end computer. This information is typically collected and updated on a daily basis. The manipulated nationally generic data is then transferred via modem to a transmitter for uplink to a selected telecommunications satellite. The satellite signal is then received by one or more local satellite CATV head end receivers which then forward a video base band signal carrying the nationally generic data to associated local head end computers. At the local head end computer, the nationally generic data is again manipulated, winnowed, parsed and processed to suit the requirements of the particular local market. Local guide data and interactive video guide object code may then be added to the nationally generic data and then the combined data a…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.