Signal processing apparatus and methods
US7801304B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 24, 1995 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 24, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/818
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorde…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.