Television – Receiver circuitry
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-07
2001-10-30
Eisenzopf, Reinhard J. (Department: 2614)
Television
Receiver circuitry
C348S725000, C348S584000, C348S569000, C348S706000, C348S707000, C348S901000, C725S131000, C725S132000, C725S139000, C725S140000, C725S064000, C725S065000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06310661
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to broadcast communication systems and, more particularly, to the use of controlling data streams to effect the operation of remote receiving apparatus such as televisions, stereo receivers, computers, video cassette recorders and integrated receiver decoders.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years multimedia apparatus and applications have become extremely popular. For example, computer programs are now often designed to provide the user with visually stimulating graphical presentations punctuated by stereo sound. Similarly, television programs are now commonly broadcast in stereo and surround sound modes to provide an enhanced aural experience for viewers.
Also in recent years, the direct satellite system for digitally transmitting communication signals to individual users has come into being. The ability of the direct satellite system to transmit on the order of 150 channels of digital information over a single satellite to multiple end users offers unprecedented communications opportunities.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,694,490 to Harvey et al. generally discloses a control and monitoring apparatus for governing or influencing the operation of remote apparatus via signals embedded in television and radio transmissions. Exemplary uses of the disclosed apparatus mentioned by Harvey et al. include: (a) stereo simulcasts where the apparatus automatically routes video signals to an associated television and automatically causes an associated stereo tuner to tune in and play a corresponding audio program; (b) automatically recording or printing news information concerning predetermined companies selected by a user; (c) recording stock information for predetermined companies and causing a computer to generate and display graphical images reflecting the particularized stock information during a generally broadcasted television program concerning a related topic; and (d) downloading a copy of a recipe to a local printer in response to a signal associated with a television program concerning food preparation. As can be seen from these examples, one purpose of the device described in the Harvey et al. disclosure is to provide increased integration of remote apparatus such as televisions, stereos, computers and printers to provide enhanced multimedia presentations.
Prior art references, however, have been limited in that they do not provide means for selecting preferred modes of operation of remote receiving apparatus. Nor do they provide means for addressing predetermined models of remote receiving apparatus.
Moreover, with the rising popularity of the digital satellite system, new problems have arisen. For example, satellite service broadcasters have a need to grow and expand into new orbital slots via the introduction of additional satellites. In order to ensure appropriate end users have access to the programming transmitted over multiple satellites, it becomes necessary to provide the end user with information associating predetermined is programming with particular satellites such that the user can tune to desired programming.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a remote receiving apparatus for use with a broadcast communication system for delivering a plurality of channels to a plurality of remote users is provided. The remote receiving apparatus includes an output port; a first antenna receiving element for receiving information from the broadcast communication system; and a logic circuit coupled to the first antenna receiving element. The logic circuit has an associated memory and an associated tuner. The tuner is adapted to select a tuned channel from the plurality of channels. The logic circuit receives a viewer-channel-to-broadcast-channel (VCBC) map and stores the VCBC map in the memory. The VCBC map maps a first controlling data stream to a first one of the plurality of channels and a second controlling data stream to a second one of the plurality of channels. When the tuner selects the first one of the channels, the logic circuit addresses the VCBC map and outputs the first controlling data stream to the output port and, when the tuner selects the second one of the channels, the logic circuit addresses the VCBC map and outputs the second controlling data stream to the output port.
In some embodiments, at least a portion of the VCBC map is broadcasted periodically. In such embodiments, the periodic broadcasts of the VCBC map preferably update the VCBC map stored in the memory.
In any of the foregoing embodiments, the VCBC map can optionally store a controlling data stream for each of the channels. Alternatively, the VCBC map can optionally store controlling data streams for less than all of the channels.
In some embodiments, the remote receiving apparatus is further provided with a first signal processing apparatus coupled to the output port. The first signal processing device has at least two modes of operation, and manipulates the information in a different manner to produce a different output in a first mode than in a second mode of operation. In such embodiments, when the tuner selects the first one of the channels, the first controlling data stream selects the mode of operation for the first signal processing apparatus. In such embodiments, the first controlling data stream may optionally be adapted to prioritize the first and second modes of operation of the first signalling apparatus such that, if a preferred mode of operation is not supported by the first signal processing apparatus, the first signal processing apparatus will enter a next preferred mode of operation. The next preferred mode may optionally be defined in the first controlling data stream.
In any of the foregoing embodiments, the remote receiving apparatus may optionally be provided with a second signal processing apparatus and a switching apparatus. In some such embodiments, the output port comprises first and second output ports, and the first signal processing apparatus is coupled to the first output port and the second signal processing apparatus is coupled to the second output port. Optionally, the switching apparatus is responsive to the first controlling data stream to route at least a first portion of a signal received on the tuned channel to a first selected one of the first and second signal processing apparatus. Optionally, the switching apparatus routes a second portion of the signal to a second selected one of the first and second signal processing apparatus.
In any of the foregoing embodiments, the remote receiving apparatus can optionally be provided with a switching device coupled to the output port, a first input port in communication with the first antenna receiving element, and a second input port in communication with a second antenna receiving element. In such embodiments, the switching device may optionally be adapted to switch between a first configuration wherein the first input port is coupled to the output port and a second configuration wherein the second input port is coupled to the output port. In such embodiments, the switching device is selectively responsive to the first controlling data stream to switch from the first configuration to the second configuration.
In any of the foregoing embodiments, the VCBC map can optionally store a first pathname identifying a location of the first controlling data stream in memory, and/or a second pathname identifying a location of the second controlling data stream in memory.
In any of the foregoing embodiments, the VCBC map may optionally map the first controlling data stream to two or more of the plurality of channels.
In any of the foregoing embodiments, the logic circuit may be adapted to receive and store the first and second controlling data streams in the memory.
In any of the above embodiments, the VCBC map can optionally be broadcasted more frequently than the first and second controlling data streams.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method for use with a broadcast communication
Crook John A.
Eisenzopf Reinhard J.
Hughes Electronics Corporation
Natnael Paulos
Sales Michael W.
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