System for distributing video programming

Assignee: Verizon Laboratories Inc

•

Filing: 1991-12-23

•

Granted: —

•

Expires: 2011-12-23

📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract System for distributing video programs includes a transmission system (13) having a plurality of channels, includes a stored database (20) representing a predetermined schedule including timing instructions. Video server (11) containing a computer is programmed to provide real time outputs in response to the database time instructions. A bus has an input coupled to the computer and provides control signals in response to the real time outputs. A recorded medium contains a program in television format. A plurality of video players are used for playing the recorded media, each video player having a control port coupled to the bus and responsive to the control signals. Each video player has an output providing television signals for coupling to a separate corresponding channel, and at least two of the video players loaded with duplicate recorded media and controlled to play at staggered overlapping time intervals. A character generator is coupled to the computer for providing to a channel a menu in television format representing a programming schedule. Scrambling means (23) are interposed betweeen the output of a video player and the corresponding channel for scrambling the television signal. Access means (14) provides downstream access to a channel and unscrambles a television signal on an accessed channel. The access means provides access to the first and second channels thereby allowing return to the same point of a program after a pause equal to the staggered time interval.

Inventors

👤 Stephen S. Walker
👤 Kathryn E. Ullrich

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —

Jurisdiction EP

Data Source google_patents

Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 13:29

CPC Classifications

H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/47; H04N21/472; H04N21/4722; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/812; H04N7/00; H04N7/16

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6

Claim 1

Independent Claim 150 words

A system for distributing video programs over a plurality of channels comprising: a transmission system haivng a plurality of channels; a stored database representing a predetermined schedule including timing instructions; a computer programmed to provide real time outputs in response to said database time instructions; a bus having an input coupled to said computer and providing control signals in response to said real time outputs; recorded media containing programs in television format; a plurality of video players for playing said recorded media, each video player having a control port coupled to said bus and responsive to said control signals, each video player having an output providing television signals coupled to a separate corresponding channel, at least two of said video players loaded with duplicate recorded media and controlled to play at staggered overlapping time intervals on first and second channels; and access means for providing downstream access to a channel.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 36 words

The system of claim 1 wherein said access means provides access to said first and second channels thereby allowing return to the same point of a program after a pause equal to said staggered time interval.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 33 words

The system of claim 1 which includes a character generator coupled to said computer and having an output coupled to a channel for providing a menu in television format representing a programming schedule.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system of claim 3 which includes at least one promotional video player for playing promotional programming, said promotional video player having an output coupled to a promotional channel.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 71 words

The system of claim 4 which indludes a character genrator coupled to said computer and having an output coupled to a channel for providing a menu in television format representing a programming schedule and coupled into the intput of the promotional video player, arranged so that if said one or more promotional video players are in a non-play condition, then the character generator output is automatically connected into the promotional channel.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 46 words

The system of claim 1 which further includes scrambling means interposed between an output of a video player and said corresponding channel for scrambling said television signal, and wherein said access means unscrambles a television signal on an accessed channel in accordance with an enabling signal.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

No citation records indexed.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag

Select Category

Notes (Optional)