US5239540A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for transmitting, receiving and communicating digital data signals with corresponding program data signals which describe the digital data signals
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1990-11-27
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Granted: 1993-08-24
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Expires: 2010-11-27
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method is described for transmitting, receiving and communicating program data signals which are combined with digital data signals. Preferably, the present invention compresses 30 digital audio signals, multiplexes them with title, track, artist, record label, year, etc., program information, and transmits the combined signals via satellite to a receiving station. The receiving station demultiplexes the signals and sends them via a cable distribution system to a subscriber's digital music tuner. This tuner further demultiplexes and decodes the signals so that the digital audio signals may be converted to analog and output for listening, while the corresponding data signals are communicated to the subscriber. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the program data signals are transmitted to a remote control receiver where they are displayed. The system described in the present invention may be used for transmitting video, software or games with program data to subscribers.
Inventors
- 👤 Luis A. Rovira
- 👤 William E. Wall, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:37
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04H; H04H20/00; H04H20/28; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/14; H04B7/15; H04B7/185; H04B7/18523; H04H20/53; H04H20/61; H04H20/63; H04H20/65; H04H20/76; H04H20/77; H04H20/78; H04H20/79; H04H20/86; H04H20/91; H04H40/00; H04H40/18; H04H40/27; H04H60/00; H04H60/68; H04H60/73; H04H60/74; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/236; H04N21/23614; H04N21/238; H04N21/2389; H04N21/23895; H04N21/25; H04N21/266; H04N21/2665; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/426; H04N21/43; H04N21/434; H04N21/4348; H04N21/438; H04N21/4385; H04N21/43853; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/8106; H04N21/8113; H04N21/83; H04N21/84; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/765; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04H20/81; H04H20/84; H04H60/09; H04H60/14; H04H60/23; H04N21/4104; H04N21/4126; H04N21/41265; H04N21/422; H04N21/42204; H04N21/42206; H04N21/42208; H04N21/42209; H04N21/42225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of generating a digital data stream including program data information and program selection information for transmission, comprising the steps of: producing a plurality of digital program data signals, each of which corresponds to the contents of a program selection; producing a plurality of digital program selection signals, each of which corresponds to one of said program data signals and describes the attributes of the associated program selection; encoding the plurality of digital program data signals with the plurality of digital program selection signals into a plurality of digital combined signals, each of said combined digital signals being arranged in blocks of a predetermined number of bits of a program data signal and a predetermined number of bits of an associated program selection signal, whereby each program selection signal remains associated with its corresponding program data signal during transmissions therewith; and multiplexing the plurality of digital combined signals into the data stream.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of generating a digital data stream including program data information and program selection information for transmission, comprising the steps of: producing a plurality of digital program data signals, each of which corresponds to the contents of a program selection; producing a plurality of digital program selection signals, each of which corresponds to one of said program data signals and describes the attributes of the associated program selection; encoding the plurality of digital program data signals with the plurality of digital program selection signals into a plurality of digital combined signals, each of said combined digital signals being arranged in blocks of a predetermined number of bits of a program data signal and a predetermined number of bits of an associated program selection signal, whereby each program selection signal remains associated with its corresponding program data signal during transmissions therewith; and multiplexing the plurality of digital combined signals into the data stream.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the transmission occurs via a satellite.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the transmission occurs via coaxial cable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the multiplexing is time division multiplexing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of compressing the plurality of digital combined signals to produce a plurality of compressed digital combined signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of encrypting the plurality of digital combined signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step wherein subscriber data signals are multiplexed with the digital combined signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the digital program data signals are digital audio signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the program selection signals include at least one of a title, a track, an artist, a publisher, a composer, a song identification, and a play time information block.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the digital program data signals are digital video signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the digital program data signals are software.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus for generating a digital data steam including program data information and program selection information for transmission by a transmission means, comprising: means for producing a plurality of digital program data signals, each of which corresponds to the contents of a program selection; means for producing a plurality of digital program selection signals, each of which corresponds to one of said program data signals and describes the attributes of the associated program selection; means for encoding the plurality of digital program data signals with the plurality of digital program selection signals into a plurality of combined digital signals, each of said combined digital signals being arranged in blocks of a predetermined number of bits of a program data signal and a predetermined number of bits of an associated program selection signal, whereby each program selection signal remains associated with its corresponding program data signal during transmissions therewith; and means for multiplexing the plurality of digital combined signals into the data stream.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus for generating a digital data steam including program data information and program selection information for transmission by a transmission means, comprising: means for producing a plurality of digital program data signals, each of which corresponds to the contents of a program selection; means for producing a plurality of digital program selection signals, each of which corresponds to one of said program data signals and describes the attributes of the associated program selection; means for encoding the plurality of digital program data signals with the plurality of digital program selection signals into a plurality of combined digital signals, each of said combined digital signals being arranged in blocks of a predetermined number of bits of a program data signal and a predetermined number of bits of an associated program selection signal, whereby each program selection signal remains associated with its corresponding program data signal during transmissions therewith; and means for multiplexing the plurality of digital combined signals into the data stream.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the transmission means comprises a satellite.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the transmission means comprises coaxial cable.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the multiplexing means uses time division multiplexing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising the step wherein subscriber data signals are multiplexed with the digital combined signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising at least one compression means, coupled to the encoding means, for compressing the digital combined signals to produce a plurality of compressed digital combined signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising at least one encrypting means, coupled to the encoding means, for encrypting the plurality of digital combined signals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the digital program data signals are digital audio signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the program selection signals include at least one of a title, a track, an artist, a publisher, a composer, a song identification, and a play time information block.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the digital program data signals are digital video signals.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the digital program data signals are digital software signals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-23 | 1997-02-22 | 1997-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-23 | 2001-02-22 | 2001-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-23 | 2005-02-22 | 2005-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |