US5539451A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for channel spinning off a channel
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1994-12-27
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Granted: 1996-07-23
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Expires: 2014-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A method and an apparatus for spinning off a channel so as to provide a viewer with a choice of viewing a first program (e.g., the TV program), a second program (e.g., a news brief), or both are disclosed. More specifically, a method for providing such a choice entails initially having a system for transmitting programs wherein a first program is being transmitted on a first channel to a set of subscriber stations. Next, a temporary channel is defined. The transmission of the first program is continued on the temporary channel. The transmission of the first program is discontinued on the first channel. A second program is transmitted on the first channel. Advantageously, the invention provides viewers with a programming choice not otherwise available.
Inventors
- 👤 John T. Carey
- 👤 Barbara A. Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:43
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/442; H04N21/44213; H04N21/44222; H04N21/20; H04N21/25; H04N21/258; H04N21/25866; H04N21/25891; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/812; H04N21/85; H04N21/858; H04N21/8586; H04N7/00; H04N7/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for use in a system for transmitting programs wherein a first program is being transmitted on a first channel to a set of one or more subscriber stations, the method comprising: defining a temporary channel; continuing transmission of the first program on the temporary channel; discontinuing transmission of the first program on the first channel; and transmitting a second program on the first channel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for use in a system for transmitting programs wherein a first program is being transmitted on a first channel to a set of one or more subscriber stations, the method comprising: defining a temporary channel; continuing transmission of the first program on the temporary channel; discontinuing transmission of the first program on the first channel; and transmitting a second program on the first channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising informing the set of subscriber stations that the first program is associated with the temporary channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 2 wherein informing the set of subscriber stations that the first program is associated with the temporary channel comprises informing the set of subscriber stations that the first program is being continued on the temporary channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 2 wherein informing the set of subscriber stations that the first program is associated with the temporary channel comprises informing the set of subscriber stations that the first program will be continued on the temporary channel in a predetermined amount of time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 2 wherein informing the set of subscriber stations that the first program is associated with the temporary channel comprises prompting a viewer at each station in the set of subscriber stations as to whether the viewer desires to switch to the temporary channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the second program is a news related program.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: (a) stopping transmission of the second program on the second channel upon completion of the second program; (b) continuing transmission of the first program on the first channel; (c) stopping transmission of the first program on the temporary channel; and (d) eliminating the temporary channel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 7 wherein stopping the transmission of the first program on the temporary channel comprises informing the set of subscriber stations that the first program is being continued on the first channel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 7 wherein stopping the transmission of the first program on the temporary channel comprises informing the set of subscriber stations that the first program will be continued on the first channel in a predetermined amount of time.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for use in a system for transmitting programs wherein a first program is being transmitted on a first channel to a set of subscriber stations, the method comprising: defining a temporary channel; beginning transmission of a second program on the temporary channel; stopping transmission of the second program on the temporary channel after transmission of at least a portion of the second program; and eliminating the temporary channel.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for use in a system for transmitting programs wherein a first program is being transmitted on a first channel to a set of subscriber stations, the method comprising: defining a temporary channel; beginning transmission of a second program on the temporary channel; stopping transmission of the second program on the temporary channel after transmission of at least a portion of the second program; and eliminating the temporary channel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising informing the set of subscriber stations that the second program is associated with the temporary channel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 11 wherein informing the set of subscriber stations that the second program is associated with the temporary channel comprises informing the set of subscriber stations that the second program is beginning on the temporary channel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 11 wherein informing the set of subscriber stations that the second program is associated with the temporary channel comprises informing the set of subscriber stations that the second program will start on the temporary channel in a predetermined amount of time.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 11 wherein informing the set of subscriber stations that the second program is associated with the temporary channel comprises prompting a viewer at each station in the set of subscriber stations as to whether the viewer desires to switch to the temporary channel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the second program is a news related program.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
66 words
A system comprising: (a) means for beginning transmission of at least a portion of a first program on a first channel; (b) means for defining a temporary channel; (c) means for discontinuing transmission of the first program on the first channel; (d) means for transmitting a second program on the first channel; and (d) means for continuing transmission of the first program on the temporary channel.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
66 words
A system comprising: (a) means for beginning transmission of at least a portion of a first program on a first channel; (b) means for defining a temporary channel; (c) means for discontinuing transmission of the first program on the first channel; (d) means for transmitting a second program on the first channel; and (d) means for continuing transmission of the first program on the temporary channel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the second program comprises information relating to the association of the first program with the temporary channel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the second program is a news related program.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
66 words
A system comprising: (a) means for transmitting a flint program on a first channel; (b) means for defining a temporary channel; (c) means for beginning transmission of a second program on the temporary channel; (d) means for stopping transmission of the second program on the temporary channel after transmission of at least a portion of the second program; and (e) means for eliminating the temporary channel.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
66 words
A system comprising: (a) means for transmitting a flint program on a first channel; (b) means for defining a temporary channel; (c) means for beginning transmission of a second program on the temporary channel; (d) means for stopping transmission of the second program on the temporary channel after transmission of at least a portion of the second program; and (e) means for eliminating the temporary channel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 19 wherein the first program comprises information relating to the association of the second program with the temporary channel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 19 wherein the second program is a news related program.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
32 words
A device comprising: (a) a memory for storing a user defined profile; (b) means for determining how to control a first channel and a temporary channel responsive to the user defined profile.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
32 words
A device comprising: (a) a memory for storing a user defined profile; (b) means for determining how to control a first channel and a temporary channel responsive to the user defined profile.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 22 wherein the device is a set top box.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 22 wherein the device is a server.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 23 further comprising an infrared transmitter.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 22 wherein the means for determining automatically transfers tuning from a first channel to a temporary channel if the first program is spun-off from the first channel to the temporary channel.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 22 wherein the means for determining automatically transmits a signal indicating that the temporary channel should be recorded.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 27 wherein the signal is an infrared signal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 22 wherein the means for determining automatically transmits a signal indicating that the first channel should be recorded.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 29 wherein the signal is an infrared signal.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 22 wherein the means for determining automatically transmits at least one signal representative of a first channel and a temporary channel whereby the signal is adapted to be displayed in a picture-in-picture format.
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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) | 1999-07-23 | 2000-01-22 | 2000-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-23 | 2004-01-22 | 2004-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-23 | 2008-01-22 | 2008-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |