US5592212A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and systems for non-program applications for subscriber television
Assignee: Cisco Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1995-06-07
•
Granted: 1997-01-07
•
Expires: 2015-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A pay television gaming system including a pay television network having a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television, receiving apparatus for receiving gaming inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units, transmitting apparatus for transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to gaming results and accounting apparatus for settling gaming debts and winnings via the pay television network. Other services, such as shopping may be provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Doron Handelman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:32
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; A; A63; A63F; A63F13/00; A63F13/30; A63F13/33; A63F13/338; A63F13/70; A63F13/79; A63F13/792; H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/418; H04N21/4181; H04N21/47; H04N21/478; H04N21/4781; H04N21/47815; H04N21/60; H04N21/65; H04N21/658; H04N21/6581; H04N21/6582; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/167; H04N7/1675; H04N7/173; A63F13/50; A63F13/53; A63F13/533; A63F13/71; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/30; A63F2300/308; A63F2300/40; A63F2300/401; A63F2300/409; A63F2300/50; A63F2300/55; A63F2300/5513
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 72
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A subscriber unit in a pay television gaming system comprising: a receiver for receiving separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for gaming associated with separate accounting data for pay television and for gaming from a pay television network transmitter; a processor, coupled to said receiver, for matching a subscriber selection identified by an identification code to one of the separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for gaming, and to a portion of the separate accounting data associated with said one of the separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for gaming, and for performing monetary calculations on said portion of the separate accounting data to generate processed accounting data associated with said subscriber selection; and a transmitter for transmitting the processed accounting data associated with said subscriber selection and said one of the separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for gaming associated thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A subscriber unit in a pay television gaming system comprising: a receiver for receiving separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for gaming associated with separate accounting data for pay television and for gaming from a pay television network transmitter; a processor, coupled to said receiver, for matching a subscriber selection identified by an identification code to one of the separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for gaming, and to a portion of the separate accounting data associated with said one of the separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for gaming, and for performing monetary calculations on said portion of the separate accounting data to generate processed accounting data associated with said subscriber selection; and a transmitter for transmitting the processed accounting data associated with said subscriber selection and said one of the separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for gaming associated thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
96 words
A subscriber unit according to claim 1 and wherein at least part of said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for gaming and said separate accounting data for pay television and for gaming received from said pay television network transmitter is encrypted, and said subscriber unit further includes a decrypter, coupled to said receiver and to said processor, for decrypting said at least part of the separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for gaming and said separate accounting data for pay television and for gaming prior to said matching in said processor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A subscriber unit according to claim 2 and wherein the encrypted part of said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for gaming and said separate accounting data for pay television and for gaming is at least one of scrambled and coded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A subscriber unit according to claim 1 and comprising a data encryptor for encrypting at least part of said processed accounting data associated with said subscriber selection and said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for gaming prior to said transmitting via said transmitter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A subscriber unit according to claim 2 and comprising a data encryptor for encrypting at least part of said processed accounting data associated with said subscriber selection and said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for gaming prior to said transmitting via said transmitter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A subscriber unit according to claim 4 and comprising a multiplexer, coupled to said processor and to said data encryptor, for multiplexing said processed accounting data prior to encrypting the data in said data encryptor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
A subscriber unit according to claim 2 and comprising a smart card unit, coupled to said decrypter and operative to provide at least one of a key, a seed and a decryption algorithm for use by said decrypter to decrypt said at least part of said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for gaming and the separate accounting data for pay television and for gaming.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A subscriber unit according to claim 1 and comprising a memory for storing at least one of pay television selections, gaming selections, said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for gaming, said separate accounting data for pay television and for gaming and said processed accounting data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A subscriber unit according to claim 1 and comprising an on-screen-display (OSD) inserter operative to insert at least one of control messages, announcements and messages relating to pay television accounting and gaming accounting for displaying on a television.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
142 words
A subscriber unit in a pay television gaming system comprising: a subscriber input unit for entering at least one of a pay television selection and a gaming selection; a processor, coupled to said subscriber input unit, for processing said at least one of a pay television selection and a gaming selection and for matching a corresponding one of an identification code for pay television and for gaming and a corresponding one of accounting data for pay television and accounting data for gaming to said at least one of a pay television selection and a gaming selection; and a transmitter for transmitting said at least one of a pay television selection and a gaming selection, said corresponding one of an identification code for pay television and for gaming, and said corresponding one of accounting data for pay television and accounting data for gaming.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
142 words
A subscriber unit in a pay television gaming system comprising: a subscriber input unit for entering at least one of a pay television selection and a gaming selection; a processor, coupled to said subscriber input unit, for processing said at least one of a pay television selection and a gaming selection and for matching a corresponding one of an identification code for pay television and for gaming and a corresponding one of accounting data for pay television and accounting data for gaming to said at least one of a pay television selection and a gaming selection; and a transmitter for transmitting said at least one of a pay television selection and a gaming selection, said corresponding one of an identification code for pay television and for gaming, and said corresponding one of accounting data for pay television and accounting data for gaming.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
A subscriber unit according to claim 10 and including a memory, coupled to said processor, for storing said at least one of a pay television selection and a gaming selection, said corresponding one of an identification code for pay television and for gaming, and said corresponding one of accounting data for pay television and accounting data for gaming.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
150 words
A subscriber unit in a pay television shopping system comprising: a receiver for receiving separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping associated with separate accounting data for pay television and for shopping from a pay television network transmitter; a processor, coupled to said receiver, for matching a subscriber selection identified by an identification code to one of the separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping, and to a portion of the separate accounting data associated with said one of the separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping, and for performing monetary calculations on said portion of the separate accounting data to generate processed accounting data associated with said subscriber selection; and a transmitter for transmitting the processed accounting data associated with said subscriber selection and said one of the separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping associated thereto.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
150 words
A subscriber unit in a pay television shopping system comprising: a receiver for receiving separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping associated with separate accounting data for pay television and for shopping from a pay television network transmitter; a processor, coupled to said receiver, for matching a subscriber selection identified by an identification code to one of the separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping, and to a portion of the separate accounting data associated with said one of the separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping, and for performing monetary calculations on said portion of the separate accounting data to generate processed accounting data associated with said subscriber selection; and a transmitter for transmitting the processed accounting data associated with said subscriber selection and said one of the separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping associated thereto.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
96 words
A subscriber unit according to claim 12 and wherein at least part of said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping and said separate accounting data for pay television and for shopping received from said pay television network transmitter is encrypted, and said subscriber unit further includes a decrypter, coupled to said receiver and to said processor, for decrypting said at least part of the separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping and said separate accounting data for pay television and for shopping prior to said matching in said processor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
A subscriber unit according to claim 13 and wherein the encrypted part of said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping and said separate accounting data for pay television and for shopping is at least one of scrambled and coded.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
A subscriber unit according to claim 12 and comprising a data encryptor for encrypting at least part of said processed accounting data associated with said subscriber selection and said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping prior to said transmitting via said transmitter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
A subscriber unit according to claim 13 and comprising a data encryptor for encrypting at least part of said processed accounting data associated with said subscriber selection and said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping prior to said transmitting via said transmitter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A subscriber unit according to claim 15 and comprising a multiplexer, coupled to said processor and to said data encryptor, for multiplexing said processed accounting data prior to encrypting the data in said data encryptor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
67 words
A subscriber unit according to claim 13 and comprising a smart card unit, coupled to said decrypter and operative to provide at least one of a key, a seed and a decryption algorithm for use by said decrypter to decrypt said at least part of said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping and the separate accounting data for pay television and for shopping.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
48 words
A subscriber unit according to claim 12 and comprising a memory for storing at least one of pay television selections, shopping selections, said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping, said separate accounting data for pay television and for shopping and said processed accounting data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
A subscriber unit according to claim 12 and comprising an on-screen-display (OSD) inserter operative to insert at least one of control messages, announcements and messages relating to pay television accounting and shopping accounting for displaying on a television.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
142 words
A subscriber unit in a pay television shopping system comprising: a subscriber input unit for entering at least one of a pay television selection and a shopping selection; a processor, coupled to said subscriber input unit, for processing said at least one of a pay television selection and a shopping selection and for matching a corresponding one of an identification code for pay television and for shopping and a corresponding one of accounting data for pay television and accounting data for shopping to said at least one of a pay television selection and a shopping selection; and a transmitter for transmitting said at least one of a pay television selection and a shopping selection, said corresponding one of an identification code for pay television and for shopping, and said corresponding one of accounting data for pay television and accounting data for shopping.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
142 words
A subscriber unit in a pay television shopping system comprising: a subscriber input unit for entering at least one of a pay television selection and a shopping selection; a processor, coupled to said subscriber input unit, for processing said at least one of a pay television selection and a shopping selection and for matching a corresponding one of an identification code for pay television and for shopping and a corresponding one of accounting data for pay television and accounting data for shopping to said at least one of a pay television selection and a shopping selection; and a transmitter for transmitting said at least one of a pay television selection and a shopping selection, said corresponding one of an identification code for pay television and for shopping, and said corresponding one of accounting data for pay television and accounting data for shopping.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
58 words
A subscriber unit according to claim 21 and including a memory, coupled to said processor, for storing said at least one of a pay television selection and a shopping selection, said corresponding one of an identification code for pay television and for shopping, and said corresponding one of accounting data for pay television and accounting data for shopping.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
166 words
A pay television gaming system comprising: a pay television network having a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; apparatus for receiving gaming inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units; apparatus for transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to gaming results; and programmable apparatus for limiting gaming activity of at least some of the multiplicity of the subscriber units via the pay television network in response to control inputs received from the at least some of the multiplicity of the subscriber units, wherein said control inputs include at least one of a credit limit and a gaming participation frequency limit, and said programmable apparatus is operative to compare a current credit to said credit limit, and a current gaming participation frequency to said gaming participation frequency limit, and to prevent a subscriber from playing if a corresponding one of said current credit and said current gaming participation frequency exceeds a corresponding one of said credit limit and said gaming participation frequency limit.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
166 words
A pay television gaming system comprising: a pay television network having a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; apparatus for receiving gaming inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units; apparatus for transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to gaming results; and programmable apparatus for limiting gaming activity of at least some of the multiplicity of the subscriber units via the pay television network in response to control inputs received from the at least some of the multiplicity of the subscriber units, wherein said control inputs include at least one of a credit limit and a gaming participation frequency limit, and said programmable apparatus is operative to compare a current credit to said credit limit, and a current gaming participation frequency to said gaming participation frequency limit, and to prevent a subscriber from playing if a corresponding one of said current credit and said current gaming participation frequency exceeds a corresponding one of said credit limit and said gaming participation frequency limit.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 23 and wherein the control inputs are encrypted and said programmable apparatus for limiting gaming activity includes a decrypter for decrypting said control inputs.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
161 words
A pay television gaming method including: providing a pay television network having a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; receiving gaming inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units; transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to gaming results; and limiting gaming activity of at least some of the multiplicity of the subscriber units via the pay television network in response to control inputs received from the at least some of the multiplicity of the subscriber units, wherein said control inputs include at least one of a credit limit and a gaming participation frequency limit, and said limiting step includes: comparing a current credit to said credit limit, and a current participation frequency to said gaming participation frequency limit; and preventing a subscriber from playing if a corresponding one of said current credit and said current gaming participation frequency exceeds a corresponding one of said at least one of a credit limit and a gaming participation frequency limit.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
161 words
A pay television gaming method including: providing a pay television network having a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; receiving gaming inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units; transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to gaming results; and limiting gaming activity of at least some of the multiplicity of the subscriber units via the pay television network in response to control inputs received from the at least some of the multiplicity of the subscriber units, wherein said control inputs include at least one of a credit limit and a gaming participation frequency limit, and said limiting step includes: comparing a current credit to said credit limit, and a current participation frequency to said gaming participation frequency limit; and preventing a subscriber from playing if a corresponding one of said current credit and said current gaming participation frequency exceeds a corresponding one of said at least one of a credit limit and a gaming participation frequency limit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 25 and wherein said limiting step further includes preventing gaming from being available to said at least some of the multiplicity of the subscriber units via the pay television network at predetermined time periods.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
166 words
A pay television gaming method including: providing a pay television network having gaming control circuitry for controlling gaming activity in the network and a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; receiving gaming inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units; transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to gaming results; and limiting gaming activity of at least some of the multiplicity of the subscriber units via the pay television network in response to control inputs received from the gaming control circuitry, wherein said control inputs include at least one of a credit limit and a gaming participation frequency limit, and said limiting step includes: comparing a current credit to said credit limit, and a current gaming participation frequency to said gaming participation frequency limit; and preventing a subscriber from playing if a corresponding one of said current credit and said current gaming participation frequency exceeds a corresponding one of said at least one of a credit limit and a gaming participation frequency limit.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
166 words
A pay television gaming method including: providing a pay television network having gaming control circuitry for controlling gaming activity in the network and a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; receiving gaming inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units; transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to gaming results; and limiting gaming activity of at least some of the multiplicity of the subscriber units via the pay television network in response to control inputs received from the gaming control circuitry, wherein said control inputs include at least one of a credit limit and a gaming participation frequency limit, and said limiting step includes: comparing a current credit to said credit limit, and a current gaming participation frequency to said gaming participation frequency limit; and preventing a subscriber from playing if a corresponding one of said current credit and said current gaming participation frequency exceeds a corresponding one of said at least one of a credit limit and a gaming participation frequency limit.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 27 and wherein said limiting step further includes preventing gaming from being available to subscriber units exceeding a predetermined frequency.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
145 words
A television gaming system comprising: a television network; a multiplicity of subscriber units each including: a television, a processor for processing television accounting data and gaming accounting data identified by separate accounting identification codes, and subscriber selections, each identified by an identification code which matches one of said separate accounting identification codes, and a memory for storing at least one of said accounting data, said subscriber selections, and said separate accounting identification codes; communications apparatus for receiving gaming inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units; accounting apparatus for maintaining separate accounts for television and for gaming, the accounting apparatus including apparatus for employing said separate accounting identification codes; and transmitting apparatus for transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to gaming results and said separate accounting identification codes for settling at least one of gaming debts and gaming winnings via the communications apparatus.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
145 words
A television gaming system comprising: a television network; a multiplicity of subscriber units each including: a television, a processor for processing television accounting data and gaming accounting data identified by separate accounting identification codes, and subscriber selections, each identified by an identification code which matches one of said separate accounting identification codes, and a memory for storing at least one of said accounting data, said subscriber selections, and said separate accounting identification codes; communications apparatus for receiving gaming inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units; accounting apparatus for maintaining separate accounts for television and for gaming, the accounting apparatus including apparatus for employing said separate accounting identification codes; and transmitting apparatus for transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to gaming results and said separate accounting identification codes for settling at least one of gaming debts and gaming winnings via the communications apparatus.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
A television gaming system according to claim 29 wherein said memory comprises a smart card.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
165 words
A pay television shopping system comprising: a pay television network including a central control station and a multiplicity of subscriber units, wherein each subscriber unit includes: a television, a processor for processing subscriber pay television accounting data and shopping accounting data identified by separate accounting identification codes, and subscriber selections, each identified by an identification code which matches one of said separate accounting identification codes, and a memory for storing at least one of said shopping accounting data, said subscriber selections, and said separate accounting identification codes; apparatus for transmitting via the pay television network to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to shopping opportunities and said separate accounting identification codes for settling at least one of shopping debts and shopping credits via the pay television network; receiving apparatus for receiving shopping inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units; and accounting apparatus for maintaining separate accounts for pay television and for shopping, the accounting apparatus including apparatus for employing said separate accounting identification codes.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
165 words
A pay television shopping system comprising: a pay television network including a central control station and a multiplicity of subscriber units, wherein each subscriber unit includes: a television, a processor for processing subscriber pay television accounting data and shopping accounting data identified by separate accounting identification codes, and subscriber selections, each identified by an identification code which matches one of said separate accounting identification codes, and a memory for storing at least one of said shopping accounting data, said subscriber selections, and said separate accounting identification codes; apparatus for transmitting via the pay television network to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to shopping opportunities and said separate accounting identification codes for settling at least one of shopping debts and shopping credits via the pay television network; receiving apparatus for receiving shopping inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units; and accounting apparatus for maintaining separate accounts for pay television and for shopping, the accounting apparatus including apparatus for employing said separate accounting identification codes.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
A television gaming system according to claim 31 wherein said memory comprises a smart card.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
162 words
A pay television gaming system comprising: a pay television network having a central control station and a multiplicity of subscriber units, wherein each subscriber unit includes: a television, processor for processing subscriber pay television accounting data and gaming accounting data identified by separate accounting identification codes, and subscriber selections, each identified by an identification code which matches one of said separate accounting identification codes, and a memory for storing at least one of said accounting data, said subscriber pay television selections, and said separate accounting identification codes; receiving apparatus for receiving gaming inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units; accounting apparatus for maintaining separate accounts for pay television and for gaming, the accounting apparatus including apparatus for employing said separate accounting identification codes; and transmitting apparatus for transmitting live to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to gaming results and said separate accounting identification codes for settling at least one of gaming debts and gaming winnings via the pay television network.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
162 words
A pay television gaming system comprising: a pay television network having a central control station and a multiplicity of subscriber units, wherein each subscriber unit includes: a television, processor for processing subscriber pay television accounting data and gaming accounting data identified by separate accounting identification codes, and subscriber selections, each identified by an identification code which matches one of said separate accounting identification codes, and a memory for storing at least one of said accounting data, said subscriber pay television selections, and said separate accounting identification codes; receiving apparatus for receiving gaming inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units; accounting apparatus for maintaining separate accounts for pay television and for gaming, the accounting apparatus including apparatus for employing said separate accounting identification codes; and transmitting apparatus for transmitting live to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to gaming results and said separate accounting identification codes for settling at least one of gaming debts and gaming winnings via the pay television network.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
123 words
A pay television gaming system comprising: a pay television network having a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; apparatus for receiving gaming inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units; apparatus for transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to gaming results; and apparatus for limiting gaming activity of at least some of the multiplicity of the subscriber units via the pay television network, wherein the apparatus for limiting gaming activity includes: a processor operative to provide a determination of a subscriber limiting status by comparing a current credit to a credit limit, and a current gaming participation frequency to a gaming participation frequency limit; and a memory for storing information related to said determination of a subscriber limiting status.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
123 words
A pay television gaming system comprising: a pay television network having a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; apparatus for receiving gaming inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units; apparatus for transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to gaming results; and apparatus for limiting gaming activity of at least some of the multiplicity of the subscriber units via the pay television network, wherein the apparatus for limiting gaming activity includes: a processor operative to provide a determination of a subscriber limiting status by comparing a current credit to a credit limit, and a current gaming participation frequency to a gaming participation frequency limit; and a memory for storing information related to said determination of a subscriber limiting status.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
95 words
A pay television gaming system comprising: a pay television network having a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; receiving apparatus operative to receive encrypted gaming inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units, said receiving apparatus including a decrypter operative to decrypt said encrypted gaming inputs; transmitting apparatus for transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to gaming results, said transmitting apparatus including an encryptor operative to encrypt said information relating to gaming results prior to said transmitting; and accounting apparatus for settling gaming debts and winnings via the pay television network.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
95 words
A pay television gaming system comprising: a pay television network having a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; receiving apparatus operative to receive encrypted gaming inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units, said receiving apparatus including a decrypter operative to decrypt said encrypted gaming inputs; transmitting apparatus for transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to gaming results, said transmitting apparatus including an encryptor operative to encrypt said information relating to gaming results prior to said transmitting; and accounting apparatus for settling gaming debts and winnings via the pay television network.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
75 words
A pay television shopping method including: providing a pay television network including a central control station and a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; transmitting via the pay television network to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to a shopping auction and information which continuously indicates the time remaining for shopping in the auction; receiving shopping inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units; and settling shopping debts via the pay television network.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
75 words
A pay television shopping method including: providing a pay television network including a central control station and a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; transmitting via the pay television network to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to a shopping auction and information which continuously indicates the time remaining for shopping in the auction; receiving shopping inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units; and settling shopping debts via the pay television network.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
143 words
A pay television shopping system comprising: a pay television network including a central control station and a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; apparatus for transmitting via the pay television network to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to shopping opportunities and at least one of separate credit identification codes, separate debit identification codes and separate balance identification codes for pay television and for shopping for settling at least one of shopping debts and shopping credits via the pay television network; receiving apparatus for receiving shopping inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units; and accounting apparatus for maintaining separate accounts for pay television and for shopping, the accounting apparatus including apparatus for employing said at least one of the separate credit identification codes, the separate debit identification codes and the separate balance identification codes for pay television and for shopping.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
143 words
A pay television shopping system comprising: a pay television network including a central control station and a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; apparatus for transmitting via the pay television network to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to shopping opportunities and at least one of separate credit identification codes, separate debit identification codes and separate balance identification codes for pay television and for shopping for settling at least one of shopping debts and shopping credits via the pay television network; receiving apparatus for receiving shopping inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units; and accounting apparatus for maintaining separate accounts for pay television and for shopping, the accounting apparatus including apparatus for employing said at least one of the separate credit identification codes, the separate debit identification codes and the separate balance identification codes for pay television and for shopping.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
175 words
A pay television shopping method including: providing a pay television network including a central control station and a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; providing via the pay television network to the multiplicity of subscriber units separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping and at least one of information relating to shopping opportunities, a menu of available shopping suppliers and a menu of available payment options; receiving from the multiplicity of subscriber units at least one of shopping inputs, selections of desired shopping suppliers, and selections of payment options; maintaining separate accounts for separate suppliers of pay television and of shopping, including employing at least one of said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping, supplier identification codes, and payment option identification codes; and settling at least one of shopping debts and shopping credits via the pay television network by employing said at least one of said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping, said supplier identification codes, and said payment option identification codes.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
175 words
A pay television shopping method including: providing a pay television network including a central control station and a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; providing via the pay television network to the multiplicity of subscriber units separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping and at least one of information relating to shopping opportunities, a menu of available shopping suppliers and a menu of available payment options; receiving from the multiplicity of subscriber units at least one of shopping inputs, selections of desired shopping suppliers, and selections of payment options; maintaining separate accounts for separate suppliers of pay television and of shopping, including employing at least one of said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping, supplier identification codes, and payment option identification codes; and settling at least one of shopping debts and shopping credits via the pay television network by employing said at least one of said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping, said supplier identification codes, and said payment option identification codes.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
57 words
A pay television shopping method according to claim 38 and wherein said receiving includes communicating said at least one of shopping inputs, selections of desired shopping suppliers, and selections of payment options from the multiplicity of subscriber units to a shopping management facility along communication facilities by employing communication identification codes which initiate communication at preselected times.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
27 words
A pay television shopping method according to claim 39 and wherein said communication identification codes are selected by a user and are associated with differing tariff rates.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
257 words
A subscriber unit in a pay television shopping system comprising: a receiver for receiving, from a pay television network transmitter, separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping associated with separate accounting data for pay television and for shopping and at least one of information relating to shopping opportunities, a menu of available shopping suppliers, a menu of available payment options, and a menu of data transmission options; a processor, coupled to said receiver, for matching a subscriber selection identified by an identification code to one of the separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping, to a portion of the separate accounting data associated with said one of the separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping, and to the at least one of information relating to shopping opportunities, the menu of available shopping suppliers, the menu of available payment options and the menu of data transmission options, said processor is also operative to perform monetary calculations on said portion of the separate accounting data to generate processed accounting data associated with said subscriber selection; and a transmitter for transmitting the processed accounting data associated with said subscriber selection and said one of the separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping associated thereto, and at least one of supplier identification codes, identifying suppliers in said menu of available shopping suppliers, payment option identification codes, identifying payment options in said menu of available payment options, and communication identification codes, identifying options of preselected times for initiating data transmission.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
257 words
A subscriber unit in a pay television shopping system comprising: a receiver for receiving, from a pay television network transmitter, separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping associated with separate accounting data for pay television and for shopping and at least one of information relating to shopping opportunities, a menu of available shopping suppliers, a menu of available payment options, and a menu of data transmission options; a processor, coupled to said receiver, for matching a subscriber selection identified by an identification code to one of the separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping, to a portion of the separate accounting data associated with said one of the separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping, and to the at least one of information relating to shopping opportunities, the menu of available shopping suppliers, the menu of available payment options and the menu of data transmission options, said processor is also operative to perform monetary calculations on said portion of the separate accounting data to generate processed accounting data associated with said subscriber selection; and a transmitter for transmitting the processed accounting data associated with said subscriber selection and said one of the separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping associated thereto, and at least one of supplier identification codes, identifying suppliers in said menu of available shopping suppliers, payment option identification codes, identifying payment options in said menu of available payment options, and communication identification codes, identifying options of preselected times for initiating data transmission.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
131 words
A pay television shopping system comprising: a pay television network including a central control station and a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; apparatus for transmitting via the pay television network to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to shopping opportunities and separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping for settling at least one of shopping debts and shopping credits via the pay television network; receiving apparatus for receiving shopping inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units; and accounting apparatus for maintaining separate accounts for pay television and for shopping, wherein the accounting apparatus includes: apparatus for employing said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping; and a transmitter for transmitting said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
131 words
A pay television shopping system comprising: a pay television network including a central control station and a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; apparatus for transmitting via the pay television network to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to shopping opportunities and separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping for settling at least one of shopping debts and shopping credits via the pay television network; receiving apparatus for receiving shopping inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units; and accounting apparatus for maintaining separate accounts for pay television and for shopping, wherein the accounting apparatus includes: apparatus for employing said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping; and a transmitter for transmitting said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for shopping.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
86 words
A pay television gaming method including: providing a pay television network having a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; receiving gaming inputs and at least one of gaming credit amount requests and pay television credit amount requests from the multiplicity of subscriber units; transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to gaming results and separate credits for gaming and for pay television in accordance with the credit amount requests; and enabling participation in games in accordance with the credit established for gaming.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
86 words
A pay television gaming method including: providing a pay television network having a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; receiving gaming inputs and at least one of gaming credit amount requests and pay television credit amount requests from the multiplicity of subscriber units; transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to gaming results and separate credits for gaming and for pay television in accordance with the credit amount requests; and enabling participation in games in accordance with the credit established for gaming.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
84 words
A pay television shopping method including: providing a pay television network having a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; receiving shopping inputs and at least one of shopping credit amount requests and pay television credit amount requests from the multiplicity of subscriber units; transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to shopping results and separate credits for shopping and for pay television in accordance with the credit amount requests; and enabling shopping in accordance with the credit established for shopping.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
84 words
A pay television shopping method including: providing a pay television network having a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; receiving shopping inputs and at least one of shopping credit amount requests and pay television credit amount requests from the multiplicity of subscriber units; transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to shopping results and separate credits for shopping and for pay television in accordance with the credit amount requests; and enabling shopping in accordance with the credit established for shopping.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
114 words
A pay television method including: providing a pay television network having a central control station and a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; receiving, from the multiplicity of subscriber units, inputs relating to pay television and inputs relating to services other than pay television; maintaining separate accounts for pay television and for the services, including employing separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for the services; transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to the services and said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for the services; and settling debts and credits of the services via the pay television network by employing said separate accounting identification codes.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
114 words
A pay television method including: providing a pay television network having a central control station and a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; receiving, from the multiplicity of subscriber units, inputs relating to pay television and inputs relating to services other than pay television; maintaining separate accounts for pay television and for the services, including employing separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for the services; transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to the services and said separate accounting identification codes for pay television and for the services; and settling debts and credits of the services via the pay television network by employing said separate accounting identification codes.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 45 wherein said services include at least one of gaming and shopping.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
93 words
A pay television method including: providing a pay television network having a central control station and a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; maintaining separate statistical data for pay television and for services other than pay television, including employing separate statistical data identification codes for pay television and for the services; receiving, from the multiplicity of subscriber units, selections of desired statistical data; and transmitting, to the multiplicity of subscriber units, a menu of available statistical data and said separate statistical data identification codes for pay television and for the services.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
93 words
A pay television method including: providing a pay television network having a central control station and a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; maintaining separate statistical data for pay television and for services other than pay television, including employing separate statistical data identification codes for pay television and for the services; receiving, from the multiplicity of subscriber units, selections of desired statistical data; and transmitting, to the multiplicity of subscriber units, a menu of available statistical data and said separate statistical data identification codes for pay television and for the services.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
135 words
A pay television system comprising: a pay television network having a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; receiving apparatus for receiving selections of desired statistical data from the multiplicity of subscriber units; apparatus for maintaining separate statistical data for pay television and for services other than pay television, said apparatus including a processor operable to process statistical data and separate statistical data identification codes for pay television and for the services associated therewith, and memory for storing said the processed statistical data and said separate statistical data for pay television and for the services; and a transmitter for transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units at least one of a menu of available statistical data, said processed statistical data and said separate statistical data identification codes for pay television and for the services.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
135 words
A pay television system comprising: a pay television network having a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television; receiving apparatus for receiving selections of desired statistical data from the multiplicity of subscriber units; apparatus for maintaining separate statistical data for pay television and for services other than pay television, said apparatus including a processor operable to process statistical data and separate statistical data identification codes for pay television and for the services associated therewith, and memory for storing said the processed statistical data and said separate statistical data for pay television and for the services; and a transmitter for transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units at least one of a menu of available statistical data, said processed statistical data and said separate statistical data identification codes for pay television and for the services.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
120 words
A subscriber unit in a pay television system comprising: a receiver for receiving, via the pay television system, at least one of a menu of available statistical data, processed statistical data and separate statistical data identification codes for pay television and for services other than pay television; a processor, coupled to said receiver, for processing entered subscriber selections and said at least one of a menu of available statistical data, processed statistical data and separate statistical data identification codes for pay television and for services other than pay television; an on-screen-display (OSD) inserter for displaying the data processed in said processor on a television; and a transmitter for transmitting via the pay television network required sectorized selections of statistical data.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
120 words
A subscriber unit in a pay television system comprising: a receiver for receiving, via the pay television system, at least one of a menu of available statistical data, processed statistical data and separate statistical data identification codes for pay television and for services other than pay television; a processor, coupled to said receiver, for processing entered subscriber selections and said at least one of a menu of available statistical data, processed statistical data and separate statistical data identification codes for pay television and for services other than pay television; an on-screen-display (OSD) inserter for displaying the data processed in said processor on a television; and a transmitter for transmitting via the pay television network required sectorized selections of statistical data.
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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) | 2000-01-07 | 2000-07-08 | 2001-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-07 | 2004-07-08 | 2005-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-07 | 2008-07-08 | 2009-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |