US5659877A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for distributing broadcasting material and identifying segment data
Assignee: Sony Corp
•
Filing: 1995-01-03
•
Granted: 1997-08-19
•
Expires: 2015-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A system for distributing broadcasting material a source station transmits a material signal representing a series of broadcasting material segments, together with a segment data signal containing segment data, such as the absolute start frame number of each segment and the number of frames in each segment. Each of a number of branch stations receives the transmitted material segments and the segment data signal, records the broadcasting material segments, and then files away the broadcasting material segments, for example in a cart machine, in accordance with the received segment data. The transmission may be by way of an artificial satellite, and it is unnecessary for the transmission from the satellite to the branch stations to be synchronised with the transmission from the source station to the satellite.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitsutaka Enomoto
- 👤 Mamoru Ishiguro
- 👤 Masato Yokota
- 👤 Shingo Yamauchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 06:03
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04H; H04H40/00; H04H40/09; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/20; H04H20/00; H04H20/40; H04H20/65; H04H20/71; H04H20/74; H04H60/00; H04H60/02; H04H60/04; H04H60/27; H04H60/76; H04H60/78; H04H60/79; H04H20/44; H04H20/46; H04H20/51; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/426; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/78; H04N5/782; H04N5/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for distributing broadcasting material, comprising: a source station comprising transmitting means for transmitting a composite signal having a series of broadcasting material segments preceded by a segment data signal, said segment data signal containing segment data representing the position and length of each of said broadcasting material segments in the series; and a plurality of branch stations, each said branch station comprising receiving means for receiving the transmitted composite signal with the supplied segment data signal, recording means for recording the broadcasting material segments on a recording medium, and filing means for filing each of the broadcasting material segments recorded by the recording means on said recording medium at a location specified by the segment data contained in the segment data signal, said broadcasting material segments to be rebroadcast simultaneously by said plurality of branch stations.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for distributing broadcasting material, comprising: a source station comprising transmitting means for transmitting a composite signal having a series of broadcasting material segments preceded by a segment data signal, said segment data signal containing segment data representing the position and length of each of said broadcasting material segments in the series; and a plurality of branch stations, each said branch station comprising receiving means for receiving the transmitted composite signal with the supplied segment data signal, recording means for recording the broadcasting material segments on a recording medium, and filing means for filing each of the broadcasting material segments recorded by the recording means on said recording medium at a location specified by the segment data contained in the segment data signal, said broadcasting material segments to be rebroadcast simultaneously by said plurality of branch stations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein: the transmitting means comprises an encoder for generating said composite signal from the broadcasting material segments and the segment data signal, and means for transmitting the composite signal; and each said receiving means comprises a decoder for decoding the segment data signal from the composite signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 2, wherein said transmitting means is adapted to transmit the composite signal to each said branch station via an artificial satellite.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as set forth in claim 3, wherein a transmission from said source station to said satellite is not synchronized with a transmission from said satellite to each said branch station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein: said transmitting means has a first channel for transmitting the broadcasting material segments and a second channel for supplying the segment data signal separately from the broadcasting material segments; and each said receiving means has a first reception channel for receiving the broadcasting material segments and a second reception channel for receiving the segment data signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 5, wherein said first channel transmits the broadcasting material segments to each said branch station via an artificial satellite.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said second channel supplies the segment data signal to each said branch station via a land line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said second channel supplies the segment data signal to each said branch station via a recording medium transportable between the source station and that branch station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the segment data signal contains an identity code for each broadcasting material segment in the series and timing data representing the timing of each broadcasting material segment in the series.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 9, wherein the timing data represents a frame number for each broadcasting material segment in the series.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said source station further comprises means for recording at least the broadcasting material segments to be transmitted and for reproducing the recorded broadcasting material segments for transmission by said transmitting means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the recording means of each said branch station comprises a buffer video tape recorder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
84 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said filing means of each said branch station comprises a video cassette recorder for recording at respective times onto respective video cassettes said broadcasting material segments recorded by said recording means, and an apparatus for storing said plurality of video cassettes with each said respective broadcasting material segment thereon and for loading selected ones of said cassettes into said video cassette recorder, said respective times and said respective video cassettes being specified by said segment data signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A branch station according to claim 1, wherein said recording means comprises a buffer video tape recorder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said broadcasting material segments are filed at a plurality of locations with each said location being specified by said segment data signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
140 words
A branch station for a broadcasting material distribution system having a central source station and a plurality of branch stations, each said branch station comprising: receiving means for receiving a composite signal having a series of broadcasting material segments preceded by a segment data signal, said segment data signal containing segment data specifying the position of each of said broadcasting material segments in said series and a length of each of said broadcasting material segments in said series; recording means for recording the received broadcasting material segments on a recording medium; and filing means for separately filing each of the broadcasting material segments recorded by the recording means on said recording medium at a location specified by the segment data contained in the segment data signal, said broadcasting material segments to be rebroadcast simultaneously by said plurality of branch stations.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
140 words
A branch station for a broadcasting material distribution system having a central source station and a plurality of branch stations, each said branch station comprising: receiving means for receiving a composite signal having a series of broadcasting material segments preceded by a segment data signal, said segment data signal containing segment data specifying the position of each of said broadcasting material segments in said series and a length of each of said broadcasting material segments in said series; recording means for recording the received broadcasting material segments on a recording medium; and filing means for separately filing each of the broadcasting material segments recorded by the recording means on said recording medium at a location specified by the segment data contained in the segment data signal, said broadcasting material segments to be rebroadcast simultaneously by said plurality of branch stations.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
A branch station according to claim 16, wherein: the broadcasting material segments and the segment data signal are received as a composite signal; and said receiving means comprises a decoder for decoding the segment data signal from the composite signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A branch station according to claim 16, wherein said receiving means receives said composite signal from an artificial satellite.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
A branch station as set forth in claim 18, wherein a transmission from said satellite to said branch station is not synchronized with a transmission from said central source station to said satellite.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
A branch station according to claim 16, wherein said receiving means has a first channel for receiving the broadcasting material segments and a second channel for receiving the segment data signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A branch station according to claim 20, wherein said first channel receives the broadcasting material segments from an artificial satellite.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
A branch station according to claim 20 or 21, wherein said second channel receives the segment data signal on a land line.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
A branch station according to claim 20 or 21, wherein said second channel receives the segment data signal on a transportable recording medium.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
A branch station according to claim 16, wherein the segment data signal contains an identity code for each broadcasting material segment in the series and timing data representing the timing of each broadcasting material segment in the series.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
A branch station according to claim 24, wherein the timing data represents a frame number for each broadcasting material segment in the series.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
80 words
A branch station according to claim 16, wherein said filing means comprises a video cassette recorder for recording at respective times onto respective video cassettes said broadcasting material segments recorded by said recording means, and an apparatus for storing said plurality of video cassettes with each said respective broadcasting material segment thereon and for loading selected ones of said cassettes into said video cassette recorder said respective times and said respective video cassettes being specified by said segment data signal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
A branch station as set forth in claim 16, wherein said filing means files said broadcasting material segments at a plurality of locations with each said location being specified by said segment data signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
127 words
A central source station for use in a broadcasting material distribution system having a plurality of rebroadcasting branch stations, said central source station comprising transmitting means for transmitting a composite signal, having a series of broadcasting material segments and a segment data signal inserted into a vertical blanking period of said broadcasting material segments, to said plurality of rebroadcasting branch stations, said segment data signal containing segment data for identifying each broadcasting material segment in the series and a length of each broadcasting material segment in the series; wherein said segment data signal also comprises data which identifies locations in a recording medium at said rebroadcasting branch stations, said rebroadcasting branch stations having means for recording said broadcasting material segments at said locations in said recording medium.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
127 words
A central source station for use in a broadcasting material distribution system having a plurality of rebroadcasting branch stations, said central source station comprising transmitting means for transmitting a composite signal, having a series of broadcasting material segments and a segment data signal inserted into a vertical blanking period of said broadcasting material segments, to said plurality of rebroadcasting branch stations, said segment data signal containing segment data for identifying each broadcasting material segment in the series and a length of each broadcasting material segment in the series; wherein said segment data signal also comprises data which identifies locations in a recording medium at said rebroadcasting branch stations, said rebroadcasting branch stations having means for recording said broadcasting material segments at said locations in said recording medium.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
147 words
A branch station for a broadcasting material distribution system having a central source station and a plurality of branch stations, each said branch station comprising: a receiver for receiving a composite signal having a segment data signal and a plurality of broadcasting material segments, said segment data signal specifying a position of each broadcasting material segment and a length of each broadcasting material segment and said broadcasting material segments being comprised of video signals and audio signals; a decoder for receiving said composite signal and for separating said segment data signal from said broadcasting material segments; a controller for receiving said segment data signal from said decoder; and a recorder for recording said broadcasting material segments on a recording medium at locations specified by said controller in accordance with said segment data signal; wherein said branch station rebroadcasts said broadcasting material segments simultaneously with other branch stations.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
147 words
A branch station for a broadcasting material distribution system having a central source station and a plurality of branch stations, each said branch station comprising: a receiver for receiving a composite signal having a segment data signal and a plurality of broadcasting material segments, said segment data signal specifying a position of each broadcasting material segment and a length of each broadcasting material segment and said broadcasting material segments being comprised of video signals and audio signals; a decoder for receiving said composite signal and for separating said segment data signal from said broadcasting material segments; a controller for receiving said segment data signal from said decoder; and a recorder for recording said broadcasting material segments on a recording medium at locations specified by said controller in accordance with said segment data signal; wherein said branch station rebroadcasts said broadcasting material segments simultaneously with other branch stations.
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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) | 2000-08-18 | 2001-02-17 | 2001-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-08-18 | 2005-02-17 | 2005-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-08-18 | 2009-02-17 | 2009-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |