US5701161A — Method and apparatus for providing real time data…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 118 words

A method for superimposing a real time video reporter message on a television picture concurrently with any programing in progress, which comprises the steps of: splitting a television broadcast signal into at least a first television signal and a second video reporter signal; continuously tuning the video reporter signal for predetermined channels having video reporter data thereon; repeating the tuning step until video reporter data is detected; decoding the video reporter data; extracting messages from the video reporter data; selecting the messages to be superimposed on the television picture; generating a video signal from the video reporter data for superimposing over the television picture; and, superimposing the video signal over the television picture of the programing in progress.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 118 words

A method for superimposing a real time video reporter message on a television picture concurrently with any programing in progress, which comprises the steps of: splitting a television broadcast signal into at least a first television signal and a second video reporter signal; continuously tuning the video reporter signal for predetermined channels having video reporter data thereon; repeating the tuning step until video reporter data is detected; decoding the video reporter data; extracting messages from the video reporter data; selecting the messages to be superimposed on the television picture; generating a video signal from the video reporter data for superimposing over the television picture; and, superimposing the video signal over the television picture of the programing in progress.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of synthesizing an audio message from the messages to be superimposed following the selecting step.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of generating an audible tone for alerting a viewer to the messages to be superimposed before the superimposing step.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of producing a visual indicator to alert a viewer to the messages to be superimposed before the superimposing step.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 52 words

The method of claim 4 wherein the television broadcast signal includes teletext and closed caption text data, and the superimposing means is capable of superimposing various data simultaneously over the television picture in progress, the various data selected from the group consisting of video reporter data, teletext and closed caption text data.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of powering a television on before the superimposing step and powering the television off following the superimposing step.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of interrupting VCR programing in progress before the superimposing step, such that the various data can be superimposed over a VCR programing television picture.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of interrupting video game programing in progress before the superimposing step, such that the various data can be superimposed over a video game programing television picture.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 23 words

The method of claims 7 or 8, further comprising the step of temporarily storing the messages to be superimposed following the superimposing step.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 131 words

A video reporter for superimposing real time emergency broadcast messages and information on a television picture concurrently with any programing in progress comprising; signal splitting means for splitting a television broadcast signal into at least a first television signal and a second video reporter signal; tuning means for continuously tuning the video reporter signal for predetermined channels having video reporter data thereon; decoding means for decoding the video reporter data; message extracting means for extracting messages from the video reporter data; message selecting means for selecting the messages to be superimposed on the television picture; overlay generating means for generating a video signal from the video reporter data for superimposing over the television picture; and, superimposing means for superimposing the video signal over the television picture of the programing in progress.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 131 words

A video reporter for superimposing real time emergency broadcast messages and information on a television picture concurrently with any programing in progress comprising; signal splitting means for splitting a television broadcast signal into at least a first television signal and a second video reporter signal; tuning means for continuously tuning the video reporter signal for predetermined channels having video reporter data thereon; decoding means for decoding the video reporter data; message extracting means for extracting messages from the video reporter data; message selecting means for selecting the messages to be superimposed on the television picture; overlay generating means for generating a video signal from the video reporter data for superimposing over the television picture; and, superimposing means for superimposing the video signal over the television picture of the programing in progress.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 38 words

The video reporter of claim 3 further comprising a first programing means for selectively programing input data, the input data includes the channels to be scanned and the type of messages to be superimposed on the television picture.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 24 words

The video reporter of claim 11 further comprising storing and retrieving means for storing and retrieving the video reporter data and the input data.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 39 words

The video reporter of claim 12 further comprising a second programing means for selectively programing at least one video reporter-specific address such that the video reporter can receive the television broadcast signal from a particular broadcast station as desired.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 24 words

The video reporter of claim 13 further comprising text to speech synthesizing means for synthesizing an audio message from the messages to be superimposed.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 26 words

The video reporter of claim 14 further comprising tone generating means for generating an audible tone for alerting a viewer to the messages to be superimposed.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 24 words

The video reporter of claim 14 further comprising visual indicator producing means for producing a visual indicator to alert a viewer to the message.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 53 words

The video reporter of claim 16 wherein the television broadcast signal includes teletext and closed caption text data, and the superimposing means is capable of superimposing various data simultaneously over the television picture in progress, the various data selected from the group consisting of video reporter data, teletext and closed caption text data.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 16 words

The video reporter of claim 17 further comprising computer microcontroller means for operating the video reporter.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 15 words

The video reporter of claim 18 further comprising printing means for printing the various data.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 31 words

The video reporter of claim 19 further comprising VCR interrupting means for interrupting VCR programing in progress, such that the various data can be superimposed over a VCR programing television picture.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 34 words

The video reporter of claim 20 further comprising video game interrupting means for interrupting video game programing in progress, such that the various data can be superimposed over a video game programing television picture.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 19 words

The video reporter of claim 21 further comprising television power switching means for powering a television on and off.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 16 words

The video reporter of claim 22 wherein the video reporter is housed within a television set.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 190 words

A method for controlling and coordinating the operation of a video reporter involved in the process of simultaneously superimposing various data over a television picture of any programing in progress, which comprises the steps of: constantly reading user input data storage means for detecting user input data; constantly determining command functions of a video reporter from the input data; constantly revising the command functions in consideration of the user input data; instructing a tuning means for continuously tuning a video reporter signal to scan predetermined channels until video reporter data is detected by the tuning means; selecting and extracting messages imbedded in the video reporter data for superimposing over a television picture; instructing tone generating means to generate an audible tone for alerting a viewer to the messages to be superimposed; instructing text to speech synthesizing means to synthesize an audio message from the messages to be superimposed; powering on a television set; initiating superimposing means for superimposing the video reporter data over the television picture of the programing in progress; initiating storage and retrieving means for storing and retrieving the video reporter data; and, powering off the television set.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 190 words

A method for controlling and coordinating the operation of a video reporter involved in the process of simultaneously superimposing various data over a television picture of any programing in progress, which comprises the steps of: constantly reading user input data storage means for detecting user input data; constantly determining command functions of a video reporter from the input data; constantly revising the command functions in consideration of the user input data; instructing a tuning means for continuously tuning a video reporter signal to scan predetermined channels until video reporter data is detected by the tuning means; selecting and extracting messages imbedded in the video reporter data for superimposing over a television picture; instructing tone generating means to generate an audible tone for alerting a viewer to the messages to be superimposed; instructing text to speech synthesizing means to synthesize an audio message from the messages to be superimposed; powering on a television set; initiating superimposing means for superimposing the video reporter data over the television picture of the programing in progress; initiating storage and retrieving means for storing and retrieving the video reporter data; and, powering off the television set.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 52 words

The method of claim 24 wherein the video reporter signal includes teletext and closed caption text data, and the superimposing means is capable of superimposing various data simultaneously over the television picture in progress, the various data selected from the group consisting of video reporter data, teletext and closed caption text data.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-12-22	2001-06-23	2001-12-23	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-12-22	2005-06-23	2005-12-23	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-12-22	2009-06-23	2009-12-23	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for providing real time data on a viewing screen concurrently with any programing in process

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