US5825407A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cable television audio messaging systems
Assignee: Albrit Technologies Ltd
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Filing: 1996-02-26
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Granted: 1998-10-20
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Expires: 2016-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A multi-channel audio messaging system for cable television, installed at the headend, enables multiple different input audio messages to be supplied to multiple different channels of a cable television system. Multiple analog audio input message sources are supplied as a multiplexed audio input to a digitizer which outputs digitized audio signals which are switched and decoded, under the control of a microprocessor to provide different audio messages on desired channels.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan B. Cowe
- 👤 Richard F. Clowes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:40
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04H; H04H20/00; H04H20/10; H04H20/103; H04H20/53; H04H20/59; H04H20/65; H04H20/76; H04H20/77; H04H20/78; H04H60/00; H04H60/76; H04H60/81; H04H60/93
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A multi-channel audio messaging system for cable television for enabling multiple different input audio messages to be supplied to multiple different channels of a cable television system, the cable television system having a headend where multiple external program signals are channelized by means of individual channel modulators having program signal input ports and are exported to a cable network for transmission to a subscriber audience, said audio messaging system being installable at a cable television headend and comprising: multiple analog audio input message sources multiplexed by an analog audio multiplexer to provide a multiplexed audio input, digital conversion means to digitize the multiplexed audio input and output digitized audio signals, means to switch and control the digitized audio signals and decoder means to read and select from the digitized audio signals to provide different audio messages on desired channels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A multi-channel audio messaging system for cable television for enabling multiple different input audio messages to be supplied to multiple different channels of a cable television system, the cable television system having a headend where multiple external program signals are channelized by means of individual channel modulators having program signal input ports and are exported to a cable network for transmission to a subscriber audience, said audio messaging system being installable at a cable television headend and comprising: multiple analog audio input message sources multiplexed by an analog audio multiplexer to provide a multiplexed audio input, digital conversion means to digitize the multiplexed audio input and output digitized audio signals, means to switch and control the digitized audio signals and decoder means to read and select from the digitized audio signals to provide different audio messages on desired channels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A multi-channel audio messaging system according to claim 1 wherein the analog audio multiplexer, the digital conversion means the switch and control means and the decoder means are embodied as an integral module.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A multi-channel audio messaging system according to claim 2 further comprising a microprocessor and a network connection embodied in said integral module.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
A multi-channel audio messaging system according to claim 3 further comprising random access memory to receive digitized audio signals and non-volatile storage to receive selected ones of said digitized audio signals from random access memory said decoder means being controllable to decode audio messages selectively from the random access memory or the non-volatile storage, said random access memory and said non-volatile storage being embodied in said integral module.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A multi-channel audio messaging system according to claim 4 comprising a pulse code modulator to output audio messages to a telephone network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A multi-channel audio messaging system according to claim 1 with capacity for at least eight audio input and eight audio output channels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-10-19 | 2002-04-20 | 2002-10-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-19 | 2006-04-20 | 2006-10-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-19 | 2010-04-20 | 2010-10-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |