US6094671A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aggregate information production and display system
Assignee: Hanger Solutions LLC
•
Filing: 1997-10-09
•
Granted: 2000-07-25
•
Expires: 2017-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A production system for packaging aggregates of mixed media information (e.g. text, images, audio, and video) into addressable packets which are transmitted to receivers over a satellite network, with the information aggregates (IA's) displayed and arranged for use via an associated Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) file, or other such displays language file and associated interpreter. The HTML file, when interpreted and displayed, would provide an organized and easy to access presentation of the mixed-media files transmitted over the satellite network, whereby textual and graphic descriptions could be used to describe the file contends and HTML buttons would allow playback and/or viewing of the linked file information. The HTML file might also include a link to communications software for enabling data dialog with a site external to the receiving station. One example link would include software for a telephone connection. This connection could direct the transmission source station to send more information, as needed. Still other links would allow software stored locally at the receiving station to be accessed and used. A link might also be provided via the internet to external URL addresses. The IA groups and packets would also be useful for distributed, distant teaching systems, with feedback from the receiving sites provided through the communications link to the source station.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy Chase
- 👤 Don Gobin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:36
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04H; H04H40/00; H04H40/18; H04H40/27; H04H40/90; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/14; H04B7/15; H04B7/185; H04B7/18578; H04H20/00; H04H20/28; H04H20/86; H04H20/93; H04L; H04L65/00; H04L65/1066; H04L65/1069; H04L65/60; H04L65/75; H04L65/762; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/02; H04L67/04; H04L67/06; H04L67/14; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/487; H04M3/493; H04M3/4938; H04H60/00; H04H60/27; H04H60/76; H04H60/81; H04H60/93; H04H60/95; H04L65/1101; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
A media distribution network system comprising: a producer station maintaining and transmitting to one or more remote receiving stations an envelope of aggregate data, the envelope of aggregate data including a plurality of media files selected from the group consisting of at least two or more among an audio file, a text or graphic file, and a video file, the envelope of aggregate data further including a mark-up language document having a plurality of tags each respectively associated with at least one of the media files; a transmission system connected to the producer station and the remote receiving stations, the transmission system broadcasting the envelope of aggregate data from the producer station to one or more remote receiver stations; a plurality of remote receiving stations then receiving the envelope of aggregate data from the producer station and transmission system and locally store the envelope of aggregate data in a respective local storage medium associated with each such receiving station, each of the plurality of receiving stations including means for accessing the mark-up language document, the mark-up language document providing means for accessing selective ones of the plurality of media files via a plurality of tags, so that at least one of such receiving stations receives the envelope of data and accesses or plays selective media files by opening the envelope and activating one or more of its associated tags.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
A media distribution network system comprising: a producer station maintaining and transmitting to one or more remote receiving stations an envelope of aggregate data, the envelope of aggregate data including a plurality of media files selected from the group consisting of at least two or more among an audio file, a text or graphic file, and a video file, the envelope of aggregate data further including a mark-up language document having a plurality of tags each respectively associated with at least one of the media files; a transmission system connected to the producer station and the remote receiving stations, the transmission system broadcasting the envelope of aggregate data from the producer station to one or more remote receiver stations; a plurality of remote receiving stations then receiving the envelope of aggregate data from the producer station and transmission system and locally store the envelope of aggregate data in a respective local storage medium associated with each such receiving station, each of the plurality of receiving stations including means for accessing the mark-up language document, the mark-up language document providing means for accessing selective ones of the plurality of media files via a plurality of tags, so that at least one of such receiving stations receives the envelope of data and accesses or plays selective media files by opening the envelope and activating one or more of its associated tags.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A media distribution network system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the envelope of aggregate data is transmitted to the receiving station by e-mail and accessed by opening the e-mail.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
A media distribution network system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the envelope of aggregate data is transmitted to the receiving station by e-mail and accessed by opening the e-mail and wherein the plurality of media files comprises text and at least a plurality of audio or video files and the plurality of tags includes at least one tag associated with at least one such audio or video file, activation of the tag resulting in audio play of the associated audio or video file.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A media distribution network system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transmission system includes a one-way link adapted to transmit the envelope of aggregate data from the producer station to one or more remote receiving stations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A media distribution network system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the mark-up language document further comprises a tag for accessing a telecommunications link and the plurality of media files includes textual information associated with at least one of an audio or video file included in the plurality of media files.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A media distribution network system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mark-up language document further comprises a tag for requesting a further mark-up language document or media file over a telecommunications link.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A media distribution network system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mark-up language document includes, or includes a tag to, indicia describing content of the one or more media files.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A media distribution network system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mark-up language document includes, or includes a tag to, an automatically displayed company logo or trade identity identification or source of origin for data or files associated with the mark-up language document.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
180 words
A transmitter system for use in transmitting an envelope of aggregate data to a remote receiving station for local storage by the receiving station, the transmitter comprising: a computer system maintaining and storing the envelope of data, the envelope of aggregate data including a plurality of media files selected from the group consisting of at least two among an audio file, a text or graphic file, and a video file, the envelope of aggregate data further including a mark-up language document having a plurality of tags each respectively associated with at least one of the media files; an RF transmitter to which the computer system provides the envelope of aggregate data as output, said RF transmitter modulating the envelope of data for RF transmission of the envelope of data to a remote receiving station so that the receiving station accesses or plays the selected media files by opening the envelope, accessing the mark-up language document, and activating one or more of its associated tags and thereby accessing one or more media files respectively associated with said one or more tags.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
180 words
A transmitter system for use in transmitting an envelope of aggregate data to a remote receiving station for local storage by the receiving station, the transmitter comprising: a computer system maintaining and storing the envelope of data, the envelope of aggregate data including a plurality of media files selected from the group consisting of at least two among an audio file, a text or graphic file, and a video file, the envelope of aggregate data further including a mark-up language document having a plurality of tags each respectively associated with at least one of the media files; an RF transmitter to which the computer system provides the envelope of aggregate data as output, said RF transmitter modulating the envelope of data for RF transmission of the envelope of data to a remote receiving station so that the receiving station accesses or plays the selected media files by opening the envelope, accessing the mark-up language document, and activating one or more of its associated tags and thereby accessing one or more media files respectively associated with said one or more tags.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A transmitter system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the envelope of aggregate data may be transmitted to the receiving station as e-mail and accessed by opening the e-mail.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
A transmitter system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the envelope of aggregate data may be transmitted to the receiving station as e-mail and accessed by opening the e-mail and wherein the plurality of media files comprises at least a plurality of audio or video files and the plurality of tags comprises at least one tag associated with at least one such audio or video file, activation of the tag resulting in audio play of the associated audio or video file.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A transmitter system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the RF transmitter includes a one-way telecommunications link.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
A transmitter system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the mark-up language document further comprises a tag for accessing a telecommunications link and the plurality of files includes text associated with at least one of the audio or video files included in the plurality of media files.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
A transmitter system as claimed in claim 13 wherein: (i) the RF transmitter includes a one-way extra-terrestrial link; and (ii) the mark-up language document further comprises a tag for requesting a further mark-up language document over the telecommunications link.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A transmitter system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the mark-up language document includes, or includes a tag to, indicia describing content of one or more media files.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
A transmitter system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the mark-up language document includes, or includes: (i) indicia describing content of one or more media files; and (ii) a company logo or identification of source of origin of data in the envelope.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
149 words
A receiver system for receiving an envelope of aggregate data that has been modulated to RF, the receiver system comprising: an RF demodulator for demodulating an envelope of aggregate data including a plurality of media files selected from among a group consisting of one or more audio or video files and at least one graphic or text file, the envelope of aggregate data further including a mark-up language document having at least one tag associated with each said media files the demodulator outputting the envelope of aggregate data; a computer system receiving the envelope of aggregate data from the RF demodulator and locally storing the envelope of aggregate data,, the computer system accessing the plurality of media files via the one or more tags of the mark-up language document and thereby accessing or playing a selected media file by activating the respective tag associated with such selected media file.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
149 words
A receiver system for receiving an envelope of aggregate data that has been modulated to RF, the receiver system comprising: an RF demodulator for demodulating an envelope of aggregate data including a plurality of media files selected from among a group consisting of one or more audio or video files and at least one graphic or text file, the envelope of aggregate data further including a mark-up language document having at least one tag associated with each said media files the demodulator outputting the envelope of aggregate data; a computer system receiving the envelope of aggregate data from the RF demodulator and locally storing the envelope of aggregate data,, the computer system accessing the plurality of media files via the one or more tags of the mark-up language document and thereby accessing or playing a selected media file by activating the respective tag associated with such selected media file.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
55 words
A receiver system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the plurality of media files comprises multiple audio or video files and the mark-up document includes a plurality of tags, each such tags being associated with one such audio or video file, activation of such tag resulting in play of the associated audio or video file.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
A receiver system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the plurality of media files comprises at least one video file and the plurality of tags comprises at least one tag associated with at least one video file, activation of the tag resulting in video play of the video file.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
A receiver system as claimed in claim 17 also including a receiver apparatus connected to the RF demodulator, the receiver being adapted to received the envelope of aggregate data within a one-way RF transmission and forward the received envelope of aggregate data to the RF demodulator.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
A receiver system as claimed in claim 20 wherein the mark-up language document further comprises a tag for accessing a telecommunications link in order to procure further media files.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
A receiver system as claimed in claim 21 wherein the mark-up language document further comprises a tag for requesting a further mark-up language document or media file over the telecommunications link.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
A receiver system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the mark-up language document includes, or includes a tag to, indicia describing content of one or more media files identified in the document.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
A receiver system as claimed in claim 20 wherein the mark-up language document includes, or includes a tag to, a company logo or source identifying information.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
179 words
A multimedia data transmission system comprising: a producer server providing output to a wireless transmitter and thereby transmitting an RF modulated envelope of aggregate data having a plurality of RF modulated data elements, the plurality of RF modulated data elements including: a plurality of media files preselected from a group to consist of at least an audio file or a video file and a text file, and a mark-up language document having a plurality of tags each respectively associated with at least one of the plurality of media files associated with said envelope; a receiver demodulator receiving the modulated envelope of aggregate data and demodulating the envelope of aggregate data in order to output the envelope of aggregate data to a receiving computer station; and said receiving computer station receiving the envelope of aggregate data from said demodulator in order to simultaneously display said document and said graphic or logo so that the user of said receiving computer station accesses or plays said at least one audio or video file by activation of the associated tag in said document.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
179 words
A multimedia data transmission system comprising: a producer server providing output to a wireless transmitter and thereby transmitting an RF modulated envelope of aggregate data having a plurality of RF modulated data elements, the plurality of RF modulated data elements including: a plurality of media files preselected from a group to consist of at least an audio file or a video file and a text file, and a mark-up language document having a plurality of tags each respectively associated with at least one of the plurality of media files associated with said envelope; a receiver demodulator receiving the modulated envelope of aggregate data and demodulating the envelope of aggregate data in order to output the envelope of aggregate data to a receiving computer station; and said receiving computer station receiving the envelope of aggregate data from said demodulator in order to simultaneously display said document and said graphic or logo so that the user of said receiving computer station accesses or plays said at least one audio or video file by activation of the associated tag in said document.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
46 words
A multimedia data transmission system as claimed in claim 25 wherein: (i) the plurality of media files includes multiple audio or video files, and (ii) the text file includes instructive information for use in connection with activating or playing of the multiple audio of video files.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
A multimedia data transmission system as claimed in claim 26 wherein the mark-up language document further comprises a tag for accessing a telecommunications link.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
A multimedia data transmission system as claimed in claim 27 wherein the mark-up language document further comprises a tag for requesting a further mark-up language document over the telecommunications link.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
A multimedia data transmission system as claimed in claim 25 wherein the mark-up language document includes indicia, or a tag to indicia, describing content of one or more of said media files.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
A multimedia data transmission system as claimed in claim 25 wherein the mark-up language document includes, or includes a tag to, an identifying graphic or logo.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
153 words
A media distribution system of the type useable to send e-mail from a producer station to multiple remote receiving stations, the system comprising in combination: a producer station for assembling and simultaneously transmitting to multiple receiving stations a predetermined envelope of aggregate data, the predetermined envelope of aggregate data including a plurality of media files preselected from the group consisting of one or more audio or video files and a text or graphic file, the envelope of aggregate data further including a mark-up language document having at least one tag associated with at least one of such audio or video files among the plurality of media files; a receiving station receiving the envelope, the receiving station locally storing the media files in a respective local storage medium, the receiving station including means for accessing the mark-up language document and thereby accessing a selective one of the plurality of media files via the tag.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
153 words
A media distribution system of the type useable to send e-mail from a producer station to multiple remote receiving stations, the system comprising in combination: a producer station for assembling and simultaneously transmitting to multiple receiving stations a predetermined envelope of aggregate data, the predetermined envelope of aggregate data including a plurality of media files preselected from the group consisting of one or more audio or video files and a text or graphic file, the envelope of aggregate data further including a mark-up language document having at least one tag associated with at least one of such audio or video files among the plurality of media files; a receiving station receiving the envelope, the receiving station locally storing the media files in a respective local storage medium, the receiving station including means for accessing the mark-up language document and thereby accessing a selective one of the plurality of media files via the tag.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
54 words
A media distribution system as claimed in claim 31 wherein the plurality of media files comprises at least two audio files and at least two tags, each of said two tags being associated with one of said two audio files, activation of each such tag resulting in audio play of the associated audio file.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
45 words
A media distribution system as claimed in claim 31 wherein the plurality of media files comprises multiple video files and the at least one tag is associated with the at least one video file, activation of the tag resulting in play of the video file.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
35 words
A media distribution system as claimed in claim 31 wherein the mark-up language document is formatted as an HTML document and the system further includes a one-way RF link connecting the producer and receiving stations.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
A media distribution system as claimed in claim 31 wherein the mark-up language document further comprises a tag for accessing a two-way telecommunications link.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
32 words
A media distribution system as claimed in claim 35 wherein the mark-up language document further comprises a tag for requesting a further mark-up language or media file document over the telecommunications link.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
A media distribution system as claimed in claim 31 wherein the mark-up language document includes, or includes a tag to, indicia describing content of one or more said media files.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
A media distribution system as claimed in claim 31 wherein the mark-up language document includes, or includes a tag to, a company logo or source identifying indicia.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
The media distribution network system of claim 3 wherein the transmission system includes a one-way link adapted to transmit the envelope from the producer station to one or more remote receiving stations.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
64 words
The media distribution network system of claim 4 wherein: (i) the one-way link includes an extra-terrestrial satellite; (ii) the producer station includes a document organizing program by which a user may organize the media files; and (iii) a receiving station program on the remote receiving stations for display or playback according to the organization provided by the document organizing program on the producer station.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
64 words
The media distribution network system of claim 39 wherein: (i) the one-way link includes an extra-terrestrial satellite; (ii) the producer station includes a document organizing program by which a user may organize the media files; and (iii) a receiving station program on the remote receiving stations for display or playback according to the organization provided by the document organizing program on the producer station.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
51 words
A media distribution network system as claimed in claim 4 wherein: (i) the receiving station includes a telecommunications link to the producer station or another content site; and (ii) the markup language document further comprises a tag for requesting a further mark-up language document or media file over the telecommunications link.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
51 words
A media distribution network system as claimed in claim 39 wherein: (i) the receiving station includes a telecommunications link to the producer station or another content site; and (ii) the mark-up language document further comprises a tag for requesting a further mark-up language document or media file over the telecommunications link.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
51 words
A media distribution network system as claimed in claim 40 wherein: (i) the receiving station includes a telecommunications link to the producer station or another content site; and (ii) the mark-up language document further comprises a tag for requesting a further mark-up language document or media file over the telecommunications link.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
51 words
A media distribution network system as claimed in claim 41 wherein: (i) the receiving station includes a telecommunications link to the producer station or another content site; and (ii) the mark-up language document further comprises a tag for requesting a further mark-up language document or media file over the telecommunications link.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
41 words
A media distribution network system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the mark-up language document includes, or includes a tag to, a company logo or trade identity identification of a source of origin for data provided by the mark-up language document.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
41 words
A media distribution network system as claimed in claim 39 wherein the mark-up language document includes, or includes a tag to, a company logo or trade identity identification of a source of origin for data provided by the mark-up language document.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
41 words
A media distribution network system as claimed in claim 42 wherein the mark-up language document includes, or includes a tag to, a company logo or trade identity identification of a source of origin for data provided by the mark-up language document.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
41 words
A media distribution network system as claimed in claim 45 wherein the mark-up language document includes, or includes a tag to, a company logo or trade identity identification of a source of origin for data provided by the mark-up language document.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
41 words
A media distribution network system as claimed in claim 46 wherein the mark-up language document includes, or includes a tag to, a company logo or trade identity identification of a source of origin for data provided by the mark-up language document.
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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) | 2003-07-25 | 2004-01-24 | 2004-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-25 | 2008-01-24 | 2008-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-25 | 2012-01-24 | 2012-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |