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US6356539B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Interactive satellite broadcast system

Assignee: 2201028 Ontario Inc
•
Filing: 1997-03-14
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Granted: 2002-03-12
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Expires: 2017-03-14
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Abstract

Abstract In a method of providing an interactive broadcast service, broadcast signals are transmitted via a wideband satellite link to end users. Return signals are received from the users transmitted over a narrowband satellite link separate from the first link. The return signals allow users of the service to send commands back to the base station to request specific services.

Inventors

  • 👤 Michael Zuliani
  • 👤 Hans-Christian Haugli

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 16:56
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/437; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/238; H04N21/2383; H04N21/47; H04N21/478; H04N21/47815; H04N21/60; H04N21/61; H04N21/6106; H04N21/6143; H04N21/6156; H04N21/6193; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17318; H04N7/20

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim 161 words
An interactive direct broadcast satellite system, comprising: (a) a direct broadcast station comprising: (i) a first transmitter for transmitting direct broadcast material over a wideband channel in the Ku band via a direct broadcast satellite to multiple users; and (ii) a hub connected to content providers for providing specific broadcast signal to said transmitter in response to requests from said users; and (b) a plurality of receiving stations each comprising: (i) a receiver for receiving and decoding said broadcast signal; (ii) a control unit for enabling a user at said receiving station to enter requests for specific signal; (iii) a controller for generating bursts of data representing said user requests; (iv) an encoder for encoding said bursts of data; (v) a CDMA modulator for modulating said encoded bursts of data to provide an encoded CDMA modulated return signal; and (vi) a transmitter for transmitting said modulated encoded signal to said hub via a narrow band satellite channel in the L band.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 161 words
An interactive direct broadcast satellite system, comprising: (a) a direct broadcast station comprising: (i) a first transmitter for transmitting direct broadcast material over a wideband channel in the Ku band via a direct broadcast satellite to multiple users; and (ii) a hub connected to content providers for providing specific broadcast signal to said transmitter in response to requests from said users; and (b) a plurality of receiving stations each comprising: (i) a receiver for receiving and decoding said broadcast signal; (ii) a control unit for enabling a user at said receiving station to enter requests for specific signal; (iii) a controller for generating bursts of data representing said user requests; (iv) an encoder for encoding said bursts of data; (v) a CDMA modulator for modulating said encoded bursts of data to provide an encoded CDMA modulated return signal; and (vi) a transmitter for transmitting said modulated encoded signal to said hub via a narrow band satellite channel in the L band.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 36 words
An interactive direct broadcast satellite system as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a set top unit for receiving the decoded Ku-band signal received from said Ku broadcast satellite and for providing said retain signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 32 words
An interactive direct broadcast satellite system as defined in claim 2 , further comprising a Ku-band satellite dish and an L-band antenna mounted on said satellite dish for transmitting said return signal.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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US5053782A Cited
US5638361A Cited
US5864747A Cited
US5991279A Cited
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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) 2005-03-11 2005-09-10 2006-03-12 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2009-03-11 2009-09-10 2010-03-12 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2013-03-11 2013-09-10 2014-03-12 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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