Selection of compressed television signals from single channel allocation based on viewer characteristics
AssigneeGeneral Instrument Corporation
InventorDavid E. Wachob
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A plurality of television signals are transmitted and selectively received on a single television channel allocation. Headend apparatus compresses a set of television signals, such as a main program signal and a plurality of different demographically targeted commercials. The plurality of compressed television signals are combined into a combined signal for transmission on a single television channel allocation. A receiver receiving the combined signal identifies characteristics of a television viewer, and selects a particular one of the compressed television signals from the received combined signal depending on the viewer characteristics. The retrieved signal is decompressed for use by a video appliance.
Claims11
Apparatus for transmitting and selectively receiving a plurality of television signals on a single television channel allocation comprising:
- headend apparatus for transmitting television signals including:
- means for compressing a set of television signals, at least two of which correspond to different viewer characteristics,
- means for combining the plurality of compressed television signals into a combined signal, and
- means for transmitting said combined signal on a single television channel allocation;
- and
- receiver apparatus for receiving the combined signal including:
- means for identifying characteristics of a television viewer,
- selection means responsive to said identifying means for retrieving a particular one of said set of compressed television signals from the received combined signal depending on said viewer characteristics, and
- means for decompressing the retrieved signal for use by a video appliance.
Television receiver apparatus comprising:
- means for tuning to a television channel that carries a plurality of compressed television signals;
- means for identifying characteristics of at least one television viewer using said receiver;
- and
- means responsive to said identifying means for retrieving a particular television signal from said plurality of compressed television signals based on the identified characteristics.
Headend apparatus for broadcasting a plurality of different messages for receipt by different television viewers depending on identified viewer characteristics comprising:
- means for compressing a plurality of television signals including at least one program signal and at least one alternate message signal;
- and
- means for combining the plurality of compressed television signals for transmission within a single television channel allocation;
- wherein said, combining means combine said plurality of compressed signals in a predetermined order to enable their retrieval depending upon viewer characteristics associated with said signals.
A method for reproducing different messages in a common television program received by a plurality of different television viewers, comprising the steps of:
- providing a single television channel containing a compressed television program signal and a plurality of different compressed message signals;
- identifying said different compressed message signals with different viewer characteristics;
- detecting the occurrence of a message break in a television program represented by said compressed television program signal;
- and
- selecting one of said compressed message signals for reproduction during said message break at a particular viewer site based on a correspondence between viewer characteristics identified for said site and viewer characteristics identified with the selected signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.