 |
Claims  |
|
|
What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for the remote viewing of selected video program material at
subscriber remote receiving locations, comprising:
(a) television broadcasting means at a central location for providing a
television signal for transmission to said remote locations over a single
common channel;
(b) means at said central location for providing video program signals to
said television broadcasting means;
(c) at least one selectable source of video program materials;
(d) selection means for generating a selection signal for enabling each
subscriber remote receiving location to select video program material to
be broadcast over the single common channel with such selection being made
through a telephone system keypad; and
(e) programmed data processor means coupled to said at least one selectable
source of video program materials and said means for providing video
program signals to said television broadcasting means, said programmed
data processor being responsive to the telephonically transmitted
selection signal from a remote location selecting desired video program
material for transmission by said televison broadcasting means over the
single common channel for viewing by all of said subscriber remote
receiving locations on the single common channel, said programmed data
processor providing control signals to said at least one selectable source
of video program materials in accordance with the desired video program
material selected by a subscriber remote receiving location such that
selected video program material is coupled by said means for providing
video program signals to said television broadcasting means for
transmission over the single common channel to all of the said subscriber
remote receiving locations viewing the single common channel irrespective
of whether the subscribers at such locations have selected any video
program material so that a viewer at a remote receiving location may tune
a television receiver at that location to the single common channel in
order to sequentially view all of the selected video program materials
transmitted by said television broadcasting means over the single common
channel, said programmed digital processor means further providing
information identifying said video program materials on said single common
channel in addition to said video program material.
2. A method for the remote viewing of selected video program material at
subscriber remote receiving locations, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing television broadcasting means at a central location for
providing a television signal for transmission to said remote locations
over a single common channel;
(b) providing video program signals to said television broadcasting means;
(c) providing at least one selectable source of video program materials;
(d) generating a selection signal for enabling each subscriber remote
receiving location to select video program material to be broadcast over
the single common channel with such selection being made through a
telephone system keypad;
(e) providing programmed data processor means coupled to said at least one
selectable source of video program materials and for providing video
program signals to said television broadcasting means, said programmed
data processor being responsive to the telephonically transmitted
selection signal from a remote location selecting desired video program
material for transmission by said television broadcasting means over the
single common channel for viewing by all of said subscriber remote
receiving locations on the single common channel, said programmed data
processor providing control signals to said at least one selectable source
of video program materials in accordance with the desired video program
material selected by a subscriber remote receiving location such that
selected video program material is coupled to said television broadcasting
means for transmission over the single common channel to all of the said
subscriber remote receiving locations viewing the single common channel
irrespective of whether the subscribers at such locations have selected
any video program material so that a viewer at a remote receiving location
may tune a television receiver at that location to the single common
channel in order to sequentially view all of the selected video program
materials transmitted by said television broadcasting means over the
single comon channel; and
(f) providing information identifying said video program materials on said
single common channel in addition to said video program material.
3. A method for the remote viewing of selected video program material at
remote receiving locations, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing television broadasting means at a central location for
providing a television signal for transmission to said remote receiving
locations over a single common channel;
(b) providing video program signals to said television broadcasting means;
(c) providing at least one selectable source of video program materials;
(d) generating a selection signal for enabling the remote selection of
video program material to be broadcast over the single common channel with
such selection being made through a telephone system keypad;
(e) providing programmed data processor means coupled to said at least one
selectable source of video program materials and for providing video
program signals to said television broadcasting means, said programmed
data processor being responsive to the telephonically transmitted
selection signal from a remote location selecting desired video program
material for transmission by said television broadcasting means over the
single common channel for viewing by all of said remote receiving
locations on the single common channel, said programmed data processor
providing control signals to said at least one selectable source of video
program materials in accordance with the desired video program material
selected such that selected video program material is coupled to said
television broadcasting means for transmission over the single common
channel to all of the said remote receiving locations viewing the single
common channel irrespective of whether the viewers at such locations have
selected any video program material so that a viewer at a remote receiving
location may tune a television receiver at that location to the single
common channel in order to sequentially view all of the selected video
program materials transmitted by said television broadcasting means over
the single common channel; and
(f) providing information identifying said video program materials on said
single common channel in addition to said video program material.
4. The method of claim 2, further including the step of entering a digital
code by means of said telephone system keypad.
5. The method of claim 2, further including the step of placing on queue
said selected desired video program material.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said televison broadcasting means
comprises a television transmitter.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said televison broadcasting means
comprises a cable head end.
8. The method of claim 2, further including the step of broadcasting
predetermined programmed data processor selected video program material
for remote viewing at subscriber remote receiving locations.
9. The method of claim 2, further including the step of billing each
subscriber who selects video program material for broadcast by said
television broadcasting means.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of billing comprises the use
of a third-party 976-Dial It System for billing each said subscriber.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein said predetermined programmed data
processor selected video program material is selected by an operator of
said programmed data processor.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said information identifying the
video program materials is comprised of at least one of the title and
performer of each of said video program materials.
13. The method of claim 2, wherein said information identifying the video
program materials is comprised of at least one of the title and performer
of each of said video program materials.
14. The method of claim 3, wherein said information identifying the video
program materials is comprised of at least one of the title and performer
of each of said video program materials.
15. The method of claim 3, further including the step of entering a digital
code by means of said telephone system keypad.
16. The method of claim 3, further including the step of placing on queue
said selected desired video program material.
17. The method of claim 3, further including the step of broadcasting
predetermined programmed data processor selected video program material
for remote viewing at remote receiving locations.
18. The method of claim 3, further including the step of billing for each
selection of video program material for broadcast by said television
broadcasting means.
19. The method of claim 3, wherein said step of billing comprises the use
of a third-party 976-Dial It System for billing for each said selection.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein said predetermined programmed data
processor selected video program material is selected by an operator of
said programmed data processor. |
|
 |
|
 |
Claims |
|
|
|
Description |
|
|
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a method of displaying
subscriber selected video information on a television monitor. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a method including a
programmed data processor of operating a cable television system wherein
the video information broadcast is selected by a cable television
subscriber using a telephone keypad. The data processor controls the
retrieval of the information from its storage location and broadcasts the
video selection to all subscribers.
There presently are systems that allow a subscriber to view selected video
information on cable television. In a first such system a transmitting
station utilizes a coder unit to scramble the video and audio signal so
that a conventional television cannot receive the signals clearly. A
decoder is provided for each subscriber to unscramble the coded signal.
The use of the decoder is recorded for billing purposes. This system
allows the subscriber to view video information chosen by the cable
company. However, the subscriber cannot view video information chosen by
the subscriber.
In a second system the subscriber is furnished with a list of video
information that may be chosen. This video information is supplied through
a free channel. The subscriber actuates a control at his home which
searches for the free channel through a cable. When that channel is found
the subscriber actuates a selector control which transmits through the
free channel to the cable station a signal corresponding to the video
information selected. The station then automatically selects the required
film and starts the broadcast of the video information. This type of
system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,278,677 to Fannoy.
In a third system such as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,264,924 to Freeman a private
coaxial distribution network allows a transmitting station to
simultaneously transmit a plurality of unscrambled subscription television
program signals to a plurality of subscribers on a plurality of television
channels. The signals are related in time and content to each other and
each is transmitted at a different frequency which corresponds to a
different television reception channel, with regular or free television
programming being simultaneously provided at one or more further different
television reception channel frequency. Each subscriber is provided a
switch by which he can choose to view free television, listen to music or
view pay television.
In a fourth system a control unit is provided at the subscriber's home. The
subscriber is provided with a list of video information that may be
chosen. The subscriber actuates the control or command terminal unit to
select the video information. This command terminal unit is a
micro-processor with a key pad coupled to the telephone system and a
cable. The cable system sends this video information in time compressed
form to only the subscriber that requested it. The video information is
converted to real time before it is broadcast at the subscriber's home.
This type of system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,516 to Abraham and
U.S. Pat. No. 4,567,512 to Abraham.
In a fifth system a telephone at the subscriber's home is utilized instead
of the control unit to select video information for viewing. The
subscriber dials the cable television company and enters a digital code
corresponding to the selected video information. The video information is
sent via cable in time compressed form and broadcast to the subscriber
requesting it. This type of system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,521,806
to Abraham.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,522 to Lambert a sixth system is disclosed. A
subscriber enters a digital code on a telephone corresponding to the
selected video information. In this system there are a plurality of
channels. There is a minicomputer at the cable station that responds to
viewer selection signals provided on the telephone line. The channel, and
the start and stop times for the selected program, are displayed on the
television monitor of all subscribers. The program is then broadcast so
that any subscriber interested can view it. Each selected program is
typically assigned for broadcast in the order that it is received.
These systems however do not allow a subscriber to select and view video
information that will be broadcast to all subscribers on one common
channel using only a conventional television and a touch tone keypad. The
systems described above involve complex electronic equipment that
increases the overall cost and down time of the system.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it should be apparent that there still exists a
need in the art for a method of operating a cable system so that a
subscriber can select video information to be broadcast to all subscribers
on one common channel using only a conventional touch tone keypad.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a method for
subscribers of a cable television system to select video information to be
broadcast on one common channel to all subscribers' television monitors
using a touch tone telephone.
It is another object of this invention to provide a method for placing
video information on queue to be broadcast in accordance with the time the
selection was made by the subscriber.
These and other objects are achieved by a method of operating a cable
television system using a programmed data processor in which a subscriber
can select certain video information that is then displayed on one common
channel of the television monitors of all subscribers. The subscriber's
telephone keypad is used to access a data processor. The invention may be
designed to be used with the telephone company's "900" service. Using this
service a caller is charged a nominal fee per call by the telephone
company. The cable television system then recovers a portion of the fee
from the phone company. The subscriber then enters a digital code on the
telephone keypad that corresponds to the video information desired for
viewing. Thus video information is retrieved by the data processor from a
memory device and broadcast over the cable system to the television
monitors of all subscribers.
The inventive method also includes the step of placing the video
information in line or on queue so that the first video information
selected is the first video information broadcast on the common channel
and subsequent video information selected is broadcast in turn according
to the relative time it was selected.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the functional steps utilized by the method
of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the functional steps of the "Setup"
subroutine of the present inventive method;
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the functional steps of the "Script"
subroutine of the present inventive method;
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the functional steps of the "Proc Beg",
"Proc" and "Proc End" subroutines of the present inventive method;
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the functional steps of the SCRCMD
subroutine of the present inventive method;
FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the functional steps of the "BRK" subroutine
of the present inventive method;
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the functional steps of the "ISERV"
subroutine of the present inventive method;
FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the functional steps of the "TTServ"
subroutine of the present inventive method;
FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the functional steps of the "KyServ"
subroutine of the present inventive method;
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the functional steps of the "Log Read"
companion program to the present inventive method and
FIG. 11 is a schematic functional block diagram of the hardware system for
use with applicant's invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by like
reference numerals throughout, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a flow chart
showing the overall operation of the method of the present invention. That
method is designed to be utilized by a cable television subscriber or a
viewer of non-cable television, using the subscriber's or viewer's
television, a telephone keypad, a modem and a programmed data processor.
The television can be connected to receive the television signal using any
available means, such as by cable, satellite or other broadcast
transmission medium. The method of the present invention allows
subscribers to request video information for display on one common channel
of their televisions using a telephone operated control link. The
inventive method may also be used on a plurality of independent channels.
The subscriber uses a telephone keypad to access the CATV system's central
computer, by communicating through a modem. The subscriber can then select
particular video information for display on his own television and also on
all televisions tuned to the particular cable channel utilized by the CATV
system by providing a predetermined code to the CATV system's computer via
his telephone. Such video information may include graphics, text, music
videos, or any other audio or video information. Graphics and text may be
displayed simultaneously with other video information. Such audio/video
information may be stored on any suitable storage means, such as a laser
disk, a VCR, other tape storage means, or any other suitable electronic
storage means. The method of the present invention also allows an operator
of the CATV data processor to select video information to be broadcast by
entering a digital code on the keyboard of the control console. The types
of information broadcast may be commercial spots, the results of contests
polling information, etc.
At the beginning of utilizing the inventive method, the program is read
into the data processor and started 10. The subscriber's television
display screen is then cleared and the display setup 12. The title logo
and copyright notice is then displayed 14. The program next determines
whether the setup file is on the command line 16. If the setup file is on
the command line, the setup file is retrieved from the command line 18.
The "Setup" subroutine is then executed 20. If the setup file is not on
the command line, then the setup file is set to "TADSET.SET" 22. That
functions to put the setup file on the command line. The "Setup"
subroutine is then likewise executed 20.
The program then sets up the attached hardware 24. Such hardware may
include the modem, a printer, a keyboard or other peripherals. When the
hardware is set up, the scroll file is also setup and then read 26. The
scroll file contains a menu listing video information available for
viewing by the subscriber. The program then checks the keys and the modem
using the "ISERV" subroutine 28. "ISERV", as will be explained below,
allows the program to access a subscriber's telephone by modem or to
receive commands from the CATV console keys.
The program then clears the recursion control variable 30. That step merely
makes sure that the variables are set to their lowest level. The "Script"
subroutine 32 is then executed. At this point, the "Script" subroutine
runs only the "Default" command. Those "Default" commands are executed
before the viewer makes a selection. The program then determines whether
the "Default" command is valid 34. Such "Default" commands result in the
television screen displaying instructional messages, for example, the cost
of each selection, the selections available and instructions for using the
subscriber's telephone keypad in order to make a selection. This inventive
method may also display this information while other video information is
displayed. If the "Default" command is valid, then the program returns to
A and once again checks the input from the subscriber's telephone 28. If
the "Default" command is not valid, the program then displays the error
and requests a new "Default" file 36. The program then returns to A and
once again checks the input from the subscriber's telephone 28.
Referring now to FIG. 2, which illustrates the setup subroutine, when it is
determined that the setup file is on the command line, the file is passed
to the "Setup" subroutine 40. Once the setup file has been passed to the
"Setup" subroutine 40, the program first sets defaults to all system
parameters 42. Next, the program determines if the setup file is valid 44.
If the setup file is not valid, an error is displayed and the computer
asks for a new setup file 46. A determination is then made whether it is a
new file or a skip 48. If it is a skip, the program then returns to the
calling program 50. If it is a new setup file, the program returns to B
and once again determines whether the setup file is valid 44. If the setup
file is valid, the program next reads the next line of the setup file 52
and determines whether it is the end of the file 54. If it is the end of
the file, the program returns to the calling program 56. If it is not the
end of the file, the program returns to C and once again reads the next
line of the setup file 52.
Referring now to FIG. 3, which illustrates the "Script" subroutine 60, when
the recursion variables are cleared 30, the script subroutine is called
32. The program first opens the script file 62 and determines whether the
file is valid 64. If the script file is not valid, an error is displayed
and the "Script" subroutine returns to the calling program 68. If the file
is valid, one is added to the recursion level 70 and the local parameters
are set up 72. The current position, for example, is set to zero. The
program then reads the next line of the script file 74. A determination is
next made as to whether it is the end of the file 76. If it is the end of
the file, then one is subtracted from the recursion level 78 and the
"Script" subroutine returns to the calling program 80. If it is not the
end of the file, then the program gets the next command 82. A
determination is next made as to whether there is no command 84. If there
is no command, the program returns to D and once again reads the next line
of the script file 24. If there is a command, then the program checks the
input from the subscriber's telephone 86. At this point, the "ISERV"
subroutine is called 86.
The program next determines whether it is the beginning of a procedure 88.
A procedure is a set of rules or steps to be followed in operating
equipment in a computer system. If it is the beginning of a procedure, the
program then calls the "Proc Beg" (Procedure Begin) subroutine 90. The
program then returns to D and once again reads the next line of the script
file 74. If it is not the beginning of a procedure, the program then
determines whether it is the end of the procedure 92. If it is the end of
the procedure, the program calls the "Proc End" (Procedure End) subroutine
94 and returns to D and reads the next line on the script file 74. If it
is not the end of a procedure, the program determines whether there is a
procedure 96. If there is a procedure, the program executes the "Proc"
(Procedure) subroutine 98 and then returns to D to read the next line of
the script file 74.
The program next determines whether it is the beginning of a repeat 100. If
it is the beginning of a repeat, the current position is saved 102 and the
program returns to D and reads the next line of the script file 74. A
repeat is a group of commands that are executed repeatedly. If it is not a
repeat beginning, the program determines whether it is the end of a repeat
104. If it is the end of a repeat, the program goes to the saved position
106 and then returns to D to read the next line of the script file 74. If
it is not the end of a repeat, the program determines whether it is
another command 108. If it is another command, the program calls the
"SCRCMD" or script command subroutine and then returns to D and reads the
next line of the script file 74. If it is not another command, the program
returns to D and reads the next line of the script file 74.
Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which illustrates the "Proc Beg", "Proc
End" and "Proc" subroutines. When it is determined by the script
subroutine that it is the beginning of a procedure, the "Proc Beg"
subroutine 120 is called 90. The program first determines if there are too
many procedures 122. If it is determined that there are too many
procedures, an error is displayed and the "Proc Beg" subroutine returns to
the "Script" subroutine 126. However, if it is determined that there are
not too many procedures, the program saves the procedure begin position in
a table 128. The program then gets the next command 130 and determines
whether that command is a procedure end command 132. If it is a procedure
end command, then the "Proc Beg" subroutine returns to the "Script"
subroutine 134.
The "Proc" subroutine 150 is called when it is determined that the line in
the script file is a procedure 98. The program first determines whether
the return stack is full 152. If the return stack is full, an error is
displayed 154 and the program returns to the "Script" subroutine 156. If
the return stack is not full, then the program finds the procedure in the
table 158. It is then determined whether a procedure is defined 160. If
the procedure is not defined, an error is displayed on the CATV control
console 162 and the program returns to the "Script" subroutine. If the
procedure is defined, the program saves the return position in the return
stack 166. The program then sets the return to the procedure position and
returns to the "Script" subroutine 168.
The "Proc End" subroutine 180 is called when it is determined by the
"Script" subroutine that the line of the script file is the end of a
procedure 94. A determination is then made as to whether there is a return
in stage 182. If it is determined that there is a return in stage, the
return is set to return position 184 and the "Proc End" subroutine returns
to the "Script" subroutine 188. If it is determined that the return is not
in stage, an error is displayed and the program returns to the "Script"
subroutine 190.
Referring now to FIG. 5, which illustrates the "SCRCMD" subroutine, when it
is determined that a line in the script file is another command, the
"SCRCMD" subroutine 200 is called 110. The program first determines if the
command is a chain command 202. A chain command is a group of logically
related commands linked together by a pointer. If the command is a chain
command, it is determined whether that chain command is valid 204. If that
chain command is found to be valid, it is executed recursively 206 and the
program then returns to the "Script" subroutine 208. If the chain command
is not valid, an error is displayed 210 and the program returns to the
"Script" subroutine 212.
If it is determined that the current line of the script file is not a chain
command, the program then asks whether it is a "break" command 214. If it
is a break command, the program executes the "BRK" subroutine 216. The
break command allows the program to periodically check to see whether the
default commands should be stopped because a subscriber has called in.
If it is determined that the line in the script file is not a break
command, the program then determines if it is some other command 218. If
it is not another command, the "ISERV" subroutine is executed 220 and the
program returns to the "Script" subroutine 222. If it is determined that
the current line in the script file is some other command, the command is
executed 224. Table I contains a list of commands that the program may
execute at this point. The program then returns to the "Script" subroutine
226. T,0170
Referring now to FIG. 6, which illustrates the "BRK", or break, subroutine
230, when it is determined by the "SCRCMD" subroutine that the current
command is a break command, the program executes the "BRK" subroutine 216.
The program first determines whether the command is in the default script
232. If it is not, then the program returns to the "SCRCMD" subroutine
234. The program then determines if it has looped n times 236. If the
program has looped n times, the program then returns to the "SCRCMD"
subroutine. If it is determined that the program has not looped n times,
then the script and number is displayed on the television monitor of all
subscribers and the file requested by the subscriber is found 240.
A determination is then made as to whether the script file is valid 242. If
the script file is valid, the script file is executed 244. The script is
then logged in a log file 246 and the display prompts removed from the
television monitor and the file removed from queue 250. As will be
explained below each selected video information is pla | | |
