Other

Symbol Shifters, LLC

General Instrument Corporation of Delaware

Dotcast, Inc.

Encamera Sciences Corporation

Walter Stanley Ciciora

Ted Elliott Hartson

Robert G Beauregard

Tom Alison

Kenneth C Hite

Elijah Ethan Brown

Robert V C Dickinson

Robert V Dickinson

Apparatus and processes for locating and processing QR codes or other Scannable Icons (SI's) in video or television signals. A number of client elements (which may correspond to users) may be in communication of one or more control elements; the client elements may be found in user set top boxes, digital video recorders or other equipment employed to receive video or television signals. The control elements may be found in software in server platforms or such user equipment. The client elements may locate and decode SI's according to various areas of interest of users. The control elements may control which client elements monitor various video or television signals; receive information related to decoded SI's; and report information to client elements so that (among other things) users can be aware of SI's in far more video or television signals than their own client elements are able to monitor.

Method for more efficient collecting of information

This invention enables Scanable Icons, which may be predetermined graphical images, and similar encoded information to be applied to video systems in a manner that is user-friendly and brings many of the advantages of easy information access and management to the video environment. The optical path normally required when using such encoded information is avoided. Supplementary information, including more details for advertisements, is provided in a non-invasive manner, allowing the user to access the supplementary information at convenient times and locations. The Scanable Icon adds a symbol to the existing advertisement without increasing its duration. Advertising is made substantially more effective for the advertiser and more useful for the consumer.

System for scanable icon detection and management

A system for transmitting digital programming includes a program source providing digital information, circuitry for modulating the digital information onto a visual carrier modulated with analog television programming, and a visual transmitter coupled to the modulating circuitry. Using a phase modulation method, the system phase modulates the digital information onto a visual carrier, reduces the baseband frequencies of the phase modulated visual carrier, and amplitude modulates the phase-modulated video carrier onto a video signal. The amplified and encoded video signal are combined with an amplified sound signal and transmitted. Using an additive method, the system modulates the sidebands of the video carrier with the digital information and amplitude modulates the video signal onto the video carrier. The data-modulated sidebands are phase-shifted such that they will be in quadrature with the amplitude-modulated video signal. The system combines the amplitude-modulated video carrier and the data-modulated quadrature sidebands. With a blended multiplicative/additive method, the system provides phase modulation and quadrature sideband addition to provide an optimized result.

Expanded information capacity for existing communication transmission systems

A system for transmitting digital programming includes a program source providing digital information, circuitry for modulating the digital information onto a visual carrier modulated with analog television programming, and a visual transmitter coupled to the modulating circuitry. Using a phase modulation method, the system phase modulates the digital information onto a visual carrier, reduces the baseband frequencies of the phase modulated visual carrier, and amplitude modulates the phase-modulated video carrier onto a video signal. The amplified and encoded video signal are combined with an amplified sound signal and transmitted. Using an additive method, the system modulates the sidebands of the video carrier with the digital information and amplitude modulates the video signal onto the video carrier. The data-modulated sidebands are phase-shifted such that they will be in quadrature with the amplitude-modulated video signal. The system combines the amplitude-modulated video carrier and the data-modulated quadrature sidebands. With a blended multiplicative/additive method, the system provides phase modulation and quadrature sideband addition to provide an optimized result. Process, systems, circuits and devices for abating or otherwise correcting effects of the information on the analog television signal are also disclosed.

A system and method for targeting TV advertisements to individual consumers delivering a plurality of advertisements to a display site. A command signal is sent to the display site commanding the display of a selected advertisement suited for the individual consumer. In another embodiment, a predetermined advertisement is delivered upon command from a control center to a viewing site intended for the particular consumer.

System and method for delivering targeted advertisements to consumers

A control unit provides unified control of various consumer electronic appliances such as a television, video cassette recorder, and home stereo system through remote control (e.g., infrared) signals. A receiver portion of an interface module positioned over the built-in remote control signal receiver of the appliance intercepts signals from a hand-held remote control operated by a user. The signals are routed to a control unit (such as a set-top television converter) where control logic determines a desired control action. A corresponding control action signal is routed back to a transmitter portion of the interface module and is received by the built-in remote control signal receiver of the appliance to be controlled, thereby resulting in the desired control action. The apparatus provides additional functions and increases user convenience and access to video, audio, and data signals provided via a cable television, direct satellite broadcast or similar service provider.

Infrared interface and control apparatus for consumer electronics

A satellite uplink/studio system has timing means coupled therewith for precise commercial timing such that prerecorded commercials are simultaneously started with sufficient precision to appear simultaneously to viewers changing channels.

Method and apparatus for synchronizing commercial advertisements across

This invention enhances television (and radio) advertising by targeting, delivering and displaying electronic advertising messages (commercials) within specified programming in one or more pre-determined households (or on specific display devices) while simultaneously preventing a commercial from being displayed in other households or on other displays for which it is not intended. Commercials can be delivered to specified homes or displays via either over-the-air or wired delivery systems.

Growing community of inventors

Southport, CT, United States of America

Walter Stanley Ciciora