The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 02, 1999
Filed:
Feb. 05, 1996
Charles P Jones, Jamul, CA (US);
Robert T Kulakowski, Leucadi, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
Coupon information is stored in a memory at a cable television station. The cable television station may simultaneously transmit multiple video signals, each representing different sources of television programming, over multiple television channels on the cable network. The video signal may at times, such as during a product advertisement or other offer, include an embedded coupon identifier. A coupon subsystem at the cable television station monitors each video signal and retrieves coupon information from a database when it detects a corresponding embedded coupon identifier and embeds the coupon information into the video signal before transmitting it. Coupon information may be embedded using teletext standards. A subscriber unit at the television viewer's site receives the television signal and includes a teletext decoder that extracts the coupon information. The television programming aurally or visually alerts the viewer that a coupon may be generated. If the viewer actuates an input device, such as a button on a television remote control, a printer generates a coupon bearing the coupon information. The coupon may have an anti-counterfeiting stripe. The subscriber unit may keep track of the coupons printed and prevent the user from printing those coupons again.