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:
Dec. 16, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 23, 1998
Henricus A. W. Van Gestel, Eindhoven, NL;
Leonardus J. Steenbeek, Eindhoven, NL;
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Eindhoven, NL;
Abstract
Television transmitters often transmit auxiliary operational signals to provide additional services in addition to the conventional television program. An example hereof is interactive television which allows the public to participate in a program, inter alia, by answering questions in a quiz show or voting for the best performance in a song contest. The operational signals identify actions to be taken by the receiver, such as sending the user's response to the transmitter through a modem. To inform the public that a particular service is being offered, the transmitter ( ) transmits a logo ( ) to indicate the transmission of the operational signals. The receiver ( ) is equipped to receive the transmitted logo, compare ( ) it with a locally stored logo ( ) and process ( ) the operational signals only if the transmitted and locally stored logos are perceptibly identical. The logo may be separately encoded or embedded in the conventional television signal. It is easily recognized by the public and thus precludes confusion in the user's mind to whether or not his receiver has the addressed capabilities.