Document
`Number
`
`Document Description
`
`File Name
`
`.
`.
`Reexam Miscellaneous Incoming Letter
`
`t
`
`f
`h
`f
`s.PDF
`rang or: angeo correspa
`
`dd
`
`res
`
`Warnings:
`Information:
`
`Warnings:
`
`Information:
`
`Change ofAddress
`
`changeofaddress.PDF
`
`.
`.
`.
`Reexam Certificate of Service
`
`rtf
`
`f
`h
`orc angeo Correspa
`.PDF
`
`Ce
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`dd
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`less
`
`Part /.zip (if appl.)
`
`Flle Slzemytesll
`Message Digest
`42380
`
`5a9le8944c3SOI 4b0363cb(003fbb5c0d3(‘
`Cbld
`
`77020
`
`2b08748l;ia3Z:)6393l fXJbaef7aca80409206
`1 22396
`
`30949
`
`330e3e646l4l 4eSd3Sdce574b357d9c3ae9
`910e3
`
`This Acknowledgement Receipt evidences receipt on the noted date by the USPTO of the indicated documents,
`characterized by the applicant, and including page counts, where applicable. It serves as evidence of receipt similar to a
`Post Card, as described in MPEP 503.
`
`New Applications Under 35 U.S.C. 111
`lfa new application is being filed and the application includes the necessary components for a filing date (see 37 CFR
`1.53(b)-(d) and MPEP 506), a Filing Receipt (37 CFR 1.54) will be issued in due course and the date shown on this
`Acknowledgement Receipt will establish the filing date of the application.
`
`National Stage of an International Application under 35 U.S.C. 371
`lfa timely submission to enter the national stage of an international application is compliant with the conditions of 35
`U.S.C. 371 and other applicable requirements a Form PCT/DO/E0/903 indicating acceptance of the application as a
`national stage submission under 35 U.S.C. 371 will be issued in addition to the Filing Receipt, in clue course.
`
`New International Application Filed with the USPTO as a Receiving Office
`Ifa new international application is being filed and the international application includes the necessary components for
`an international filing date (see PCT Article 11 and MPEP 1810), a Notification of the International Application Number
`and ofthe International Filing Date (Form PCT/R0/105) will be issued in due course, subject to prescriptions concerning
`national security, and the date shown on this Acknowledgement Receipt will establish the international filing date of
`the application.
`
`Page 000988
`
`

`
`CERTIFICATE OF EFS FILING UNDER 37 CFR §1_8
`I hereby certify that this correspondence is being electronically transmitted to the United States Patent and Trademark
`
`Office, Commissioner for Patents. via the EFS pursuant to 37 CFR §1.8 on the below date: Date: Februagm 2011
`
`Name: James A. Collins Reg. No. 43 557
`
`Signature:
`
`lJames A. Collinsl
`
`BRINKS
`
`HOFER
`
`GILSON
`
`&L|0NE
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`Re-Examination of: Robert J. McMillan et al.
`
`Re-Examination Appl. No.: 90/011,252
`
`Filing Date: September 22, 2010
`
`U.S. Patent No.: 6,064,970
`
`E"am‘”“-"3 Kali” 'V'- Re‘°“'°
`
`Group Art Unit: 3992
`
`For:
`
`MOTOR VEHICLE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR
`DETERMINING A COST or INSURANCE
`
`°°"f- N°" 41 15
`
`Attorne Docket No.: 12741/32
`
`
`TRANSMITTAL
`
`Commissioner for Patents
`PO Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`Sir:
`
`Attached islare:
`
`Transmittal; Patent Owner Change of Correspondence Address; and Certificate of Service.
`IE
`Fee calculation:
`
`IZ
`Ij
`E]
`Ij
`Ij
`
`No additional fee is required.
`Small Entity.
`An extension fee in an amount of $__ for a
`A petition or processing fee in an amount of $_ under 37 CFR § 1.17(_)_ .
`An additional filing fee has been calculated as shown below:
`
`- month extension of time under 37 CFR § 1.136(a).
`
`First Presentation of Multiple Dep. Claim
`
`Small Entity
`
`Not a Small Entity
`
`Add'| Fee
`
`Highest No.
`Previousl Paid For
`
`Fee payment:
`
`I:I
`Ij
`IX
`
`for
`Please charge Deposit Account No. 23-1925 in the amount of $
`Payment by credit card in the amount of $
`(Form PTO-2038 is attached).
`The Director is hereby authorized to charge payment of any additional filing fees required under 37 CFR § 1.16
`and any patent application processing fees under 37 CFR § 1.17 associated with this paper (including any
`extension fee required to ensure that this paper is timely filed), or to credit any overpayment,
`to Deposit
`Account No. 23-1925.
`
`February 1, 2011
`Date
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`/James A. Collinsl
`James A. Collins (Reg. No. 43,557)
`
`Page 000989
`
`

`
`SERIAL NO.
`FORM PTO—1449
` CASE NO.
`
`90/011,252
`12741-32
`GROUP ART UNIT
`
`LIST OF PATENTS AND PUBLICATIONS FOR
`APPL|CANT’S INFORMATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
`
`FILING DATE
`Se tember 22, 2010
`
`
`I APPLICANT(S): Robert John McMillan et al.
`
`
`
`
`
`3992
`
`CONFIRMATION NO"4116
`
`
`
`(use several sheets if necessary)
`
`REFERENCE DESIGNATION
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EXAMINER
`
`
`
`DOCUMENT
`
`
`
`
`
`M Us 5.394.136
`M US 5,485,151
`M Us 5.580.140
`— US 5,726,893
`
`CLASSI
`
`
`
`FILING
`we
`we
`02/28/1995 Lammers T
`01/16/1996 vauhn M
`10/21/1997jj
`03/10/1998 Schuchman etal. --
`
`
`
`ExAMINER
`INITIAL
`
`B5
`
`CA 2,164,608
`B6
`j CA 2,229,238
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`DOCUMENT
`um er-
`In
`0 8 I
`HOWI1
`D "f}’§fl'3dEEk
`N
`CA 2,151,458
`
`cI.Ass/
`DATE
`COUNTRY
`SUBCLASS
`06/23/1994 Canada -
`
`12/22/1994 Canada
`08/11/1999MM
`
`mmsmlou
`YES 09110
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`M Eurolze jj
`
`jlfl 09/04/1991 Euroe jj
`jj
`
`
`
`M MT Euroe
`
`
`jjj
`— EP1241599A1
`09/18/2002 Euroe
`
`— EP 1 748 537 A3
`01/24/2007 Euroe
`
`— DE 195 22 940 A1
`01/02/1997— ABSTRACT
`M DE 197 28 872A
`01/14/1999M ABSTRACT
`
`M W0 94/28434 A1
`12/08/1994 WIPO TM
`
`B19 wo 96/15636 A1
`05/23/1996 WIPO --
`
`B20 wo 97/33382 A1
`09/12/1997 WIPO --
`j W0 00/17800 A1
`03/30/2000 WIPO M
`M W0 01/73693 A2
`10/04/2001 WIPO jj
`
`M W0 02/41119 A2
`05/23/2002 We M
`j W0 03/073339 A1
`09/04/2003 W180 M
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` EXAMNER
`OTHER ART — NoN PATENT LITERATURE DOCUMENTS
`
`INITIAL
`(Include name of author, title of the article (when appropriate), title of the item (book, magazine, journal, serial,
`symposium, catalog, etc.), date page(s), volume-issue number(s), publisher, city andlor country where published.
`
`Brown, Robert L., "Recent Canadian Human Rights Decisions Having an Impact on Gender-
`B25
`Based Risk Classification Systems," Journal of Actuarial Practice, Vol. 3, No. 1, 1995, pp. 171-
`192.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`-
`
`
`
`Butler, P. et al., “Driver Record: a Political Red Herring That Reveals the Basic Flaw in
`Automobile Insurance Pricing,” Journal of Insurance Regulation, Vol. 8, No. 2, 1989, pp. 200-
`234.
`
`
`
`
`
`EXAMINER
`
`DATE CONSIDERED
`
`EXAMINER: Initial if reference considered, whether or not citation is in conformance with MPEP
`609; Draw line through citation if not in conformance and not considered.
`Include Copy of this
`form with next communication to applicant.
`
`Page 000990
`
`

`
`FORM PTO-1449
`
`LIST or PATENTS AND PUBLICATIONS FOR
`APPLICANT’S INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
`STATEMENT
`
`9o/011,252
`
`FILING DATE
`Se ember 22, 2010
`pt
`
`12741 -32
`GROUP ART UNIT
`3992
`
`
`
`CASE NO.
`
`
`
`(use several sheets if necessary)
`
`
`
`APPL|CANT(S): Robert John McMillan et al.
`
`
`
`
`
`Pae2 of2
`
`EXAMINER
`INITIAL
`
`
`
`OTHER ART — NON PATENT LITERATURE DOCUMENTS
`(Include name of author, title of the article (when appropriate), title of the item (book, magazine, journal, serial,
`symposium, catalog, etc.), date page(s), volume-issue number(s), publisher, ci
`andlor country where published.
`Butler, P., "Cost-Based Pricing of Individual Automobile Risk Transfer: Car—Mi|e Exposure Unit
`Anal sis,” Journal of Actuarial Practive, Vol. 1, No. 1, 1993, on 51-84.
`Butler, P., "Gas-Tax and Time-Period Insurance Methods Equally Flawed," National
`Undenlvriter, June 15, 1998, , 594.
`Hanneghan et al., "The World-Vlfide Web As A Platform for Supporting Interactive Concurrent
`Engineering," Proceedings of Advanced Information Systems Engineering - 8th International
`Conference, CAiSE'96, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, May 20-24, 1996, 17 pages. (available from
`the internet at URL: htt://wvvw.cms.|iv'm.ac.uk/cmsmhann/ublicationslaers/CA|SE96_d
`
`Klein, J. S. et al., “A Black Box Tells Just the Facts,” The Los Angeles Times, Section:View,
`June13, 1991, H E—8. 2
`“Operation of an Audited—Mile/Year Automobile Insurance System-Under Pennsylvania Law,” A
`Study Prepared for Sponsors of Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB 775 and Pennsylvania House Bill
`1881 and other Interested Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, NOW insurance
`Pro'ect for National Oranization for Women, June 1992, 18
`
`EXAMINER
`
`DATE CONSIDERED
`
`EXAMINER: Initial if reference considered, whether or not citation is in conformance with MPEP 609;
`Draw line through citation if not in conformance and not considered. Include copy of this form with next
`communication to applicant.
`
`Page 000991
`
`

`
`Office, Commissioner for Patents, via the EFS pursuant to 37 CFR §1.8 on the below date: .
`
`Date: Februam1 2011
`
`Name: James A. Collins
`
`CERTIFICATE OF EFS FILING UNDER 37 CFR §1.B
`I hereby oertify that this correspondence is being electronically transmitted to the United States Patent and Trademark
`
`,
`Signature:
`
`_
`/James A. Collins!
`
`B Rl N K S
`H 0 F E R
`
`G I L S 0 N
`
`8. L I 0 N E
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`In re Ex Parte Robert John McMillan et al.
`Reexam of:
`
`Reexam Appln. 90/011,252
`No.:
`
`Examiner: Karin M. Reichle
`
`Filed:
`
`For:
`
`September 22, 2010
`
`MOTOR VEHICLE MONITORING SYSTEM
`FOR DETERMINING A COST OF INSURANCE
`
`Art Unit:
`
`3992
`
`Conf. No.: 4116
`
`Attorney Docket No.:
`
`12741-32
`
`CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
`
`Mail Stop Ex Parte Reexam
`Commissioner for Patents
`PO Box 1450
`
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`Dear Sir:
`
`I hereby certify that a true copy of the foregoing INFORMATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT,
`was sewed this February 1, 2011 by First Class United States Mail, postage prepaid, on:
`
`J. Steven Baughman
`Ropes & Gray LLP
`One International Place
`Boston, MA 02110
`
`February 1, 2011
`Date
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`/James A. Collins/
`James A. Collins (Reg. No. 43,557)
`
`HOFER
`BRINKS
`GILSON
`8-LIONE
`
`BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE
`NBC Tower — Suite 3600, 455 N. Cityfront Plaza Drive, Chicago, IL 60611-5599
`
`Page 000992
`
`

`
`Canadian
`Intellectual Property
`Office
`
`Office de la Propriété
`Intellectuelle
`du Canada
`
`An Agency of
`Industry Canada
`
`Un organisme
`d‘|ndustrie Canada
`
`2
`(11)
`(40) 24_o2_2o04
`(43) 23.06.1994
`(45) 24_o2_2oo4
`
`(13) C
`
`(19)
`
`(12)
`
`(21)
`
`2 151453
`
`(22)
`
`02.12.1993
`
`(51)
`
`Int. c|.6;
`
`H04N 7/16
`
`(85)
`
`o9_o6_1995
`
`(86)
`
`PCTIUS93/011617
`
`07/991,074 US 09.12.1992
`
`(87) W094/014281
`(72)
`
`HENDRICKS, JOHN S. (US).
`BONNER, ALFRED E. (US).
`
`INC.
`DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS,
`7700 Wisconsin Avenue BETHESDA XX (US).
`
`(74)
`
`RICHES, MCKENZIE 8: HERBERT LLP
`
`CENTRE DE CONTROLE DES OPERATIONS POUR SYSTEME DE GROUPAGE ET DE DISTRIBUTION DE
`PROGRAMMES DE TELEVISION
`AN OPERATION CENTER FOR A TELEVISION PROGRAM PACKAGING AND DELIVERY SYSTEM
`
`(30)
`
`(73)
`
`(54)
`
`(54)
`
`(57)
`
`for television
`An Operations Center (202)
`television
`entertainment
`systems
`that
`provide
`programming to consumer homes is disclosed. The
`Operations Center (202) organizes and packages
`television progamming and program information for
`delivery to and from consumer homes. The Operations
`Center (202) includes a computerized packaging system
`(260) for creating a program control information signal.
`
`Cuvvulr Auslsm
`ranging
`
`F”?
`
`
`
`,,,
`
`Page 000993
`
`

`
`Office de la Propriété
`Intellectuelle
`du Canada
`
`Canadian
`Intellectual Property
`Office
`
`Un organisme
`d'|ndustrie Canada
`
`An agency of
`Industry Canada
`
`CA 2151458 C 2004/02/24
`
`(11)(21) 2
`
`(12) BREVET CANADIEN
`CANADIAN PATENT
`
`(13) C
`
`(86) Date de depot PCT/PCT Filing Date: 1993/12/02
`(87) Date publication PCT/PCT Publication Date: 1994/06/23
`(45) Date de délivrance/Issue Date: 2004/02/24
`
`(85) Entrée phase nationale/National Entry: 1995/06/09
`(86) N“ demande PCT/PCT Application No.: US 1993/011617
`(87) N“ publication PCT/PCT Publication No.: 1994/014281
`(30) Priorité/Priority: 1992/12/09 (07/991,074) US
`
`(51) C|.|nt.6/|nt.C|.5 H04N 7/16
`(72) lnventeurs/Inventors:
`HENDRICKS, JOHN 3., US;
`BONNER, ALFRED E., US
`(73) Propriétaire/Owner:
`DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC., US
`(74) Agent: RICHES, MCKENZIE & HERBERT LLP
`
`(54) Titre : CENTRE DE CONTROLE DES OPERATIONS POUR SYSTEME DE GROUPAGE ET DE DISTRIBUTION DE
`PROGRAMMES DE TELEVISION
`(54) Title: AN OPERATION CENTER FOR A TELEVISION PROGRAM PACKAGING AND DELIVERY SYSTEM
`
`Conpuhr Asslsled
`Packaging
`
`(CM!
`
`
`(57) Abrégé/Abstract:
`An Operations Center (202) for television entertainment systems that provide television programming to consumer homes is
`disclosed. The Operations Center (202) organizes and packages television programming and program information for delivery
`to and from consumer homes. The Operations Center (202) includes a computerized packaging system (260) for creating a
`program control information signal.
`
`Ca Imjp.’//0p1’c.gc.ca ' Ottawa-Hull KIA 0C9 ' fiI2‘p.‘././c1'p0.gc.ca
`OPIC ~ CIPO 191
`
`OPIC
`
`Page 000994
`
`

`
`1Nr1=J.u:c1-U
`‘ mte§§a? ORGANIZATION
`wonua
`PCT
`.r.vI'E.RNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE. PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCI')
`
`(51) International Patent Classification 5 :
`(11) Inurnnrionu Publication Number:
`WO 94114281
`H04N 7/16, 7/173
`
`(43) International Publication Date:
`23 June 1994 (2306.94)
`
`
`
`
`(21) Internntionnl Application Number:
`
`PCT/US93/1 1617
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`2 December i993 (0212.93)
`
`(81) Designated Stilts: F!I‘,.fiHJ,»lH4 BG, BR. BY, CA. CH, (2,
`DE, DK, ES, FI, GB, HU, JP, 1?, KR, KZ, LK, LU, LV,
`MG. MN, MW, NI... NO, NZ, PL, PT,
`
`(30) Priority Dun: '
`07/991,074
`
`9 December 1992 (0912.92)
`
`US
`
`(BF, BJ, CF. CG. CL CM GA. GN. ML. MR, NE, SN. TD.
`T0).
`
`INC.
`DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS,
`(71) Applicant:
`[US/US); 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda. MD 2081+
`3522 (US).
`
`Published
`With international search report.
`
`(72) Inventors: HENDRICKS, John, S.; 8723 Persimmon Tree
`Rand, Potomac, MD 20354 (us). BONNER, Alfred, 1-2.;
`8300 Bradley Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20817 (US).
`
`(74) Agents: NOTO, Aldo; Dorsey J: Whimsy, 1330 Connecticut
`Avenue, N.W., Suime 2(1), Washington, DC 2(X)36 (US) at
`3.1.
`
`/) -
`(A If; Hg
`
`g
`
`(54) Title: AN OPERATION CENTER FOR A TELEVISION PROGRAM PACKAGING AND DEIJVERY SYSTEM
`
`E
`
`295
`
`SE
`
`.
`Corn-puller ASUSCEU
`Packaging
`
`
`(CI?)
`
`
`(57) Abstract:
`
`288
`
`An Operations Center (202) for television entertainment systems that provide television pmgramming In consumer homes is disclosni.
`The Operations Center (202) organizes and packages television programming and program information for delivery to and fmm consumer
`hcxnes. The Operations Center (202) includes a computerized packaging system (260) for creating a program control information signal.
`
`
`
`Page 000995
`
`

`
`CA 02151458 200]-01-04
`
`
`
` LEIEX
`EEIEM
`
` fl£m
`The invention relates to television entertainment
`
`delivery systems that provide television programming to
`consumer homes. More par:icu.larly. the invention relates to
`
`an Operauons Center that organizes and packages cable
`television programming for delivery to consumer homes.
`
`10
`
`Page 000996
`
`

`
`wo 94/14231
`
`PCT/US93/11617
`
`Zxaififig
`
`2
`
`EHHEHEEEDJEEUQUEEEEHQE
`
`Advances
`
`in television entertainment have been
`
`primarily driven by breakthroughs in technology.
`
`In 1939.
`
`advances on Vladmir Zworykin's picture tube provided the
`
`5
`
`stimulus for NBC to begin its first regular broadcasts.
`
`In
`
`1975. advances in satellite technology provided consumers
`
`with increased programming to homes.
`
`Many of these technology breakthroughs have produced
`
`inconvenient systems for consumers. One example is the
`
`10
`
`ubiquitous three remote control home. having a separate and
`
`unique remote control for the TV. cable box and VCR. More
`
`recently.
`
`technology has provided cable users with 100
`
`channels of programming. This increased program capacity
`
`is beyond the ability of many consumers to use effectively. No
`
`15
`
`method of managing the program choices has been provided
`to consumers.
`
`Consumers are demanding that future advances in
`
`television entertainment. particularly programs and program
`
`choices, be presented to the consumer in a user friendly
`
`20
`
`manner. Consumer preferences.
`
`instead of technological
`
`breakthroughs. will drive the television entertainment
`
`market for at least the next 20 years. As computer vendors
`
`have experienced a switch from marketing new technology in
`
`computer hardware to marketing better useability. interfaces
`
`25
`
`and service, the television entertainment industry will also
`
`experience a switch from new technology driving the market
`
`to consumer useability driving the market.
`
`In order for new television entertainment products to
`
`be successful. the products must satisfy consumer demands.
`
`30
`
`TV consumers wish to go from limited viewing choices to a
`
`variety of choices,
`
`from no control of programming to
`
`complete control. Consumers do not wish to pay for one
`
`Page 000997
`
`

`
`W0 94/1428!
`
`2 1
`
`8
`
`PCTfUS93lll617
`
`3
`
`hundred channels when due to lack of programming
`information.
`they seldom.
`if ever. watch programming on
`
`many of these channels.
`
`The concepts of interactive television. high definition
`
`5
`
`television and 300-500 channel cable systems in consumer
`homes will not sell if they are not packaged. delivered and
`
`presented in a useable fashion to consumers. The problem is
`that TV programming is not being managed. packaged.
`
`10
`
`delivered. and presented to consumers in a user friendly
`manner.
`
`1 5
`
`20
`
`Consumers are already being bombarded with
`
`programming options. numerous "free" cable channels.
`
`subscription cable channels and pay-per-view choices. Any
`further increase in TV entertainment choices will
`likely
`bewilder viewers with a mind-numbing array of choices.
`
`The TV industry has traditionally marketed and sold its
`
`programs to consumers in bulk. such as continuous feed
`
`broadcast and long-term subscriptions to movie channels.
`
`The TV industry is unable to sell its programming in large
`quantities on a per unit basis. such as the ordering of one
`program.
`
`In today's television world networks manage the
`
`program lineup for individual channels.
`
`Each network
`
`analyzes ratings for television shows and determines the
`
`25
`
`appropriate schedule or program lineup to gain market share
`
`and revenue from advertising.
`
`Since each channel
`
`is in
`
`competition with every other channel.
`
`there is no
`
`coordinated effort to organize television programming in a
`
`manner that primarily suits the viewers.
`
`30
`
`Additionally. viewership fragmentation. which has
`
`already begun to decrease a channel's or program's market
`
`share. will increase. Programming not presented in a user
`
`Page 000998
`
`

`
`W0 94/142.81
`
`PCTlUS93ll1617
`
`i&‘3‘~’*
`
`4
`
`friendly manner will sufi'er with a decrease in viewership and
`revenue.
`
`And finally. with the imminent introduction of digital
`television technology. current television delivery systems do
`not have the capabilities or features necessary to operate in
`the digital environment.
`
`5
`
`What is needed is a method of organizing programming
`to be offered to viewers.
`
`10
`
`What is needed is a television program delivery system
`that can be operated in a distributive fashion and controlled
`
`from one or more national centers.
`
`1 5
`
`20
`
`What is needed is an Operations Center for a system
`which can gather television programming in a variety of
`formats. package the programs. deliver the programs. and
`present the programs through a user friendly interface which
`allows the consumer to easily select from among the many
`prograin choices.
`
`What is needed is an Operations Center that is capable
`of handling hundreds of programs in different formats.
`What
`is needed is an Operations Center that
`
`is
`
`expandable for future types of programming.
`What is needed is needed is an Operations Center that
`
`can control certain features and software of a television
`
`delivery system.
`
`25
`
`What is needed is an Operations Center that operates in
`the digital audio/video environment.
`
`What is needed is an Operations Center that formulates
`program menus for viewer use.
`
`30
`
`is needed is a computer assisted program
`What
`packaging system.
`
`What is needed is an Operations Center that includes a
`
`method for billing consumers.
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`What is needed is an Operations Center that analyzes
`data on programs watched by viewers
`
`The present invention is addressed to fulfillment of
`these needs.
`
` 1
`This invention is a center for controlling the operations
`of a digital television program delivery system. Specifically.
`the present invention is an Operations Center that allows for
`the organizing and packaging of television programs for
`transmission in a television delivery system.
`The Operations Center is the nerve center of the
`television program delivery system.
`It receives data on
`viewership behavior and utilizes the data to assist
`in
`packaging programs for future viewing.
`The Operations
`Center is a particularly useful invention for television delivery
`systems which will provide users with the ability to select
`programs from on-screen menus.
`
`is a
`The Operations Center's primary component
`computer assisted packaging system (CAP). which makes use
`of the necessary hardware and software to control and
`transmit programming signals over a television delivery
`system. This computer assisted packaging system creates the
`program lineup or packaging of programs and the packaging
`of menu and control information for later transmission and
`use in the cable television systems. The CAP can be specially
`designed to generate graphical menu displays for user
`selection of programs.
`The hardware and software for
`controlling and transmitting programming signals over the
`television delivery system is particularly useful
`in large
`television delivery systems which include
`satellite
`transmissions to cable headends.
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`
`The software of the CAP performs the functions of
`
`gathering analog (and/or digital) program signals from a
`
`variety of sources such as broadcast television. premium
`
`channels. and video disk. The software also packages the
`
`programs efficiently for the available bandwidth and for
`
`subscriber viewing through computer assisted creation of
`
`program line-up and allocating of bandwidth. The line-ups
`
`are created to effectively group programming for display in
`
`menus by categories. The television programs are packaged
`
`with the program control
`
`information (such as cost for
`
`viewing certain program) and menu information.
`
`The Operations Center of the present
`
`invention
`
`provides a method for remote management and control of
`
`local cable and CATV programs available and on-screen menu
`
`displays shown to subscribers. The Operations Center's
`
`computer software programs and hardware provide "real-
`
`time" control over cable and CATV systems. By transmitting
`
`appropriate control information the Operations Center has
`
`the ability to change allocation of programs across physical
`
`channels. update menu information (from the Operations
`
`Center location). reprogram menu formats and menu flow,
`
`and change or augment a packaged program signal sent to a
`
`particular region of the country. The Operations Center is
`
`able to control remotely certain features and software of the
`
`set top terminals and if necessary reprogram menu display
`software stored at the set top terminals.
`
`In order to properly manage program lineups.
`
`the
`
`Operations Center acquires viewer information on programs
`
`watched. Such viewer information includes information about
`
`the buy rates of specific shows, viewer preferences for
`
`programming. and the like, gathered by recording viewer
`
`transactions. A compilation of viewer information data is
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`CA 02151458 2001-01-04
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`7
`
`needed in order to make decisions on future individualized
`
`program lineup and program packaging.
`
`In addition,
`
`allocation of menu space and construction of menus is aided by
`
`the use of viewer information data.
`
`This information is
`
`received from the set top terminals using a feedback loop,
`
`usually through the cable headends.
`
`The present invention is not only able to operate in the
`
`digital environment but
`
`introduces many new features to
`
`television program delivery.
`
`In one aspect, the present invention provides a method
`
`for providing programming in a television delivery system,
`
`comprising: packaging the programming at a program delivery
`
`center, wherein the programming package includes at least one
`
`program; generating menu
`
`information
`
`related to
`
`the
`
`programming package; providing the menu information to
`
`terminals using the television delivery system; storing the menu
`
`information in the terminals; and
`
`displaying the menu
`
`information as programming menus, wherein a programming
`
`menu is displayed on a first portion of a display coupled to a
`
`terminal and wherein the programming menu is displayed
`
`using a television channel.
`
`In a further aspect,
`
`the present
`
`invention provides a
`
`system that provides programming selection from a menu,
`
`comprising:
`
`a
`
`television delivery system that packages
`
`programming, wherein the programming package includes at
`
`least one program, generates menu information related to the
`
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`CA 02151458 2003-03-07
`
`721
`
`U!
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`10
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`15
`
`20
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`programming, and provides the programming package and the
`
`menu information to subscribers; a terminal operably connected to
`
`the television delivery system, the terminal comprising: a memory
`
`that stores the menu information; a processor connected to the
`
`memory that processes the menu information to generate the
`
`menu, and a control operably connected to the processor that
`
`provides program selection instructions to the processor; and a
`
`display operably connected to the terminal that displays the menu
`
`and the programming. wherein the terminal switches to a channel
`
`carrying a program selected from the menu in response to a
`
`program selection instruction,
`
`the program selection instruction
`
`being a single control function.
`
`In a further aspect,
`
`the present
`
`invention provides an
`
`operations center for use by a program packager to provide a
`
`television program delivery system,
`
`said operations
`
`center
`
`comprising: a reception port for receiving television programs;
`
`external collection means for gathering television programs from
`
`external sources and feeding television programs from external
`
`sources to said reception port; internal collection means, connected
`
`to said reception port, for gathering television programs t'rom
`
`internal sources and feeding said television programs from internal
`
`sources to said reception port; a converter for converting any of
`
`said television programs that are in non—digital format to digital
`
`format;
`
`packaging means
`
`for
`
`creating
`
`program
`
`control
`
`information and for packaging said digital
`
`format
`
`television
`
`programs using said program control information, said packaging
`
`means comprising:
`
`a central processing unit; an interface,
`
`connected to the central processing unit,
`
`to enable a program
`
`packager to enter program line-up information, wherein said
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`

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`CA 02151458 2003-03-0'7
`
`7b
`
`interface is operably connected to said central processing unit;
`
`storage means, connected to the central processing unit, for storing
`
`said entered program line-up information; logic means, connected
`
`to the central processing unit, for arranging said stored program
`
`line-up information and for creating the program control
`
`information; and means, connected to the logic means,
`
`for
`
`generating a digital program control information signal from the
`
`program control
`
`information; combining means for creating a
`
`combined signal, said combined signal comprising the packaged
`
`digital
`
`format programs
`
`and the digital program control
`
`information signal; and transmission means, operably connected to
`
`said packaging means, for transmitting said combined signal.
`
`In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a
`
`method of generating a digital program control data information
`
`signal
`
`for
`
`transmission to viewers receiving a simultaneously
`
`transmitted plurality of television programs so that variable video
`
`displays of current and future programming can be generated and
`
`so that the downstream displays of the television programs can be
`
`selected and controlled by the viewers,
`
`the method uses stored
`
`marketing data, algorithms, and menus, the method comprising:
`
`receiving input data,
`
`including program names, start
`
`times,
`
`program duration or program category and price; combining the
`
`input data with the stored marketing data comprising the
`
`frequency with which programs are watched by viewers and the
`
`demographics of viewers; weighing the combined data according to
`
`algorithms which assign a weight of importance to each type of
`
`data; generating from the weighted data a program line-up and
`
`program positions on menu formats resulting in a draft menu;
`
`displaying the resulting draft menu for editing; editing the draft
`
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`CA 02151458 2003-03-0'7
`
`7c
`
`menu; and processing the edited menu to generate the digital
`
`program control data information signal
`
`for
`
`transmission to
`
`viewers.
`
`In a further aspect,
`
`the present
`
`invention provides a
`
`centralized operating center for packaging a large number of
`
`diverse television programs for selective remote display by viewers
`
`using information about television programs, the operating center
`
`comprising: a receiver. wherein television programs are received in
`
`analog or digital format, each having video and audio components;
`
`a keyboard, wherein input commands are entered; a memory,
`
`wherein the information about the television programs is stored; a
`
`processor, operably connected to the memory and keyboard,
`
`wherein a program control information signal is generated using
`
`information stored in the memory and commands entered on the
`
`keyboard,
`
`the program control
`
`information signal containing
`
`specific identification concerning each television program in a
`
`subset of television programs received by the receiver, including
`
`the date and time of display comprising: a combiner, operably
`
`connected to the processor and receiver, wherein the subset of
`
`television programs identified in the program control information
`
`signal
`
`are
`
`combined
`
`in
`
`preparation for
`
`transmission;
`
`a
`
`multiplexer, connected to the combiner, wherein the combined
`
`television programs and the program control information signal
`
`are multiplexed for transmission; and a transmitter, connected to
`
`the multiplexer, wherein the multiplexed program control
`
`information signal
`
`is simultaneously transmitted along with the
`
`multiplexed ‘television programs so that video displays can be
`
`generated using the program control information signal and so
`
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`CA 02151458 2003-03-0'7
`
`7d
`
`that the downstream displays of the television programs can be
`
`selected and controlled by the viewers.
`
`It is an object of this invention to provide a system for
`
`efficiently organizing television programs to be offered to viewers.
`
`5
`
`It is an object of this invention to provide an Operations
`
`Center for a television program delivery system.
`
`It is an object of this invention to provide an Operations
`
`Center for a television program delivery system which can gather
`
`television programming in a variety of formats, package the
`
`10
`
`programs, and dlivcr the packaged programs.
`
`It is an object of this invention to provide an Operations
`
`Center
`
`for
`
`a
`
`program delivery
`
`system which
`
`presents
`
`programming viewing options to the consumer through a user
`
`friendly interface which allows the consumer to easily select from
`
`15
`
`among the many program choices.
`
`It is an object of this invention to provide an Operations
`
`Center that is capable of handling video/audio programming in
`
`different formats.
`
`It is an object of this invention to provide an Operations
`
`20 Center capable of offering interactive television, high definition
`
`television (HDTV) and/or other advanced television features.
`
`Page 001006
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`PCT/US93/11617
`
`8
`
`it is an object of this invention to provide an Operations
`
`Center that can control software and program features at the
`cable headend.
`
`It is an object of this invention to provide an Operations
`
`5
`
`Center that can control and if necessary reprogram set top
`terminals.
`
`It is an object of this invention to provide an Operations
`
`Center for a digital program delivery system.
`
`It is an object of this invention to provide an Operations
`
`1 0
`
`Center that designs program menus.
`
`It is an object of this invention to provide an Operations
`
`Center that uses data on programs viewed to create or aid in
`
`the selection of program line-ups.
`
`It is an object of this invention to provide a computer
`
`15
`
`assisted program packaging system for a television program
`delivery system.
`
`These and other objects and advantages of
`
`the
`
`invention will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon
`
`20
`
`review of the following description.
`and appended claims.
`
`the attached drawings
`
`
`
`Figure 1 is a diagram of the primary components