[19;
`United States Patent
`[11] Patent Number:
`5,701,161
`Williams et a].
`[45} Date of Patent:
`Dec. 23. 1997
`
`USOOS701161A
`
`[54]
`
`[76]
`
`[21}
`
`[22]
`
`[51}
`
`[52]
`[5 8]
`
`[56]
`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`PROVIDING REAL TIME DATA ON A
`VIEWING SCREEN CONCURRENTLY WITH
`ANY PROGRAMING IN PROCESS
`
`Inventors: Mark C. Williams. 3849 N. Capital
`Ave. Indianapolis. Ind. 46203: Timothy
`W. Price. 5779 Sebring Dr..
`Indianapolis, Ind. 46254
`
`App]. No.: 358,074
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 14, 1994
`
`Int. 01.5 ......................... mm 7798; 1-104N 77087;
`H0419 5(445
`348(468: 3487478; 3481564
`US. Cl.
`Field of Sear-d1 ...................we... 34816. 8. 9. 468.
`3431473. 476. 478. 479. 563. 564. 584.
`589; H0419 57445. 7708. 77087. 71'093, 7/18
`
`Rd’elences Cited
`
`U.S. PKI'ENT' DOCUMENTS
`
`3,993,955
`4,476,488
`4575.750
`4,862,268
`5,008,750
`5,109,279
`5,121,430
`5,249,049
`5,309,234
`5,345,270
`5,351,135
`
`1171976 Betcha et a1.
`1011984 Metrell .........
`371986 Callahan
`8.:‘1989 Chmpbell et al
`471991 Gomikawa ...............
`471992 Ando ...........
`.....
`671992 Gtanzeretal. .
`971993 Kmawetteret al.
`... ....
`5(1994 Kmawetteret al.
`................ 348/473
`91'1994 Saegeretal. .
`97'1994 Saeger ............................
`
`....................... 325608
`..
`
`
`
`348/435
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`61—72-4116
`3135233
`
`471986
`6/199]
`
`Ho-tN ma?
`Japan .....
`Japan ............... HO4N 771187
`
`
`Primary Emotion—Victor R. Kostak
`Assistant Exarm’ner—John W. Miller
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A computer rnierooonn‘oller (225} controls the operational
`functions of a video reporter (10) for superimposing real
`time emergency broadcast messages and information on a
`television piotur'e oonctn'rently with any programing in
`progress. The video repcrter (10) has a signal splitting
`means for splitting a television broadcast signal such that the
`signal is transmitted to the video reporter and a TV. A nine:-
`(210) constantly scans predetermined channels for video
`reporter messages of the type to be superimposed. The video
`messages are embedded in intelligent data having a pre-
`amble (810) which enables the mierooontroller to identify
`the message type and determine whether it is superimpos-
`able.
`
`There is a decoding means (230) for decoding the video
`reporter data and a message extracting means (240) for
`extracting messages from the video reporter data. An overlay
`generating means (250) generates a video signal from the
`video reporter data and the video signal can be superim-
`posed over any television picture of the programing in
`progress. including VCR. video game. and other programing
`by means for superimposing the video signal over the
`television picture (26.).
`
`25 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`240
`
`1o
`/ 230
`vs
`—-- mnuuron —-"—
`
`
` 250
`
`210
`
`20:1
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`RF elem mm m” V"
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`INTERFACE
`OTHER use“
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`FEW TN. DEBODULATORS
`AND SIGNAL PROCESSORS
`
`VIDEO S‘tflTU-l
`[SUPERHPOSER
`
`TO PICTURE
`TUBE DRIVER
`
`
`
`270
`
`TONE
`GENERATOR
`
`290
`
`l
`ADDED
`
`TO AUDIO
`
`NTFX—1005 1' Page 1 of 20
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 23,1997
`
`Sheet 1 of 12
`
`5,701,161
`
`202
`
`11
`
`/
`
`20
`
`SIGNAL INPUT
`FROM ANTENNA,
`
`
`
`TUNER(S)
`AND I/F(s)
`
`
`
`DEMODULATORS AND
`SIGNAL PROCESSORS
`
`
`
` CABLE, SATELLITE
`
`
`
`10
`
`30
`
`PICTURE
`TUBE
`
`PICTURE TUBE
`DRIVERS
`
`""
`
`
`
`
`AUDIO
`AMPUFIER(S)
`
`*Dfl SPEAKER s
`( )
`
`NTFX—1005 I Page 2 of 20
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 1997
`
`Sheet 2 of 12
`
`5,701,161
`
`200:
`
`RF SIGNAL INPUT
`
`KEYPAD OR
`OTHER USER\
`INTERFACE
`293
`
`I
`DISPLAY 0R
`INDICATOR
`291
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`DEVICE (5.9., PRINTER)
`
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`FROM w. oeuooumoas
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`VIDEO swmzH
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`TUBE DRIVER
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`AND SIGNAL PROCESSORS
`
`
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`270
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`GEJtEJngFOR
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`290
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`
`T0 AUDIO
`—" AMPLIFIERS)
`
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`SPEEJ‘P'
`
`
`
`SYNTHESIZER
`
`FIG. 2
`
`NTFX—1005 I Page 3 of 20
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 1997
`
`Sheet 3 of 12
`
`5,701,161
`
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`NTFX—1005 I Page 4 of 20
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 1997
`
`Sheet 4 of 12
`
`5,701,161
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`NTFX—1005 I Page 5 of 20
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`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 1997
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`Sheet 5 of 12
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`5,701,161
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`NTFX—1005 I Page 6 of 20
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`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 1997
`
`Sheet 6 of 12
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`5,701,161
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`NTFX—1005 I Page 7 of 20
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 1997
`
`Sheet 7 of 12
`
`5,701,161
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`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 1997
`
`Sheet 8 of 12
`
`5,701,161
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`NTFX—1005 I Page 9 of 20
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`

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`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 1997
`
`Sheet 9 of 12
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`5,701,161
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`NTFX—1005 .1 Page 10 of 20
`
`
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`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 1997
`
`Sheet 10 of 12
`
`5,701,161
`
`SCAN MODE
`
` TUNE CHANNEL
`
`
`
`CHECK FOR
`PREAMBLE
`
`INCREMENT
`COUNT
`
`PREAMBLE
`PRESENT?
`
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`DECODE FUNCTION
`
`UPDATE VIDEO
`MEMORY
`
`SUPERIMPOSE
`IMAGE
`
`ACTIVATE TONE AND
`UGHT INDICATORS
`
`
`
`FIG. 10
`
`NTFX—1005 I Page 1 1 of 20
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 1997
`
`Sheet 11 of 12
`
`5,701,161
`
`DECODE
`NCT30
`
`
`
`YES
`
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`'- MESSAGE
`
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`CLOSED CAPTION
`FU NCTION
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`
`FIG.
`
`1 ]_
`
`DISPLAY
`SPORTS
`UPDATE
`
`NTFX—1005 1' Page 12 of 20
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 1997
`
`Sheet 12 of 12
`
`5,701,161
`
`DO SPECIAL
`FUNCTION
`
`YE
`
`we MESSAGE
`
`
`
`NO
`
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`N0
`INTERACTIVE
`
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`NEWS REPORT
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`= OAH?
`
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`EXCLUSIVE
`
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`
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`EXCLUSIVE
`FUNCTION
`
`RETURN
`
`FIG. 12
`
`NTFX—1005 I Page 13 of 20
`
`

`

`5,701,161
`
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`PROVIDING REAL TIME DATA ON A
`VIEWING SCREEN CONCURRENTLY WITH
`ANY PROGRAMING IN PROCESS
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`10
`
`15
`
`The present invention pertains to television receivers and
`more particularly pertains to an apparatus and method for
`superimposing real time emugency broadcast messages and
`information on a television picture conctnrently with any
`programing in progress.
`In 1963. President John F. Kennedy established the Emer-
`gency Broadcast System (BS) and allowed stations to
`transmit on their normal frequencies during an emergency.
`Technical requirements for BBS equipment were developed
`in the 1960's and included an audiolanalog two-tone alerting
`signal.
`The ctnrent BS is compact! of technical equipment and
`an operational structure which provides guidance to those
`broadcast stations and others who participate in BBS. It is a
`joint government-industry etfort which responds to a Presi-
`dential requirement to address the entire nation on very short
`notice because of a grave national tln-eat. It uses the facilities
`of the communications industry. including 13 radio and 5
`television networks. 12 atble networks.
`the Associated
`Press. Reuters and United Press International wire services.
`and over 13.000 broadcast stations.
`
`Technically. BBS is an analog transmission system in
`which lxoadcasters are required to have specified equipment
`and relies upon operator control During an alert. BBS
`equipment n-ansmits audio BBS messages after receipt of a
`two-tone attention signal. which activates the decoder]
`receiver at a broadcast radio orTV station. The BBS station
`cperator must listen to the audio message coming out of the
`speaker (of the decoderfreceiver) to determine the reason the
`BS signal has been transmitted. The two-tone Attention
`Signal generated by the encoder does not carry any intelli-
`gent information. It merely turns on or activates the decoder!
`receiVer.
`
`33
`
`If the audio message was a test of the system. the test date
`and time are logged. If the message is for a national
`emergency. they must alert the public. If the message is for
`a state or local emergency, responding personnel have a
`number of options. including igniting or rebroadcasting the
`message.
`
`as
`
`The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
`requires the use of £35 only in the event of a national
`emergency. State and local authorities, hoWever. may
`request use of the BBS to provide early warning to com-
`munities about regional. state. county. and local emergen-
`cies. More than 20.000 activations of the BS have been
`reported since 195. and every state and territory has used
`it. State and Local Bruegency Communications Committees
`(SECC and [ECO are responsible for the development of
`plans which detail procedures for stations and oficials to
`follow for activation of the BBS. Broadcast stations have
`voluntarily made increasing use of EBS since the system
`was allowed to be used for local emergencies.
`The ctnrent BBS has several significant drawbacks. First.
`the equipment heretofore available relies on the broadcaster
`who receives the initial alert to alert other broadcasters in a
`“daisy chain.” “Daisy chain“ monitoring refers to the pesent
`day system where iney stations relay BBS messages with the
`two-tone signal from one station to another. The daisy chain
`is often unreliable. as stations are completely dependent on
`the station they monitor to activate the BS system. The
`
`55
`
`2
`prior art like that disclosed in US. Pat. No. 4.862.263 has
`similar limitations. since only information originating from
`the channel being viewed may be transmitted. With the BS
`system. if the key “upstream” station fails to activate.
`stations further down the chain are not slated to the emer-
`gency and. therefore. cannot inform their audiences. There
`has been no monitoring of multiple sources for emu‘gency
`alerts. In addition. operators must be trained in BBS acti-
`vation procedures in order to send and receive emergency
`notifications.
`
`Second. much BBS equipment dates back several
`decades. Very few manufacnrrers produce repair- parts for
`BBS equipment. If a broadcxter had to purchase replace-
`ment BBS equipment.
`the replacement costs would be
`comparable to the cost for new digital equipment. Moreover.
`even if the current equipment could be economically
`maintained. cable participation in BBS would be severely
`handicapped because the present signaling scheme does not
`lend itself to unattended operation.
`Third, when an emergency strikes. the EBS can still fail
`even if the alert is forwarded to the next station in the chain.
`the equipment is working properly, and the operating per-
`sonnel are knowledgeable because the current BBS relies on
`station personnel to acknowledge and relay the alert. which
`can cause critical delays. Seconds may mean the diference
`between life and death during sudden emergencies such as
`tornadoes. flash floods. hazardous chemical spills. and
`nuclear accidents. In addition. current BBS equipment does
`not allow participants to alert the public selectively in the
`event of an emergency. For example. an BBS alert warning
`of a flood may be of little value to viewers and listeners
`located in mine distant locations.
`
`After every major disaster. the National Oceanic Abno-
`spheric Administration (NOAA) conducts a survey to deter-
`mine the effectiveness of warning systems. Approximately
`30 percent of these surveys have indicated the need for
`movements in the BBS because of deficiencies inherent in
`the old system These disadvantages have become more
`apparent as audiovisual and cormnunications technology has
`advanced Besides cable and satellite television. viewers are
`inundated with video games, VCR programing. video
`shopping. video cameras. disks. home computes. and so on.
`each of which takes them out of the ‘real time” world. Thus.
`new emergency alert and information means must be
`capable of interrupting VCR programming and video games
`and the like. The same technological improvements make it
`necessary that all kinds of information. not only emergency
`messages. be made available without delay to as many
`people as possible.
`In 1990. the hearing impaired were given easiu' access to
`television programming when Congress passed the Televi-
`sion Decoder Circuin-y Act in 1990. Public Law 101-431.
`requiring most
`television receivers manufactured or
`impratedforuseintheUnitedStatesbeequippedwith
`certain deoodercircultry byJul. 1. 1993. The law makes
`programing available with subtitles in various languages for
`the heating impaired. Thus. there is a need for linking all
`persons. including the hearing impaired with immediate
`access to all kinds of broadcast information. especially
`emergency messages.
`
`Therefore. it is highly desirable to provide an unpaved
`apparatus and method for supa‘imposing real time emer-
`gency broadcast messages and information on a television
`picture concurrently with any programing in progress.
`It is also highly desirable to provide an improved appa-
`ratus and method for superimposing real time emergency
`
`NTFX—1005 r' Page 14 of 20
`
`

`

`3
`
`5,701,161
`
`4
`
`broadcast messages and information on a television picture
`concurrently with any programing in progress which do not
`rely on the broadcaster who receives the initial alert to alert
`other broadcasters in a “daisy chain.”
`It is also highly desirable to provide an improved appa-
`ratus and method for supernnposing real time emergency
`broadcast messages and information on a television picture
`concurrently with any programing in progress which are not
`dependent upon the station they unnitcr to activate the E38
`system.
`It is also highly desirable to provide an improved appa-
`ratus and method for superimposing real time emergency
`In'oadcast messages and information on a television picture
`concurrently with any programing in progress which are
`capable of monitoring multiple sources for emergency toes-
`sages and information.
`It is also highly desirable to provide an improved appa-
`rams and method for super‘hnposing real time emergency
`broadcast messages and information on a television picture
`concurrently with any programing in progress which are not
`dependent upon operators rained in EBS activation proce-
`dures.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`It is also highly desirable to provide an improved appa-
`ratus and method for superimposing real time emergency
`broadcast messages and information on a television pictm-e
`concurrently with any programing in progress which are
`inexpensive. easy to repair and can intaact with all tech-
`nologies.
`It is also highly desirable to provide an improved appa-
`ratus and method for supra-imposing real time emergency
`broadcast messages and information on a television picture
`conanrently with any programing in progress which are
`compatible with all cable broadcasters.
`It is also highly desirable to provide an improved appa-
`rantsandmethodforsuperimposingrealflmeemergency
`broadcast messages and information on a television picture
`conctnrently with any programing in progress which lends
`itself to unattended operation
`It is also highly desirable to provide an improved appa-
`ratus and method for super-inmosing real time emergency
`broadcast messages and information on a television picture
`concurrently with any programing in progress which do not
`rely on station personnel to acknowledge and relay the
`information andlor alert.
`
`35
`
`45
`
`It is also highly desirable to provide an improved appa-
`ratus and method for superimposing real time emergency
`broadcast messages and inferrnatlon on a television picture
`conunrently with any programing in progress that are
`capable of infer-hung and alerting the public selectively
`depending. for example. on their geographic location in the
`event of an emergency.
`It is also highly desirable to provide an improved appa-
`ratus and method for soperirnporing real time emergency
`broadcast messages and information on a television picture
`concurrently with any programing in progress which are
`capable of simultaneously handling teletext data. emergency
`message data and closed caption text data.
`It is finally highly desirable to provide an improved
`appar-atus and method for superimposing real time emer-
`genq broadcast messages and information on a television
`picttn'e conctnrently with any programing in progress which
`meets all the above desired feattn'es.
`SUMMARY
`
`Therefore. it is an object of the invention to provide an
`improved apparatus and method for staterirnposing real time
`
`emergency broadcast messages and information on a tele—
`vision picttn'e manually with any programing in progress.
`It is also an object of the invention toprovide an improved
`apparatus and method for superimposing real time emer-
`gency broadcast messages and information on a television
`picture concurrently with any programing in progress which
`do not rely on the Madman who receives the initial alert
`to alert other broadcasters in a “daisy chain.”
`It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved
`apparatus and method for superimposing real time emer-
`gency broadcast messages and information on a television
`picture concurrently with any programing in progress which
`are not dependent upon the station they monitor to activate
`the BS system
`It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved
`apparatusandmethodfor snperimposingrealtimeemu-
`gency broadcast messages and information on a television
`picture concurrently with any programing in progress which
`are capable of monitoring multiple sources for emergency
`messages and information
`It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved
`apparatus and method for superimposing real time emer-
`gency broadcast messages and information on a television
`picture concurrently with any programing in progress Which
`are not dependent upon opuators trained in BBS activation
`wooed-mes.
`It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved
`apparatus and method for supu-hnposing real time emer-
`gency broadcast messages and information on a television
`picttne concurrently with any programing in progress which
`are inexpensive, easy to repair and can interact with all
`technologies.
`It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved
`apparatus and method for superimposing real time emer-
`gency broadcast messages and information on a television
`pimn'e concurrently with any programing in progress which
`are compatible with all cable h‘oadmsters.
`it is also an object of the invention to provide an improved
`apparatus and method for superimposing real time emer-
`gency broadcast messages and information on a television
`piaure concurrently with any programing in progress which
`lends itself to unattended operation.
`It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved
`apparatusandrnethodforsupa‘imposingrealtimcemfl-
`gency broadcast messages and information on a television
`picture concurrently with any programing in progress which
`do not rely on station personnel to acknowledge and relay
`the information audio: alert.
`
`It is also an object of the invention to provide an innnoved
`apparatus and method for super-opposing real time emer-
`gency broadcast messages and infmnalion on a television
`picture concurrently with any programing in progress that
`are capable of infoming and alerting the public selectively
`depending. for example. on their geographic location in the
`event of an emergency.
`It is also anobject ofthe inventiontoprovide an improved
`apparatusandmethodiorsuperimposingrealtimeemer-
`gency broadcast messages and information on a television
`picttn'e concurrently with any programing in progress which
`are capable of simultaneously handling teletext data. emer-
`gency message data and closed caption text data.
`It is finally an object of the invention to provide an
`improved apparatus and method for superimposing real time
`emergency broadcast messages and information on a tele-
`vision picture conctnrently with any programing in progress
`which meets all the above desired features.
`
`55
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`65
`
`NTFX—1005 f Page 15 of 20
`
`

`

`5301.161
`
`5
`
`In the broader aspects of the invention there is provided
`a video reporter for superimposing real time emergency
`broadcast messages and information on a television picture
`concurrently with any programing in progress having a
`signal splitting means for splitting a television broadcast
`signal into at least a first television signal and a second video
`reporter signal. A scanning means for continuously scanning
`the video reporter signal for predetermined channels with
`video reporterdatathereon is provided There is a decoding
`means for decoding the video reporter data and a message
`extracting means for extracting messages from the video
`reporter data. There is also provided a message selecting
`means for selecting the messages to be superimposed on the
`television picture and an overlay generating means for
`generating a video signal from the video reporter data for
`superimposing over the television picture. The video signal
`is superimposed over the television picture of the program-
`ing in progress by means for superimposing the video signal
`over the television programing in progress.
`The video reporter also has a first programing means for
`selectively programing input data. which includes the chan-
`nels to be scanned and the type of messages to be superim-
`posed on the television picture.
`There is a storing and retrieving means for storing and
`retrieving the video reporter data and the input data and a
`second programing means for selectively programing at
`least one video reporter—specific address such that the video
`reporter can receive the television broadcast signal from a
`particular broadcast station as desired.
`
`There is a text to speech synthesizing means for synthe-
`sizing an audio message from the messages to be
`superimposed. and a tone generating means for generating
`an audible tone and a visual indicator producing means for
`producing a visual indicator. both to alert a viewer to the
`messages to be superimposed.
`The television Ia-oadcast signal includes teletext and
`closed caption text data. and the supaimposing means is
`capable of superimposing various data simultaneously over
`the television picture in progress, including video reporter
`data. teletext data and closed caption text data. An optional
`printing means may be provided for printing the various
`data.
`
`There is also a computer microcontroller. which operates
`the video reporter. There is aVCR interrupting means anda
`video game intermpting means for interrupting VCR pro-
`graming and video game programing in progress.
`Finally. the video reporter can be a separate unit or may
`be housed within a television set and has a television power
`switching means for automatically powering a television on
`and oil.
`
`In the broads aspects of the method of the invention the
`steps include splitting a television broadcast signal into at
`least a first television signal and a second video reporter
`signal. continuously scanning the video reporter signal for
`predetermined channels having video reporter data thereon.
`repeating the scanning step until video reporter data is
`detected. decoding the video reporter data, extracting mes-
`sages from the video reporter data. selecting the messages to
`be supa'imposed on the television picture. generating a
`video signal from the video reporter data for superimposing
`over the television picture. and finally superimposing the
`video signal over the television picmre of the Fograming in
`progress.
`
`Thereis also amethodofcontrollingand coordinatingthe
`operation of a video rejmrtcr including the steps of con-
`stantly reading user input data storage means for detecting
`
`6
`user input data. constantly determining command functions
`of the video reporter from the input data. constantly revising
`the command functions in consideration of the user input
`data. instructing a scanning means for continuously scan-
`ning a video reporter signal] to scan predetermined channels
`until video reporter data is detected by the scanning means.
`selecting and extracting messages imbedded in the video
`reporter data for superimposing over a television picture
`and instructing tone generating means to generate an audible
`tone for alerting a viewer to the messages to be
`superimposed, instructing text to speech synthesizing means
`to synthesize an audio message from the messages to be
`superimposed. powering on a television set. initiating super-
`imposing means for superimposing the video reporter data
`over the television picture of the programing in progress.
`initiating storage and retrieving means for storing and
`retrieving the video reporter data. and powering oh the
`television set.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`1.5
`
`DRAWING
`
`The above mentioned and ultra feattues and objects ofthe
`invention and the manner of attaining them will become
`mine apparent and the invention itself will be better under-
`stood by reference to the following description of an
`embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which
`there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
`FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagramofa television control
`system showing an embodiment ofthe video reporter or the
`present invention.
`FIG. 2is a simplified blockdiagramofan embodiment of
`the video reporter of the invention.
`FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram showing embodi-
`ments of the scanning means and the decoding means of the
`invention.
`
`25
`
`35
`
`FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of the message
`extracting means shown in FIG. 2..
`FIG.5is a simplifiedblockdiagramofthedata clock
`generator of the message extracting means shown in FIG. 4.
`FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of the overlay
`generating means shown in FIG. 2.
`
`FIG. ‘7 is a simplified block diagram of the superimposing
`means shown in FIG. 2.
`
`FIG. 8 is a simplified block diagram of textfdata embed-
`ded in the baseband signal.
`FIG.9is a simplifiedbloclrdiagram ofthemethodof
`controlling and coordinating the video reporter shown in
`FIG. 2.
`
`FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram showing the scan
`mode of the video reporter shown in FIG. 2.
`FIG. 11 is a simplified block diagram showing the com-
`puter mimocontroller operation of the invention.
`
`55
`
`FIG. 12 is a simplified block diagram showing the logic
`of the system exclusive feature of the invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION
`
`As shown in the simplified block diagram in FIG. I. video
`reporter Ill resides between the demodulators and signal
`processors 20 and the picture tube drivers 30 and audio
`amplifiers 40 of television control system 11.
`In an
`embodiment. video reporter 10 is connected to the radio
`frequency (RF) input 200 to a television.
`In another
`embodiment. video reporter 10 receives its input as inter-
`mediate frequency (IF) signal or from a baseband signal.
`
`NTFX—1005 i Page 16 of 20
`
`

`

`5,701,161
`
`7
`
`Signal 2” comes from an antenna 202, cable 204. satellite
`206. or other means as desired and includes teletext and
`closed caption text data. In the preferred embodiment signal
`200 includes video reporter messages (emergency
`messages). A video reporter message is encoded and trans-
`mitted during the horizontal blanking period. which is not
`used for television picture transmission. Video reporter 1%
`simultaneously receives, processes and displays video
`reporter messages. teletext and closed caption text data.
`Referring to FIG. 2, video reporter 10 has VR tuner and
`FF 210. video reporter demodulator 23. (decoding means).
`message extractor 240. overlay generator 250. video switch!
`superimposer 26.. tone generator 210. text to speech syn-
`thesiza 280. audio mixer 290 and flash indicator 291.
`
`Referring now to FIG. 3. video reporter tunerle 21. and
`demodulator 230 are shown. Videoreporter tunerflF 210 and
`demodulator230arethe Irindfoundin'I‘Vsandpcrform
`similarfunctiousinvideoreporterltlnonecmbodimt.
`a TV equipped with video reporter to needs at least two
`tuners and two UFs 210 and two demodulators 230. one set
`for viewing the program and media" set to provide a signal
`for video reporter 10. thus enabling video reporter 10 to scan
`or tune to dllferent channels from the one being viewed The
`viewing program may be a VCR or cable station and not
`have real time reports. Another embodiment has a video
`reporterfl'V assembly equipped with picture in pic-tune
`(PIP)- In that embodiment. tuner. We 210 and demodulators
`230 exceed two.
`FIG. 4 shows a detailed diagram of message extractor
`240. Message extractor 240 includes video clamp 41.. sync
`separator 460. data slicer 420. data clock regencrator 430
`and data restore-r 440. and is node the direction of micro-
`controller 225.
`
`8
`will follow. Table 1 shows the preamble codes used by
`closed caption and teletertt. and the codes for videotaporta'
`it). As with closed caption and teletext. video reporter 10
`supports a primary language and a secondary language.
`Video reporter 10 uses similar display format and message
`strucun'e as closed caption.
`
`TABLE 1
`
`
`W
`
`Char #
`Values
`Usage
`Description
`
`1
`11H — I‘ll-I W31
`Data Chanel 1
`l
`19H - lCI-I mum DataChlnml 2
`l
`ADI-I - AP“
`Video Reporter
`DataClnnml 3
`1
`BO“ — BF}!
`Video Reporter
`Dawclmtnel 4
`2
`20!!
`cc
`CaptiooData sum
`2
`2M! — 231-1
`'lbletert
`Thinner! Data Start
`2
`.hOH - AFH
`Video Reporter
`Video hteracthle
`2
`DO]! - m1
`Video Importer
`Video Anchors Code
`2.
`CO]! - CPI-I
`Video Reporter
`System Blemive
`____—..._..__———-—-——
`
`10
`
`15
`
`TABLE 2
`___—_————-——-—
`
`EQ OF gag EON QQDES
`
`Description
`Usage
`Chard Values
`_—————
`l
`llll - 14H
`CCH'eletext
`[Primary Langmgs
`1
`191-1 - ICl-I
`ccrretnm
`Secondary Iangtnge
`2
`21311
`(All)
`Carriage Rat-um
`2
`2H!
`CC
`EndofCaption
`
`DOE-I - DH! Video Freqtmcy2 Eadof Report
`
`
`35
`
`d5
`
`55
`
`Mia’ocontroller 22% supports the functionality of video
`reporter 1t}. Mieroconooller 225 is at least one computer
`microprocessor having integrated RAM and ROM memory
`with input and output user interface 293. such as a hey pad
`or remote control. Mierocomroller 225 is capable of storing
`and retrieving video reporter message data and input data. In
`addition. a unique serial number is assigned to each micro-
`computer within video reporter 10 making each video
`reporter 10 accessible to particular broadcaster-(s) as desired.
`In addition. the viewer can configure the video reporter 10.
`via microcontroller 225. for the types of messages that may
`intermpt programming-
`Videoreporter 10 operates in numerous modes,induding
`arepcrtmode.aninteractivemcdeandascnnmode. Inthe
`scan mode. mierocontroller 225 sends commands to tune
`21.. causing it to tune to specified channel frequencies for
`video reporter messages. Microcontroller 225 stays on each
`channel long enough to determine if a video reporter mes-
`sage is present.
`TUner 210 engages demodulator 23. upon detecting the
`“flavor” of the messagctype to be superimposed The output
`of video reporter Noam? 210 goes to demodulator 230.
`Demodulator output is a baseband signal which is ready for
`processing by message extractor 240. When message extrac-
`tor240receives areportit sendstbe datato minocontroller
`225. Merocontroller 225 determines whed1er the report is
`metypediatrequiresinturupfinguteanremprograming
`and supm'mposing on the television picture.
`Mirrocontrollar 225 reads this data.
`interpreting and
`n-anslating closed caption codes. Data is sent as a block with
`preamble 810. a variable number of charactu's of text.
`followed by end-of—caption code. as shown in FIG. 8. The
`preamble codes are used to determine the type of text that
`
`signal. The input signal is also directed to sync separator
`460. which attracts the hrs-incural sync (H Sync) 462 and the
`vertical sync (V SYNC) 464 signals. The H Sync andV Sync
`signals 462.464 are used to coordinate the functions of data
`slicer 420. data clock regenerator 430. data restorer 440. and
`microcontroller 225.
`
`Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5. the output from video clamp
`410 is only examined when data slicer 420 receives a signal
`from timing logic 450. This output from timing logic as. to
`data slicer 420 occurs whenever line 21 is present. as drown
`in FIG. 5. Data slicer 420 extracts clock run-in 432. which
`goes to data clockregenerator 430. as shown in FIG. 4. This
`is essentially a phased-locked loop that regenerates the
`timingpatlsesncededtoctoclrinthedatabits. Dataslicu‘”
`also extracts the raw data. which begins after the clock
`run-in 432. and routes it to data restorer ‘40. which trans
`forms a serial bit stream into data bytes. Data restorer 440
`operates synchronously. and uses a clock signal