US6489986B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote control device for video and audio capture and communication
Assignee: Vulcan Ventures Inc
•
Filing: 2000-10-27
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Granted: 2002-12-03
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Expires: 2020-10-27
Abstract
Abstract A remote control for an interactive television system includes an integrated camera and a wireless transmitter for transmitting video information captured by the camera to the interactive television system. A set top box for the interactive television system includes a wireless receiver for receiving the video information and a converter for transforming the video information into a network-compatible video stream for transmission to a network.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul G. Allen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:30
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/14; H04N7/141; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/72; H04M1/724; H04M1/72403; H04M1/72409; H04M1/72415; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/422; H04N21/42203; H04N21/42204; H04N21/42206; H04N21/42222; H04N21/4223; H04N21/426; H04N21/42684; H04N21/43; H04N21/433; H04N21/4334; H04N21/436; H04N21/4363; H04N21/43637; H04N21/438; H04N21/4381; H04N21/439; H04N21/47; H04N21/478; H04N21/4788; H04N21/60; H04N21/61; H04N21/6106; H04N21/6125; H04N21/63; H04N21/64; H04N21/643; H04N21/64322; H04N7/142; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N2007/145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A remote control for interactive television system, the remote control comprising: user control means for receiving user input for operating the interactive television system; processing means, coupled to the user control means, for generating control signals for interactive television system in response to user interaction with user control means; video and still picture capture means, coupled to the processing means, for capturing video information and a still picture; activity indication means, coupled to the processing means, for visually indicating when the camera is actively capturing video information; audio capture means, coupled to the processing means, for capturing audio information; and wireless transmission means, coupled to the processing means, for transmitting the control signals and captured audio and video information and the still picture information to the interactive television system while interactive television system simultaneously displays a received video stream.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A remote control for interactive television system, the remote control comprising: user control means for receiving user input for operating the interactive television system; processing means, coupled to the user control means, for generating control signals for interactive television system in response to user interaction with user control means; video and still picture capture means, coupled to the processing means, for capturing video information and a still picture; activity indication means, coupled to the processing means, for visually indicating when the camera is actively capturing video information; audio capture means, coupled to the processing means, for capturing audio information; and wireless transmission means, coupled to the processing means, for transmitting the control signals and captured audio and video information and the still picture information to the interactive television system while interactive television system simultaneously displays a received video stream.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The remote control of claim 1 , wherein the wireless transmission means comprises a high-bandwidth, radio-frequency transmitter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The remote control of claim 2 , wherein the radio-frequency transmitter is configured to utilize a radio-frequency antenna integrated with a circuit board for the device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The remote control of claim 1 , wherein the video and still picture capture means comprises a digital video camera.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The remote control of claim 4 , wherein the digital video camera comprises a charged-coupled device array.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The remote control of claim 4 , wherein the digital video camera further comprises a digital zoom feature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The remote control of claim 4 , wherein the digital video camera further comprises an automatic white balance feature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The remote control of claim 4 , wherein the digital video camera further comprises an automatic exposure feature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The remote control of claim 4 , wherein the digital video camera is configured to capture an NTSC-compatible video signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The remote control of claim 1 , wherein the still picture is stored in a compressed format.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The remote control of claim 1 , wherein the still picture has a relatively higher resolution than a resolution of the captured video information.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The remote control of claim 1 , further comprising: a specifically-designated button for activating the video and still picture capture means and the audio capture means to initiate capture of the audio and video information.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-12-02 | 2006-06-03 | 2006-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-02 | 2010-06-03 | 2010-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-02 | 2014-06-03 | 2014-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |