US 7817208

Here's a concise summary of US Patent 7817208:

US Patent 7817208

• Title: Signal processing apparatus and methods
• Current Assignee: Contentnexus LLC
• Original Assignee: Personalized Media Communications LLC
• Inventors: John Christopher Harvey, James William Cuddihy
• Filing Date: 1995-06-07
• Issue Date: 2010-10-19

Abstract:
A signal processing apparatus and method for communications. The system and method includes capacity for automatically organizing multi-channel communications. The system has capacity for transmitting to standardized programming that is very simple for subscribers to play and understand. The system has capacity for transmitting data and control instructions in the same information stream to many different apparatus at a given subscriber station, for causing computers to generate and transmit programming, and for causing receiver apparatus to operate on the basis of programming and information received at widely separated times.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

The patent contains two independent claims, Claim 1 and Claim 54.

Independent Claim 1:
This claim describes a system designed for processing broadcast programming. In simple terms, this system receives broadcast signals that include both regular programming (like TV or radio) and embedded control signals. These control signals are very specific; they contain digital information that tells other equipment at a subscriber's location what to do and when to do it. The system can detect these hidden signals, convert them into a usable digital format, and then use them to control various devices, such as computers, video recorders, or even other signal processing units, at the subscriber's station. Crucially, it can instruct these devices to perform actions that are synchronized with the broadcast content, or even record monitoring information about what's being viewed or used. The system also has a programmable controller that can modify these instructions, allow for decryption of content, and record usage data.

Independent Claim 54:
This claim focuses on a method for processing and distributing broadcast programming at an "intermediate transmission station" (like a cable headend or local broadcast affiliate). This method involves receiving broadcast programming that also contains embedded digital control signals. These control signals are designed to manage the handling and display of programming at many different "ultimate receiver stations" (subscriber homes, offices, etc.). The method includes extracting these control signals, processing them to control equipment at the intermediate station itself (e.g., to generate additional content or modify the broadcast), and then retransmitting the programming, potentially with new or modified embedded signals. This allows a central broadcaster to not only control how programming is distributed and presented downstream but also to gather monitoring information about its usage across a wide network of subscribers.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
A search for "US patent 7817208 CAFC 2026 dockets" did not return specific docket entries for this patent in 2026 within the provided search results. The search results show general information about the CAFC, its recent decisions on other patents, and its schedule for May, June, and July 2026, but not specific litigation involving US7817208.