Prior art — US Patent 8191091

Based on my analysis of U.S. Patent No. 8,191,091, here is an examination of the most relevant prior art cited during its prosecution. This analysis outlines each cited reference and its potential relevance to the patent's claims under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

Analysis of Prior Art for U.S. Patent No. 8,191,091

The following documents were cited by the USPTO examiner during the prosecution of this patent and are considered prior art.

1. U.S. Patent No. 4,025,851: "Broadcast Signal Identification System"

Full Citation: Haselwood, et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,025,851
Publication Date: May 24, 1977
Filing Date: Nov. 26, 1974
Description: This patent describes a system for automatically monitoring television and radio broadcasts to identify the specific program material being transmitted. It discloses a method of embedding an identification code into the audio or video signal of a broadcast. This code is imperceptible to the audience but can be decoded by specialized monitoring equipment. The system is designed to provide data for audience measurement services (like Nielsen ratings) by verifying which programs and commercials were actually broadcast.
Potential Anticipation of Claims: This reference is cited in the '091 patent's "Description of the Prior Art" section. It appears to be relevant to claims that involve embedding signals or codes within a broadcast for identification and monitoring purposes.
- Claim 29: Describes a method of broadcasting a television signal with an embedded "control signal." Haselwood '851 teaches embedding an "identification code," which could be interpreted as a form of control signal for monitoring purposes.
- Claim 37: Details a television receiver that detects embedded digital codes. The system in Haselwood '851 relies on a special receiver or monitor to detect its embedded codes.
- Claim 120: Involves creating a record of what programs are broadcast. The primary purpose of the Haselwood '851 system is to create such a record for verification and rating purposes.

2. U.S. Patent No. 4,264,925: "Multi-Channel Television System with Program-Related Plural-Channel Viewing Options"

Full Citation: Freeman, et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,264,925
Publication Date: Apr. 28, 1981
Filing Date: Aug. 24, 1978
Description: This patent discloses a system that allows a television viewer to select from multiple related program alternatives that are broadcast simultaneously on different channels. For example, during a sporting event, a viewer could switch between different camera angles or listen to different audio commentaries. The system uses signals embedded in the broadcast to inform the viewer of available options.
Potential Anticipation of Claims: The '091 patent's description mentions this prior art. Its relevance lies in the concept of using broadcast signals to control or enhance the viewing experience.
- Claim 16 & 102: These claims describe creating a personalized television program. While Freeman '925 does not generate user-specific data, it does allow for a degree of user-selected personalization of the broadcast content from pre-determined options, which is a foundational concept.
- Claim 49: Relates to processing a broadcast signal to find and use information of interest to a user. Freeman '925 provides a mechanism for users to select from different information streams (e.g., different camera angles) based on their interest.

3. U.S. Patent No. 4,337,480: "Programmable Matrix for Interconnecting Audio/Video Apparatus"

Full Citation: Bourassin, et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,337,480
Publication Date: Jun. 29, 1982
Filing Date: Dec. 12, 1979
Description: This invention describes a dynamic interconnection system that allows a user to automatically connect and switch between various television peripheral units (like a VCR, video game console, or a decoder) without manually changing cables. It also includes the capability to display a secondary image from one peripheral on the screen at the same time as the primary image from another (picture-in-picture).
Potential Anticipation of Claims: The '091 patent's description also discusses this reference. It is relevant to claims involving the control of multiple pieces of equipment at a subscriber's station.
- Claim 128: Describes a method for controlling a subscriber's equipment using a control signal in a broadcast. Bourassin '480 details a system for controlling the interconnection of various pieces of equipment, which is a related concept, although the control is typically initiated by the user at the receiver end rather than by a broadcast signal.

4. U.S. Patent No. 4,381,522: "Viewer-Controlled Television Programming System"

Full Citation: Lambert, U.S. Patent No. 4,381,522
Publication Date: Apr. 26, 1983
Filing Date: Feb. 2, 1981
Description: This patent discloses a cable television system where a central computer generates a program schedule based on viewer requests received over telephone lines. The computer then automatically controls video players to transmit the scheduled programs over specific cable channels. It also transmits a video schedule so viewers can see when their requested programs will air.
Potential Anticipation of Claims: This patent is cited in the '091 patent's "Description of the Prior Art." It touches upon concepts of program scheduling and customized content delivery, although it lacks the real-time, user-specific data processing described in the '091 patent.
- Claim 1 & 61: These claims involve a central station transmitting a main program to local stations. While Lambert '522 operates from a single headend, it introduces the concept of a central computer controlling the transmission of a program schedule and content, which is a precursor to the "superstation" concept.
- Claim 95: Pertains to a system that is easy for subscribers to use. The Lambert '522 system, by allowing viewers to request programs, aims to create a more user-centric programming experience.

5. U.S. Patent No. 4,547,804: "Television Program Monitoring System"

Full Citation: Greenberg, U.S. Patent No. 4,547,804
Publication Date: Oct. 15, 1985
Filing Date: Jun. 30, 1983
Description: This patent details a system for automatically monitoring the content and quality of television broadcasts across multiple channels. The system sequentially switches between channels, samples the audio and video signals, and compares them against reference signals to verify that the correct program is being broadcast and to check for technical faults.
Potential Anticipation of Claims: The '091 patent's description mentions Greenberg '804 as an example of prior art in program monitoring.
- Claim 120: Describes a method of keeping a record of what programs are broadcast on each channel. The Greenberg '804 system is designed to do precisely this, creating a log of broadcast content for verification.
- Claim 1: The monitoring aspect of the "signal processor" in claim 1, which can monitor what the user is watching, is a core theme of the Greenberg '804 system, albeit for a different purpose (broadcast verification vs. user monitoring).

6. U.S. Patent No. 3,845,391: "Broadcast Signal Identification System"

Full Citation: Crosby, U.S. Patent No. 3,845,391
Publication Date: Oct. 29, 1974
Filing Date: Dec. 26, 1972
Description: This patent describes a method for embedding an inaudible identification code within the audio portion of a radio or television broadcast. A monitoring device can then detect this code to identify the broadcast station and the specific program or commercial being aired. The primary application is for audience measurement and broadcast verification.
Potential Anticipation of Claims: This reference, also cited in the '091 patent's "Description of the Prior Art," is similar to Haselwood '851 but focuses on audio encoding.
- Claim 29 & 37: These claims, which relate to embedded signals and codes in a broadcast, are potentially anticipated by the teachings of Crosby '391. The "inaudible identification code" is a form of embedded digital information.
- Claim 120: The system's purpose is to create a record of broadcast programs, which directly relates to the functionality described in this claim.