US 8566868

An analysis of US Patent 8,566,868 is provided below. This summary is based on the full text of the patent. As of today's date, a search for this patent in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) 2026 dockets did not yield any publicly available information regarding litigation.

U.S. Patent 8,566,868: Summary

• Title: Signal processing apparatus and methods
• Assignee: The original assignee was Personalized Media Communications LLC. As of June 9, 2025, the patent is assigned to Contentnexus LLC.
• Inventors: John Christopher Harvey, James William Cuddihy
• Filing Date: June 2, 1995
• Issue Date: October 22, 2013
• Abstract: An abstract is not available in the provided patent document. However, the invention generally relates to an integrated system for communicating, processing, and controlling electronic programming from various sources like television, radio, and computers. It involves embedding control signals within the programming to enable personalized content, automated recording, and monitoring of usage at subscriber stations.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims

This patent contains a large number of claims, with several independent claims. The core of the invention is a system and method for embedding control information into a broadcast signal, which is then used by a receiver to perform specific actions.

Independent Claim 1:

A method for use in a signal processing apparatus at a plurality of receiver stations of a communications network, the method comprising:

• receiving at a signal processing apparatus a first broadcast transmission that is broadcast for reception by the plurality of receiver stations, wherein the first broadcast transmission comprises programming and a plurality of embedded control signals;
• at the signal processing apparatus, using a controller to process at least one of the plurality of embedded control signals to generate a first control instruction that is specific for the receiver station; and
• in response to the first control instruction, causing a function to be performed at the receiver station.

Plain-Language Explanation:

This claim describes a method where a device at a user's location (like a set-top box) receives a broadcast signal (like a TV show). This signal contains hidden control information. A processor in the device reads this hidden information and creates a specific instruction for that particular device. This instruction then makes the device perform a certain action.

Independent Claim 13:

A signal processing apparatus at a receiver station of a communications network, the apparatus comprising:

• a receiver for receiving a first broadcast transmission that is broadcast for reception by a plurality of receiver stations, wherein the first broadcast transmission comprises programming and a plurality of embedded control signals; and
• a controller for processing at least one of the plurality of embedded control signals to generate a first control instruction that is specific for the receiver station, and for, in response to the first control instruction, causing a function to be performed at the receiver station.

Plain-Language Explanation:

This claim describes the physical device itself. It's a piece of equipment that can receive a broadcast with hidden control signals. It has a processor that can interpret these signals to create a specific command, which then triggers an action at the user's end.

Independent Claim 25:

A method for use at a transmitting station for broadcasting to a plurality of receiver stations, the method comprising:

• generating a first broadcast transmission comprising programming and a plurality of embedded control signals, wherein the plurality of embedded control signals are for controlling a function to be performed by a signal processing apparatus at one of the receiver stations, and wherein the signal processing apparatus is configured to process at least one of the plurality of embedded control signals to generate a control instruction that is specific for the one of the receiver stations; and
• broadcasting the first broadcast transmission for reception by the plurality of receiver stations.

Plain-Language Explanation:

This claim covers the "sending" side of the system. It describes a method used by a broadcaster (like a TV station) to create and send out a signal. This signal has the regular program content plus hidden control data. This data is intended to be used by a receiving device to create a specific instruction and carry out a function.

Independent Claim 37:

A system for broadcasting to a plurality of receiver stations, the system comprising:

• a transmitting station configured to generate a first broadcast transmission comprising programming and a plurality of embedded control signals, and to broadcast the first broadcast transmission for reception by the plurality of receiver stations; and
• a signal processing apparatus at one of the receiver stations configured to receive the first broadcast transmission, and to process at least one of the plurality of embedded control signals to generate a control instruction that is specific for the one of the receiver stations and to, in response to the control instruction, cause a function to be performed.

Plain-Language Explanation:

This claim describes the entire system, including both the broadcasting station and the receiving device. The station sends out a program with embedded control signals, and the user's device receives it, interprets the signals to create a specific command, and then performs an action based on that command.