Importance

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Abstract

The present invention provides a distribution network for full motion video media, usually in the form of advertisements, allowing video programs to be transmitted from a distribution center (DC) to a multitude of receiving sites (RS), typically retail stores, dispersed over a wide geographic area. Preferably, programs are transmitted via satellite (8) and are receivable via antennae (10) at the receiving sites (RS). Television monitors (14) located at selected points in the receiving sites display the programs to an audience, which usually will include shoppers in the course of shopping. The invention provides for 'customizing' video programs for particular target audiences or markets, such that the series of programs played in one receiving site could be quite different from that played in another. The distribution network provides automatic insertion of custom, store-specific video segments (22) into a general, network-wide video program (20) without the need for operational involvement of personnel at the receiving site (RS) through the use of control data encoded into the video signal at the distribution center (DC). An insertion control unit (56) at each receiving site (RS) reads the control data and switches a receiver (54) among channels carrying the network-wide program (20) and market specific segments (22) according to the control data.

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First Claim