EP0140705A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Television scrambling and descrambling method and apparatus
Assignee: RF Monolithics Inc
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Filing: 1984-10-30
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-10-30
Abstract
Abstract A system is disclosed for supplying intelligible video programme signals and corresponding video synchronisation signals only to authorised video displays. The system comprises transmitting means (44, 46) for transmitting scrambled video programme signals, a receiver (50) for receiving the scrambled video programme signals, and a descrambling circuit (54, 56) coupled between the output of the receiver and the input of a video display (60), for intercepting and descrambling the video programme signals and for recovering the synchronising signals, so that the recovered synchronisation signals and descrambled, intelligible, video programme signals are fed to the video display. The descrambling circuit includes an electronic ticket (56) which is removably coupled thereto, and which effects at least part of the descrambling function. The electronic ticket includes a fusible link which can be destroyed in response to the transmitted signals if the ticket does not pass a validity check.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence H. C/O R.F. Monolithics Inc. Ragan
- 👤 Clinton S. C/O R.F. Monolithics Inc. Hartmann
- 👤 Darrell L. C/O R.F. Monolithics Inc. Ash
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:17
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/167; H04N7/169; H04N7/1693; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/343; G06Q20/3433; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/0014; G07F7/00; G07F7/02; H04N7/161
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
Apparatus for supplying intelligible video programme signals and corresponding video synchronisation signals to authorised video receivers only, characterised by transmitting means (44,46) for transmitting scrambled signals of a video programme; a receiver (48,50) for receiving the scrambled video programme signals; and a descrambling unit (54,56) coupled to the receiver and including a removable electronic ticket (56) having at least a portion of a descrambling circuit thereon for intercepting and descrambling the scrambled video programme signals and having an output (58) for coupling the descrambled intelligible video programme signals to a video receiver (60).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus for supplying intelligible video programme signals and corresponding video synchronisation signals to authorised video receivers only, characterised by transmitting means (44,46) for transmitting scrambled signals of a video programme; a receiver (48,50) for receiving the scrambled video programme signals; and a descrambling unit (54,56) coupled to the receiver and including a removable electronic ticket (56) having at least a portion of a descrambling circuit thereon for intercepting and descrambling the scrambled video programme signals and having an output (58) for coupling the descrambled intelligible video programme signals to a video receiver (60).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the transmitting means includes means (5) for scrambling the video programme signals; and means (28-32,42) coupled to the scrambling means and the transmitting means for coupling synchronisation signals and the scrambled video programme signals to the transmitter (44) for transmission.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the scrambling means (5) comprises a surface acoustic wave (SAW) delay line device (6) for receiving the video programme signals; and means (12,14) coupled to the SAW delay line device for using the video synchronisation signals to cause alternate portions of the video programme signals to be delayed with respect to each other, whereby the video picture produced by the video signals is scrambled and unintelligible.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the electronic ticket (56) comprises a delay line (76) for receiving the scrambled signals and producing an output; means (68,90) for recovering the synchronisation signals; and means (88,102,112) coupled to the delay line and the synchronisation signal recovering means for descrambling the video programme signals by using the recovered synchronisation signals to cause the delay line to delay alternate portions of the video programme signals complementary to those portions delayed in the transmitter, whereby the video picture produced by the descrambled signal is intelligible.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterised by means (38) for transmitting a signal to the receiver for verifying the validity of the ticket (56) for a particular video programme; and means (108,80) in the ticket coupled to the receiver and responsive to the verifying signal for deactivating the operability of the ticket if the ticket is not verified as valid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the deactivating signal responsive means comprises means (90) for receiving the verifying signal; a ROM (read-only memory) (122) forming part of the ticket (56), the ROM providing a coded output representing a ticket for descrambling the particular video programme signals; means (126) for comparing the received verifying signal with the ROM coded output and for producing an output signal if no comparison is found; and means (80) coupled to the surface acoustic wave delay line device for deactivating the ticket if the output signal is produced.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the means for deactivating the ticket (56) comprises a verification code transmitted with the srambled video programme signal; electrical connections (179) on the ticket physically configured in conformance with the verification code; means (126) coupled to the ticket for electronically comparing the verification code with the connection configuration and producing a deactivation signal if the connections do not conform to the verification code; and means (108) for receiving the deactivation signal and for destroying at least part (80) of the electronic ticket descrambling circuitry to disable the ticket permanently.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the destructible part of the electronic ticket descrambling circuitry is a fusible link (80) which is destroyed by the deactivation signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised by means for permanently destroying each valid electronic ticket at the end of the video programme descrambled by means of the ticket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
A system as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that the ticket permanent destruction means comprises means (38) for transmitting a command destruct signal to be received by each electronic ticket being used to descramble the scrambled signals; and means (108) for receiving the command destruct signal and for producing an output signal for permanently destroying a portion (80) of the ticket descrambling circuit whereby the ticket is not reusable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus for descrambling scrambled transmitted video signals, characterised by descrambling means (54) having an input (52) for receiving the scrambled video signals and an output (58) for coupling the descrambled video signals to a video receiver (60); and an electronic ticket (56) removably coupled to the descrambling means whereby the scrambled video signals are descrambled by descrambling means on the ticket and the descrambling unit, in combination, and the descrambled signals are fed to the video receiver for viewing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus for descrambling scrambled transmitted video signals, characterised by descrambling means (54) having an input (52) for receiving the scrambled video signals and an output (58) for coupling the descrambled video signals to a video receiver (60); and an electronic ticket (56) removably coupled to the descrambling means whereby the scrambled video signals are descrambled by descrambling means on the ticket and the descrambling unit, in combination, and the descrambled signals are fed to the video receiver for viewing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 5-11, characterised in that the deactivating means comprises a fusible link (80) in the ticket descrambling means; a current source (136); and means (88) for coupling the current source to the fusible link to destroy the link when the output of the verifying means (126) indicates an unauthorised ticket.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, characterised by a ROM (122) formed on the ticket (56) for forming the ticket verifying means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the descrambling means on the ticket comprises a surface acoustic wave device (76).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised by means (68) on the ticket (56) for recovering the synchronisation signals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised by a surface acoustic wave device (68) forming a band pass filter as part of the electronic ticket for providing circuitry for recovering the synchronisation signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, characterised in that the synchronising signal recovery means (68) is formed from a second surface acoustic wave device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 17, characterised in that the ticket descrambling means (76) and the synchronising signal recovery means (68) are both formed on a common surface acoustic wave device.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of selectively supplying intelligible video programme signals to a video receiver (60), characterised by the steps of scrambling (5) video programme signals for transmission; receiving (48,50) the transmitted, scrambled video programme signals; and providing an electronic ticket (56) for the selected video receiver for receiving and descrambling a predetermined scrambled video programme signal and for coupling the descrambled signal to the receiver as intelligible signal information.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of selectively supplying intelligible video programme signals to a video receiver (60), characterised by the steps of scrambling (5) video programme signals for transmission; receiving (48,50) the transmitted, scrambled video programme signals; and providing an electronic ticket (56) for the selected video receiver for receiving and descrambling a predetermined scrambled video programme signal and for coupling the descrambled signal to the receiver as intelligible signal information.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method as claimed in claim 19, characterised in that predetermined electrical connections (179) are formed on the electronic ticket (56)in conformance with a verification code; and at least a portion (80) of the electronic ticket descrambling circuitry is deactivated if the connections on the electronic ticket do not conform to the verification code.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
97 words
An electronic ticket for descrambling transmitted video programme and synchronisation signals for use in a video receiver, characterised by first terminals (196) for receiving the scrambled video signals; a descrambling circuit (76) having its input coupled to the first terminals for producing at least a partially descrambled video signal at its output; second terminals (198) for coupling the partially descrambled output signal to the video receiver; and means (212,214) for enclosing portions of the first and second terminals and the descrambling circuit in a unitary package whereby the ticket can be used as a removable plug-in unit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
97 words
An electronic ticket for descrambling transmitted video programme and synchronisation signals for use in a video receiver, characterised by first terminals (196) for receiving the scrambled video signals; a descrambling circuit (76) having its input coupled to the first terminals for producing at least a partially descrambled video signal at its output; second terminals (198) for coupling the partially descrambled output signal to the video receiver; and means (212,214) for enclosing portions of the first and second terminals and the descrambling circuit in a unitary package whereby the ticket can be used as a removable plug-in unit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electronic ticket as claimed in claim 21, characterised by means for forming the enclosing means (212,214) about the descrambling circuit such that if attempt is made to open the unitary package, the descrambling circuit is physically destroyed.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electronic ticket as claimed in claim 22, characterised in that the physical destruction of the descrambling circuit is caused by destruction of connections (66,74,82,84) to the terminals (196,198) upon attempted opening of the unitary package.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
62 words
An electronic ticket as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 23, characterised by means (122) for verifying the validity of a ticket (56) for use in descrambling a predetermineed video programme signal; and means (80) responsive to the verifying means for destroying the usability of the ticket if used to descramble a video programme signal other than said predetermined signal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
61 words
An electronic ticket as claimed in claim 24, characterised by means (179) for forming a coded set of third terminals (BIT1-BIT4) on the ticket (56) to present a code to be verified as representing a valid ticket for a particular predetermined video programme; and means (80) for destroying the usability of the ticket if the ticket is not verified as valid.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
44 words
An electronic ticket as claimed in claim 25, characterised by a fusible link (80) in the electronic ticket necessary to the operation thereof; and means (82) to which power is supplied to destroy the link if the electronic ticket is not verified as valid.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electronic ticket as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 26, characterised by a surface acoustic wave device (76) on the ticket for forming the descrambling circuit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electronic ticket as claimed in claim 27, characterised by a band pass filter (68) on the ticket for recovering the synchronisation signals.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electronic ticket as claimed in claim 28, characterised by a surface acoustic wave device on the ticket for forming the band pass filter (68).
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
An electronic ticket as claimed in claim 29, characterised in that the band pass filter (68) and the descrambling circuit (76) are both formed on the same surface acoustic wave device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
An electronic ticket as claimed in claim 25, characterised by a ROM circuit (122) on the ticket coupled to the third terminals (BIT2-BIT4) for forming the code to be verified.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of constructing an electronic ticket for descrambling transmitted video programme and synchronisation signals for use in a video receiver, characterised by the steps of forming at least a portion (76) of a descrambling circuit on a substrate; forming a lead frame (176,178) having electrically conductive terminals (179) thereon; electrically attaching the descrambling circuit to predetermined ones of the conductive terminals on the lead frame; and encapsulating the descrambling circuit and at least a portion of the electrically conductive terminals on the lead frame to form a unitary package to be used as a ticket.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of constructing an electronic ticket for descrambling transmitted video programme and synchronisation signals for use in a video receiver, characterised by the steps of forming at least a portion (76) of a descrambling circuit on a substrate; forming a lead frame (176,178) having electrically conductive terminals (179) thereon; electrically attaching the descrambling circuit to predetermined ones of the conductive terminals on the lead frame; and encapsulating the descrambling circuit and at least a portion of the electrically conductive terminals on the lead frame to form a unitary package to be used as a ticket.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method as claimed in claim 32, characterised in that the encapsulating step includes the steps of enclosing the descrambling circuit and the portion of the electrically conductive leads within a two-piece plastic case (212,214), the two plastic pieces having coterminous edges (213); and permanently joining the coterminous edges of the plastic pieces to seal the descrambling circuit within the plastic case.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as claimed in claim 32 or claim 33, characterised by the steps of forming the lead frame (176,178) with shear planes (180,182) crossing a predetermined point on the conductive terminals (179); and breaking the lead frame at the shear planes after the encapsulation, thereby producing an encapsulated electronic ticket having electrical contact leads (196,198) extending therefrom.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as claimed in claim 34, characterised by the step of bending the extending electrical contact leads (196,198) at an angle of approximately 90°to the ticket, thereby forming a plug-in unit.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 34, characterised by the step of forming the extending contact leads (196,198) on both sides of the ticket to form a plug-ia unit having dual in-line pins.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 34, characterised in that the extending contact leads (216) are formed on one side of the ticket only.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
75 words
A method as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 37, characterised by forming first means (122,BIT1-BIT4) on the descrambling circuit substrate for coding the ticket to be used in descrambling a predetermined video programme signal; and forming second means (80) as part of the descrambling circuit responsive to the coding means for destroying the usability of the ticket if it is used to descramble a video programme signal other than the predetermined signal.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 38, characterised by the step of forming means (80) on the descrambling circuit for enabling destruction of the usability of the ticket in response to a command transmitted with the video signals.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 38, characterised in that the step of forming the coding means (BIT1-BIT4) comprises connecting terminals (179) of the ticket to the descrambling circuit in a predetermined coded arrangement, whereby that arrangement may be verified.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method as claimed in claim 38, characterised in that the step of forming the ticket usability destroying means comprises the steps of forming a fusible link (80) in the descrambling circuit necessary to the operation thereof; and forming a circuit path (162,163) in the descrambling circuit in series with the fusible link for selective application of sufficent current to destroy the link thereby rendering the electronic ticket permanently useless.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 32, characterised in that a surface acoustic wave delay line device (76) is formed on the ticket, for use in the descrambling circuit.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 42, characterised in that a surface acoustic wave device is formed on the ticket to act as a band pass filter (68) for recovering the synchronisation signals.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in claim 43 characterised in that the band pass filter (68) is formed on the same surface acoustic wave device as is the delay line device (76) and part of the descrambling circuit.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 38, characterised in that the coding means is formed as a ROM (122).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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