EP0200310A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Direct broadcast satellite signal transmission system
Assignee: Arris Technology Inc
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Filing: 1986-03-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-03-06
Abstract
Abstract Audio and control signals are digitized and inserted in the horizontal intervals of the distributed composite television signal (Figure 3). The control signals are in the form of a data stream which includes a header (Figure 4) containing group address, sync, and program-related information applicable to all receiving units, and a plurality of portions (Figure 5) which are addressable to and contain information applicable to the control of particular individual receiving units in the addressed group. The information in the addressable portions (Figure 5) can be altered on a real time basis such that the system operator has direct control over certain functions of individual receiving units from the transmission end.
Inventors
- 👤 S. Wayne Mundy
- 👤 Joseph B. Glaab
- 👤 John M. Jeffers
- 👤 Donald R. Horne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:49
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/167; H04N7/1675; H04H; H04H20/00; H04H20/28; H04H60/00; H04H60/09; H04H60/13; H04H60/14; H04H60/23; H04N7/08; H04N7/084; H04N7/085; H04H2201/00; H04H2201/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for transmitting data in a communications system of the type including broadcast signal originating means (A), a plurality of broadcast signal receiving means (C), each having an address, and means (B) for distributing the broadcast signal from the originating means (A) to each of the receiving means (C), the method comprising the steps of generating a broadcast signal having active video signal portions and horizontal blanking portions, generating an audio signal portion and a data stream, inserting the audio signal portion and data stream into the horizontal blanking portions, characterized in that said data stream comprises a header portion comprising program-related information applicable to all receiving means (C) and a plurality of addressable portions, each comprising information for addressing particular receiving means (C) and for the control thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for transmitting data in a communications system of the type including broadcast signal originating means (A), a plurality of broadcast signal receiving means (C), each having an address, and means (B) for distributing the broadcast signal from the originating means (A) to each of the receiving means (C), the method comprising the steps of generating a broadcast signal having active video signal portions and horizontal blanking portions, generating an audio signal portion and a data stream, inserting the audio signal portion and data stream into the horizontal blanking portions, characterized in that said data stream comprises a header portion comprising program-related information applicable to all receiving means (C) and a plurality of addressable portions, each comprising information for addressing particular receiving means (C) and for the control thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of Claim 1, further characterized by the steps of selecting addressable portions and altering the information therein on a real time basis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of Claim 1, characterized in that said header portion comprises information relating to the display of the active video portion of the broadcast signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of Claim 1, characterized in that said header portion comprises video signal synchronizing information and video signal decoding information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of Claim 1, characterized in that said audio signal portion comprises an audio signal in encrypted form.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of Claim 5, characterized in that said header portion comprises audio signal decryption information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of Claim 1, characterized in that said header portion comprises program authorization information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of Claim 1, characterized in that said header portion comprises program identification and view cost information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of Claim 1, characterized in that the receiving means addresses include most significant bits and least significant bits and wherein said header portion comprises said most significant bits.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of Claim 9, characterized in that each of said addressable portions comprises said least significant bits for the particular receiving means with which it is associated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of Claim 9, characterized in that the receiving means are divided into a plurality of groups and wherein said most significant bits designate a particular one of said groups of receiving means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of Claim 5, characterized in that one of said addressable portions comprises audio signal decryption information and further comprising the steps of encrypting said audio signal decryption information with a key stored in the addressed receiving means (C) and providing information in said addressable portion to enable the addressed receiving means (C) to utilize the stored key to decrypt said audio signal decrypting information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of Claim 1, characterized in that each of said addressable portions comprises a selected one of a plurality of encrypted message types and information for decrypting said selected message type.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of Claim 13, characterized in that each receiving means (C) has a unique decryption key comprising a plurality of fragments stored therein, said selected message type decryption information comprises decryption key fragment selection information to permit designated key fragments to be selected from the stored key for decrypting said selected message type.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of Claim 13, characterized in that each of said addressable portions further comprises an indication of said selected message type.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of Claim 13, characterized in that each of said receiving means (C) has telephone communication capability with said originating means (A) and wherein one of said message types comprises telephone communication instruction information.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of Claim 16, characterized in that said telephone communication instruction information comprises transaction data, credit data, call time data, and program value data.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of Claim 16, characterized in that said telephone communication instruction information comprises call-in telephone number data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of Claim 13, characterized in that one of said message types comprises channel reassignment table data.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of Claim 13, characterized in that each of said receiving means (C) comprises a digital display and wherein one of said message types comprises display control data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of Claim 13, characterized in that each of said receiving means (C) has erase and reset capability and wherein one of said message types comprises erase and reset control function data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of Claim 13, characterized in that one of said message types comprises audio and data threshold control data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of Claim 13, characterized in that a receiving means (C) is used in conjunction with one or more peripheral devices for processing, recording or displaying broadcast signal information and wherein one of said message types comprises peripheral device data and one of said message types comprises peripheral device selection data.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
The -method of Claim 1, characterized in that an error in the information in one of said addressable portions is not processed by receiving means (C) other than the particular receiving means (C) to which the error containing addressable portion is associated.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
225 words
A method of processing data received in a broadcast signal of the type including active video signal portions and horizontal blanking portions comprising an encrypted signal and a data stream, said data stream characterized by a header portion comprising information applicable to all receivers (C) including group address information and a first type of decryption key data, and a plurality of addressable portions each comprising information applicable to the control of a particular addressed receiving unit (C) in the addressed group, including unit address information, an encrypted message including a second type of decryption key data, and message decrypting data, the method comprising the steps of: (a) determining whether the group address information matches the group address of the receiving unit (C); (b) processing the information in the header portion to obtain the decryption key data of the first type; (c) if the group address information matches the group address of the receiving unit, testing each addressable portion, in sequence, to determine whether the unit address information matches the address of the receiving unit; and (d) processing information in the addressable portion with the matching unit address to decrypt the encrypted message data and obtain the second type of decryption key data; and (e) using the first type of decryption key data and the second type of decryption key data to decrypt the encrypted signal.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
225 words
A method of processing data received in a broadcast signal of the type including active video signal portions and horizontal blanking portions comprising an encrypted signal and a data stream, said data stream characterized by a header portion comprising information applicable to all receivers (C) including group address information and a first type of decryption key data, and a plurality of addressable portions each comprising information applicable to the control of a particular addressed receiving unit (C) in the addressed group, including unit address information, an encrypted message including a second type of decryption key data, and message decrypting data, the method comprising the steps of: (a) determining whether the group address information matches the group address of the receiving unit (C); (b) processing the information in the header portion to obtain the decryption key data of the first type; (c) if the group address information matches the group address of the receiving unit, testing each addressable portion, in sequence, to determine whether the unit address information matches the address of the receiving unit; and (d) processing information in the addressable portion with the matching unit address to decrypt the encrypted message data and obtain the second type of decryption key data; and (e) using the first type of decryption key data and the second type of decryption key data to decrypt the encrypted signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
111 words
A broadcast signal for use in transmitting video, audio, and control data via satellite to a plurality of receiving units (C), the signal comprising active video portions and horizontal blanking portions, said horizontal blanking portions comprising an audio data portion and a data stream, said data stream characterized by a header containing address information, synchronization bits and program-related information, and a plurality of addressable parts, each of said addressable parts containing the address of one of said units (C), an encrypted instruction message alterable on a real time basis and applicable to instruct the addressed unit (C) to cause said unit (C) to perform a particular task, and message decryption information.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
111 words
A broadcast signal for use in transmitting video, audio, and control data via satellite to a plurality of receiving units (C), the signal comprising active video portions and horizontal blanking portions, said horizontal blanking portions comprising an audio data portion and a data stream, said data stream characterized by a header containing address information, synchronization bits and program-related information, and a plurality of addressable parts, each of said addressable parts containing the address of one of said units (C), an encrypted instruction message alterable on a real time basis and applicable to instruct the addressed unit (C) to cause said unit (C) to perform a particular task, and message decryption information.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The signal of Claim 26, characterized in that said program related information comprises audio data decryption information.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The signal of Claim 26, characterized in that said video portions are inverted and wherein said data stream further comprises encrypted information to decode the inverted video portions.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The signal of Claim 26, characterized in that said data stream is transmitted in sections, each section being present in a horizontal blanking interval.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
10 words
The signal of Claim 26, characterized by 256 addressable parts.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The signal of Claim 30, characterized in that each of said addressable parts comprises 160 bits.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
The signal of Claim 26, characterized in that said header comprises 400 bits.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The signal of Claim 29, characterized in that each of said preselected portions comprises 8 bits.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The signal of Claim 29, characterized in that each of said sections comprises 78 bits.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
194 words
A direct broadcast satellite communications system comprising broadcast signal originating means (A) and a plurality of broadcast signal receiving means (C), said originating means (A) characterized by program processing means (24) generating video and audio signals and real time signal control means (10) generating global control signals for all receiving means (C) in an addressed group and addressable control signals for individual receiving means (C) in the addressed group, means (24) for scrambling and combining said video, audio, and control signals to form a broadcast signal, means (20) for transmitting said broadcast signals to a satellite, and wherein each of said receiving means (C) comprises antenna means (38) for receiving said broadcast signals from the satellite (B), receiver means (30), and addressable controller-decoder means (32), said decoder means (32) including means (40-90), effective when a broadcast signal is received including a control signal with the address of said addressable controller-decoder means (32), for descrambling and separating said video, audio, and said control signals with the address of said receiving means (C) and for controlling said addressed receiving means (C) to process and display said video and audio signals in accordance with said control signals.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
194 words
A direct broadcast satellite communications system comprising broadcast signal originating means (A) and a plurality of broadcast signal receiving means (C), said originating means (A) characterized by program processing means (24) generating video and audio signals and real time signal control means (10) generating global control signals for all receiving means (C) in an addressed group and addressable control signals for individual receiving means (C) in the addressed group, means (24) for scrambling and combining said video, audio, and control signals to form a broadcast signal, means (20) for transmitting said broadcast signals to a satellite, and wherein each of said receiving means (C) comprises antenna means (38) for receiving said broadcast signals from the satellite (B), receiver means (30), and addressable controller-decoder means (32), said decoder means (32) including means (40-90), effective when a broadcast signal is received including a control signal with the address of said addressable controller-decoder means (32), for descrambling and separating said video, audio, and said control signals with the address of said receiving means (C) and for controlling said addressed receiving means (C) to process and display said video and audio signals in accordance with said control signals.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of Claim 35, characterized in that each of said addressed control signals comprises an address portion, an encrypted message portion and a message decryption information portion and wherein said addressable controller-decoder means (32) comprises means (64) for recognizing its address and means (66) for decrypting the message when its address is recognized.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of Claim 36, characterized in that said addressable controller-decoder (32) has telephone communications capability (90) with said signal originating means (A) and wherein said message contains instructions for telephone communication between the decoder (32) and said originating means (A).
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
203 words
A receiving unit (C) for use in a communications system of the type transmitting a signal comprising video and audio information for a program, a data stream characterized by a header containing a group address, sync information and program-related information, and a plurality of addressable portions associated with the header containing information relating to the address and control of individual receiving units (C) in the addressed group, the receiving unit (C) comprising means (36) for receiving the signal, means (30) for tuning the selected program, means (42) for separating the data stream from the video and audio information, means (62) for examining the header portion to determine if the receiving unit (C) is within the addressed group, means (68, 70) for capturing and storing the information in the header, means (62), actuated if the receiving unit (C) is within the addressed group, for examining each addressed portion associated with the header to determine if the individual receiving unit (C) is addressed, means (62, 68, 70) for capturing and storing the control information if the individual receiving unit (C) is addressed, and means (30, 48, 52, 62) for processing and displaying the video'and audio information in accordance with the stored header and control information.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
203 words
A receiving unit (C) for use in a communications system of the type transmitting a signal comprising video and audio information for a program, a data stream characterized by a header containing a group address, sync information and program-related information, and a plurality of addressable portions associated with the header containing information relating to the address and control of individual receiving units (C) in the addressed group, the receiving unit (C) comprising means (36) for receiving the signal, means (30) for tuning the selected program, means (42) for separating the data stream from the video and audio information, means (62) for examining the header portion to determine if the receiving unit (C) is within the addressed group, means (68, 70) for capturing and storing the information in the header, means (62), actuated if the receiving unit (C) is within the addressed group, for examining each addressed portion associated with the header to determine if the individual receiving unit (C) is addressed, means (62, 68, 70) for capturing and storing the control information if the individual receiving unit (C) is addressed, and means (30, 48, 52, 62) for processing and displaying the video'and audio information in accordance with the stored header and control information.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
56 words
The receiving unit of Claim 38, characterized in that said audio information is in encrypted form, said control information comprises audio decryption information and wherein said processing and display means comprises means (66) for decrypting the audio information in accordance with the audio decryption information captured from a portion addressed to the individual receiving unit (C).
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
38 words
The receiving unit of Claim 38, characterized in that each of said addressed portions contains a message and wherein said means (62, 68, 70) for capturing and storing the control information comprises means (62) for capturing the message.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
42 words
The receiving unit of Claim 40, characterized in that said message is transmitted in encrypted form and said addressed portion comprises information for decrypting the message and further comprising means (66) for decrypting the message using said decrypting information in said portion.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
37 words
The receiving unit of Claim 40, further characterized by means (68, 70) for storing message decryption information and means (66) for using the stored message decryption information and decryption information in said portion to decrypt the message.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
63 words
The receiving unit of Claim 38, characterized in that one of the addressable portions contains control information addressed to a plurality of individual receivers (C) and further comprising means (62, 68, 70) for capturing and storing the control information in said one portion if the receiving unit (C) is one of the plurality of receiving units to which said one portion is addressed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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