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EP0338866A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method for downloading a scrambled television signal and receiver therefor

Assignee: British Broadcasting Corp
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Filing: 1989-04-24
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-04-24
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Abstract

Abstract A scrambled television signal is downloaded for recording on a video cassette recorder (VCR) (10) by receiving a scrambled signal via an antenna (2) and a tuner (4). A descrambler (6) determines whether or not the signal contains a predetermined data code and if the data code is present enables operation of the descrambler (6) as well as generating an "access granted logic signal" to enable operation of a microprocessor/logic control circuit (8). The microprocessor/logic control circuit generates control signals for the VCR (10) and these may be via an infra-red control unit (18). The control signals cause the VCR (10) to record the descrambled output of the descrambler (6).

Inventors

  • 👤 Adrian Paul Robinson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 01:59
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/162; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/91; H04N5/913; H04N2005/91357; H04N2005/91364

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim 57 words
A method for downloading a scrambled television signal comprising the steps of, receiving the scrambled television signal, determining whether the received signal includes a predetermined data code, descrambling the signal when the data code is detected, and characterised by generating control signals for a video recorder to record the descrambled signal when the data code is detected.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 57 words
A method for downloading a scrambled television signal comprising the steps of, receiving the scrambled television signal, determining whether the received signal includes a predetermined data code, descrambling the signal when the data code is detected, and characterised by generating control signals for a video recorder to record the descrambled signal when the data code is detected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 40 words
A method according to claim 1 characterised by the steps of selectively tuning into each available television channel, determining whether the selected channel contains the predetermined data code and remaining tuned to that channel when the data code is detected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 32 words
A method according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that reception of the predetermined data code occurs prior to the reception of a programme to be recorded by the video recorder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 44 words
A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3 characterised by the step of generating a delay before generating a stop signal for the video recorder, the delay and stop signal being generated in response to a signal not including the predetermined data code.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 27 words
A method according to claim 4 characterised in that no stop signal is generated if the predetermined data code is detected before the end of the delay.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 42 words
A method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the step of generating control signals for a video recorder includes the step of generating a logic signal to enable operation of a means for generating control signals for the video recorder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 24 words
A method according to claim 6 characterised by the step of simulating a keying sequence for a remote control unit for the video recorder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 64 words
A receiver for downloading a scrambled television signal comprising, means (2,4) for receiving a television signal, mean (12,14) for determining whether the received signal includes a predetermined data code, means (16) for descrambling the received signal, means (10) for recording the descrambled signal, and characterised by means (8) responsive to detection of the pretermined data code for generating control signals for the recording means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 64 words
A receiver for downloading a scrambled television signal comprising, means (2,4) for receiving a television signal, mean (12,14) for determining whether the received signal includes a predetermined data code, means (16) for descrambling the received signal, means (10) for recording the descrambled signal, and characterised by means (8) responsive to detection of the pretermined data code for generating control signals for the recording means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 28 words
A receiver according to claim 8 characterised by means (2,6) for selectively tuning to each available television channel when no data code is detected in the received signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 41 words
A receiver according to claim 8 or 9 characterised by means for generating a delay prior to generating a stop signal for the recording means (10), the delay being generated in response to a signal not including the predetermined data code.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 66 words
A receiver according to any of claims 8 to 10 characterised in that the means (12,14) for determining whether the received signal includes a predetermined data code includes a means (14) for generating a logic signal to enable operation of the means (8) for generating control signals for the recording means (10) and for generating a logic signal to enable operation of the descrambling means (16).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 44 words
A receiver according to any of claims 8 to 11 characterised in that the means (8) for generating control signals comprises a remote control unit (18) for the recording means, and means for generating signals simulating a keying sequence for the remote control unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 21 words
A receiver according to claim 12 characterised in that the remote control unit transmits infra-red control signals to the recording means.

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