EP0416455A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Catv subscriber apparatus with intelligent remote control
Assignee: Arris Technology Inc
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Filing: 1990-08-29
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-08-29
Abstract
Abstract Subscriber apparatus for a cable television system or the like comprises a converter/descrambler and a programmable remote control. All authorization data for premium services and features a subscriber is entitled to receive are stored in the remote control. Program/interface apparatus is provided to enable a subscriber to request additional premium services or features, such as pay-per-view programming. Authorization data for the requested services or features are transmitted by the program/interface apparatus to the remote control via an infrared signal path. A similar signal path is used by the remote control in controlling the converter/descrambler to provide the authorized services and features, such as the descrambling of a premium television channel.
Inventors
- 👤 David E. Wachob
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 01:32
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17327; H04N7/162; H04N7/17345; H04N7/17363; H04N2007/1739
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
Subscriber apparatus comprising a converter and a remote control, said converter including: input terminal means for coupling a plurality of program signals to a signal path, descrambler means, coupled to said signal path, for descrambling premium program signals included in said plurality, and means, coupled to said signal path and responsive to said remote control, for outputting a descrambled premium program signal for reproduction upon authorization from said remote control; and wherein said remote control includes: memory means for storing data authorizing the reproduction of a premium program signal; means for selecting said premium program signal for reproduction, and transmitter means, responsive to said selecting means and data stored in the memory means, for transmitting a signal to said converter authorizing the output of the selected premium program signal for reproduction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
Subscriber apparatus comprising a converter and a remote control, said converter including: input terminal means for coupling a plurality of program signals to a signal path, descrambler means, coupled to said signal path, for descrambling premium program signals included in said plurality, and means, coupled to said signal path and responsive to said remote control, for outputting a descrambled premium program signal for reproduction upon authorization from said remote control; and wherein said remote control includes: memory means for storing data authorizing the reproduction of a premium program signal; means for selecting said premium program signal for reproduction, and transmitter means, responsive to said selecting means and data stored in the memory means, for transmitting a signal to said converter authorizing the output of the selected premium program signal for reproduction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: interface means, responsive to said remote control, for transmitting data from the remote control to a headend controller via a communication network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said interface means comprises means for storing data from said remote control for subsequent forwarding to the headhend controller on a non-real-time basis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 2 or 3 wherein said interface means comprises means for transmitting authorization data received from said headend controller to the remote control for storage in said memory means.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of any of claims 2 to 4 wherein said interface means comprises security means, responsive to a signal transmitted from said remote control, for verifying that the remote control is legitimate before enabling the transmission of authorization data for storage in said memory means.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of any of the preceding claims further comprising security means, responsive to a signal transmitted from said remote control, for verifying that the remote control is legitimate before enabling the reproduction of a premium program signal selected via the remote control.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of any of the preceding claims wherein said descrambler means is responsive to said remote control to descramble only premium program signals that are authorized for reproduction.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of any of the preceding claims wherein said remote control only allows the selection of program signals authorized for reproduction.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of any of the preceding claims further comprising: special, event program authorization means, independent of said converter and responsive to a program order signal from said remote control, for transmitting special event program authorization data to said remote control for storing in said memory means, thereby enabling a special event program to be selected and authorized for reproduction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said remote control comprises a timer, and said memory means is responsive to said timer for deleting said special event program authorization data after a predetermined time period.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 9 or 10 further comprising means for interfacing said special event program authorization means to a telephone network for communication with a headend controller.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of any of claims 9 to 11 wherein said special event program authorization means comprises means for storing data indicative of a program order signal from said remote control, for subsequent forwarding to the headend controller via a telephone communication on a non-real-time basis.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of any of claims 9 to 12 wherein said special event program authorization means comprises security means, responsive to a signal transmitted from the remote control, for verifying that the remote control is legitimate before transmitting said special event authorization data.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of any of the preceding claims wherein said converter is used to enable the reproduction of scrambled television signals upon authorization from said remote control.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
73 words
A programmable remote control for use with a signal converter or the like comprising: a computer processor; memory means coupled to said computer processor for storing data authorizing the reproduction of a premium program signal; means coupled to said computer processor for selecting said premium program signal for reproduction; and transmitter means, responsive to said computer processor, for transmitting a signal to a converter enabling the reproduction of the selected premium program signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
73 words
A programmable remote control for use with a signal converter or the like comprising: a computer processor; memory means coupled to said computer processor for storing data authorizing the reproduction of a premium program signal; means coupled to said computer processor for selecting said premium program signal for reproduction; and transmitter means, responsive to said computer processor, for transmitting a signal to a converter enabling the reproduction of the selected premium program signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The remote control of claim 15 wherein the signal transmitted by said transmitter means comprises a descrambler enable signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The remote control of claim 15 or 16 further comprising: means, coupled to said computer processor, for requesting premium program authorization data from an external source.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
The remote control of claim 17 wherein a request for premium program authorization data is transmitted by said transmitter means, and said remote control further comprises: receiver means, coupled to said computer processor, for receiving premium program authorization data from said external source.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The remote control of claim 18 further comprising timer means operatively associated with said computer processor, for deleting premium program authorization data after a predetermined time period.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The remote control of any of claims 15 to 19 further comprising: receiver means, coupled to said computer processor, for receiving premium program authorization data from an external source.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
The remote control of any of claims 15 to 20 further comprising: security means, operatively associated with said computer processor, for transmitting a signal to said external source to verify that the remote control is legitimate before receiving premium program authorization data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
55 words
The remote control of any of claims 15 to 21 further comprising: means, operatively associated with said computer processor, for enabling said selection means to select any of a plurality of premium and nonpremium program signals authorized for reproduction by data stored in said memory means, while prohibiting the selection of other, nonauthorized program signals.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
101 words
A converter for receiving premium service authorizations from a remote control, comprising: input terminal means for coupling a signal path to a source of program signals; means, independent of said input terminal means, for receiving remotely generated control signals; tuner means, coupled to said signal path and responsive to control signals received by said receiving means, for tuning to a program signal from said source; and descrambler means, coupled to said signal path and responsive to control signals received by said receiving means, for descrambling a premium program signal tuned by said tuner means only if authorized by said control signals.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
101 words
A converter for receiving premium service authorizations from a remote control, comprising: input terminal means for coupling a signal path to a source of program signals; means, independent of said input terminal means, for receiving remotely generated control signals; tuner means, coupled to said signal path and responsive to control signals received by said receiving means, for tuning to a program signal from said source; and descrambler means, coupled to said signal path and responsive to control signals received by said receiving means, for descrambling a premium program signal tuned by said tuner means only if authorized by said control signals.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The converter of claim 23 wherein said receiving means comprises an I/R detector or the like for receiving control signals from a handheld remote control.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
The converter of claims 23 or 24 further comprising: an FM tap coupled to said signal path; and means for enabling said FM tap to output FM radio signals in response to an authorization signal received by said receiving means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
The converter of any of claims 23 to 25 further comprising: a stereo audio signal tap coupled to said signal path; and means for enabling said stereo audio signal tap to output stereo audio signals in response to an authorization signal received by said receiving means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
56 words
Subscriber apparatus for programming a remote control used in ordering premium services over a communication network, comprising: first receiver means for receiving a premium service order signal from a remote control; and first transmitter means responsive to an order signal received by said first receiver means, for transmitting premium service authorization data to said remote control.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
56 words
Subscriber apparatus for programming a remote control used in ordering premium services over a communication network, comprising: first receiver means for receiving a premium service order signal from a remote control; and first transmitter means responsive to an order signal received by said first receiver means, for transmitting premium service authorization data to said remote control.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising: second transmitter means, responsive to an order signal received by said first receiver means, for transmitting premium service order data to a headend controller; and second receiver means, for receiving premium service authorization data from said headend controller for subsequent transmission to said remote control by the first transmitter means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 28 further comprising: means for interfacing said second transmitter and second receiver means to a telephone network for communication with said headend controller.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of any of claims 27 to 29 further comprising: means for storing data indicative of a premium service order received by said first receiver means; and means for subsequently forwarding said data to the headend controller on a non-real-time basis.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of any of claims 27 to 30 further comprising: security means, responsive to a signal received from said remote control, for verifying that the remote control is legitimate before transmitting said premium service authorization data.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
49 words
A device for programming a handheld remote control with data authorizing the receipt of services or use of features by apparatus controlled by the remote control, comprising: means for generating authorization data; and transmitter means, coupled to receive the generated data, for transmitting said data to a remote control.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
49 words
A device for programming a handheld remote control with data authorizing the receipt of services or use of features by apparatus controlled by the remote control, comprising: means for generating authorization data; and transmitter means, coupled to receive the generated data, for transmitting said data to a remote control.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 32 further comprising: security means, responsive to a signal received from said remote control, for verifying that the remote control is legitimate before transmitting said data.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 32 or 33 further comprising: means for transmitting a unique code to said remote control, wherein said code renders the remote control functional only with apparatus containing a corresponding code.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
42 words
The device of any of claims 32 to 34 further comprising: means for receiving a program request signal from said remote control, wherein said generating means is responsive to the receiving means to generate authorization data for transmission to the remote control.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
74 words
A handheld remote control for use with a cable television converter comprising: means for receiving remotely transmitted data necessary to implement one or more subscriber features; memory means coupled to receive and store data from said receiving means; processor means, coupled to retrieve data from said memory means, for generating signals to be used in implementing subscriber features; and means responsive to said processor means for transmitting said signals to a cable television converter.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
74 words
A handheld remote control for use with a cable television converter comprising: means for receiving remotely transmitted data necessary to implement one or more subscriber features; memory means coupled to receive and store data from said receiving means; processor means, coupled to retrieve data from said memory means, for generating signals to be used in implementing subscriber features; and means responsive to said processor means for transmitting said signals to a cable television converter.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
40 words
The remote control of claim 36 further comprising: security means, coupled to said transmitting means, for providing a unique security code to be transmitted enabling the use of the remote control only with a converter having a corresponding security code.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The remote control of claim 36 or 37 wherein said processor generates signals to implement a channel mapping feature.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
The remote control of any of claims 36 to 38 wherein said processor generates signals to implement a barker channel feature.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
The remote control of any of claims 36 to 39 wherein said processor generates signals to implement an FM radio reception feature.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
21 words
The remote control of any of claims 36 to 40 wherein said processor generates signals to implement a stereo sound feature.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
24 words
The remote control of any of claims 36 to 41 wherein said processor generates signals to implement the descrambling of a scrambled television channel.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
76 words
The remote control of any of claims 36 to 42 further comprising: means for generating a data request signal to request additional data for storage in said memory means to implement additional features; and means for coupling said signal generating means to the transmitting means for transmission of the data request signal to a programming facility; wherein said receiving means enables the receipt of additional data from said programming facility for storage in said memory means.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
39 words
The remote control of any of claims 36 to 43 further comprising: security means, coupled to said transmitting means, for transmitting a signal to said programming facility to verify that the remote control is legitimate before receiving additional data.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
The remote control of claim 43 or 44 further comprising: timer means for deleting additional data from said memory means after a predetermined time period.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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