US3639686A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Television receiver cut-in device
Assignee: ADTEL PRODUCTS Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1969-04-25
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Granted: 1972-02-01
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Expires: 1989-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A market-testing television system which may be utilized with present day television systems and is capable of selecting specific sections of a general audience listening to a conventional channel and providing an auxiliary program for the selected sections.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold R Walker
- 👤 Ira Kamen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:27
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/162; H04N7/165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
An apparatus for use in combination with TV receiving means whose tuner is preset at a predetermined signal frequency, for remotely selecting portions of a general TV receiving audience to view an auxiliary program, the apparatus comprising: a. a first means for receiving information signals at a selected channel frequency; b. a second means for receiving auxiliary information signals and control signals, said control signals in part containing a representation of a signal frequency to be interrupted; c. comparison means for generating an output when said control signal coincides with a channel identifying signal obtained from said first means; d. switching means for choosing said auxiliary information signal in response to said comparison output and in the absence of said output, choosing said information signal; and e. means for converting the information signals and the auxiliary information signals to a predetermined signal frequency and connected to the output of the switching means, said converting means having its output connected to the conventional input of the TV receiving means whereby the TV receiving means receives either the information signals or the auxiliary information signals.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
183 words
An apparatus for use in combination with TV receiving means whose tuner is preset at a predetermined signal frequency, for remotely selecting portions of a general TV receiving audience to view an auxiliary program, the apparatus comprising: a. a first means for receiving information signals at a selected channel frequency; b. a second means for receiving auxiliary information signals and control signals, said control signals in part containing a representation of a signal frequency to be interrupted; c. comparison means for generating an output when said control signal coincides with a channel identifying signal obtained from said first means; d. switching means for choosing said auxiliary information signal in response to said comparison output and in the absence of said output, choosing said information signal; and e. means for converting the information signals and the auxiliary information signals to a predetermined signal frequency and connected to the output of the switching means, said converting means having its output connected to the conventional input of the TV receiving means whereby the TV receiving means receives either the information signals or the auxiliary information signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said information signals are radiofrequencies comprising: a. a first amplitude modulated video signal; and b. a first frequency modulated audio signal contained in a first subcarrier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein the auxiliary information signals and control signals are radiofrequencies other than said information radiofrequencies, comprising: a. a second amplitude modulated video signal; b. a second frequency modulated audio signal contained in a second subcarrier; and c. a third subcarrier incorporating the coded information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said third subcarrier coded information signal comprises signal tones for frequency modulating said third subcarrier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said third subcarrier coded information signal comprises digital pulses for frequency modulating said third subcarrier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said first means for receiving said information signals comprises: a. a first antenna; b. a multichannel tuner having an IF output at the selected frequency connected to said switching means and a second output from which said channel identifying signal is obtained; and c. a first transmission line connecting said first antenna to said multichannel tuner.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
119 words
The apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein said second means for receiving said auxiliary information signals and control signals comprises: a. a second antenna; b. a single-channel tuner having an IF output frequency; c. a seconD transmission line connecting said second antenna to said single-channel tuner; d. a receiver connected to the output of said single-channel tuner for receiving said control signals; and said comparison means includes a decoder for energizing said switching means, connected to the output of said receiver and having a second input connected to the second output of said information receiving means, said decoder having an output which energizes said switching means only when said receiver output and said second input are in coincidence.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said second input from said information receiving means is mechanical.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said second input from said information receiving means is electrical.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said first means for receiving said information signal comprises:
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
143 words
The apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein said second means for receiving said auxiliary information signals and control signals comprises: a. second antenna; b. a single-channel tuner having an IF output frequency; c. a second transmission line connecting said second antenna to said single-channel tuner; d. a receiver connected to the output of said single-channel tuner for receiving said control signals; e. a demodulator for demodulating said control signals into a second digital pulse code group; f. an occupation address module for converting the viewer''s occupation into a third pulse code group; and g. said comparison means having said first, second and third pulse code groups as an input and having its output connected to said switching means, said comparison means having an output sufficient to energize said switching means when said first, second and third pulse code group are in coincidence.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said occupation address module includes a multiplicity of modules each capable of transforming personal viewer data into a pulse code group and being connected to the input of said comparison means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said switching means is an electromechanical device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said switching means is a solid state device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for converting said information signals and said auxiliary information signals comprises: a. amplifying means for amplifying the output of said switching means; b. an oscillator; c. mixing means for the conventional mixing of said amplified signal and said oscillator signal for generating a fixed frequency signal; and d. filter means for eliminating the unselected signals emanating from said mixing means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and said second transmission lines are utilized in common.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said coded information is amplitude modulated on said third subcarrier.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
186 words
In combination, a TV receiving means and an apparatus for remotely selecting portions of a general TV viewing audience to view an auxiliary program, said combination comprising: a. tuning means in said TV receiver preset at a predetermined signal frequency; b. a first means for receiving information signals on a selected signal frequency; c. a second means for receiving auxiliary information signals and control signals, said control signals in part containing a representation of a signal frequency to be interrupted; d. comparison means for generating an output when said control signal coincides with a channel identifying signal obtained from said first means; e. switching means for choosing said auxiliary information signal in response to said comparison output and in the absence of said output, choosing said information signal; and f. means for converting the information signals and the auxiliary information signals to a predetermined signal frequency and cOnnected to the output of the switching means, said converting means having its output connected to the conventional input of the TV receiving means whereby the TV receiving means receives either the information signals or the auxiliary information signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
186 words
In combination, a TV receiving means and an apparatus for remotely selecting portions of a general TV viewing audience to view an auxiliary program, said combination comprising: a. tuning means in said TV receiver preset at a predetermined signal frequency; b. a first means for receiving information signals on a selected signal frequency; c. a second means for receiving auxiliary information signals and control signals, said control signals in part containing a representation of a signal frequency to be interrupted; d. comparison means for generating an output when said control signal coincides with a channel identifying signal obtained from said first means; e. switching means for choosing said auxiliary information signal in response to said comparison output and in the absence of said output, choosing said information signal; and f. means for converting the information signals and the auxiliary information signals to a predetermined signal frequency and cOnnected to the output of the switching means, said converting means having its output connected to the conventional input of the TV receiving means whereby the TV receiving means receives either the information signals or the auxiliary information signals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |