US3693090A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wired broadcasting systems
Assignee: Communications Patents Ltd
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Filing: 1969-08-08
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Granted: 1972-09-19
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Expires: 1989-08-08
Abstract
Abstract A wired broadcasting system for television transmission from a plurality of sources to individual subscriber stations has switching apparatus at a central station actuated by signals at the subscriber station. A four wire cable arrangement to each subscriber provides two control wires and two signal wires. Provision for station selection, audience response and numbers of subscribers is made through use of time signals passed through the control wires. Provisions for accepting charges and recording the time in use are made at the central station.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph Parton Gabriel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:30
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/10; H04N7/108; H04N7/17345; H04N7/17354
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A wired broadcasting system for transmitting information containing signals from any one of a selectable plurality of signal sources to any one of a plurality of receivers at different subscriber stations comprising in combination, a central program exchange having switching equipment coupled to each subscriber station to select one of said signal sources, a first pair of signal transmission wires conveying the selected program to the subscriber''s station, a second pair of control wires connected between said program eXchange and each said subscriber station isolated from the signal transmission wires, and a selection device at the subscriber''s station connected by said control wires for operating only the switching equipment coupled to the subscriber''s line at the program exchange to select a designated one of the signal sources.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A wired broadcasting system for transmitting information containing signals from any one of a selectable plurality of signal sources to any one of a plurality of receivers at different subscriber stations comprising in combination, a central program exchange having switching equipment coupled to each subscriber station to select one of said signal sources, a first pair of signal transmission wires conveying the selected program to the subscriber''s station, a second pair of control wires connected between said program eXchange and each said subscriber station isolated from the signal transmission wires, and a selection device at the subscriber''s station connected by said control wires for operating only the switching equipment coupled to the subscriber''s line at the program exchange to select a designated one of the signal sources.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the control wires consist of a twisted pair of wires located in interstices between the two signal wires.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each subscriber''s station is provided with a program selection switch connected with means to apply control signals to said set of control wires for actuating said switching equipment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the including means metering charges with means providing different fee schedules for different programs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as defined in claim 1 including a feeder cable to each subscriber station from said switching equipment consisting of a pair of signal wires and a pair of control wires.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as defined in claim 5 provided with a cable containing feeders to a plurality of subscriber''s sets each terminating at a corresponding set location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A system as defined in claim 5 including transmission means indicating a condition at said subscriber''s station wherein said selection device at each subscriber''s station comprises means for generating and sending to said program exchange at least one tone signal auxiliary to the program selection signals to indicate acceptance of the subscriber of said condition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as defined in claim 7 including means responsive to said tone signal to meter charges for subscribing to a selected program.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said program exchange comprises a plurality of program selection devices each single selection device coupled through said control wires with a selection device of a single corresponding subscriber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the subscriber has an acceptance device to indicate acceptance of cost of a program wherein at least one program selection device is constructed to select predetermined programs only in response to operation of said acceptance device by the subscriber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as defined in claim 9, including means in each program selection device denying selection of at least one program to subscribers not belonging to a predetermined group.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as claimed in claim 11, including a program lock out switch between the switching equipment and the subscriber''s station.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as defined in claim 12, including a pay program indicator in the subscriber''s station and means actuating it into indicate those programs which require payment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as defined in claim 13, including means operable by the subscriber to indicate charges are accepted for a pay program.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |