Closed television network with an open television system and a closed television system

Claim 2

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system each providing TV signals defining different TV programs respectively to a plurality of TV receivers over a common TV signal distribution network, said first TV system including; means for picking up TV signals defining first TV programs and for applying said TV signals so picked up to said common TV signals distribution network for distributing said TV signals defining first TV programs to said TV receivers, said second TV system including, means for generating TV signals defining second TV programs, TV signal modulator means coupled to said means for generating TV signals defining second TV programs for changing said generated TV signals defining second TV programs for preventing intelligent display of the TV program defined by said generated TV signals by the said TV receivers, means for applying said changed TV signals to said common TV signal distribution network, TV signals converter means, individual to each TV receiver of said plurality of TV receivers, for changing again the said change TV signals for providing TV signals defining said second TV programs capable of being intelligently displayed by the TV receiver individual to said TV signals converter, and switch means individual to each TV receiver of said plurality of TV receivers coupled to said common TV signal distribution network and having a first position for applying TV signals received from said distribution network to the TV receiver associated with said switch means and having a second position for applying said TV signals received from said distribution network to said TV signals converter means associated with said associated TV receiver and for applying the twice changed TV signals to said associated TV receiver.

Claim 3

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system as in claim 1 and said means for picking up TV signals defining first TV programs includes; a TV antenna for picking up TV signals and said TV signals defining first TV programs are TV signals broadcast to the general public, and said first TV programs are detectable by the TV receivers of said plurality of TV receivers.

Claim 4

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system as in claim 1 and in which said TV signal modulator means changes the frequencies at which said TV signals defining second TV programs may be received to frequencies outside the range of frequencies receivable by said receivers and said TV signals converter changes again the frequencies at which said TV signals defining second TV programs may be received to frequencies within the range of frequencies receivable by said TV receivers.

Claim 5

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system as in claim 3 and in which said TV signal modulator means includes means for generating a carrier frequency signal and means for mixing said TV signals defining second TV programs with said carrier frequency signal for providing TV signals having frequency characteristics outside the normal range of frequency response of said TV receivers, and said TV signals converter means includes; means for generating a second carrier frequency signal and means for mixing said TV signals defining second TV programs having frequency characteristics outside the normal range of frequency response of said TV receivers with said second carrier frequenCy signal for providing TV signals defining second TV programs having frequency characteristics within the normal range of frequency response of said TV receivers.

Claim 6

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system as in claim 3 and in which said TV signal modulator means includes; means for generating radio frequency signals and means for mixing said radio freuquency signals with said TV signals defining second TV programs for placing the last mentioned said TV signals in a channel outside the range of channels receivable by said TV receivers and said TV signals converter means includes means for generating second radio frequency signals, and means for mixing said TV signals defining second TV programs in a channel outside the range of channels receivable by said TV receivers with said second radio frequency for converting said TV signals defining second TV programs to a channel with the range of channels receivable by said TV receivers.

Claim 7

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system as in claim 3 (amended) and in which said TV signals modulator means includes means for generating carrier frequency signals, and means for combining said carrier frequency signals with said TV signals defining second TV programs for providing TV signals having frequency characteristics outside the range of frequency response of said TV receivers and non-interfering with said TV signals defining first TV programs, and said TV signals converter means includes, means for generating other carrier frequency signals, and means for combining said other carrier frequency signals with said TV signals outside the normal range of frequency response of said TV receivers for changing the frequency characteristics of the last mentioned TV signals to a frequency position within the range of frequency response of said TV receivers.

Claim 8

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system as in claim 1 (amended) and said switch means is normally biased to said first position and said switch means further includes actuatable means for changing said switch means from said first position to said second position.

Claim 9

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system as in claim 1 (amended) and said second TV system further includes; a source of power for driving said TV signals converter means, and means individual to each said TV signals converter means and remotely controlled for coupling said power source to said TV signals converter means for driving said TV signals converter means.

Claim 10

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system each system for providing TV signals defining different TV programs respectively as in claim 8 and said second TV system further including; a power source for driving said converter means, and said power source includes; second switch means having an open position and a closed position, said closed position for applying power to said converter means and said second switch means is positioned in said closed position in reponse to operation of said remote means. 10 A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system as in claim 1 (amended) and said second TV system further includes; means individual to each said switch means for positioning said switch means in said first position or in said second position, as desired.

Claim 11

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system as in claim 10 and said second TV system further includes; switch lock-in means individual to each said switch means for conditioning said switch means for locking-in in said second position when actuated in combination with said positioning means.

Claim 12

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV sYstem as in claim 1 (amended) and said second TV system further includes; means individual to each said switch means and local thereto for positioning said switch means in said second position when actuated and second means individual to each switch means and remote therefrom for according lock-up of said switch means in said second position, when actuated.

Claim 13

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system as in claim 12 (amended) and said second TV system further includes; a source of power for driving said TV signals converter means, and means individual to each said TV signals converter means and remote therefrom for coupling said power source to said TV signals converter means for driving said TV signals converter means.

Claim 14

A TV network having a controlled TV system and an uncontrolled TV system each providing TV signals defining different TV programs respectively to a plurality of TV receivers over a TV signals distribution network said TV network normally conditioned for according TV reception of TV programs by the TV receivers of said plurality of receivers from said uncontrolled TV system, said uncontrolled TV system including; means for picking up TV signals defining first TV programs, means for coupling said pick up means to said TV signals distribution network for applying said TV signals defining first TV programs to said TV signals distribution network for distributing the last mentioned TV signals to each TV receiver of said plurality of receivers, actuatable switch means, individual to said each TV receiver, biased to a first position and having an actuatable second position, said first position for coupling the TV receiver with which said switch means is associated to said TV signals distribution network for applying TV signals so distributed by said TV signals distribution network to said associated TV receiver, and said controlled TV system including; means for generating TV signals defining second TV programs, means for changing said TV signals defining second TV programs while preserving said second TV programs for preventing display of said second TV programs by the TV receivers, means for coupling said changing means to said TV signals distribution network for applying the changed TV signals to said TV signals distribution network, second change means individual to each said TV receiver for changing the changed TV signals for according display of second TV programs by the TV receiver associated with said second signal change means, said actuatable second position of said actuatable switch means for coupling said second signal change means to said TV signals distribution network for applying TV signals so distributed by said distribution network to said second change means and for coupling said associated TV receiver to said second signal change means for applying said twice changed TV signals to said TV receiver, and means for actuating said actuatable switch means from said first position to said actuatable second position.

Claim 15

A TV network having a controlled TV system and an uncontrolled TV system each providing TV signals defining different TV programs respectively to a plurality of TV receivers over a TV signals distribution network said TV network normally conditioned for according TV reception of TV programs by the TV receivers of said plurality of receivers from said uncontrolled TV system, said uncontrolled TV system including; means for picking up TV signals defining first TV programs, means for coupling said pick up means to said TV signals distribution network for applying said TV signals defining first TV programs to said TV signals distribution network for distributing the last mentioned TV signals to each TV receiver of said plurality of receivers, actuatable switch means, individual to said each TV receiver, biased to a first position and having an actuatable second position, said first position for coupling the TV receiver with which said switch means is associated to said TV signals distribution network for applying TV signals so distributed by said TV signals distribution network to said associated TV receiver, and said controlled TV system including; means for generating TV signals defining second TV programs, means for changing said TV signals defining second TV programs while preserving said second TV programs for preventing display of said second TV programs by the TV receivers, means for coupling said changing means to said TV signals distribution network for applying the changed TV signals to said TV signals distribution network, second change means individual to each said TV receiver for changing the changed TV signals for according display of second TV programs by the TV receiver associated with said second signal change means, said actuatable second position of said actuatable switch means for coupling said second signal change means to said TV signals distribution network for applying TV signals so distributed by said distribution network to said second change means and for coupling said associated TV receiver to said second signal change means for applying said twice changed TV signals to said TV receiver, and means for actuating said actuatable switch means from said first position to said actuatable second position.

Claim 16

A TV network having a controlled TV system and an uncontrolled TV system each providing TV signal defining different TV programs respectively as in claim 14 (amended) and in which said means for actuating said actuatable switch means includes; remote switch means individual to each said actuatable switch means for preparing said actuatable switch means for locking in said actuable second position and local switch means individual to each said actuatable switch means for positioning said actuatable switch means into said second position when actuated and for locking said actuatable switch means in said second position when actuated in combination with actuation of said remote switch menas.

Claim 17

A TV network having a controlled TV system and an uncontrolled TV system each providing TV Signals defining different TV programs respectively as in claim 14 (amended) and in which said means for changing said TV signals defining second TV programs includes; means for generating RF carrier signals and means for mixing said RF carrier signals with said TV signals defining second TV programs for providing TV signals defining second TV programs having frequency characteristics outside the range of frequency response of said TV receiver and said second signal change means includes, means for generating other RF signals and means for mixing said other RF signals with said TV signals having frequency characteristics outside the range of frequency response of said TV receivers for providing TV signals defining second TV programs having frequency characteristics within the range of frequency response of said TV receivers.

Claim 18

A TV network having a controlled TV system and an uncontrolled TV system each providing TV signals defining different TV programs respectively as in claim 14 (amended) and in which said second signal change means is operable in response to actuation and said controlled TV system further includes; remote switch means individual to each said second signal change means and remotely actuatable therefrom for conditioning said second signal change means for operation.

Claim 19

A TV network having a controlled TV system and an uncontrolled TV system each providing TV signals defining different TV programs as in claim 14 (amended) and in which said means for picking up TV signals includes, an antenna for picking up TV signals terminated over the air.

Claim 20

A TV network having a controlled TV system and an uncontrolled TV system each providing TV signals defining different TV programs as in claim 14 (amended) and in which said means for generating TV signals defining second TV programs is a video tape playback recorder.

Claim 21

A TV network having a controlled TV system and an uncontrolled TV system each providing TV signals defining different TV programs as in claim 14 (amended) and in which said means for changing said TV signals defining second TV programs is an encoder and said second signal change means is a decoder.

Claim 22

A TV network having a controlled TV system and an uncontrolled TV system each providing TV signals defining different TV programs respectively as in claim 14 (amended) and in which said means for changing said TV signals defining second TV programs includes, means for generating RF carrier signals of predeterminated frequency and means for mixing said RF carrier signals and said TV signals defining second TV programs for providing TV signals having frequency characteristics outside the range of frequency response of said TV receivers and having frequency characteristics which are non-interfering with respect to the TV signals defining first TV programs on said TV signals distribution network and said second signals change means includes means for generating other RF signals of other predetermined frequency and means for mixing said other RF signals with said TV signals having frequency characteristics outside the range of frequency response of said TV receivers for providing TV signals defining second TV programs having frequency characteristics within the range of frequency response of said TV receivers.

Claim 23

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system, each system for providing TV signals defining different TV programs respectively to each receiver of a plurality of TV receivers over a TV signals distribution network, said first TV system including; means for picking up TV signals broadcast to the general public, means for coupling said pick up means to said TV signals distribution network for applying said TV signals broadcast to the general public to said TV signals distrIbution network, switch means individual to each TV receiver, coupled to said TV signals distribution network and having a first position for coupling said TV signals distribution network to the TV receiver with which said switch means is associated for applying TV signals to the associated TV receiver, said second TV system of said TV network including means for generating TV signals defining a TV program differing from the TV program defined by the TV signals broadcast to the general public, modulator means for modulating the TV signals generated by said generating means for preventing intelligent display of the TV program defined by the modulated TV signals by the TV receivers, means for coupling said modulator means to said TV signals distribution network for applying the modulated TV signal to said TV signals distribution network, converter means individual to each said TV receiver, for converting said modulated TV signals for according intelligent display by the associated said TV receiver of the TV program defined by the converter TV signals and, said switch means having a second position for coupling said converter means to said TV signals distribution network and for coupling said converter means to said associated TV receiver, for applying TV signals applied to said TV signals distribution network to said converter and for applying the converted TV signals to said associated TV receiver.

Claim 24

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system, each system for providing TV signals defining different TV programs respectively to each receiver of a plurality of TV receivers over a TV signals distribution network, said first TV system including; means for picking up TV signals broadcast to the general public, means for coupling said pick up means to said TV signals distribution network for applying said TV signals broadcast to the general public to said TV signals distrIbution network, switch means individual to each TV receiver, coupled to said TV signals distribution network and having a first position for coupling said TV signals distribution network to the TV receiver with which said switch means is associated for applying TV signals to the associated TV receiver, said second TV system of said TV network including means for generating TV signals defining a TV program differing from the TV program defined by the TV signals broadcast to the general public, modulator means for modulating the TV signals generated by said generating means for preventing intelligent display of the TV program defined by the modulated TV signals by the TV receivers, means for coupling said modulator means to said TV signals distribution network for applying the modulated TV signal to said TV signals distribution network, converter means individual to each said TV receiver, for converting said modulated TV signals for according intelligent display by the associated said TV receiver of the TV program defined by the converter TV signals and, said switch means having a second position for coupling said converter means to said TV signals distribution network and for coupling said converter means to said associated TV receiver, for applying TV signals applied to said TV signals distribution network to said converter and for applying the converted TV signals to said associated TV receiver.

Claim 25

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system, each system for providing TV signals defining different TV programs respectively as in claim 22 (amended) and in which each said converter means is operable in response to a converter actuation means and said converter actuation means includes; remote actuatable means, individual to and remote from each said converter, for ppreparing said converter for operation, and local actuatable means, individual to and local to each said converter for actuating said converter into operation when said remote actuatable means has been actuated.

Claim 26

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system, each system for providing TV signals defining different TV programs as in claim 22 and in which said second position of said switch means is a lock-in position and said switch means further includes remote means individual to and remotely actuatable for preparing said switch means for lock-in in said second position, and local means individual to and locally actuatable for positioning said switch means in said second position.

Claim 27

A closed TV network including at least an open TV system and a closed TV system, each system providing TV signals defining different TV programs respectively to a common TV signals distribution network for distributing TV signals to a plurality of TV receivers, said open TV system including; means for picking up TV signals available to the general public defining first TV programs, means for coupling said means for picking up TV signals to said common TV signals distribution network for applying TV signals available to the general public to said common TV signals distribution network for distributing TV signals to each TV receiver of said plurality of TV receivers, switch means, individual to each TV receiver of said plurality of receivers, coupled to said common TV signals distribution network for receiving TV signals from said common TV signals distribution network and having a first position for applying the TV signals received from said common TV signals distribution network to the TV receiver with which said switch means is associated and said closed TV system including means for generating TV signals defining second TV programs, means for changing said TV signals defining second TV programs for preventing display of said TV programs by the receIvers of said plurality of said TV receivers, means for coupling said means for changing to said common TV signals distribution network for applying the changed TV signals to said common TV signals distribution network for distributing said changed TV signals to each TV receiver of said plurality of TV receivers, second TV signals change means individual to each TV receiver of said plurality of TV receivers for changing again the changed TV signals for according display of said second TV programs by the associated TV receiver, said switch means having a second position for applying TV signals received from said common TV signals distribution network to the associated said second TV signals change means and for applying said changed again TV signals from said second TV signals change means to the associated TV receiver, and means for actuating said switch means from said first position to said second position when desired.

Claim 28

A closed TV network including at least an open TV system and a closed TV system, each system providing TV signals defining different TV programs respectively to a common TV signals distribution network for distributing TV signals to a plurality of TV receivers, said open TV system including; means for picking up TV signals available to the general public defining first TV programs, means for coupling said means for picking up TV signals to said common TV signals distribution network for applying TV signals available to the general public to said common TV signals distribution network for distributing TV signals to each TV receiver of said plurality of TV receivers, switch means, individual to each TV receiver of said plurality of receivers, coupled to said common TV signals distribution network for receiving TV signals from said common TV signals distribution network and having a first position for applying the TV signals received from said common TV signals distribution network to the TV receiver with which said switch means is associated and said closed TV system including means for generating TV signals defining second TV programs, means for changing said TV signals defining second TV programs for preventing display of said TV programs by the receIvers of said plurality of said TV receivers, means for coupling said means for changing to said common TV signals distribution network for applying the changed TV signals to said common TV signals distribution network for distributing said changed TV signals to each TV receiver of said plurality of TV receivers, second TV signals change means individual to each TV receiver of said plurality of TV receivers for changing again the changed TV signals for according display of said second TV programs by the associated TV receiver, said switch means having a second position for applying TV signals received from said common TV signals distribution network to the associated said second TV signals change means and for applying said changed again TV signals from said second TV signals change means to the associated TV receiver, and means for actuating said switch means from said first position to said second position when desired.

Claim 29

A closed TV network including at least an open TV system and a closed TV system as in claim 25 and in which said TV signals change means in an encoder, and said second TV signals change means is a decoder.

Claim 30

A closed TV network including at least an opened TV system and a closed TV system as in claim 25 and in which said means for changing is a modulator and said modulator changes the frequency of said TV signals defining second TV programs to a position in the frequency spectrum outside the range of the TV receivers of said plurality of TV receivers and said second TV signals change means is a converter for converting the frequency of the changed again said TV signals defining second TV programs to a position in the frequency spectrum within the range of the said TV receivers.

Claim 31

A closed TV network including at least an open TV system and a closed TV system as in claim 25 and in which said means for changing said TV signals defining second TV programs changes the channel of the TV signals defining second TV programs to a channel outside the range of channels receivable by said TV receivers and said second TV signals change means changes again the channel of said TV signals defining second TV programs to a channel within the range of channels receivable by said TV receivers.

Claim 32

A closed TV network including at least an open TV system and a closed TV system as in claim 25 and in which said switch means in said second position couples said common TV signals distribution network to the associated said second TV signals change means for applying TV signals from said common TV signals distribution network to said associated second TV signals change means and couples said associated second TV signals change means to the associated TV receiver for applying said changed again TV signals from said second TV signals change means to said associated TV receiver.

Claim 33

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system, each system providing TV signals defining different TV programs respectively over a signal distribution network to each TV receiver of a plurality of TV receivers, said first system including: means for picking up TV signals defining first TV programs, means for coupling said pickup means to said signal distribution network for distributing TV signals defining first TV programs to said each TV receiver, switch means, individual to each said TV receiver coupled to said signal distribution network having a first position for applying TV signals appearing on said distribution network to the associated TV receiver, said second TV system including means for generating TV signals defining second TV programs, means for modulating said TV signals defining second TV programs for preventing detection of said second TV programs by said TV receivers, means for coupling said Modulating means to said distribution network for applying said modulated TV signals to said network for distributing the modulated TV signals to said each TV receiver, converter means, individual to said each TV receiver for converting said modulated TV signals for according detection of said TV programs by the associated TV receiver, and said switch means having a second position for applying TV signals appearing on said signal distribution network to said converter means and for applying TV signals from said converter means to said associated TV receiver.

Claim 34

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system, each system providing TV signals defining different TV programs respectively over a signal distribution network to each TV receiver of a plurality of TV receivers, said first system including: means for picking up TV signals defining first TV programs, means for coupling said pickup means to said signal distribution network for distributing TV signals defining first TV programs to said each TV receiver, switch means, individual to each said TV receiver coupled to said signal distribution network having a first position for applying TV signals appearing on said distribution network to the associated TV receiver, said second TV system including means for generating TV signals defining second TV programs, means for modulating said TV signals defining second TV programs for preventing detection of said second TV programs by said TV receivers, means for coupling said Modulating means to said distribution network for applying said modulated TV signals to said network for distributing the modulated TV signals to said each TV receiver, converter means, individual to said each TV receiver for converting said modulated TV signals for according detection of said TV programs by the associated TV receiver, and said switch means having a second position for applying TV signals appearing on said signal distribution network to said converter means and for applying TV signals from said converter means to said associated TV receiver.

Claim 35

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system, each system for providing TV signals defining different TV programs respectively as in claim 30 and said second TV system further includes; actuatable means, individual to said each TV receiver, for positioning and holding said switch means in said second position, said actuatable means including local means individual to each said actuatable means for positioning said switch means in said second position and remote means individual to each said actuatable means for conditioning said actuatable means for holding said switch means in said second position.

Claim 36

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system, each system for providing TV signals defining different TV programs respectively as in claim 30 and said second TV system further includes; a power source for driving said converter means, and said power source includes; second switch means having an open position and a closed position, said closed position for coupling said power source to said converter means for driving said converter means, and remotely controlled means for positioning said second switch means in said closed position.

Claim 37

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system, each for providing TV signals defining different TV programs respectively as in claim 30 and in which said switch means of said second TV system is biased in said first position and said switch means further includes; actuatable bias control means, remotely controlled, for overcoming said bias when actuated.

Claim 38

A TV network including at least a first TV system and a second TV system each system for providing TV signals defining different TV programs respectively as in claim 30 and said second TV system further including; converter control means, individual to each said converter means, for driving said converter means and said converter control means includes; second switch means, remotely controlled from said converter means, having a first position and a second position, said second position for driving said converter means.