Patent US3882392A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3882392A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hotel-motel pay TV system
Assignee: OCI Communcations Inc
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Filing: 1973-01-29
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Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1993-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A subscription TV system includes a central station, various TV receivers and cable connections between the central station and receivers. There are means at each receiver for decoding TV signals received from the central station. Also at each receiver is a means for placing the decoder in operation in response to authorization signals from the central station. The clock which coordinates the central station and receiver authorization signal transmitting and receiving means uses local power line frequency as a base.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph P Harney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:14
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/162
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
In a subscription TV system having a central station, a plurality of receivers and cable connections therebetween, means at the central station for sending TV signals to the receivers, means at each receiver for converting the received TV signals to signals useful in the receiver, means at the central station for repetitively and periodically transmitting authorization signals over the cable to only predetermined selected authorized receivers, and means at each receiver for enabling its converting means for only a predetermined period and in response to and upon receipt of each of its repetitive and periodic specific authorization signals, said period being longer than the time between consecutive authorization signals, and clock means at the central station and each receiver for synchronizing the sending and receiving of said authorization signals, said clock means being connected to a power line and using power line frequency as a base.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a subscription TV system having a central station, a plurality of receivers and cable connections therebetween, means at the central station for sending TV signals to the receivers, means at each receiver for converting the received TV signals to signals useful in the receiver, means at the central station for repetitively and periodically transmitting authorization signals over the cable to only predetermined selected authorized receivers, and means at each receiver for enabling its converting means for only a predetermined period and in response to and upon receipt of each of its repetitive and periodic specific authorization signals, said period being longer than the time between consecutive authorization signals, and clock means at the central station and each receiver for synchronizing the sending and receiving of said authorization signals, said clock means being connected to a power line and using power line frequency as a base.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The subscription TV system of claim 1 further characterized in that the converting means at each receiver converts TV signals from one channel frequency to a second channel frequency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The subscription TV system of claim 2 further characterized in that said conversion means converts the TV signals on the cable, from a frequency normally unusable in a TV receiver, to a frequency usable in a TV receiver.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
The subscription TV system of claim 1 further characterized in that the means at the central station for transmitting authorization signals includes a data selector, a counter for providing address information to the data selector and contrOl means connected to the data selector for providing an indication of which receivers should receive authorization signals, the data selector comparing the information received from the counter and that from the control means so as to send authorization signals to predetermined receivers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The subscription TV system of claim 4 further characterized by and including means for generating a counter start signal, said counter start signal initiating operation of the counter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The subscription TV system of claim 5 further characterized by and including a counter at each receiver, said counter start signals instituting operation of each receiver''s counter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The subscription TV system of claim 1 further characterized by counting means at the central station and each receiver, said clock means synchronizing the operation of said counting means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |