US3919463A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pay TV system using UHF input
Assignee: OCI Communcations Inc
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Filing: 1974-04-25
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Granted: 1975-11-11
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Expires: 1994-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A TV system, for example the type used in hotels or motels, provides non-subscription channels and a subscription channel all on the same facilities. The subscription channel is transmitted at the same frequency as the normal output frequency of a UHF tuner. Means are provided to connect the facilities to the conventional VHF input of a TV receiver and to the UHF input of a receiver VHF tuner. When in the latter position, the VHF tuner oscillator is disabled and a billing transmitter is activated to send appropriate billing information back to the transmitting location.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene C Walding
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:04
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of providing a subscription TV channel on the same facilities as non-subscription TV channels, including the steps of Transmitting a subscription TV channel at a frequency which is the same as the output frequency of a UHF tuner, providing a connection between the facilities and the UHF input of a TV receiver VHF tuner, and disabling the VHF tuner oscillator while passing the subscription channel through the VHF tuner.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of providing a subscription TV channel on the same facilities as non-subscription TV channels, including the steps of Transmitting a subscription TV channel at a frequency which is the same as the output frequency of a UHF tuner, providing a connection between the facilities and the UHF input of a TV receiver VHF tuner, and disabling the VHF tuner oscillator while passing the subscription channel through the VHF tuner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 further characterized by and including the step of transmitting billing information from each TV receiver, over the same facilities, to the transmission source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2 further characterized by and including the step of initiating the transmitter for billing information simultaneously with disabling the VHF tuner oscillator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 further characterized in that said subscription channel is transmitted at a carrier frequency of about 45 mhz.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
106 words
A subscription TV system utilizing the same facilities as non-subscription TV channels including transmitting means connected to the facilities and transmitting a subscription TV channel at a frequency the same as the output frequency of a UHF tuner, a plurality of TV receivers each having a VHF tuner with a UHF input, each of said receivers being connected to said facilities, means at each receiver for connecting said facilities to the VHF input of each receiver and to the UHF input of the receiver VHF tuner, and switch means at each receiver for disabling the VHF tuner oscillator when said tuner is in a predetermined position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
A subscription TV system utilizing the same facilities as non-subscription TV channels including transmitting means connected to the facilities and transmitting a subscription TV channel at a frequency the same as the output frequency of a UHF tuner, a plurality of TV receivers each having a VHF tuner with a UHF input, each of said receivers being connected to said facilities, means at each receiver for connecting said facilities to the VHF input of each receiver and to the UHF input of the receiver VHF tuner, and switch means at each receiver for disabling the VHF tuner oscillator when said tuner is in a predetermined position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The subscription TV system of claim 5 further characterized by and including a billing transmitter at each receiver location, and a billing receiver at the transmitting location, said switch means for disabling the VHF tuner oscillator being connected to said billing transmitter for operating the same when said VHF tuner oscillator is disabled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 6 further characterized in that said billing transmitter operates at a frequency substantially below that of the subscription TV channel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system of claim 6 further characterized by and including multiposition switch means at each receiver location connected to said billing transmitter and VHF tuner, a B+ connection to said switch means, one position of said switch means providing B+ for said VHF tuner oscillator, and another position of said switch means removing B+ from said VHF tuner oscillator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 8 further characterized by and including a second switch means connected to said first switch means and to said billing transmitter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3387083A
Cited
US3555430A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-10 | 1979-05-12 | 1979-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-10 | 1983-05-12 | 1983-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-10 | 1987-05-12 | 1987-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |