US4371979A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for affording selective access to additional television channels
Assignee: WNY HOSPITAL TELEVISION Inc
•
Filing: 1981-06-03
•
Granted: 1983-02-01
•
Expires: 2001-06-03
Abstract
Abstract An improved device is operatively associated with a rentable television to enable a viewer to select access to rental channels in addition to free channels. To view the rental channels, the viewer need only depress the channel change selector switch for a minimum predetermined time interval. The fact that access to the rental channels has been provided, is visually indicated. In use, the device performs an improved method of affording selective access to the rental channels in addition to the free channels.
Inventors
- 👤 Friedrich Vesterling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:14
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A device coupled with a television tuner control circuit for affording selective access to a second group of available channels in addition to a first group of available channels, comprising: a mode switch selectively movable between at least two positions, the first position thereof interrupting a supply of power and the second position thereof permitting immediate access to said first channel group and selective access to said second channel group; a manually-operable selector switch movable between an open position and a closed position; and a control switch circuit coupled with said tuner control circuit and with said selector switch for affording selective access to said second channel group only when said mode switch is in said second position and said selector switch has been continuously in its closed position for a predetermined time interval.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
A device coupled with a television tuner control circuit for affording selective access to a second group of available channels in addition to a first group of available channels, comprising: a mode switch selectively movable between at least two positions, the first position thereof interrupting a supply of power and the second position thereof permitting immediate access to said first channel group and selective access to said second channel group; a manually-operable selector switch movable between an open position and a closed position; and a control switch circuit coupled with said tuner control circuit and with said selector switch for affording selective access to said second channel group only when said mode switch is in said second position and said selector switch has been continuously in its closed position for a predetermined time interval.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising an indicator for indicating that said device has been operated to afford access to said second channel group.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said indicator will continuously indicate that said device has been operated to afford access to said second channel group until said device is reset.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said device is reset by selectively moving said mode switch from said second position to said first position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said indicator will display a visual signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mode switch may be selectively moved to a third position, said third position affording access to only said first channel group but not to said second channel group.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mode switch is mounted on said television and may be selectively moved between said first and second positions of a removable key.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said selector switch is a channel selector switch of said television.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said television includes a remote control unit and wherein said selector switch is a channel selector switch of said television as part of said remote control unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control switch circuit includes a delay element operative to provide an output signal only after said selector switch has been closed for said predetermined time interval.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as set forth in claim 10 and further comprising a sensing circuit operative to sense the existence of said delay element output signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as set forth in claim 11 and further comprising an indicator controlled by said sensing circuit for continuously indicating that said delay element output signal has been sensed independently of subsequent operation of said television.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device as set forth in claim 12 and further comprising a relay switch controlled by said sensing circuit and operable to afford access to said second channel group when said delay element output signal has been sensed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as set forth in claim 13 wherein said relay switch includes an opto-coupler.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as set forth in claim 10 wherein said delay element includes a type-D flip-flop.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as set forth in claim 15 wherein when said selector switch is closed for said predetermined time interval, a series of sequential unit pulses will be supplied as an input to said flip-flop.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as set forth in claim 16 wherein the width of each separate pulse represents the time needed for the television channel selector to index through the first channel group.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as set forth in claim 17 wherein the space between successive pulses represents the time during which the television is in an "off" condition.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as set forth in claim 11 wherein said sensing circuit includes at least one NAND gate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising: a charge circuit operative to supply power to said control switch circuit from an auxiliary power source whenever commercial power to said television is interrupted.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
93 words
The method of affording selective access to a second group of available channels of a television in addition to a first group of available channels of said television, comprising the steps of: providing immediate access to said first channel group when the viewer turns on said television; continuously holding closed a manually-operable selector switch for a predetermined time interval in order to select access to the second channel group; and controlling the operation of a control switch circuit to afford access to said second channel group after passage of said predetermined time interval.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
93 words
The method of affording selective access to a second group of available channels of a television in addition to a first group of available channels of said television, comprising the steps of: providing immediate access to said first channel group when the viewer turns on said television; continuously holding closed a manually-operable selector switch for a predetermined time interval in order to select access to the second channel group; and controlling the operation of a control switch circuit to afford access to said second channel group after passage of said predetermined time interval.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as set forth in claim 21, comprising the further step of: actuating an indicator when said control switch circuit has been controlled.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as set forth in claim 21, comprising the further step of: maintaining said control switch circuit in such controlled condition once selected.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as set forth in claim 22 comprising the further step of: manually resetting said indicator.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as set forth in claim 21 comprising the further step of: supplying power from an auxiliary source whenever commercial power to said television is interrupted.
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) | 1986-01-31 | 1986-08-02 | 1987-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-31 | 1990-08-02 | 1991-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-31 | 1994-08-02 | 1995-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |