Coin-operated timer for pay TV

Claim 1

Apparatus located directly at the site of a television receiver for controlling the purchase of programs appearing on any one or more of a group of selected frequency channels, comprising: a coin box having a flat base member adapted to be mounted on a wall, a lid portion cooperating with said base member to form a lockable container, hinge means at the bottom of said base member and said lid portion and pivotally mounting said lid portion so that it may be opened downward to a horizontal position, a coin mechanism secured to the interior side of said lid portion, timing and relay circuits secured upon said base member, means coupling said coin mechanism to said timing circuit for initiating its operation, a signal input line and a signal output line secured upon said base member, and circuit means controlled by said relay circuit for controlling the passage of program signals from said signal input line to said signal output line; said circuit means comprising a plurality of frequency traps whose frequencies correspond to respective ones of said group of selected frequency channels, said frequency traps being connected in a series configuration between said signal input line and said signal output line so that programs on all of said group of selected frequency channels are normally prevented from passing to said signal output line; and said circuit means further comprising a bypass circuit selectively connectable in parallel with said series of frequency traps between said signal input line and said signal output line for permitting a program received on any frequency channel to pass to said signal output line.

Claim 7

An apparatus adapted to be used in conjunction with a television receiver for requiring payment in order to view programs on any of certain selected frequency channels while permitting the unpaid viewing of programs on other frequency channels, comprising: a signal input line adapted to be coupled to a source of programs; a signal output line adapted to be coupled to the television receiver; a plurality of frequency traps, whose frequencies correspond to respective ones of said selected frequency channels, connected in a series configuration between said signal input line and said signal output line so that programs on all of said selected frequency channels are normally prevented from passing to said signal output line; a bypass circuit selectively connectable between said signal input line and said signal output line in parallel with said series of frequency traps for permitting a program received on any frequency channel to pass to said signal output line; relay means controlling said selective connection of said bypass circuit; and timing means controlling the operation of said relay means.

Claim 8

An apparatus adapted to be used in conjunction with a television receiver for requiring payment in order to view programs on any of certain selected frequency channels while permitting the unpaid viewing of programs on other frequency channels, comprising: a signal input line adapted to be coupled to a source of programs; a signal output line adapted to be coupled to the television receiver; a plurality of frequency traps, whose frequencies correspond to respective ones of said selected frequency channels, connected in a series configuration between said signal input line and said signal output line so that programs on all of said selected frequency channels are normally prevented from passing to said signal output line; a bypass circuit selectively connectable between said signal input line and said signal output line in parallel with said series of frequency traps for permitting a program received on any frequency channel to pass to said signal output line; relay means controlling said selective connection of said bypass circuit; and timing means controlling the operation of said relay means.

Claim 13

An apparatus adapted to be used in conjunction with a television receiver for requiring payment in order to view programs on any of certain selected frequency channels while permitting the unpaid viewing of programs on all other frequency channels, comprising: a signal input line adapted to be coupled to a source of programs; a signal output line adapted to be coupled to the television receiver; a plurality of frequency traps, whose frequencies correspond to respective ones of said selected frequency channels, connected in a series configuration between said signal input line and said signal output line so that programs on all of said selected frequency channels are normally prevented from passing to said signal output line; a bypass circuit selectively connectable between said signal input line and said signal output line in parallel with said series of frequency traps for permitting a program received on any frequency channel to pass to said signal output line; relay means controlling said selective connection of said bypass circuit; timing means controlling the operation of said relay means; a coin box having a flat base member adapted to be mounted on a wall, a lid portion cooperating with said base member to form a lockable container, and hinge means at the bottom of said base member and said lid portion and pivotally mounting said lid portion so that it may be opened downward to a horizontal position; said timing means and said relay means being secured upon said base member; a coin mechanism secured to the interior side of said lid portion; and means coupling said coin mechanism to said timing means for initiating its operation.

Claim 14

An apparatus adapted to be used in conjunction with a television receiver for requiring payment in order to view programs on any of certain selected frequency channels while permitting the unpaid viewing of programs on all other frequency channels, comprising: a signal input line adapted to be coupled to a source of programs; a signal output line adapted to be coupled to the television receiver; a plurality of frequency traps, whose frequencies correspond to respective ones of said selected frequency channels, connected in a series configuration between said signal input line and said signal output line so that programs on all of said selected frequency channels are normally prevented from passing to said signal output line; a bypass circuit selectively connectable between said signal input line and said signal output line in parallel with said series of frequency traps for permitting a program received on any frequency channel to pass to said signal output line; relay means controlling said selective connection of said bypass circuit; timing means controlling the operation of said relay means; a coin box having a flat base member adapted to be mounted on a wall, a lid portion cooperating with said base member to form a lockable container, and hinge means at the bottom of said base member and said lid portion and pivotally mounting said lid portion so that it may be opened downward to a horizontal position; said timing means and said relay means being secured upon said base member; a coin mechanism secured to the interior side of said lid portion; and means coupling said coin mechanism to said timing means for initiating its operation.

Claim 19

An apparatus adapted to be used in conjunction with a television receiver for requiring payment in order to view programs on any of certain selected frequency channels while permitting the unpaid viewing of programs on other frequency channels, comprising: a signal input line adapted to be coupled to a source of programs; a signal output line adapted to be coupled to the television receiver; a plurality of frequency traps, whose frequencies correspond to respective ones of said selected frequency channels, connected in a series configuration between said signal input line and said signal output line so that programs on all of said selected frequency channels are normally prevented from passing to said signal output line; a bypass circuit selectively connectable between said signal input line and said signal output line in parallel with said series of frequency traps for permitting a program received on any frequency channel to pass to said signal output line; relay means having normally open output terminals controlling said selective connection of said bypass circuit; and timing means controlling the operation of said relay means.

Claim 20

An apparatus adapted to be used in conjunction with a television receiver for requiring payment in order to view programs on any of certain selected frequency channels while permitting the unpaid viewing of programs on other frequency channels, comprising: a signal input line adapted to be coupled to a source of programs; a signal output line adapted to be coupled to the television receiver; a plurality of frequency traps, whose frequencies correspond to respective ones of said selected frequency channels, connected in a series configuration between said signal input line and said signal output line so that programs on all of said selected frequency channels are normally prevented from passing to said signal output line; a bypass circuit selectively connectable between said signal input line and said signal output line in parallel with said series of frequency traps for permitting a program received on any frequency channel to pass to said signal output line; relay means having normally open output terminals controlling said selective connection of said bypass circuit; and timing means controlling the operation of said relay means.

Claim 21

An apparatus adapted to be used in conjunction with a television receiver for requiring payment in order to view programs on any of certain selected frequency channels while permitting the unpaid viewing of programs on other frequency channels, comprising: a signal input line adapted to be coupled to a source of programs; a signal output line adapted to be coupled to the television receiver; a plurality of frequency traps, whose frequencies correspond to respective ones of said selected frequency channels, connected in a series configuration between said signal input line and said signal output line so that programs on all of said selected frequency channels are normally prevented from passing to said signal output line; a bypass circuit selectively connectable between said signal input line and said signal output line in parallel with said series of frequency traps for permitting a program received on any frequency channel to pass to said signal output line; relay means having normally open output terminals controlling said selective connection of said bypass circuit; timing means controlling the operation of said relay means; and a coin mechanism having output means coupled to said timing means and to said relay means, said output means being responsive to the insertion of coins into said coin mechanism for actuating said relay means to close said normally open output terminals, thereby enabling signals within the selected frequency channels to reach said signal output line.

Claim 22

An apparatus adapted to be used in conjunction with a television receiver for requiring payment in order to view programs on any of certain selected frequency channels while permitting the unpaid viewing of programs on other frequency channels, comprising: a signal input line adapted to be coupled to a source of programs; a signal output line adapted to be coupled to the television receiver; a plurality of frequency traps, whose frequencies correspond to respective ones of said selected frequency channels, connected in a series configuration between said signal input line and said signal output line so that programs on all of said selected frequency channels are normally prevented from passing to said signal output line; a bypass circuit selectively connectable between said signal input line and said signal output line in parallel with said series of frequency traps for permitting a program received on any frequency channel to pass to said signal output line; relay means having normally open output terminals controlling said selective connection of said bypass circuit; timing means controlling the operation of said relay means; and a coin mechanism having output means coupled to said timing means and to said relay means, said output means being responsive to the insertion of coins into said coin mechanism for actuating said relay means to close said normally open output terminals, thereby enabling signals within the selected frequency channels to reach said signal output line.

Claim 23

An apparatus adapted to be used in conjunction with a television receiver for requiring payment in order to view programs on any of certain selected frequency channels while permitting the unpaid viewing of programs on other frequency channels, comprising: a signal input line adapted to be coupled to a source of programs; a signal output line adapted to be coupled to the television receiver; a plurality of frequency traps, whose frequencies correspond to respective ones of said selected frequency channels, connected in a series configuration between said signal input line and said signal output line so that programs on all of said selected frequency channels are normally prevented from passing to said signal output line; a bypass circuit selectively connectable between said signal input line and said signal output line in parallel with said series of frequency traps for permitting a program received on any frequency channel to pass to said signal output line; relay means controlling said selective connection of said bypass circuit; timing means having a predetermined timing cycle for controlling the operation of said relay means; and visible indicator means controlled by said timing means and operable for generating a visible warning signal at least about five minues before the end of said predetermined timing cycle.

Claim 24

An apparatus adapted to be used in conjunction with a television receiver for requiring payment in order to view programs on any of certain selected frequency channels while permitting the unpaid viewing of programs on other frequency channels, comprising: a signal input line adapted to be coupled to a source of programs; a signal output line adapted to be coupled to the television receiver; a plurality of frequency traps, whose frequencies correspond to respective ones of said selected frequency channels, connected in a series configuration between said signal input line and said signal output line so that programs on all of said selected frequency channels are normally prevented from passing to said signal output line; a bypass circuit selectively connectable between said signal input line and said signal output line in parallel with said series of frequency traps for permitting a program received on any frequency channel to pass to said signal output line; relay means controlling said selective connection of said bypass circuit; timing means having a predetermined timing cycle for controlling the operation of said relay means; and visible indicator means controlled by said timing means and operable for generating a visible warning signal at least about five minues before the end of said predetermined timing cycle.

Claim 25

An apparatus adapted to be used in conjunction with a television receiver for requiring payment in order to view programs on any of certain selected frequency channels while permitting the unpaid viewing of programs on other frequency channels, comprising: an openable box having means for closing the same and securing it against tampering; a signal input line extending within said box adapted to be coupled to a source of programs; a signal output line extending out from said box adapted to be coupled to the television receiver; a plurality of frequency traps whose frequencies correspond to respective ones of said selected frequency channels; first and second coaxial cable connectors connecting said frequency traps in a series configuration between said signal input line and said signal output line so that programs on all of said selected frequency channels are normally prevented from passing to said signal output line; a bypass circuit selectively connectable between said signal input line and said signal output line in parallel with said series of frequency traps for permitting a program received on any frequency channel to pass to said signal output line; relay means controlling said selective connection of said bypass circuit; and timing means controlling the operation of said relay means.

Claim 26

An apparatus adapted to be used in conjunction with a television receiver for requiring payment in order to view programs on any of certain selected frequency channels while permitting the unpaid viewing of programs on other frequency channels, comprising: an openable box having means for closing the same and securing it against tampering; a signal input line extending within said box adapted to be coupled to a source of programs; a signal output line extending out from said box adapted to be coupled to the television receiver; a plurality of frequency traps whose frequencies correspond to respective ones of said selected frequency channels; first and second coaxial cable connectors connecting said frequency traps in a series configuration between said signal input line and said signal output line so that programs on all of said selected frequency channels are normally prevented from passing to said signal output line; a bypass circuit selectively connectable between said signal input line and said signal output line in parallel with said series of frequency traps for permitting a program received on any frequency channel to pass to said signal output line; relay means controlling said selective connection of said bypass circuit; and timing means controlling the operation of said relay means.