Patent US4841368A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4841368A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Television customer control functions restorer
Assignee: Philips North America LLC
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Filing: 1988-01-21
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Granted: 1989-06-20
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Expires: 2008-01-21
Abstract
Abstract A remote control transmitter, preferably a universal or reconfigurable remote control transmitter, is incorporated into a television receiver. Mounting a light emitting source such as a light emitting diode in a line of sight or a wired connection with an external tuning system such as that of a VCR or cable converter, and modification of the television tuning system to cause the transmission of activating signals to the remote control transmitter, allows functions which are channel associated and which are therefore generally suppressed when a remote tuning system is used to remain in force.
Inventors
- 👤 Robin B. Rumbolt
- 👤 William F. Guerinot
- 👤 Daniel J. Dargis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:21
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03J; H03J1/00; H03J1/0008; H03J1/0025; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/06; H04B1/16; H04B1/20; H04B1/205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
In a television receiver having a channel-associated function which is automatically executed when a television tuning system in the television receiver is selectively tuned to a selected channel, a function restorer for restoring said channel-associated function which is suppressed when said television tuning system is fixedly tuned to an available channel different from said selected channel and tunning of said television receiver is controlled by external tuning means, said function restorer comprising: means for generating an external tuner selection signal and a first selected channel signal signifying said selected channel; means responsive to said external tuner selection signal and said first selected channel signal for tuning said television tuning system to said available channel and executing said channel-associated function; and remote control transmitter means in said television receiver and connected to said television tuning system for generating, in dependence on said channel-associated function, a second selected channel signal corresponding to said first selected channel signal and transmitting said second selected channel signal to said external turning means for tuning said external tuning means to said selected channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
In a television receiver having a channel-associated function which is automatically executed when a television tuning system in the television receiver is selectively tuned to a selected channel, a function restorer for restoring said channel-associated function which is suppressed when said television tuning system is fixedly tuned to an available channel different from said selected channel and tunning of said television receiver is controlled by external tuning means, said function restorer comprising: means for generating an external tuner selection signal and a first selected channel signal signifying said selected channel; means responsive to said external tuner selection signal and said first selected channel signal for tuning said television tuning system to said available channel and executing said channel-associated function; and remote control transmitter means in said television receiver and connected to said television tuning system for generating, in dependence on said channel-associated function, a second selected channel signal corresponding to said first selected channel signal and transmitting said second selected channel signal to said external turning means for tuning said external tuning means to said selected channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A function restorer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said external tuning means has receiver means for receiving said second selected channel signal; and wherein said remote control transmitter means is mounted in a line of sight with said receiver means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A function restorer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said remote control transmitter means is connected by a wire connected to said external tuning means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A function restorer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said remote control transmitter means includes a light emitting diode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A function restorer as set forth in claim 4, wherein said light emitting diode emits infrared signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A function restorer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said remote control transmitter means comprises a universal remote control transmitter means adapted to control a plurality of different types of devices.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said plurality of different types of devices comprises VCRs and cable converters.
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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) | 1992-06-19 | 1992-12-19 | 1993-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-06-19 | 1996-12-19 | 1997-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-06-19 | 2000-12-19 | 2001-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |