US4910767A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
ANI auto dialer with carrier current interface
Assignee: Zenith Electronics LLC
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Filing: 1989-01-03
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Granted: 1990-03-20
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Expires: 2009-01-03
Abstract
Abstract One version of a microprocessor based auto dialer for a PPV television system includes an IR receiver for receiving impulse "buy" decisions, in the form of one or more key pad entries from a portable IR transmitter, and a number generator for adding the appropriate digits to a partial ANI telephone number stored in memory. In another version, the auto dialer is connected to the serial port of a PM type CATV decoder and a PPV identifier and telephone number may be downloaded to the ANI auto dialer to eliminate the permanent storage of the telephone number and to simplify subscriber interaction. The auto dialer dials the telephone number of the cable head end. Further embodiments include carrier current interfaces between the IR receiver/detector and the auto dialer, and between the decoder and the auto dialer.
Inventors
- 👤 Vito Brugliera
- 👤 Barry Hardek
- 👤 Michael E. Long
- 👤 Paul A. Snopko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 03:07
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/26; H04M1/27; H04M1/274; H04M1/2745; H04N2007/1739
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An impulse pay per view television receiver system for communicating with a head end via a telephone comprising: a telephone terminal located at a subscriber site; memory means at said subscriber site for permanently storing a portion of a head end telephone number; auto dialer means coupled between said memory means and said subscriber site telephone terminal; means for signalling said auto dialer means to dial said head end telephone number to authorize receipt of a pay television program at said subscriber site, said signalling means providing the remaining portion of said head end telephone number; and signal receiving means coupled to said auto dialer means fior receiving said signal and causing said auto dialer means to dial said head end telephone number.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
An impulse pay per view television receiver system for communicating with a head end via a telephone comprising: a telephone terminal located at a subscriber site; memory means at said subscriber site for permanently storing a portion of a head end telephone number; auto dialer means coupled between said memory means and said subscriber site telephone terminal; means for signalling said auto dialer means to dial said head end telephone number to authorize receipt of a pay television program at said subscriber site, said signalling means providing the remaining portion of said head end telephone number; and signal receiving means coupled to said auto dialer means fior receiving said signal and causing said auto dialer means to dial said head end telephone number.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said signalling means is a portable IR transmitter and said signal receiving means is an IR receiver/detector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 3, further including a communications link interconnecting said IR receiver/detector with said auto dialer means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said communications link comprises a carrier current interface means and a carrier current receiver means coupled via a common house wiring circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
160 words
An impulse pay per view television receiver system for communicating with a head end via a telephone comprising: a telephone terminal located at a subscriber site; memory means at said subscriber site for storing a head end telephone number; auto dialer means coupled between said memory means and said subscriber site telephone terminal; means for signalling said auto dialer means to dial said head end telephone number to authorize receipt of a pay television program at said subscriber site; signal receiving means coupled to said auto dialer means for receiving said signal and causing said auto dialer means to dial said head end telephone number; a decoder means for receiving downloaded data from the head end, including a program identifier and at least a portion of said head end telephone number; and means for supplying said program identifier and at least said portion of said head end telephone number to said auto dialer means in response to said signalling means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
160 words
An impulse pay per view television receiver system for communicating with a head end via a telephone comprising: a telephone terminal located at a subscriber site; memory means at said subscriber site for storing a head end telephone number; auto dialer means coupled between said memory means and said subscriber site telephone terminal; means for signalling said auto dialer means to dial said head end telephone number to authorize receipt of a pay television program at said subscriber site; signal receiving means coupled to said auto dialer means for receiving said signal and causing said auto dialer means to dial said head end telephone number; a decoder means for receiving downloaded data from the head end, including a program identifier and at least a portion of said head end telephone number; and means for supplying said program identifier and at least said portion of said head end telephone number to said auto dialer means in response to said signalling means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said signalling means is an IR transmitter and said signal receiving means is an IR receiver/detector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 6, further including a communications link interconnecting said IR receiver/detector with said auto dialer means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said communications link comprises a carrier current interface means and a carrier current receiver means coupled via a common house wiring circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
137 words
An impulse pay-per-view television receiving system for communicating with a head end via a telephone number comprising: decoder means, including an IR receiver/detector, and a telephone terminal located at a subscriber site; memory means at said subscriber site for storing a head end telephone number; auto dialer means coupled between said memory means and said telephone terminal; microprocessor means for controlling said memory means and said auto dialer means; said decoder means having a port for passing downloaded data from said head end to said microprocessor means, said downloaded data including a program identifier and at least a portion of said head end telephone number; and signalling means including a portable IR transmitter for signalling said auto dialer means to dial said head end telephone number to request authorization to receive and decode a pay television program.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
137 words
An impulse pay-per-view television receiving system for communicating with a head end via a telephone number comprising: decoder means, including an IR receiver/detector, and a telephone terminal located at a subscriber site; memory means at said subscriber site for storing a head end telephone number; auto dialer means coupled between said memory means and said telephone terminal; microprocessor means for controlling said memory means and said auto dialer means; said decoder means having a port for passing downloaded data from said head end to said microprocessor means, said downloaded data including a program identifier and at least a portion of said head end telephone number; and signalling means including a portable IR transmitter for signalling said auto dialer means to dial said head end telephone number to request authorization to receive and decode a pay television program.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 9, further including a carrier current communications link interconnecting said decoder means and said microprocessor means.
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) | 1993-03-19 | 1993-09-18 | 1994-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-19 | 1997-09-18 | 1998-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-19 | 2001-09-18 | 2002-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |