Patent US3698794A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4945563A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Video system and method for controlled viewing and videotaping
Assignee: EchoStar Engineering Corp
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Filing: 1988-09-22
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Granted: 1990-07-31
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Expires: 2008-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A satellite TV or cable video receiver includes a decoder for decoding information embedded in a broadcasted TV program which can be utilized to permit an operator to select the program for viewing only, or viewing and the preparation of a copy of the program. In an alternate embodiment, the operator may also select and the receiver permit the preparation of a copy inhibited tape. With this receiver, first run movies may be displayed on a tape or view basis without destroying the after-market for the film.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin T. Horton
- 👤 Edward W. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:47
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/91; H04N5/913; H04N2005/91307; H04N2005/91321; H04N2005/91357; H04N2005/91364
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A video reception system for receiving encrypted premium TV programs and formatting said TV programs to control videotaping thereof, said programs being encoded to indicate that recording thereof is either permitted or not permitted, said system comprising a receiver, the receiver including: means to descramble the encrypted TV program, means to decode the program code, means to permit operator selection of a program code, means to format said TV program for unrestricted viewing and taping, and means to format said TV program for viewing but not taping thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
A video reception system for receiving encrypted premium TV programs and formatting said TV programs to control videotaping thereof, said programs being encoded to indicate that recording thereof is either permitted or not permitted, said system comprising a receiver, the receiver including: means to descramble the encrypted TV program, means to decode the program code, means to permit operator selection of a program code, means to format said TV program for unrestricted viewing and taping, and means to format said TV program for viewing but not taping thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means to generate billing information corresponding to the operator selected program code.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 2 further comprising means to alter said billing information in response to operator input of responses to pre-selected questions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means to enable a VCR for recording of the TV program.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said operator selection means includes a remote control means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means to format said TV program to permit a copy inhibited recording to be made thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means to transmit said billing information via a telecommunication means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said receiver comprises part of a TVRO satellite television reception system.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for receiving and formatting encrypted television programs to control the videotaping thereof, said TV programs being encoded to indicate that recording thereof is either permitted or not permitted, said method comprising the steps of: descrambling the encrypted TV program; decoding the program code; selecting the desired code; and formatting said received TV program to permit viewing only or to permit unrestricted viewing and taping.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for receiving and formatting encrypted television programs to control the videotaping thereof, said TV programs being encoded to indicate that recording thereof is either permitted or not permitted, said method comprising the steps of: descrambling the encrypted TV program; decoding the program code; selecting the desired code; and formatting said received TV program to permit viewing only or to permit unrestricted viewing and taping.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the step of formatting includes the alternative of permitting a copy inhibited reproduction to be created.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of generating billing information corresponding to the selected program code.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of altering the billing information in response to operator input of requested information.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
103 words
A satellite television TVRO receiver for receiving encrypted premium TV programs and formatting said TV programs to control videotaping thereof, said programs being encoded to indicate that recording thereof is either permitted or not permitted, said receiver including: means to descramble the encrypted TV program; means to decode the program code and display same for operator selection; means to permit operator selection of a program code corresponding to either recording permitted or recording not permitted; and means to format said TV program for viewing but to prevent taping thereof in response to operator selection of a program code corresponding to taping not permitted.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
103 words
A satellite television TVRO receiver for receiving encrypted premium TV programs and formatting said TV programs to control videotaping thereof, said programs being encoded to indicate that recording thereof is either permitted or not permitted, said receiver including: means to descramble the encrypted TV program; means to decode the program code and display same for operator selection; means to permit operator selection of a program code corresponding to either recording permitted or recording not permitted; and means to format said TV program for viewing but to prevent taping thereof in response to operator selection of a program code corresponding to taping not permitted.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device of claim 13 further comprising means to format said TV program to permit a copy inhibited recording to be made thereof by insertion of copy protection signal in response to operator selection of a program code corresponding to recording permitted.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The receiver of claim 13 further comprising means to generate billing information corresponding to the operator selected program code.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The receiver of claim 15 further comprising means to alter said billing information in response to operator input of responses to pre-selected questions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The receiver of claim 13 further comprising means to enable a VCR for recording of the TV program.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
111 words
A receiver for connection to a cable TV system, said receiver having means for receiving encrypted premium TV programs and formatting said TV programs to control videotaping thereof, said programs being encoded to indicate that recording thereof is either permitted or not permitted, said receiver including: means to descramble the encrypted TV program; means to decode the program code and display same for operator selection; means to permit operator selection of a program code corresponding to either recording permitted or recording not permitted; and means to format said TV program for viewing but to prevent taping thereof in response to operator selection of a program code corresponding to taping not permitted.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
111 words
A receiver for connection to a cable TV system, said receiver having means for receiving encrypted premium TV programs and formatting said TV programs to control videotaping thereof, said programs being encoded to indicate that recording thereof is either permitted or not permitted, said receiver including: means to descramble the encrypted TV program; means to decode the program code and display same for operator selection; means to permit operator selection of a program code corresponding to either recording permitted or recording not permitted; and means to format said TV program for viewing but to prevent taping thereof in response to operator selection of a program code corresponding to taping not permitted.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 18 further comprising means to format said TV program to permit a copy inhibited recording to be made thereof by insertion of a copy protection signal in response to operator selection of a program code corresponding to recording permitted.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The receiver of claim 18 further comprising means to generate billing information corresponding to the operator selected program code.
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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) | 1993-07-30 | 1994-01-29 | 1994-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-30 | 1998-01-29 | 1998-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-30 | 2002-01-29 | 2002-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |