US5020140A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Three digit channel entry system
Assignee: RCA Licensing Corp
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Filing: 1990-03-05
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Granted: 1991-05-28
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Expires: 2010-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A channel number data entry system for a television receiver employing a numeric keyboard allows the selection of cable channels having channel numbers greater than 99, without the use of a separate ENTER or 100s key. Specifically, if a predetermined unused or invalid channel number, such as 00, is entered, then the on-screen display message 1 -- is generated, and a three digit channel entry mode is enabled. If a valid and used two digit channel number is entered, then a two digit channel entry mode is enabled. In both modes, the desired channel is tuned upon receipt of the final digit of the channel number.
Inventors
- 👤 John F. Teskey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:51
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H03; H03J; H03J1/00; H03J1/0008; H03J1/0025; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/422; H04N21/42204; H04N21/42206; H04N21/42212; H04N21/42213; H04N21/42215
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
Channel selection apparatus for a television receiver, comprising: keyboard means including a plurality of keys for generating digits of two and three digit channel numbers when said keys are activated by a user; control means coupled to said keyboard means for receiving said digits and for generating a tuning control signal in response thereto; said control means operating in a first mode to generate said tuning control signal upon receiving the second digit of one of said two digit channel numbers, and operating in a second mode to generate said tuning control signal upon receiving the third digit of one of said three digit channel numbers; said control means detecting the generation of one of a two digit invalid channel number and a two digit unused channel number, and operating in said second mode in response thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
Channel selection apparatus for a television receiver, comprising: keyboard means including a plurality of keys for generating digits of two and three digit channel numbers when said keys are activated by a user; control means coupled to said keyboard means for receiving said digits and for generating a tuning control signal in response thereto; said control means operating in a first mode to generate said tuning control signal upon receiving the second digit of one of said two digit channel numbers, and operating in a second mode to generate said tuning control signal upon receiving the third digit of one of said three digit channel numbers; said control means detecting the generation of one of a two digit invalid channel number and a two digit unused channel number, and operating in said second mode in response thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
126 words
Channel selection apparatus for a television receiver, comprising: keyboard means including a plurality of keys for generating digits of two and three digit channel numbers when said keys are activated by a user; control means coupled to said keyboard means for receiving said digits and for generating a tuning control signal in response thereto; said control means operating in a first mode to generate said tuning control signal upon receiving the second digit of one of said two digit channel numbers, and operating in a second mode to generate said tuning control signal upon receiving the third digit of one of said three digit channel numbers; said control means detecting the sequential generation of the digits 00 and operating in said second mode in response thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
126 words
Channel selection apparatus for a television receiver, comprising: keyboard means including a plurality of keys for generating digits of two and three digit channel numbers when said keys are activated by a user; control means coupled to said keyboard means for receiving said digits and for generating a tuning control signal in response thereto; said control means operating in a first mode to generate said tuning control signal upon receiving the second digit of one of said two digit channel numbers, and operating in a second mode to generate said tuning control signal upon receiving the third digit of one of said three digit channel numbers; said control means detecting the sequential generation of the digits 00 and operating in said second mode in response thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: means, coupled to said control means, for generating character signals suitable for display on a display screen, said control means causing said character generating means to generate a character signal corresponding to the numeral 1 in response to the detection of said sequential generation of the digits 00.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
127 words
Channel selection apparatus for a television receiver, comprising: keyboard means including a plurality of keys for generating digits of two and three digit channel numbers when said keys are activated by a user; control means coupled to said keyboard means for receiving said digits and for generating a tuning control signal in response thereto; and said control means operating in a first mode to generate said tuning control signal upon receiving the second digit of one of said two digit channel numbers, and operating in a second mode to generate said tuning control signal upon receiving the third digit of one of said three digit channel numbers; said control means detecting the sequential generation of two predetermined digits, and operating in said second mode in response thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
127 words
Channel selection apparatus for a television receiver, comprising: keyboard means including a plurality of keys for generating digits of two and three digit channel numbers when said keys are activated by a user; control means coupled to said keyboard means for receiving said digits and for generating a tuning control signal in response thereto; and said control means operating in a first mode to generate said tuning control signal upon receiving the second digit of one of said two digit channel numbers, and operating in a second mode to generate said tuning control signal upon receiving the third digit of one of said three digit channel numbers; said control means detecting the sequential generation of two predetermined digits, and operating in said second mode in response thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said two predetermined digits correspond to an invalid channel number.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said invalid channel number is channel number 00.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said two predetermined digits correspond to an unused channel number.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: means, coupled to said control means, for generating character signals suitable for display on a display screen, said control means causing said character generating means to generate a character signal corresponding to the numeral 1 in response to the detection of said two predetermined digits.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
187 words
Channel selection apparatus for a television receiver, comprising: keyboard means including a plurality of keys for generating digits of two and three digit channel numbers when said keys are activated by a user; control means coupled to said keyboard means for receiving said digits and for generating a tuning control signal in response thereto; said control means operating in a first mode to generate said tuning control signal upon receiving the second digit of one of said two digit channel numbers, and operating in a second mode to generate said tuning control signal upon receiving the third digit of one of said three digit channel numbers; said control means detecting the generation of one of an invalid channel number and an unused channel number, and operating in said second mode in response thereto; and means, coupled to said control means, for generating character signals suitable for display on a display screen, said control means causing said character generating means to generate a character signal corresponding to the numeral 1 in response to the detection of said one of an invalid channel number and an unused channel number.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
187 words
Channel selection apparatus for a television receiver, comprising: keyboard means including a plurality of keys for generating digits of two and three digit channel numbers when said keys are activated by a user; control means coupled to said keyboard means for receiving said digits and for generating a tuning control signal in response thereto; said control means operating in a first mode to generate said tuning control signal upon receiving the second digit of one of said two digit channel numbers, and operating in a second mode to generate said tuning control signal upon receiving the third digit of one of said three digit channel numbers; said control means detecting the generation of one of an invalid channel number and an unused channel number, and operating in said second mode in response thereto; and means, coupled to said control means, for generating character signals suitable for display on a display screen, said control means causing said character generating means to generate a character signal corresponding to the numeral 1 in response to the detection of said one of an invalid channel number and an unused channel number.
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) | 1994-05-27 | 1994-11-26 | 1995-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-05-27 | 1998-11-26 | 1999-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-05-27 | 2002-11-26 | 2003-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |