US5142574A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optimum amplitude and frequency of jamming carrier in interdiction program denial system
Assignee: Rateze Remote Mgmt LLC
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Filing: 1989-12-06
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Granted: 1992-08-25
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Expires: 2009-12-06
Abstract
Abstract Off premises cable television interdiction apparatus comprises a microprocessor actuation and control means for actuating and controlling one or more frequency agile voltage controlled oscillators. The voltage controlled oscillators selectively jam only unauthorized premium programming transmitted in the clear from a headend to a particular subscriber. Each voltage controlled oscillator is allocated a continuous band of frequencies consistent with the elimination of jamming signal frequency harmonics which may disturb authorized programming at a higher channel frequency. The microprocessor actuation and control means provides a calibration mode and a normal mode of operation. The method of interdiction comprises the steps of generating and storing voltage control words for operating the oscillators consistent with a head end selected jamming factor for a particular channel to be jammed and addressably transmitted and stored premium programming authorization data. An optimum frequency amplitude window for the jamming signal is disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Lamar West, Jr.
- 👤 Philip A. Blusiewicz
- 👤 James O. Farmer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:19
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04K; H04K3/00; H04K3/80; H04K3/82; H04K3/825; H04K3/40; H04K3/41; H04K3/42; H04K3/43; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/91; H04N5/913; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/166; H04N7/167; H04K2203/00; H04K2203/10; H04K2203/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
Cable television premium channel interdiction apparatus for selectively jamming unauthorized premium programming transmitted to a subscriber comprising: microprocessor actuation and control means for selectively actuating and controlling a plurality of n jamming frequencies provided by a plurality of m controlled oscillators, each of said oscillators separately interdicting with a continuous portion of a boardband cable television spectrum, m being less than or equal to n, a maximum of m jamming frequencies being applied for jamming unauthorized premium programming transmitted to a particular subscriber at one point in time, the microprocessor actuation and control means having a calibration mode of operation and a normal mode of operation, and, during said normal mode of operation, providing a frequency hopping rate on the order of four thousand hertz; wherein said jamming frequency is limited to be within a range of frequencies extending from approximately 100 KHz below the frequency of a video carrier of a premium channel to be jammed to approximately 200 KHz above the frequency of a video carrier of a premium channel to be jammed and wherein the amplitude of a jamming signal is within the range of approximately -2.5 dB to approximately 6.5 dB of the power level of the video carrier power level of the premium channel to be jammed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
Cable television premium channel interdiction apparatus for selectively jamming unauthorized premium programming transmitted to a subscriber comprising: microprocessor actuation and control means for selectively actuating and controlling a plurality of n jamming frequencies provided by a plurality of m controlled oscillators, each of said oscillators separately interdicting with a continuous portion of a boardband cable television spectrum, m being less than or equal to n, a maximum of m jamming frequencies being applied for jamming unauthorized premium programming transmitted to a particular subscriber at one point in time, the microprocessor actuation and control means having a calibration mode of operation and a normal mode of operation, and, during said normal mode of operation, providing a frequency hopping rate on the order of four thousand hertz; wherein said jamming frequency is limited to be within a range of frequencies extending from approximately 100 KHz below the frequency of a video carrier of a premium channel to be jammed to approximately 200 KHz above the frequency of a video carrier of a premium channel to be jammed and wherein the amplitude of a jamming signal is within the range of approximately -2.5 dB to approximately 6.5 dB of the power level of the video carrier power level of the premium channel to be jammed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The cable television premium channel interdiction apparatus of claim 1 wherein the amplitude of the jamming signal is within the range of approximately -2.5 dB to +5.0 dB.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cable television premium channel interdiction apparatus of claim 1 wherein the jamming signals are calibrated periodically during premium program transmission.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
103 words
A cable television premium channel interdiction method for selectively jamming unauthorized premium programming transmitted to a subscriber comprising the steps of: receiving globally transmitted frequency and jamming factor data for each premium channel, receiving addressably transmitted channel or premium programming authorization data, generating and storing control word data responsive to the frequency, jamming factor and authorization data and sequentially applying jamming signals to unauthorized premium programming responsive to the stored control word data; wherein the jamming signals are applied anywhere within a range of approximately 100 KHz below to 200 KHz above the video carrier of a particular premium channel to be jammed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
103 words
A cable television premium channel interdiction method for selectively jamming unauthorized premium programming transmitted to a subscriber comprising the steps of: receiving globally transmitted frequency and jamming factor data for each premium channel, receiving addressably transmitted channel or premium programming authorization data, generating and storing control word data responsive to the frequency, jamming factor and authorization data and sequentially applying jamming signals to unauthorized premium programming responsive to the stored control word data; wherein the jamming signals are applied anywhere within a range of approximately 100 KHz below to 200 KHz above the video carrier of a particular premium channel to be jammed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The cable television premium channel interdiction method of claim 4 wherein the amplitude of the jamming signal is within the range of approximately -2.5 dB to +5.0 dB.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
196 words
A cable television channel interdiction apparatus for selectively jamming unauthorized programming transmitted to a subscriber comprising: means for selectively actuating and controlling a plurality of n jamming frequencies provided by a plurality of m controlled oscillators, each of said oscillators separately interdicting within a continuous portion of a broadband cable television spectrum, m being less than or equal to n, a maximum of m jamming frequencies being applied for jamming programming transmitted to a particular subscriber, the microprocessor actuation and control means having a calibration mode of operation and a normal mode of operation, and, during said normal mode of operation, providing a frequency hopping rate on the order of four thousand hertz; wherein said jamming frequency is limited to be within a range fo frequencies extending from approximately 100 KHz below the frequency of a video carrier of the unauthorized channel to be jammed to approximately 200 KHz above the frequency of a video carrier of the unauthorized channel to be jammed, and the amplitude of a jamming signal is within the range of approximately -2.5 dB to approximately +6.5 dB of the power level of the video carrier of the channel to be jammed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
196 words
A cable television channel interdiction apparatus for selectively jamming unauthorized programming transmitted to a subscriber comprising: means for selectively actuating and controlling a plurality of n jamming frequencies provided by a plurality of m controlled oscillators, each of said oscillators separately interdicting within a continuous portion of a broadband cable television spectrum, m being less than or equal to n, a maximum of m jamming frequencies being applied for jamming programming transmitted to a particular subscriber, the microprocessor actuation and control means having a calibration mode of operation and a normal mode of operation, and, during said normal mode of operation, providing a frequency hopping rate on the order of four thousand hertz; wherein said jamming frequency is limited to be within a range fo frequencies extending from approximately 100 KHz below the frequency of a video carrier of the unauthorized channel to be jammed to approximately 200 KHz above the frequency of a video carrier of the unauthorized channel to be jammed, and the amplitude of a jamming signal is within the range of approximately -2.5 dB to approximately +6.5 dB of the power level of the video carrier of the channel to be jammed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cable television channel interdiction apparatus of claim 6 wherein the amplitude of the jamming signal is within the range of approximately -2.5 dB to +5.0 dB.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cable television channel interdiction apparatus of claim 6 wherein the jamming signals are calibrated periodically during premium program transmission.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
97 words
A cable television channel interdiction method for selectively jamming unauthorized programming transmitted to a subscriber comprising the steps of: receiving globally transmitted frequency and jamming factor data for each channel; receiving addressably transmitted channel or programming authorization data; generating and storing control word data responsive to the frequency, jamming factor, and authorization data; and sequentially applying jamming signals to unauthorized programming responsive to the stored control word data, said jamming signals are applied anywhere within a range of approximately 100 KHz below to approximately 200 KHz above the video carrier of a particular channel to be jammed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
97 words
A cable television channel interdiction method for selectively jamming unauthorized programming transmitted to a subscriber comprising the steps of: receiving globally transmitted frequency and jamming factor data for each channel; receiving addressably transmitted channel or programming authorization data; generating and storing control word data responsive to the frequency, jamming factor, and authorization data; and sequentially applying jamming signals to unauthorized programming responsive to the stored control word data, said jamming signals are applied anywhere within a range of approximately 100 KHz below to approximately 200 KHz above the video carrier of a particular channel to be jammed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cable television channel interdiction method of claim 9 wherein the amplitude of the jamming signal is within the range of approximately -2.5 dB to +5.0 dB.
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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) | 1995-08-25 | 1996-02-24 | 1996-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-25 | 2000-02-24 | 2000-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-25 | 2004-02-24 | 2004-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |