US5552837A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote controller for scanning data and controlling a video system
Assignee: Adeia Guides Inc
•
Filing: 1995-03-01
•
Granted: 1996-09-03
•
Expires: 2015-03-01
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and methods are provided for controlling a video system. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a remote controller including a device for scanning a printed input data card including a type code printed on the input data card, the type code for representing a category of input data printed on the card, and the type code printed as a line of patterns, each pattern being relatively dark or light to represent a binary one or binary zero, and the input data card including a plurality of printed input data, each input data printed as a line of patterns, each pattern being relatively dark or light to represent a binary one or binary zero. The apparatus further includes a television for storing the received input data and the type code and for enabling viewing of only programs in the stored input data, each program having a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy J. Mankovitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:11
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/45; H04N21/454; H04N21/41; H04N21/422; H04N21/42204; H04N21/4508; H04N21/4532; H04N21/47; H04N21/472; H04N21/47214; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/765; H04N5/775; H04N5/78; H04N5/782; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/162; H04N7/163; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/02; H01H9/0214; H01H9/0235; H04N5/44; H04N5/445; H04N5/45
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A system for controlling a video system comprising: a printed input data card comprising: a type code printed on the input data card, the type code for representing a category of input data printed on the card; and a plurality of input data printed on the input data card; a command input device comprising: means for scanning the input card containing the type code and the input data; and means for decoding the type code to determine the category of the plurality of input data; wherein: the type code comprises a channel mapping category; and the input data is arranged in pairs, a first input data of each pair representing an assigned channel number and a second input data of each pair representing a corresponding local channel number.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
A system for controlling a video system comprising: a printed input data card comprising: a type code printed on the input data card, the type code for representing a category of input data printed on the card; and a plurality of input data printed on the input data card; a command input device comprising: means for scanning the input card containing the type code and the input data; and means for decoding the type code to determine the category of the plurality of input data; wherein: the type code comprises a channel mapping category; and the input data is arranged in pairs, a first input data of each pair representing an assigned channel number and a second input data of each pair representing a corresponding local channel number.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 1 wherein: the type code is printed as a line of patterns, each pattern being relatively dark or light to represent a binary one or binary zero; and each input data is printed as a line of patterns, each pattern being relatively dark or light to represent a binary one or binary zero.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising: means for storing each pair representing an assigned channel number and a corresponding local channel number; and means for replacing an entered assigned channel with a corresponding local channel number by looking up the stored assigned channel number and accessing the stored corresponding local channel number.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the command input device comprises a remote controller for the video system.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
202 words
A system for controlling a video system comprising: a printed input data card comprising: a type code printed on the input data card, the type code for representing a category of input data printed on the card; and a plurality of input data printed on the input data card; a command input device comprising: means for scanning the input card containing the type code and the input data; and means for decoding the type code to determine the category of the plurality of input data; wherein the type code comprises a program category and the input data is arranged in a plurality of groups, each group of input data comprising a compressed code representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for a program in the program category; and the system further comprises: means for decoding and expanding each compressed code into a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for a program in the program category; and means for controlling viewing of programs by enabling the playing of programs in the program category on a television and inhibiting other programs from playing on the television.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
202 words
A system for controlling a video system comprising: a printed input data card comprising: a type code printed on the input data card, the type code for representing a category of input data printed on the card; and a plurality of input data printed on the input data card; a command input device comprising: means for scanning the input card containing the type code and the input data; and means for decoding the type code to determine the category of the plurality of input data; wherein the type code comprises a program category and the input data is arranged in a plurality of groups, each group of input data comprising a compressed code representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for a program in the program category; and the system further comprises: means for decoding and expanding each compressed code into a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for a program in the program category; and means for controlling viewing of programs by enabling the playing of programs in the program category on a television and inhibiting other programs from playing on the television.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 5 wherein: the type code is printed as a line of patterns, each pattern being relatively dark or light to represent a binary one or binary zero; and each input data is printed as as line of patterns, each pattern being relatively dark or light to represent a binary one or binary zero.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 5 further comprising means for controlling recording of programs by enabling only the recording of programs in the program category.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the command input device comprises a remote controller.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
266 words
A system for controlling a video system comprising: a printed input data card comprising: a type code printed on the input data card, the type code for representing a category of input data printed on the card; and a plurality of input data printed on the input data card; a command input device comprising: means for scanning the input card containing the type code and the input data; and means for decoding the type code to determine the category of the plurality of input data; wherein the type code comprises a parental control category and the input data represent compressed codes, representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for the programs or channels to be controlled for viewing; and the system further comprises: means for controlling the viewing of programs or channels, each program having a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time, coupled to a television signal source, the means for controlling responsive to a transmitted type code comprising a parental control category, and the means for controlling comprising: means for decoding and expanding the scanned input data representing compressed codes, each compressed code decoded into a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for the program or channel to be controlled for viewing; a clock for providing a clock output as a function; and processor means for determining that the decoded and expanded compressed code for the program or channel selected to be controlled for viewing has a pre-determined relationship to the clock output.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
266 words
A system for controlling a video system comprising: a printed input data card comprising: a type code printed on the input data card, the type code for representing a category of input data printed on the card; and a plurality of input data printed on the input data card; a command input device comprising: means for scanning the input card containing the type code and the input data; and means for decoding the type code to determine the category of the plurality of input data; wherein the type code comprises a parental control category and the input data represent compressed codes, representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for the programs or channels to be controlled for viewing; and the system further comprises: means for controlling the viewing of programs or channels, each program having a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time, coupled to a television signal source, the means for controlling responsive to a transmitted type code comprising a parental control category, and the means for controlling comprising: means for decoding and expanding the scanned input data representing compressed codes, each compressed code decoded into a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for the program or channel to be controlled for viewing; a clock for providing a clock output as a function; and processor means for determining that the decoded and expanded compressed code for the program or channel selected to be controlled for viewing has a pre-determined relationship to the clock output.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 9 wherein: the type code is printed as a line of patterns, each pattern being relatively dark or light to represent a binary one or binary zero; and each input data is printed as a line of patterns, each pattern being relatively dark or light to represent a binary one or binary zero.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
93 words
The system of claim 5 wherein: the type code comprises a theme selection and the input data represent compressed codes, representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for programs providing programming matching the theme selection; and the system further comprises: means for controlling the viewing of programs to enable only the viewing of programs represented by the input data coupled to a television signal source, the means for controlling responsive to a transmitted type code comprising a theme selection.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the command input device comprises a remote controller for the video system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for controlling a video system comprising: a remote controller comprising: means for scanning a printed input data card including a type code printed on the input data card, the type code for representing a category of input data printed on the card; and means for transmitting the input data and the type code; and a television comprising: means for receiving the input data and the type code; means for storing the received input data and the type code; and means for enabling viewing of only programs in the stored input data, each program having a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time, the means for enabling responsive to a received type code comprising a parental control category.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for controlling a video system comprising: a remote controller comprising: means for scanning a printed input data card including a type code printed on the input data card, the type code for representing a category of input data printed on the card; and means for transmitting the input data and the type code; and a television comprising: means for receiving the input data and the type code; means for storing the received input data and the type code; and means for enabling viewing of only programs in the stored input data, each program having a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time, the means for enabling responsive to a received type code comprising a parental control category.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the means for enabling viewing comprises: means for filtering for passing only a channel at a date, a time-of-day, and for a length of time corresponding to a program in the stored input data; and a clock having an output as a function of date and time-of-day coupled to the means for filtering.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the television further comprises: a means for enabling a recorder to record only programs in the stored input data, each program having a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time, the means for enabling responsive to a received type code comprising a parental control category.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
95 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein: the type code comprises a program category; the input data is arranged in a plurality of groups of lines of patterns of input data, each group of input data comprising a compressed code representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for a program in the program category; and the television comprises: means for decoding and expanding each compressed code into an assigned channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for a program.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
87 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein: the type code comprises a channel mapping category; the input data comprises pairs of input data, a first input data of each pair representing an assigned channel number and a second input data of each pair representing a corresponding local channel number; and the means for decoding and expanding compressed codes comprises a means for replacing an assigned channel with a corresponding local channel number by looking up the stored assigned channel number and accessing the stored corresponding local channel number.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
85 words
The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising: means for comparing a date and time-of-day read from a clock in the television to the decoded date, time-of-day, and length for programs in the program category; and means for successively displaying on the television programs in the program category that are currently being received by the television as determined by the means for comparing the date and time-of-day read from the clock in the television to the date, time-of-day, and length for programs in the program category.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the remote controller comprises at least one program category button for commanding the successive display of programs in the program category on the television.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus for controlling a video system comprising: a remote controller comprising: means for scanning a printed input data card including a type code printed on the input data card, the type code for representing a category of input data printed on the card; and means for transmitting the input data and the type code; and a recorder comprising: means for receiving the input data and the type code; and means for storing the received input data and the type code; and means for enabling a recorder to record only programs in the stored input data, each program having a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time, the means for enabling responsive to a received type code comprising a parental control category.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus for controlling a video system comprising: a remote controller comprising: means for scanning a printed input data card including a type code printed on the input data card, the type code for representing a category of input data printed on the card; and means for transmitting the input data and the type code; and a recorder comprising: means for receiving the input data and the type code; and means for storing the received input data and the type code; and means for enabling a recorder to record only programs in the stored input data, each program having a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time, the means for enabling responsive to a received type code comprising a parental control category.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
95 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein: the type code comprises a program category; the input data is arranged in a plurality of groups of lines of patterns of input data, each group of input data comprising a compressed code representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for a program in the program category; and the recorder comprises: means for decoding and expanding each compressed code into an assigned channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for a program.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
87 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein: the type code comprises a channel mapping category; the input data comprises pairs of input data, a first input data of each pair representing an assigned channel number and a second input data of each pair representing a corresponding local channel number; and the means for decoding and expanding compressed codes comprises a means for replacing an assigned channel with a corresponding local channel number by looking up the stored assigned channel number and accessing the stored corresponding local channel number.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for controlling a video system including a television comprising the steps of: scanning a printed input data card including a type code printed on the input data card, the type code for representing a category of input data printed on the card; and storing the input data and the type code; enabling viewing on the television of only programs in the stored input data, each program having a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time, the step of enabling responsive to a received type code comprising a parental control category.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for controlling a video system including a television comprising the steps of: scanning a printed input data card including a type code printed on the input data card, the type code for representing a category of input data printed on the card; and storing the input data and the type code; enabling viewing on the television of only programs in the stored input data, each program having a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time, the step of enabling responsive to a received type code comprising a parental control category.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the step of enabling viewing comprises the step of: filtering and passing only a channel at a date, a time-of-day, and for a length of time corresponding to a program in the stored input data on the date at the time-of-day for the program.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of: enabling a recorder to record only programs in the stored input data, each program having a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time, the step of enabling responsive to a received type code comprising a parental control category.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
135 words
The method of claim 23 wherein: the type code comprises a program category; and the input data is arranged in a plurality of groups of lines of patterns of input data, each group of input data a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for a program in the program category; and the method further comprises the step of: comparing a date and time-of-day, read from a clock in the television to the date, time-of-day, and length for programs in the program category; and successively displaying on the television programs in the program category that are currently being received by the television as determined by the step of comparing the date and time-of-day read from the clock in the television to the date, time-of-day, and length for programs in the program category.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the step of successively displaying programs on the television comprises the step of performing the step of successively displaying programs upon a command being received.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
138 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising the steps of: scanning a printed input data card including a type code printed on the input data card, the type code being for channel mapping, and the input data comprising pairs of input data, a first input data of each pair representing an assigned channel number and a second input data of each pair representing a corresponding local channel number; storing the input data comprising pairs of input data, a first input data of each pair representing an assigned channel number and a second input data of each pair representing a corresponding local channel number; and replacing an entered assigned channel number with the corresponding local channel number scanned from the input data card by looking up the stored assigned channel number and accessing the stored corresponding local channel number.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for controlling a video system including a television comprising the steps of: scanning a printed input data card including a type code printed on the input data card, the type code being for channel mapping, and the input data comprising pairs of input data, a first input data of each pair representing an assigned channel number and a second input data of each pair representing a corresponding local channel number; storing the input data pairs of input data, a first input data of each pair representing an assigned channel number and a second input data of each pair representing a corresponding local channel number; and replacing an entered assigned channel number with the corresponding local channel number scanned from the input data card by looking up the stored assigned channel number and accessing the stored corresponding local channel number.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for controlling a video system including a television comprising the steps of: scanning a printed input data card including a type code printed on the input data card, the type code being for channel mapping, and the input data comprising pairs of input data, a first input data of each pair representing an assigned channel number and a second input data of each pair representing a corresponding local channel number; storing the input data pairs of input data, a first input data of each pair representing an assigned channel number and a second input data of each pair representing a corresponding local channel number; and replacing an entered assigned channel number with the corresponding local channel number scanned from the input data card by looking up the stored assigned channel number and accessing the stored corresponding local channel number.
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