US5612749A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for receiving messages from a central transmitter with a television receiver
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1994-06-27
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Granted: 1997-03-18
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Expires: 2014-06-27
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus for receiving a message from a central transmitter with a television receiver includes a tunable radio receiver for radio signals including an encoded message transmitted from a central radio transmitter which is separate from the television receiver; a decoder for producing a decoded message signal from the received radio signal; a memory connected with the decoder for storing the decoded message signal; a signalling device advantageously including an LED for signalling the presence of the decoded message signal in memory; a converter for converting the decoded message signal to a video message signal; an RF modulator for producing a TV message signal from the video message signal and a television receiver with a television screen on which a visual message derived from the TV message signal is displayed.
Inventors
- 👤 Emil G. Bacher
- 👤 Ida N. V. Bacher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:17
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04H; H04H40/00; H04H40/18; H04H40/27; G; G08; G08B; G08B25/00; G08B25/01; G08B25/08; G08B25/085; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/4104; H04N21/4112; H04N21/47; H04N21/478; H04N21/488; H04H20/00; H04H20/86
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for receiving a message from a central transmitter with a television receiver, said apparatus comprising means for receiving a radio-frequency signal including an encoded message transmitted by a central radio transmitter, said means for receiving the radio-frequency signal consisting of a radio receiver separate from the television receiver so that said radio receiver may be turned on when said television receiver is turned off; decoding means for producing a decoded message signal from the radio-frequency signal received by the radio receiver; memory means connected with the decoding means for storing the decoded message signal; signalling means for signalling after production of the decoded message signal by the decoding means; modulator means for producing a TV message signal from the decoded message signal and television receiver means connected to the modulator means so as to receive the TV message signal and communicate the message to a viewer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for receiving a message from a central transmitter with a television receiver, said apparatus comprising means for receiving a radio-frequency signal including an encoded message transmitted by a central radio transmitter, said means for receiving the radio-frequency signal consisting of a radio receiver separate from the television receiver so that said radio receiver may be turned on when said television receiver is turned off; decoding means for producing a decoded message signal from the radio-frequency signal received by the radio receiver; memory means connected with the decoding means for storing the decoded message signal; signalling means for signalling after production of the decoded message signal by the decoding means; modulator means for producing a TV message signal from the decoded message signal and television receiver means connected to the modulator means so as to receive the TV message signal and communicate the message to a viewer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising converter means for converting the decoded message signal to a video signal, said converter means being connected between said memory means and said modulator means, and wherein said modulator means is an RF modulator and said television receiver has means for producing a visual message display on a television screen of said television receiver in response to the TV message signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said television receiver is provided with audio circuit means and said TV message signal is transmitted to said audio circuit means to produce a sound message.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said signalling means includes a light emitting diode and switching means for turning on and off said light emitting diode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said signalling means includes means for signalling when said decoded message signal is stored in the memory means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said signalling means includes means for signalling when said decoded message signal is produced by said decoding means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
116 words
Method of receiving a message from a central transmitter with a television receiver, said method comprising the steps of receiving a radio-frequency signal including an encoded message transmitted by a central transmitter with a radio-frequency receiving means; producing a decoded message signal from the radio-frequency signal received by the radio-frequency receiving means; storing the decoded message signal in a memory means; signalling after the decoded message signal is produced so that the television receiver can be turned on; turning on the television receiver in response to said signalling; converting the decoded message signal to a TV message signal and supplying the TV message signal to the television receiver to produce either a visual or sound message.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
116 words
Method of receiving a message from a central transmitter with a television receiver, said method comprising the steps of receiving a radio-frequency signal including an encoded message transmitted by a central transmitter with a radio-frequency receiving means; producing a decoded message signal from the radio-frequency signal received by the radio-frequency receiving means; storing the decoded message signal in a memory means; signalling after the decoded message signal is produced so that the television receiver can be turned on; turning on the television receiver in response to said signalling; converting the decoded message signal to a TV message signal and supplying the TV message signal to the television receiver to produce either a visual or sound message.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
Method as defined in claim 7, wherein said signalling occurs when said decoded message signal is produced.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method as defined in claim 7, wherein said signalling occurs when said decoded message signal is stored in the memory 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) | 2000-03-17 | 2000-09-16 | 2001-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-17 | 2004-09-16 | 2005-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-17 | 2008-09-16 | 2009-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |