Patent · US Expired

CATV subscriber apparatus with intelligent remote control

US5046093A · kind A · utility

322Cited by
4References
44Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 5, 1989
Grant dateSep 3, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 5, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04N2007/1739
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Subscriber apparatus for a cable television system or the like comprises a converter/descrambler and a programmable remote control. All authorization data for premium services and features a subscriber is entitled to receive are stored in the remote control. Program/interface apparatus is provided to enable a subscriber to request additional premium services or features, such as pay-per-view programming. Authorization data for the requested services or features are transmitted by the program/interface apparatus to the remote control via an infrared signal path. A similar signal path is used by the remote control in controlling the converter/descrambler to provide the authorized services and features, such as the descrambling of a premium television channel.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.