Digital video converter box for subscriber/home with multiple television sets
US5936660A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 10, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 10, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/4405
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A digital video conversion system housing multiple converter chains of units in a single main box chassis. A preferred embodiment uses only a single conditional access unit to authorize decryption of premium channels in response to a smartcard. The conversion system allows a single converter box sharing consolidated decryption (access control) circuitry and a single remote control receiver to provide video output for multiple television sets on the subscriber's premises. In addition to reducing the subscriber's hardware costs per television set, a common access control allows the video service provider to grant a multiple-set discount on a single smartcard.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.