System and controller for control and distribution of audio and video signals
US6574798B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 12, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 3, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 12, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/6187
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The object of the invention is to provide a system and controller for distribution of audio/video signals on a pay-for-use basis, to a customer in a controlled environment such as a motel, hotel, bus station, bar or apartment building. The system includes a global authorization computer which transmits authorization to the customer over a telephone line. The customer has a telephone line/television control interface which receives the dual-tone multi-frequency authorization and allows the customer to select the authorized channel for a defined length of time. Without authorization, the telephone line/television control interface will deny the customer's attempt to tune his television to a pay-for-use channel. When the authorized time expires, the telephone line/television control interface tunes the customer's television to a non-pay-for-use channel. Additional options and embodiments are also presented.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.