Programmable television receiver controllers

A programmable television controller comprising:

• random-access memory means for storing data;
• data means for selectively generating data corresponding to a television channel;
• write-address means selectively generating a write-address corresponding to a future time for application to said memory means;
• program means for selectively storing said data in said memory means at said write-address;
• read-address means for generating said read-addresses responsive to real time;
• memory read means for applying said read-addresses to said memory means for reading out said data stored in said memory means;
• and
• control means for controlling the reception of a television receiver according to said data read from said memory means.

A programmable television controller comprising:

• a random-access memory means for storing data;
• storing means for storing data corresponding to channel selections in said memory means at write-addresses corresponding to future time periods, with said storing means including a write-address means for generating said write-addresses for application to said memory means;
• read means for reading out said data from said memory means by application of real time related read-addresses thereto when real time coincides with said future time periods and,
• control means for controlling the reception of a television receiver according to said data read from said memory means, said control means including a pretuner means having at least one input for coupling to a television receiver antenna and pretuner output for coupling to an input on the television receiver, said pretuner means being a means for selectively converting any one of a plurality of multi-frequency television signals present at said pretuner input to a fixed frequency signal;
• a controller housing for housing said controller, said controller housing being located outside a television receiver housing which encloses the television receiver controlled by said controller.