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AssigneeOak Industries Inc.
InventorsPieter den Toonder, Glenn P. Doles, John A. Lund, Richard G. Merrell, Graham S. Stubbs
Estimating the term…
A converter/decoder for use in subscription television includes means for converting any input TV channel to a predetermined output channel. Decoding means are connected to the converter at its output for decoding the selected output channel. The decoder is enabled in response to data carried on the TV signal which describes the program level of the particular selected channel. The means for enabling the decoder includes a comparison circuit which compares the television signal program level data with authorization data and performs an enabling function when there is correspondence between the two data entries. The authorization data may be received by the converter/decoder simultaneously with the program level data, but at a frequency other than that of the television signal, for example, at a frequency in the FM band.
A converter/decoder for use in subscription TV including means for converting any input TV channel to a predetermined output channel, decoding means connected to said converting means for decoding a selected input channel after conversion to said output channel, enabling means for said decoding means, each coded TV signal including data describing the program level of the TV signal, said enabling means further including authorization data receiving means for receiving data at a frequency other than that of a TV signal, said enabling means including means for comparing the TV signal program level data with the authorization data and to enable said decoding means when there is correspondence therebetween.
A method of authorizing the presentation of electrically transmitted intelligence to separate subscribers including the steps of:
A method of authorizing the presentation of a coded television signal including the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.