US 5,329,370 AGranted

Remote control system and method for cable television system

OwnerLauren F. Yazolino, Ming S. Leunginventors

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Abstract

A cable television system provides television signals in multiple predefined television signal formats. Each television has a multi-standard receiver for receiving television signals in those predefined television signal formats. Hidden behind each television, or elsewhere out of view of the user, is a converter coupling the respective television to transmission cable. The only connection from the converter to the television is a cable connected to the television's cable or antenna input port. Each television includes a sensor for receiving wireless command signals. The television's control circuitry ingores wireless command signals not in a first defined set. The converter includes a sensor for receiving a second defined set of wireless command signals. The converter's sensor is preferably located near or on the housing of the television. The converter's controller ignores wireless command signals not in the second defined set. The converter's controller responds to wireless channel selection commands by tuning the frequency converter to a respective television channel and/or by transmitting pay-per-view requests to the controller at the head end of the system. A remote controller signal transmitter includes a memory table that stores data representing the commands and signal formats to use when transmitting wireless commands. Some user commands are transmitted as wireless commands to the television, other user commands are transmitted as wireless commands to the converter and at least one user command is transmitted as wireless commands to both the television and the converter.

Claims10

Dependent claims

Cable television apparatus, comprising:

a television signal converter including:
a frequency channel converter that receives a multiplicity of television signals in different frequency bands and outputs any selected one of said multiplicity of television signals on a predefined frequency band;
a first sensor for receiving wireless command signals;
a first controller coupled to the frequency channel converter and said second sensor, said second controller responding only to a first predefined set of wireless commands, said first controller responding to wireless converter channel selection commands by selecting one of said multiplicity of television signals to be output by said frequency channel converter;
a television having:
an on/off switch for turning the television on and off;
a tuner coupled to an input signal port;
a second sensor for receiving wireless command signals;
a second controller coupled to the on/off switch, tuner and sensor, said second controller responding only to a second predefined set of wireless commands received by said sensor that are distinct from said first predefined set of wireless commands, said second controller responding to wireless on/off commands received by said sensor by toggling said on/off switch, said controller further responding to wireless TV channel selection commands received by said sensor by sending corresponding channel selection signals to said tuner;
a remote control transmitter including:
a user interface for selecting user commands from a predefined set of user commands;
a memory table storing for each command in said predefined set of user commands at least one wireless command to transmit in response to selection of said each command;
and
a transmitter coupled to said user interface and said memory table that responds to on/off user commands by transmitting said wireless on/off command signal and transmitting a predefined one of said wireless converter channel selection commands that selects a predefined one of said multiplicity of television signals to be output by said frequency channel converter;
and that responds to channel selection user commands by transmitting corresponding wireless converter channel selection commands;
whereby both said television and said television signal converter respond to wireless commands from said remote control transmitter.

13 more elements

Cable television apparatus, comprising:

a television having:
an on/off switch for turning the television on and off;
a tuner coupled to an input signal port;
a first sensor for receiving wireless command signals;
a first controller coupled to the on/off switch, tuner and sensor, said first controller responding only to wireless commands received by said sensor having a first predefined signal format, said first controller responding to wireless on/off commands received by said sensor having said first predefined signal format by toggling said on/off switch, said controller further responding to wireless TV channel selection commands received by said sensor having said first predefined signal format by sending corresponding channel selection signals to said tuner;
a television signal converter including:
a frequency channel converter that receives a multiplicity of television signals in different frequency bands and outputs any selected one of said multiplicity of television signals on a predefined frequency band;
a second sensor for receiving wireless command signals;
a second controller coupled to the frequency channel converter and said second sensor, said second controller responding only to wireless commands received by said second sensor having a second predefined signal format which is distinct from said first predefined signal format, said second controller responding to wireless converter channel selection commands having said second predefined signal format by selecting one of said multiplicity of television signals to be output by said frequency channel converter;
and
a remote control transmitter including:
a user interface for selecting user commands from a predefined set of user commands;
a memory table storing for each command in said predefined set of user commands at least one wireless command to transmit in response to selection of said each command, said memory table storing, for each wireless command, data representing (A) which of said first and second signal formats to use when transmitting said wireless command and (B) said wireless command;
and
a transmitter coupled to said user interface and said memory table that responds to on/off user commands by transmitting said wireless on/off command signal having said first predefined signal format and transmitting a predefined one of said wireless converter channel selection commands having said second predefined signal format so as to select a predefined one of said multiplicity of television signals to be output by said frequency channel converter;
and that responds to channel selection user commands by transmitting corresponding wireless converter channel selection commands having said second predefined signal format;
whereby both said television and said television signal converter respond to wireless commands from said remote control transmitter.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/090,507Filed 13 Jul 1993
Granted: 12 Jul 1994
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

H04H 60/43
For identifying broadcast space, i.e. broadcast channels, broadcast stations or broadcast areas: for identifying broadcast channels
H04H 60/32
Arrangements for monitoring broadcast services or broadcast-related services: arrangements for monitoring conditions of receiving stations, e.g.…
H04N 5/60
Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards: for the sound signals
H04N 7/16
Television systems: analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems