Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.

Other

Michael P Harney

Robert O Banker

Kinney Chapman Bacon

David B Lett

R Thomas Haman

James O Farmer

Himanshu R Parikh

Mark E Schutte

Lamar E West, Jr

David J Naddor

Randolph J Schaubs

Vibha Rustagi

Anthony John Wasilewski

Michael T Hayashi

Gregory S Durden

Jay C McMullan, Jr

Julius B Bagley

Lamar West

Scott L Hamilton

Paul Borsetti, Jr

Alex M Cook, Jr

Donald H Bowen

William Bradford Thatcher, Jr

Steve Nussrallah

Richard B Frederick

James E Raiser

Roy L Lowcock

Rdy T Haman, Jr

Mark E Schuttte

Mark Doremus

Larmar E West

A reprogrammable subscriber terminal of a subscription television service which can have the control program code of its control processor modified by downloading new program code from the headend. The control processor stores a boot program in an internal read only memory. Upon start up and resets, the boot program determines whether the control program should be changed from a command sent from the headend. The command, termed a parameters transactions, includes the number of expected download program code transactions required to complete the control code modification, the memory space areas where the code is to be loaded, and the channel over which the download program code transactions are to be transmitted. The channel is tuned and when the boot program receives all the download program code transactions accurately and stores them, the boot program will cause the control program to be restarted at a selected address of the new or modified control program code which has been downloaded. The boot program may download code to different configurations of subscriber terminals including those with Flash EPROM or extended memories from plug-in expansion modules.

Reprogrammable subscriber terminal

Individual pixels in a display formed of a plurality of pixels are controlled using a plurality of mixers, with each mixer having first and second inputs and an output. The mixers are connected to correspond to a matrix of rows and columns. The first inputs of all mixers corresponding to a particular, individual row in the matrix are connected to a common row lead, there being an equal number of row leads to the number of rows in the matrix. The second inputs of all mixers corresponding to a particular, individual column in the matrix are connected to a common column lead, there being an equal number of column leads to the number of columns in the matrix. A distinctive alternating signal is fed to each of the row leads, wherein the signal fed to one row lead differs from any signal fed to any other row lead by a predetermined, set frequency. An alternating signal is selectively fed to one or more of the column leads, wherein the signal fed to any particular column lead at any one time has the same frequency of one of the signals fed to the row leads. The mixer corresponding to the row which has the same frequency as the frequency being selectively fed to the column lead produces a DC voltage as an output signal from the output of the mixer. That DC voltage output is used to drive individual pixels on the display.

Frequency mixing for controlling individual pixels in a display

Off-premises cable television pay per view apparatus is coupled between first and second diplexers of off-premises subscriber service providing equipment. The diplexers separate the transmission path between a headend and a subscriber into downstream or forward and upstream or reverse transmission paths. A radio frequency transmitter is coupled between a controller and the upstream diplexer which may actuate a selected one of a plurality of data channels in the notoriously noisy subsplit 5-30 megahertz transmission spectrum for reporting billable events. On-premises equipment is minimized to comprise only a unidirectional data transmitter. The data transmission is sent repetitively over a predetermined period of time before the data transmitter, comprising a microprocessor, turns itself off to conserve power. Thus, data transmitted from the subscriber in a first format is received at off-premises equipment, service is authorized there if appropriate, and then data is transmitted over a data channel selected so as to avoid noisy portions of the spectrum in a second format to a headend.

CATV pay per view interdiction system method and apparatus

A subscriber terminal with a plug-in expansion card provides for memory expansion and security renewal. The subscriber terminal has a memory control bus including data, address, and control lines which are extended to an expansion connector. In addition, the subscriber terminal includes a secure microprocessor and secure microprocessor bus (SMB) which regulate the secure transactions of the subscriber terminal. The SMB is also extended to the external connector. The expansion card plugs into the external connector and can contain numerous combinations of external memory, such as ROM, RAM, EEPROM, Hash EPROM, or other types of memory, to supplement internal memory and/or a secure microprocessor to renew, supplement, or modify security precautions for the terminal. The extended memory of the expansion card is fully controllable by the control microprocessor of the terminal and is downloadable through the expansion connector to allow changes in the program code stored there. The expansion card is inserted into a narrow slot through the outside cover of the subscribers terminal and is guided by a carrier into the external connector. A protective casing on the card includes a pivotable door which permits the card to maintain a slim profile. The door is opened during the insertion process into the external connector by a pair of tongs positioned at an inclined angle on the carrier to expose the terminal end of the expanding card.

Subscriber terminal with plug in expansion card

A television system having sync suppression scrambling and descrambling which includes in band and out of band signaling methods. The in band signaling method modulates the IF sound carrier of a premium video channel with timing and data pulses while the out of band signaling method modulates the previously modulated IF sound on a separate carrier onto a separate out of band data carrier. The in band signaling method uses a descrambler which tunes a channel before demodulating the timing and data pulses from the sound carrier while the out of band signaling method tunes a selected data carrier to demodulate the timing and data pulses. In both methods, the timing pulses are used to restore the levels of the synchronization pulses in the sync suppressed video signal, and thus descramble the signal, while the data pulses are used for addressable messaging to the descrambler including authorization. The out of band descrambler provides broadband sync restoration for a particular channel and thus does not need a broadband tuner for the video signal.

System for broadband descrambling of sync suppressed television signals

An off-premises method and apparatus for the interdiction of unauthorized channels of a broadband cable television signal includes common circuitry for adjusting the amplitude and equalization levels of the broadband CATV signals and one or more subscriber modules for generating jamming signals of different frequencies which are used to interdict one or more unauthorized channels. Each subscriber module is associated with a subscriber and is programmable and addressable to adjust the jamming parameters of that subscriber independently of other subscribers. Each subscriber module circuit comprises a plurality of latches, each of which is associated with one of a plurality of digital to analog converters. Each of the digital to analog converters drives one or more frequency agile oscillators with its analog output to generate the jamming signals. The subscriber module is based on a sequential state machine which loads frequency control words corresponding to the jammed channels from a frequency control memory into each latch on a cyclic basis. According to one illustrated implementation, the system is adapted to perform with various jamming factors, including pulsed or continuous mode jamming, variable dwell time, and variable hopping rates depending upon the channel line-up of a particular CATV system. Generally, heavy jamming factors are combined with fast hopping rates while light jamming factors are combined with slow hopping rates. Pulsed mode jamming is combined with slow hopping rates and light jamming factors. Using a combination of jamming parameters based on a channel line-up for a particular subscriber improves overall jamming effectiveness.

Interdiction method and apparatus with programmable jamming effectiveness

An off-premises method and apparatus for the interdiction of unauthorized channels of a broadband cable television signal includes common circuitry for adjusting the amplitude and equalization levels of the broadband CATV signals and one or more subscriber modules for generating jamming signals of different frequencies which are used to interdict one or more unauthorized channels. Each subscriber module is associated with a subscriber and is programmable and addressable to adjust the jamming parameters of that subscriber independently of other subscribers. Each subscriber module circuit comprises a plurality of latches, each of which is associated with one of a plurality of digital to analog converters. Each of the digital to analog converters drives one or more frequency agile oscillators with its analog output to generate the jamming signals. The subscriber module is based on a sequential state machine which loads frequency control words corresponding to the jammed channels from a frequency control memory into each latch on a cyclic basis. According to one illustrated implementation, the addresses of the frequency control memory are generated in subgroups of the possible time slots for a duration called a repeat cycle. Each additional subgroup is then sequentially addressed for the repeat cycle before the scheme is initiated again. This technique is termed 'pulsed mode' where subgroups of 8 out of 16, termed 'half mode', and 4 out of t16, termed 'quarter mode', are illustrated. This pulsed mode of operation results in channels which are jammed during the repeat cycle and then are in the clear for other times. This type of operation provides a great deal of flexibility in distributing jamming energy to a large number of channels which can be lightly jammed. The entertainment value of the channel is thus effectively destroyed without the need of oscuring the video 100% of the time.

Interdiction method and apparatus with pulsed mode jamming

An off premises CATV system is disclosed. A headend transmits programming including pay-per-view programming and a cable distribution system distributes the programming. An off premises unit is coupled to the cable distribution system for supplying the programming to at least one subscriber. A subscriber terminal is coupled to the off premises unit over a communication link. The subscriber terminal including an input device for inputting subscriber-supplied signals indicative of a pay-per-view event to generate a message. A transmitter responsive to the subscriber-supplied signals transmits the message to the off premises unit over the communication link. The message is transmitted at a plurality of random times within a predetermined period of time.

CATV pay per view interdiction system

The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for providing a cable TV system with the ability to issue information from a system manager, determine whether the information is intended for a set top designed to receive out-of-band information or in-band information, send the information to the appropriate circuitry. Reformatting of some information is necessary and is performed by a format translator. For in-band information, information may be sent over one or more of a plurality of data streams. Certain types of information are sent over one or more data streams based on the type of information and characteristics of the data streams. It is further disclosed that for efficiency, similar information intended for several addresses is grouped together in a database manager so that the information may be sent to plural addresses at one time. Scramblers are employed with the capability of inserting data onto nonscrambled channels.

In-band controller

Equipment for use in CATV lines and a system for distribution of CATV signals and for power to operate CATV line equipment having active devices which require power is described. The system distributes CATV signals to subscribers who have ordered different levels of service (basic service without premium channels or different groups of premium channels). Housings are located in proximity to the premises of both actual subscribers and potential subscribers, and have like covers which contain tapping electronics (a directional coupler, line equalizers and power bypassing circuit). The cover has ports at opposite ends and an additional port at one end. The tapping electronics is located on a seizure board having seizure blocks spaced from each other along one edge of the board. The seizure board is rotatable ninety degrees (90.degree.) so that the blocks are aligned with the ports at the opposite ends of the cover when the cover and housing unit are aerial mounted or with the ports at one end of the cover to receive the cable when the housing is pedestal mounted. Different enclosure units are attached to the cover and are configured and equipped with different types of electronics depending upon the level of service and/or the technology used to control the transmission of the CATV signals in accordance with the level of service for particular subscribers. A larger enclosure unit contains interdiction electronics which is addressable by signals from the head end of the CATV system to control frequency agile oscillators which generate the signals for jamming selected premium channels. A smaller enclosure unit contains the splitting electronics and may contain band reject filter(s) which block transmission of premium channels not ordered by the subscribers. The housing in proximity to potential subscriber premises has an enclosure unit provided by a plate and the tapping circuits are terminated with loads simulating the subscriber loads. If desired a circuit board having a splitter may be located in the housing and connectors attached to the plate. External band reject filters may be mounted on the plate at the connectors. Power distribution along the cable is controlled by bypass circuits, containing an RF choke and switching means (a jumper) which is connected across a capacitor which blocks power (60 Hz AC) so that the power bypass circuit does not adversely affect the transmission of the RF CATV signals.

CATV distribution system, especially adapted for off-premises premium

Growing community of inventors

Atlanta, GA, United States of America

Michael P Harney