Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.

Vibha Rustagi

Himanshu R Parikh

Paul Borsetti, Jr

Mark E Schutte

Michael P Harney

Gregory S Durden

Robert J Edwards

James B Watson

William J Saunders

Jeffrey A Madill

Jeffrey R Huppertz

A method and apparatus for providing periodic subscription television services comprises a way for subscribers who cannot afford the fees for full time television services such as a regular cable television service to obtain subscription service to a plurality of allocated channels on a periodic basis. The method comprises the steps of allocating channels to a periodic service offering and storing in memory of service denial apparatus service code data which represents the allocated channels. The service denial apparatus for providing periodic service comprises a service denial device such as a switch 389 or other circuit controlled by a controller 260 of service denial apparatus for periodically closing and opening service lines to the periodic service subscriber in accordance with predetermined periodic service intervals. For example, one periodic subscription television service offering may be a weekend service whereby the periodic service subscriber is connected to receive a predetermined plurality of channels from 6 PM on a Friday evening through 12 PM on a Sunday evening.

Method and apparatus for providing periodic subscription television

Remote control unit

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

Apparatus for broadband signal distribution is equipped with a detector for detecting when the apparatus is open and is further adapted to receive an entry code generator. If the entry code generator is not installed or, if installed, fails to generate an entry code which matches an authorized entry code stored in the apparatus, the apparatus enters a particular mode of operation whereby service provided by the apparatus is interfered with. The entry code generator comprises a circuit board for coupling with an electrical connector of the apparatus having at least one ear which precludes closure of a cover to the apparatus. A method of screening access to the apparatus from others than authorized service personnel includes waiting a predetermined period of time for coupling the access code generator before service is interfered with. Furthermore, the stored access code may be changed or the predetermined time varied by addressable command from a headend of a broadband signal distribution system.

Method and apparatus for broadband signal distribution

Growing community of inventors

Duluth, GA, United States of America

Vibha Rustagi