The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 26, 1989
Filed:
Aug. 17, 1988
Thomas L Russell, Jr, Colts Neck, NJ (US);
American Telephone and Telegraph Company, New York, NY (US);
AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, NJ (US);
Abstract
The system (10) provides a way of utilizing announcement distribution service equipment (21) which is presently in use in telecommunications networks (20) for ordering television or other signals (23) on a per program basis. The program signals (23) are enciphered. The receiver (30) is connected to receive a deciphered signal from a subscriber deciphering unit (18) at a subscriber location. The subscriber unit (18) is connected to the telecommunications network (20) by a nondedicated telephone service line (28). In response to an order instruction by the subscriber, the unit (18) automatically calls the appropriate announcement distribution service number for the channel associated with the desired program signal and receives from the service the coded key information (58) necessary for it to decipher the program signal. When the program signal is received by the unit (18), it is accompanied by control signals during retrace intervals which activate deciphering circuitry (G) in the unit. Also disclosed is a method of operation for the system (10) and a subscriber deciphering unit (18) for use in the system (10).