P
`
`~.
`
`‘-V0 R_LD INTELLECTUAL PRO PERTY ORGANIZATION
`lntemational Bureau
`
`
`
`INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCD
`
`
`E
`1
`(51) inzemational Patent Classification 3:
`(11) International Publication Number: W0 81/02961
`1
`1
`(-I3) Lntexixatioual Publication Date: 15 October 1981 (15.10.31)
`I-I04N 7/16, 7/o4-
`1
`;
`(21) International Application Number:
`PCT/U381/00414 I
`(72) Inventors; and
`I
`(75) Inventors/Applicxmts (far 6'5 oniy): CAMPBELL. John, E
`31 March 1981 (31.03.81) 1
`G. [US/US]; 601 West Northgace, Irving, TX 75062 §
`(US). SCHOENEBERGER, Carl, F. [US/US]; 2032 f
`-
`I
`Christie Lane, Carrolltou. TX 75007 (US). BUN-7
`I
`I
`DENS. Allan. B. [US/US]; 1831 Clear Creek Lane,
`'
`Carrolltoc1.TX 75007 (US). FOGLE, Richard. M. [US/ 3
`US]: 2013 Knoxville Drive. Bedford, TX 76021 (Us), ;
`LEMBURG. Johh. R. [US/US]: 512 Lexington Laue,
`=
`Richardson, TX 75080 (US).
`.
`
`(22) International Ftling Date:
`
`(31) Priority Application Number:
`
`13598
`
`(32) Priority Date:
`
`31 Marcil 1980 (31.03.80)
`
`(33) Priority Country:
`
`(60) Parent Application or Gram
`(63) Related by Continuation
`US
`
`i
`!
`135.987 (CIP) 1
`
`(74) Agents :TI-IUR,\/IA.-V". Ronald. V. at 31.; Hubbard. Thur '
`man. Turner, Tucker 8: Glaser, 1200 North Dallas".
`Bank Tower. LBJ Frseway at Preston Road. Dallas. TX
`73230 (US).
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`(81)De5ignz1£ed States: AT (European patent). CI-I (Euro- I
`pun patent,‘ [35 (Eumpem patent,‘ E.-R (gufopem _
`patent). GB (Europeanpa:enc1.JP‘LU(European pa-
`zent). .\’L (European patent). SE. {European patent).
`US.
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`(54) Title: ADDRESSABLE CABLE TELEVISION CONTROL S‘z"STE;V[ WITE-I VIDEO FORMAT DATA
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`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
`
`Page 1
`
`PMC Exhibit 2141
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 1
`
`

`
`(S7) Abstmct
`
`An addressable cable television control system controls I?-18Vi5i0I1 PFOE-ifafll and data Signal transmission from a centre.
`station (11) to 0. plurality of user stations. The data signals include both control and text signals in video line format which are in-
`serted on the vertical interval of the television signals. thereby freeing all channels for transmission ofboth television and oar;
`signals. Vloreover, full-cI1a.tmel teletext data invideo line format may be transmitted on dedicated next channels with the rnodi.
`ficznion ofonly head and processors (16). An intelligent converter (40) at each remote user location uses the data signals to con.
`trolhccess to the system on the basis ot‘c'nannel. tier ofscrvice, special event and program subject matter. The converter uses 2
`graphics display generator (118) to generate display signals for the presentation of the text data on the television receiver (36
`and for the generation of predetermined messages for the viewer concerning access. emergencies and other functions. The con.
`verter processes vertical interval text data and selected full-channel text data. both transmitted in video line format. The key.
`board of the subscriber (146. 168) provides a number of different functional inputs for the subscriber to interface with the Sy.
`stem. The converter (40) also includes apparatus for interfacing with two-way interactive data acquisition and control systems
`
`
`
`FOR THE PURPOSES OF INFORMATION ONLY
`
`Codes used to ideotifyStates party to the PCT on the front pages ofparnphlcts publishing international appli-
`cations under the PCT.
`
`Dcmocmic People's Republic ofiioren.
`KP
`Austria
`AT
`Liechtertstein
`Ll
`Australia
`AU
`Luxembourg
`LU
`8 razil
`BR
`Monaco
`MC
`Central African Republic
`CF
`Madagascar
`MG
`Congo'
`CG
`Malatiri
`MW
`Switzerland
`CI-1
`Netherlands
`.‘-‘L
`Czmeroou
`CM
`Norway
`NO
`_ Gertnany. Federal Republic or‘
`DE
`Romania
`R0
`— Denmark
`'
`DK
`Sweden
`SE
`"- Finland
`PI
`Senegal
`SN
`France
`FR
`Soviet Union
`SU
`Gabon
`GA
`Chad
`TD
`U oiled Kingdom
`GB
`Togo
`TG
`Hungary
`HU
`U oiled States ot‘A mericz
`US
`Japan
`JP
`
`
`-.
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2141
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
`
`Page 2
`
`PMC Exhibit 2141
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 2
`
`

`
`WU dl/UZ‘)()l
`
`PCT/US81/00414
`
`ADDRESSABLE C:-‘~.E‘>LE TELEVISION CONTROL SYSTEM WITH
`VIDEO FORMAT DAT.-\ TRANSMISSION
`
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO REL.’-\TED APPLICATION
`
`This
`
`is
`
`a continuation—in-part application of our prior co-
`
`application, U.S. Serial No. 06/135,987,
`
`filed March 31,
`
`i930.
`
`(33 .—"-.CKGROL,'i\’D OF THE lI\."."E:\'TiO:\5
`
`his invention relates to en addressable cable television control
`
`system. More particularly,
`
`the present
`
`invention relates to a cable
`
`television system having a multiple~function addressable converter and
`
`including data transmission in video format during the vertical interval
`
`of the video field or during substantially the entire video field.
`
`In recent years,
`
`the availability of cable television programs
`
`and services for
`
`the general public has expanded rapidly.
`
`Com-
`
`munication satellites have enabled nationwide programming for
`
`a
`
`number of "super stations“. Sophisticated two—way interactive cable
`
`communication systems have laid the groundwork for a wide spectrum
`
`of cable television and data communication services for the consuming
`
`public. After years of development, cable television systems have been
`
`or are now being installed in many major cities
`
`to provide the
`
`television consumer with a vast array of programming choices as well
`
`as many other services which can be utilized at home,
`
`such as
`
`shopping, banking and schoolinv. Other services provided by such
`
`‘systems incude home security monitoring, medical and emergency
`
`alert signaling and information retrieval.
`
`In order
`
`to provide these new services and programs in a
`
`systematic and efficient manner, generalized control
`
`systems are
`
`required which can supervise access to both one~way and ‘EwO-\.'~'E}’
`
`l0
`
`I5
`
`20
`
`25
`
`Exhibit 2141
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
`
`Page 3
`
`l_
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`PMC Exhibit 2141
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 3
`
`

`
`‘
`
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`
`sophisticated cable communication systems having different degrees of
`
`complexity. Control
`
`is required to differentiate and limit access on
`
`several bases,
`
`including different
`
`levels or
`
`tiers of subscribers
`
`to
`
`different television channels, and different programs and events on a
`
`5
`
`given channel.
`
`In addition, for many subscribers it is desirable to be
`
`able to limit access to certain programs because of
`
`the program
`
`there are no cable systems having this
`Presently,
`subject matter.
`degree of sophistication in controlling program access.
`Even simpler
`conventional cable systems which provide for limiting program access
`
`10
`
`must be two—way interactive systems requiring more complex and
`
`expensive equipment than one—way systems.
`
`Besides this problem of coordinating cable communications, the
`
`need for efficiency in
`
`the transmission of data has become
`
`in~
`
`creasingly apparent.
`
`Athough approximately 55 video and sound
`
`15
`
`channels are presently available between the allocated television
`
`frequencies of 50 and ’+OO megahertz,
`
`the varied types of possible
`
`cable television programming and data transmission services require
`
`the efficient utilization of
`
`these frequencies.
`
`For example,
`
`able
`
`television programming includes movies, special events, news, con~
`
`2.3
`
`sumer programming, community access and religious programming. An
`
`almost limitless range of data can be provided,
`
`including reports on
`
`stock and money markets, weather reports, airline schedules, shopping
`
`directories, entertainment schedules,
`
`traffic reports, home security
`
`data emergency and first aid information and unlimited library textual
`
`25
`
`information. The possibility for cable system operators
`
`to lease
`
`available cable channels to private concerns
`
`for
`
`these and other
`
`services makes
`
`it
`
`imperative
`
`that cable
`
`transmission control be
`
`efficient and flexible.
`
`in order
`
`to effectively utilize the available
`
`portion of the electromagnetic spectrum for such a wide variety of
`
`30
`
`programming and data transmission, the cable system should be able to
`
`process the data quickly and efficiently while using relatively simple
`
`and inexpensive equipment which is affordable to the general con-
`
`suming public.
`
`In the last few years, various experiments have been conducted
`
`35'
`
`regarding the transmission of data over the vertical blanking interval
`
`ofia normal television signal. This interval in the video signal occurs
`
`
`
` ,.P|\7Ic Exhibit 2141
`
`\ /,«_
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
`
`Page 4
`
`PMC Exhibit 2141
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 4
`
`

`
`W0 31/02961
`
`PCT/U38]/00414
`
`60 times each second as the cathode ray tube beam sweeps from the
`
`bottom to the top of the TV screen and is relatively unused for the
`
`transmission of data.
`
`Some early systems such as that shown in U.S.
`
`Patent 3,769,579- issued on October 30, 1973, utilized the vertical
`
`5
`
`interval for transmitting control signals to individual transponders at
`
`the subscriber
`
`locations. More
`
`recently,
`
`there has been exper-
`
`imentation with television broadcasting systems which transmit visual
`
`data on
`
`the vertical blanking interval,
`
`referred to as
`
`teletext
`
`transmission,
`
`for display as pages of
`
`text
`
`on suitably equipped
`
`10
`
`television receivers. These experimental systems have generally been
`
`limited to over-the-air broadcasting of
`
`teletext
`
`transmissions for a
`
`single channel, and the necessary apparatus
`
`for cable television
`
`systems has been regarded as too complicated and expensive to be
`
`practical when compared to the high-speed transmission of compact
`
`13
`
`data over a dedicated channel.
`
`"It is desirable in many instances to dedicate_an entire television
`
`channel
`
`to the transmission of data rather, than video signals.
`
`Prior
`
`art systems
`
`for dedicated data channels
`
`typicaily require specie’
`
`transmitters and receivers different from those used for
`
`the trans-
`
`20 mission of video signals in order to achieve the desired high baud (bits
`
`per second) rate to efficiently utilize the channel bandwidth.
`
`This
`
`special data transmission equipment has resulted in substantial cost
`
`and complexity, particuiarly at each remote user terminal where a
`
`different receiver is usually required for each dedicated data channel.
`
`25
`
`A simple and inexpensive system for
`
`the high speed transmission of
`
`data on a dedicated data channel has been greatly needed.
`
`
`SUMMARY OF THE Ii\“/ENTION
`
`The present
`
`invention provides a relatively inexpensive and
`
`simple cable television system having the capability of controlling
`access to a wide range of television program and data signals while
`
`30
`
`efficiently transmitting data signals in a video format during the
`vertical interval (Vi) of each television program chanhel. This VI date.
`
`not only provides control data for an intelligent converter
`
`unit, but
`
`also provides a substantial amount of textual data per channel
`
`for use
`
`35
`
`either to provide additional data to supplement a channel
`
`television
`
`program or as a separate all
`
`textual and graphic channel.
`
`,/
`'
`
`‘
`
`1,; :,
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`
`Exhibit 2141
`hippie v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
`
`Page 5
`
`PMC Exhibit 2141
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 5
`
`

`
`.. ..,__
`
`W0 81/0296}
`
`PCT/US81/00414 '
`
`it
`
`The present
`
`invention includes an intelligent addressable con-
`
`verter designed to convert and descramble video for up to 55 CATV
`
`channels. For dual cable systems, an optional cable switch on the
`
`converter doubles the available number to H0 channels. The converter
`
`of the present invention receives control data which allows the system
`
`operator to control subscription television services on a per channel,
`
`per service tier, and per event basis.
`
`In addition,
`
`the system and
`
`converter of the present invention enables each subscriber to define
`
`his own level of required eligibility based on program subject matter.
`
`The
`
`system of
`
`the present
`
`invention also enables a corn-
`
`plementary text channel to be transmitted on the vertical interval of
`each of the incoming video signals and to be decoded and displayed as
`The data for
`the
`
`an alternate channel
`
`to the video programming.
`
`complementary text channel
`
`is preferably displayed in a combination
`
`of text and graphics.
`
`This capability effectively adds 55 additional
`
`text channels for a wide spectrum of data—~type information for the
`
`consumer. Thus, the present system provides llO independent channels
`
`of television program and text viewing in a one cable system and 220
`
`channels in two cable systems. Moreover the control system of the
`
`present invention, when used in conjunction with appropriate two—-way
`
`interactive apparatus, provides a complete two-way interactive com-
`
`munication system including pay—per—view, home security, opinion
`
`polling, channel monitoring, information retrieval, and with additional
`
`equipment, energy management.
`
`Moreover, the present invention provides a relatively inexpen-
`
`sive and simple cable communication system having the capability of
`
`transmitting data signals in a video format over substantially the
`
`entire video field of
`
`selected television program channels.
`
`By
`
`transmitting data in the video format over
`
`these dedicated data
`
`channels,
`
`the present
`
`invention minimizes
`
`the need for
`
`special
`
`additional expensive equipment, particularly special data receiver
`equipment
`for
`each converter unit.
`Rather,
`each addressable
`
`converter of
`
`the present
`
`invention is readily adapted to receiving
`
`selected lines of data transmitted in video format without requiring
`
`additional expensive receiver equipment.
`
`For a better understanding of the present invention, together
`
`with other and further objects and features thereof, reference is made
`
`10
`
`I5
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2141
`
`i-BL] IRF5-20']
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`
`- 0753
`Page 6
`
`PMC Exhibit 2141
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 6
`
`

`
`WO 81102961
`
`.
`
`PCT/U881/00414
`
`to the
`
`following description taken in connection with the ac-
`
`.
`compan in
`
`C:
`drawinvs.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIGURE 1
`
`is
`
`a simplified block diagram of
`
`a preferred
`
`5
`
`embodiment of the addressable cable television control system of the
`
`present invention;
`
`FIGURE. 2 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the
`
`head end portion of the system shown in Figure 1;
`
`FIGURE 2A is a diagram showing the line layout of a video
`
`10
`
`field according to the present invention;
`
`FIGURE 2B is a time-based diagram showing the video line
`
`format of data transmission in accordance with the present invention; ,
`
`FIGURE 3
`
`is a block diagram of
`
`the programming control
`
`system shown in Figure 2;
`
`,_- \Jx
`
`FIGURE 4 is a block diagram of the head end video processor
`
`shown in Figure 2;
`
`FIGURE 5 is a more detailed block diagram of the head end
`
`video processor of Figure 4;
`
`FIGURE 6 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the
`
`20
`
`addressable converter of the present invention shown in Figure 1;
`
`FIGURE 7 is a block diagram of the converter control
`
`logic
`
`shown in Figure 6;
`
`FIGURE 8 is a block diagram of
`
`the VI data extractor unit
`
`shown in Figure 5;
`
`- 25
`
`FIGURES 9
`
`and 10 are
`
`schematic diagrams
`
`showing two
`
`preferred methods of connecting the converter of Figure 6 in a CATV
`
`system;
`
`FIGURE ii is a schematic diagram showing the data format for
`
`the system of the present invention;
`
`3:,
`
`FIGURE 12 is a flow diagram showing the operation of the
`
`_
`converter shown in Figure 6;
`FIGURE 13 is‘ a top plan view of the keyboard-of the converter
`
`of Figure 6;
`
`FIGURE ll; is a diagram showing a video layout for full-Channel
`
`‘Lu K11
`
`teletext data transmission in accordance with another embodiment of
`
`the present invention;
`
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`PMC Exhibit 2141
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 7
`
`

`
`W0 81/02961
`
`PCT/U581/00414
`
`FIGURE 15 is a block diagram for the preferred embodiment of
`
`FIGURE ll: of the head end portion of the system shown in
`
`FIGURE
`
`1;
`
`FIGURE 16 is a block diagram of the screen composition system
`
`5
`
`and selective data retrieval system shown in FIGURE I5; and
`FIGURE‘ 17
`is a flow diagram showing the operation of
`
`the
`
`converter shown in FIGURE 16 operating in conjunction with the head
`
`end of FIGURE l5.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`10
`
`FIGURE I shows a simplified block diagram of a one-way cable
`
`television system l0 in accordance with the present invention. A head
`
`end station ll
`
`includes a central data system I2 utilizing a control
`
`computer which gathers data from a wide variety of sources and
`
`formats the data for transmission on video frequency channels. The
`
`,_ Kn
`
`central data control system preferably has a two—way interface link 13
`
`with a remote computer which may be used for central control and
`
`billing
`
`functions.
`
`The
`
`formatted data
`
`is
`
`then
`
`transmitted by
`
`communications link 11+
`
`to a television program processor l6 where it
`
`is incorporated into the vertical blanking intervals of video signals
`
`20
`
`generated by a variety of television program sources.
`
`In addition, the
`
`data may be
`
`formatted for
`
`transmission in
`
`a
`
`separate channel
`
`dedicated only for
`
`the transmission of data.
`
`The dedicated data
`
`channel transmissions are connected over link 18 to a head end signal
`
`combiner 20 where they are combined with a plurality of video signals
`
`25
`
`transmitted from television program systems 16 along transmission link
`22. The head end unit
`then transmits the combined cable television
`
`and data signal to remote subscribers. Normally, the signals are then
`transmittedithrough a cable network, referred to as a cable plant to
`
`a plurality of subscribers.
`
`30
`
`FIGURE 1 shows a single cable plant 30 servicing a plurality of
`
`cable television subscribers by way of a one-way data link 32.
`
`The
`
`‘
`
`transmitted signals are received by an addressable converter #0 on a
`
`onelway data bus 32. Converter 40 then processes the data on line 38
`as determined by subscriber input
`3%.: for desired viewing on one or
`35 more television sets 36.
`
`PMC Exhibit 2141
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 8
`
`

`
`x'\.z\.:Alv-.«,/us
`
`-FL}/U~)Dl/UU‘l’1‘f'
`
`Referring now to FIGURE 2, one preferred embodiment of the
`
`data control system 12 and television program processor
`
`16 is shown
`
`in greater detail.
`
`This preferred embodiment which is shown in
`
`FIGURES 2 through 12 concerns a system which transmits data in the
`vertical interval of each video field.
`. Another preferred embodiment
`
`5
`
`disclosing a full~channel data transmission system using a video format
`
`will be discussed thereafter.
`As shown in FIGURE 2, a programming control system (PCS)
`50 generates a continuous stream of data that contains‘ a mixture of
`
`10
`
`subscriber addressing signals and channel control signals.
`
`This data
`
`is transmitted to a plurality of head end video processors
`
`(HVP) 52
`
`and 53 for combining with video signals in a plurality
`
`of different
`
`channel frequencies.
`
`PCS 50 is also preferably connected by ‘a two—
`
`way data link to a remote computer
`
`for use in various
`
`control
`
`15
`
`functions.
`
`text formatter system 51.: receives data from a wide variety
`ofl sources
`such as weather, news,
`stock and others which are
`
`formatted for video transmission and then selectively transmitted in
`
`text
`
`iorm to the plurality of HVP units 52, 53. The text formettar
`
`20
`
`system 51+ preferably is comprised of a plurality of text formatters,
`
`each processing data from a text or graphics source.
`
`A variety of
`
`manufacturers produce‘ equipment for cable television digital channels
`
`which are easily adaptable to the present system. One source of
`
`suitable conventional
`
`formatters is Video Data Systems,
`
`l-lappaque,
`
`25
`
`L.I., N.Y.
`
`Video signals are generated for
`
`input
`
`to each HVP unit by
`
`conventional sources, either from local video input sources as shown
`
`for HVP unit 52 or satellite video input sources for HVP unit 53.
`
`In
`
`either_case,
`
`the signals are processed by a conventional channel
`
`30
`
`processor 56 having modulator and demodulator units and a standard
`
`head end processor. Each television channel is preferably processed at
`
`base band video for purposes to be explained later.
`The subscriber addressing and Channel control. data from PCS 30
`
`is inserted in the vertical
`is input to HVP 52 on line All where it
`interval of the video signal. The channel control data from PCS 50
`
`35
`
`is processed at 'H\/P 52 to generate scrambler‘ signals, program
`
`identification signals, tier signals and eligibility code signals as will be
`
`D t..
`r.~:.mi
`
`,/
`'
`
`N
`PMC Exhibit 2141
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
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`PMC Exhibit 2141
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 9
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`

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`.L \...x. LI\.aL).Lo'\J\J".\'.l.“x"
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`discussed later.
`
`These signals are utilized by each subscriber's
`
`addressable converter #0
`
`to determine the particular
`
`subscriber's
`
`authorization to receive each program and to control descrambling of
`
`the video signals.
`
`One of the text signals from text formatter 54 is also input to
`
`HVP52 on line 39 to be inserted into the vertical interval of the video
`
`signal. Preferably, ‘a different type of textual data are inserted into
`
`the vertical interval of each video channel so that a complementary
`
`text channel may be selected by each remote subscriber.
`
`HVP unit 52 then routes the base band-video output with
`
`vertical interval data on line 5.14 to a standard head end modulator and
`
`processor
`
`in processing unit 56.
`
`From there,
`
`the signal
`
`is sent
`
`to
`
`master head end unit 20 where it is combined with signals from other
`
`channel processors to provide the total multiple channel CATV signal
`
`for output on line 2l to the cable plant. An FSK data modulator 58 is
`connected directly between PCS 50 and head end signal combiner 20
`line 18
`for transmission of data on dedicated data channels.
`
`..;.,F_
`‘sln...
`
`In order to understand how a data signal
`
`is transmitted on
`
`vertical interval of a television program signal, the vertical interval of
`
`a conventiona television signal will be described.
`Referring to
`FIGURE 2A, each television signal is made up of a series of “lines“
`
`each of which represent the length of time required for the cathode
`
`ray tube of the television set to make one horizontal sweep across
`
`the
`
`screen. The number of horizontal lines required to cover the screen
`
`is called a field 700, and there are two interlocking fields, both having
`262.5 lines which together form a frame.‘
`In conventional systems, 30
`
`frames are transmitted each secondto make up the television picture.
`
`.Each time the cathode ray tube reaches the bottom of the screen it
`
`-
`
`must sweep diagonally upward to the top of the screen to begin a new
`field.’
`
`This time period 702 is referred to as the "vertical
`
`blanking
`
`interval" or simply "vertical interval" and is normally
`
`approximately
`
`21 lines in length. The television picture 70!; begins at about line 21
`and extends to about line 26l, but normally the picture is viewable on
`
`most
`
`television sets only between about lines 25 and 255.”
`
`Although no television picture data is transmitted during the
`H
`vertical interval,
`the television industry has provided for
`number of
`
`different types ‘of control transmission on certain lines of the interval.
`
`l0
`
`l5
`
`20
`
`30
`
`35
`
`
`
`
`
`\..
`
`-at’,-{L~‘,_‘AU
`.
`..,..
`O_..._pPMC Exhibit 2141
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
`
`Page 10
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`PMC Exhibit 2141
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 10
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`

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`..o udlu-a/U1.
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`1‘Li/L.-bot/UU—l-1+
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`In most cases, the first nine lines of the vertical interval are used for
`
`equalizing and for vertical
`
`synchronization.
`
`Lines
`
`10
`
`to l'5.'— are
`
`normally at black level to minimize picture interference on some sets.
`
`Thus, only lines 15 to 21 are available for data transmission. Lines l5
`and l6 have already been utilized at least experimentally for other
`
`5
`
`purposes.
`
`Lines l9-21 are normally used for network control
`
`in-
`
`formation for transmission to the receiver sets.
`
`Thus,
`
`lines l7 and 18 are the only ones which are presently
`
`available for vertical interval data transmission 710 using the invention
`
`10
`
`of the present system.
`
`These two lines normally contain network
`
`testing data to determine proper reception by the head end system.
`
`Once the television signals have been received,
`
`lines 17 and 18 can be
`
`cleared for passing data to the converters using the present invention.
`
`It should be understood that if additional lines in the vertical interval
`
`13
`
`they could also be used for data
`future,
`the
`are cleared in
`tiansrlniission in accordance with the present
`invention.
`the
`E
`Preferably,
`the present
`invention uses lines 17 and 18 of
`vertical
`interval
`to transmit both the -”.e.‘<12 data and the subscriber
`
`address and channel control data.
`
`In one field of a given frame lines
`
`20
`
`l7 and 18 are used to transmit text data, and in the other frame field,
`
`the subscriber address and channel control data is projected on
`
`lines
`
`l7 and 18. The present
`
`invention also uses line lO which is at
`
`the
`
`.blacl< "zero" voltage
`
`level of
`
`each vertical interval
`
`for
`
`a DC
`
`reference level 7l2 for the data signals. This reference signal passes
`
`25
`
`to the converter as part of the vertical
`
`interval where it is used as
`
`a reference level for data extraction. This procedure greatly enhances
`
`the accuracy of the data transmission by automatically compensating
`
`for any DC level shift in the vertical interval portion of the television i
`
`signal.
`
`30
`
`Using the procedure described above an effective text charac-
`ter transfer rate of about 2140 characters per second is achieved. This
`
`is a relatively slow rate compared to some other ‘methods of data
`transmission. However, since the text may be transmitted over all 55
`
`television program channels the total text available to the user is very
`
`35
`
`substantial. Moreover, as previously mentioned, the present invention
`
`may inclu'de one or more dedicated channels
`
`for only text data
`
`transmission using the "line" or video format which will be described
`
` I‘ “‘PI\‘/rc Exhibit 2141
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
`
`Page 11
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`PMC Exhibit 2141
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 11
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`

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`. 54+;
`
`\.4N.«\J—t-I\/\J'T'J."{
`
`lO
`
`more fully in FIGURES 2B and 11.
`
`By using most of the 525 lines of
`
`each television signal frame for text data transmission a vast quantity
`
`of text can be transmitted and received on a given channel using the
`
`transmitting and receiving-apparatus of
`
`the present system.
`
`No
`
`special expensive data transmission or receiving equipment
`
`is
`
`re»
`
`quired.
`
`N
`_
`A better understanding of the line or video format of the data
`used in the present invention may be obtained by reference to FIGURE
`
`2B, which shows a standard timing diagram for a single television line
`
`of the type shown in FIGURE 21?». This is a standard video line format
`
`in accordance with FCC or NTSC requirements. The amplitude of the
`
`video signal
`
`is measured in standard IRE units.
`
`As shown in the figure, the video signal begins with a negative
`
`horizontal sync pulse 720 of about #0 IRE units. This pulse establishes
`
`the beginning point of the horizontal sweep of the cathode ray tube
`
`across the screen. Next, a color burst oscillating pulse 722 occurs
`
`which is normally used to synchronize color decoding circuitry in a
`television receiver.
`
`Data is encoded in the video scan line 721+ following the color’
`
`burst signal 722 as shown in FIGURE 25.
`
`This
`
`line is normally
`
`composed of 92’l:>it intervals with each bit being identified as "I" with
`
`an amplitude level of 50 to 80 IRE units or "0", carrying an amplitude
`
`of approximately zero IRE units- in this manner, the standard analog
`
`video signal is replaced by a binary digital data packet 726 of 92 bits
`
`which is transmitted together with the horizontal sync pulse and color
`
`burst pulse, both of which are analog signals.
`Looking now at FIGURE 3, the programming control system 50‘
`
`is shown in greater detail. The heart of PCS 50 is a sophisticated
`
`control computer, having both a random access memory and a read-
`
`only'memory.
`
`Computer 60 is preferably a conventional general
`
`purpose minicomputer utilizing a central data system. Computer 60
`
`may be controlled by a conventional system operator console 62, a real
`time clock 6!: and external data links 66 including a two-way interface
`
`l0
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35C
`
`with another remote computer for central control. Control computer
`is also connected to magnetic storage devices such as a cartridge
`tape data ‘storage unit 68 and a
`floppy disk subsystem 70
`com-—
`
`municating with control computer 60 over two—wa_v data links 72 and
`
`
` x
`;.\A|
`
`‘.3 ‘.;v.\L'.;—\[,‘
`
`0;.-_pl?MC Exhibit 2141
`'- V‘ Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
`
`/.
`
`
`
`
`Page 12
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`PMC Exhibit 2141
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 12
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`

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`- —-'"-~-
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`.l"L..l/U:.‘OllUU~a-J.-r
`
`ll
`
`7!; respectively. Other outputs to conventional units such as remote
`
`terminal 76 and printer 78 are optional.
`
`'3 One preferred embodiment. oficontrol Computer 60 comprises a
`
`rack-mounted Hewlett-Pacl<ard 1000 minicomputer
`
`system having
`
`5
`
`standard operating system software. The computer may also include
`
`to interface with two—way data
`application programs allowing it
`acquisition and control systems. This interface is preferably carried
`
`out by communications with the home terminal shown in FIGURE ID.
`
`The head end video processor unit 52 of FIGURE 2 is shown in
`
`10
`
`more detail
`
`in FIGURE 4.
`
`A digital control and timing unit 80
`
`receives the text data from text formatter 51.1 on line 39 and the
`
`subscriber addressing and channel control data from PCS 50 on line 1.11
`
`and processes it
`
`for
`
`insertion in the vertical
`
`interval of the video
`
`channels. The data on line #1 loops through unit 80 and back out on
`
`13
`
`line #2 to the next digital control and timing unit. The base band video
`signal‘-is input on line ’—‘3
`to a videdvertical interval processing unit
`32 where it is processed for insertion of the subscriber addressing and
`
`channel control data from unit 80 via two~way data link
`
`As
`
`the data is preierably inserted on two lines of
`previously described,
`each vertical
`interval
`and then directed to a conventional video
`
`20
`
`scrambler S6. The resulting video signal which has been loaded with
`
`data and scrambled” is
`
`then connected to the standard head-end
`
`processor 56 shown in FIGURE 2.
`
`Referring now to FIGURE 5, the head end video processor 52 is
`
`7-5
`
`shown in even greater detail. The digital control and timing unit
`
`80
`
`includes a data formatter 88, a scrambler controller 90, a sample and
`hold unit 92 and a timing signal generator 94.
`The video
`vertical
`
`interval processing unit 82 includes a sync extractor 96 and
`switch unit as.
`V
`
`a video
`
`30
`
`The video signal is input on line 43 to the sample and hold unit
`
`92, the sync extractor 96 and the video switches 98. The text data
`is input
`to the data formatter 88 on line 39 and the subscriber and
`control data is input on line {+1 to data formatter 88 and output on line
`42. The sync extractor unit 96 divides out the horizontal and vertical
`sync signals from the video signal and directs them to the timing
`signal generator on line 85.
`Timing signal generator 94 counts the
`
`lines of the vertical interval of each field and outputs enabling signals
`
`35
`
`at the appropriate time.
`
`V_
`‘
`
`5‘; 2'1 t; .-1‘ O-‘\
`_£‘~:Pi
`P|'\/IO, Exhibit2141
`I A
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
`
`Page 13
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`PMC Exhibit 2141
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 13
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`

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`"" """""”*
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`i’L.l/UC>i3l/UU-l-l.~l-
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`l2
`
`A reference enable signal
`
`is output to sample and hold unit 92
`
`on line 95 when "line 10"
`
`in each vertical
`
`interval
`
`is detected
`
`representing the black "zero" level which is used asthe DC reference
`
`level. The sample and hold unit then outputs a DC reference signal
`
`5
`
`on line 93 to the data formatter so that the incoming data or text can
`
`be properly positioned relative to "line J0” of
`the vertical
`interval.
`The properly‘ formatted data is then output to video switches. 98 to
`
`await transmission at the proper time in the vertical
`
`interval.
`
`‘J/hen timing signal generator 91.: reaches "line l7" in the vertical
`interval, a data enable signal is output on line 83 to the video switches
`
`lo
`
`98.