United States Patent 19)
`Matsumotoet al.
`
`[11]
`[45]
`
`4,245,245
`Jan. 13, 1981
`
`3,934,079
`3,944,742
`
`1/1976
`3/1976
`
`Barrihart) ccsiscsceucsanicisecsy 178/5.1
`Cunningham ...........0.. 178/DIG.13
`
`Primary Examiner—Stephen C. Buczinski
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Fraser and Bogucki
`
`[54]
`
`[75]
`
`INTERACTIVE CATV SYSTEM
`
`Inventors: Katsuaki Matsumoto; Yoshifumi
`Saeki; Osamu Tazawa; Minoru
`Kosaka; Masaki Saito; Hiroki
`Uemura; Tetuo Kanazashi; Seiji
`Hashimoto; Tsuyoshi Fujiwara;
`Tsutomu Fukui, all of Tokyo; Saburo
`Takaoka, Tokorozawa; Tsutomu
`Suzuki, Tokorozawa; Shozo
`Nakamuta, Tokorozawa; Toshihiko
`Hosaka, Tokorozawa; Kuniaki
`Shiratori, Tokorozawa; Youichiro
`Tsuda, Tokorozawa; Takashi Morii,
`Tokorozawa; Sumitaka Matsumura,
`Tokorozawa; Morihisa Oka,
`Tokorozawa,all of Japan
`
`(73] Assignee:
`
`Pioneer Electronic Corporation,
`Tokyo, Japan
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 654,721
`
`Feb, 2, 1976
`[22] Filed:
`[30]
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`Feb. 24, 1975 [JP]
`Japan ....ccccssssssscssssscsessaneeee 50/23041
`
`[BU THE CLP cssisissscccssccsronive HO4N 7/16; HO4N 7/00;
`HO4N 7/16
`[$29 WSs Glass csnacssennnsncscacas 358/122; 358/84;
`358/114; 358/118; 358/121; 358/123
`[58] Field of Search............ 178/5.1, DIG. 13, 70 TS;
`179715 AD; 358/84, 86, 114, 121, 122, 123,
`124, 118
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`A two-way CATV system having a substantial number
`of terminals incorporates a central processor and trans-
`mitter system which continually interrogates the termi-
`nals at high speed, monitoring changes of usage of pre-
`mium programs and other data while also permitting
`central control of access to restricted premium pro-
`grams. For inexpensive but reliable intercommunica-
`tion, short, fixed word length digital messages are fre-
`quency multiplexed onto the cable in both upstream and
`downstream directions, and subscriber groups are con-
`trollably selected in turn, with each subscriber being
`scanned in what may be an arbitrary order by transmis-
`sion of unique private messages which are recognizedat
`the terminal and in response to which previously pre-
`pared fixed length messages are immediately transmit-
`ted in return. By employing both upstream and down-
`stream messages whichare initiated by a series of syn-
`chronizing bits and non-ambiguously related subsequent
`data sequences, and by the provision of means toinitiate
`both downstream and upstream messages of short
`length without delay, rapid but
`reliable data inter-
`change is effected despite differences in transmission
`and response times with different subscribers. Concur-
`rently, terminal status and various special conditions
`including security alarms are remotely processed at
`each terminal, and short upstream messages are assem-
`bled containing priority selected data to be transmitted
`in response to an interrogation. The system incorpo-
`rates additional means for monitoring powerstatus,
`«2/1963
`3,078,337
`Shanahan et al. wee 358/84
`program selection and authorization and other operat-
`6/1972
`3,668,307
`.......
`- 358/86
`Faceetal.
`
`‘ing conditions at each terminal effectively to provide
`2/1971
`3,729,576
`« 178/5.1
`Court ......
`
`accurate and reliable accounting information while
`9/1973
`3,757,035
`» 178/51
`Sullivan ...
`
`preventing unauthorized or
`improper usage of re-
`
`
`3,790,700 2/1974 Callais et al.oo...eeeeee 358/84
`stricted premium programs.
`Boenkeetal. ...
`. 178/DIG. 13
`3,836,888
`9/1974
`
`3,889,054
`6/1975 Nagel etal......
`178/DIG.13
`11/1975 Hartung et al. oes 178/5.1
`3,919,462
`
`22 Claims, 35 Drawing Figures
`
` PMC Exhibit 2085
`
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 1
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1981
`
`Sheet 1 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`FIG,
`
`1B
`
`ast i+
`
`FIG. 2
`
`a—ae2
`
`upstrean signal
`
`downstream sisn2al
`
`FIG. 6A
`
`one frame ( min. 20 bits )
`
`FIG. 6B
`
`
`
` sync. ( min. 7 bits) addresssdaxess(51 5Said) command ( 4 dits )
`
`index (1 bit )“—acaress ( 41 bit )
`start (1 bit )
`isolation ( 1 bit )
`
`
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 2
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 2
`
`

`

`U.
`
`S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1981
`
`Sheet 2 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`
`
`LINO1OULNOD‘1VALINAO
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`WALLINSNVaL|YILLINSNVAL
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`JINOHdOddaLS
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`|;
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`dOSSWOUdTIVNSISAL
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`tH
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`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 3
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 3
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1981
`
`Sheet 3 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`Tse
`
`io
`-
`
`__ 30
`
`| 2
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`8
`
`FIG. 4
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`Ll
`za
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`30
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`=
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`26
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`30
`mi | |
`2s
`2s
`= 2
`
`Po
`
`2s
`
`£8
`
`30
`
`56
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 4
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1981
`
`Sheet 4 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`ieYOSNAS
`
`(\
`
`YaMod
`
`(ANVAOSAG
`
`litt
` VNNEINYWEpy
`
`ow
`
`TALI
`
`fecnSeeSbSOTA
`LeoF
`HSNOdSaaWAalTyosans
`
`.bfgEaeeeel]VNNAINVAL
`EANOD[OIGnYWA
`cow
`
`AGM
`
`EY
`
` HOLIMS
`
`wYOSNAS
`
`ey
`
`S‘SId
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 5
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1981
`
`Sheet 5 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`
`
` OD eesseneeeeees DOL
`
`
`
`
`n th terminal unit
`n=l th terminal
`unit
`
`X bits
`1 bit
`8 bits
`
`FIG. ll
`
`carrier stop
`
`cavYier start
`
`carrler stop
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 6
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1981
`
`Sheet 6 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`FIG. 10
`
`oPLILASomePL= DATA (1), LEVELL FORDATA (0)
`
`
`EACH 1 BIT FOR LEVEL H FOR
`
`
`
`
`LEVEL CHANGES FOR DATA MARK (1),
`/4R3-M
`LEVEL MAINTAINED FOR DATA
`
`(NREZ2L)
`MARK (0)
`
`LEVEL CHANGES FOR DATA SPACE
`LEVEL KEPT FOR DATA MARK
`
`
`
`1/2 BIT FOR LEVEL H FOR DATA (1)
`
`LEVEL L FOR DATA (0)
`
`
`
`
`+ LEVEL CHANGES FOR DATA (1),
`- LEVEL CHANGES FOR DATA (0)
`
`
`
`CHANGING DIRECTION ALTERS FOR
`
`DATA MARK, CHANGING DIRECTION
`
`NOT ALTERED FOR DATA SPACE
`
`
`CHANGING DIRECTION NOT ALTERED
`FOR DATA MARK, CHANGING
`
`DIRECTION ALTERED FOR DATA SPACE
`
`
`3/4 BIT PULSE FOR DATA Ce
`1/4 BIT PULSE FOR DATA (0
`
`
`
`+1/2 PULSE FOR DATA (1),
`-1/2 PULSE FOR DATA (0)
`
`
`
`
`FOR DATA (1);
`CHANGES -,0,+,-,
`-0,-+, FOR DATA (0)
`
`
`+ PULSE FOR DATA (1 0),
`0 -
`FOR DATA (0 0 1),
`- + for data (0 0)
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 7
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13,
`
`1981
`
`Sheet 7 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`NUTT
`
`eePFaN_-THO|LO
`
`!SSHOOudSOLVLS
`
`ANTLNOUSSTDOUdLdIaINIALL
`
`
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`
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`NOLLVUISTOUYWaaTuosans
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`SNTINO’SSHIOUdAATHOAA
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`ANTLINOYYOSsHoOUddad
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`aqevd3adTWNOLSaNaskK=—)
`
`SsyooudASNGdSHa
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`Seap0NaauATIVIl}—Y
`
`SSaADOUdYOSNAS
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`(AWILGNYssayaav)
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`AALWOSANSIVIodds
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`GALTON
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`TVLOadS
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`ANILAOYAVIdMSIG
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`NOLLVNINIUOS1d
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`LIASFa
`
`|LSTTooHOV
`
`él“91d
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 8
`
`LdOYaaLNT
`
`aOedNos
`
`HALHOga
`
`IVNOIS
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`Ovid
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`
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`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 8
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1981
`
`Sheet 8 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`
`
`|
`\
`
`!
`|
`I
`-i
`
`||
`
`|
`|
`
`al
`Zz
`!
`|
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`SINUSOIDAL
`GRAY-SYNC
`
`
`
`FIG, 14 bSoOSOLOe
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`FIc.
`
`t
`{
`i
`I
`1
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`t
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`'
`1
`|
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`of
`oe
`hg
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`ly
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`ky
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`'orrei gia!
`15a ie
`oF yo voto
`po
`bot
`t ee |
`bo
`fo
`pope
`ba
`i
`syne
`sync
`start
`index address Siete address
`yn
`( data : 01001010101 )
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 9
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1981
`
`Sheet 9 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`data signal PULL | i Lu] | il
`
`FIG. 16
`
`0900004 OL OLGOOtL?A
`
`————_xo,oe_um
`syne
`start
`data
`
`RCP signal|
`
`[
`
`Ee ee aa mes|en es ee eee meee ree “
`
`15
`|
`[TRANSMIT }
`|
`Xcc cope
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`aa R
`>ITIMING
`X
`Yk
`ONTROLLER
`63
`
`62
`
`NRZ/
`BI-PHASE |
`CONVERTER
`Chce
`herenaw
`A
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`
`|
`|
`|
`|
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`|
`|
`|
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`65
`18
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`
`RESPONSE BL-PHASE/|/P
`Yo KX————JSIGNAL
`<—iNRZ
`
`CODE CONV
`CONVERTER
`
`|
`t
`
`
`
`CLOCK
`PULSE
`
`DETECTOR 3
`
`FIG. 17
`
`wa
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 10
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1981
`
`Sheet 10 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 11
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 11
`
`

`

`
`
`U.S. Patent—Jan. 13, 1981 Sheet 11 of 15 4,245,245
`
`
`
`
`
`©,attenuation(4B)
`
`
`db frequency (MHz)
`
`FIG. 23
`
`5.75 MHz
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 12
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1981
`
`Sheet 12 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`EESTANT‘2
`
`DETECTOR»[-— = lic) iat |
`
`
`
`|
`RF TRANSFORMER
`i AMP
`O
`|
`
`
`108 109f410 1=112 113 7
`
`
`
`
`(nT [—
`a
`- —|
`| f22 |
`led) or
`RF
`RE
`|
`
`|
`Tl]
`ame
`[-
`amp
`[
`AMP
`||
`|
`1
`'
`
`.
`‘ ee
`AMP
`DT
`:
`-
`116
`MWS
`114-
`DETECTING RECTIFIER CIRCUIT”
`FIG.
`22
`
`*
`
`FREQUENCY
`DISCRIMINATOR
`
`\(d)
`
`|
`|
`
`|
`
`|
`——j
`17 Courecutne crRcUTt
`& 437g
`
`105
`
`|
`!
`
`|
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`|
`
`j
`
`L,
`
`RF
`
`L,
`
`|
`
`|
`
`FIG. 24
`
`G)
`
`ea
`
`28 q
`
`&
`°
`
`frequency ( yy)
`fs
`ty
`Fa
`ty
`tr
`
`Nscsacennyeemeemrers U.__-———_
`
`5 channel
`
`6 channel
`
`7 channel
`
`ma
`
`t
`re
`
`g¢b
`
`y)A
`
`2 >e
`
`el
`
`ty
`
`ta Fy
`
`ty
`
`frequency (MHz)
`
`6 channel.
`
`7 channel
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
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`IPR2016-00753
`Page 13
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1981
`
` |
`
`Sheet 13 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`
`
`attenuation(4B)
`
`fm-|
`Fm
`Fn+
`
`
`—=frequency (Mie ) PMC Exhibit 2085
`
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 14
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.
`
`13, 1981
`
`Sheet 14 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 30
`
`powergain
`
`AGC OUTPUT
`
`——_ =e Le
`
`
`
`NORMAL
`RF-TV COMPOSIT
`SIGNALS
`
`e
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 15
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1981
`
`Sheet 15 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`FIG. 32
`
`
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
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`IPR2016-00753
`Page 16
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 16
`
`

`

`i
`
`4,245,245
`
`INTERACTIVE CATV SYSTEM
`
`2
`ber of treatments can be found in theliterature as to the
`general organization of systems for high speed interro-
`gation of the subscriber terminals, sometimes only in
`BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION
`intermittent fashion as at the start of a program, and
`other times in overlapping precisely sequenced fashion
`This invention relates to CATV and pay TV, and
`in which successively more remote subscribers are in-
`more particularly to two-way CATV systems.
`There have been many variations of pay television
`terrogated in turn. There are descriptionsin thelitera-
`and subscription television systems, such as over-the-
`ture of systems intended to serve hundreds of thousands
`air, coin operated, multiple wiring, and other configura-
`and even up to a million subscribers. Such generalized
`tions, most of which have not been commercially em-
`treatments do not confront
`the substantial
`technical
`ployed to any great extent althoughthe subject of much
`problemsthat are encountered in practice in communi-
`patentliterature. The field of community antenna tele-
`cating between a central station and a substantial num-
`vision systems, or CATV, has more recently tended
`ber, say 10,000 to 20,000 or more, of subscribers. In a
`toward usage of modern electronic communication and
`multiple branch network of this kind the signals are in
`data processing techniques and a substantial body ofart
`fact delayed, distorted and attenuated from many causes
`has developed in what are known as two-wayorbidi-
`and to varying extents, so that intercommunication is
`rectional CATV systems. In the category of systems
`far from ideal. Cumulative delays from various sources
`with which the present disclosure is concerned, a cen-
`greatly reduce the interrogation rate, if reliable inter-
`tral station is employed which includes some type of
`communication is to be achieved, but there is a particu-
`processing and interrogating system, now typically a
`lar need for correct data ina CATV system because of
`general purpose or special purpose computer having
`the inevitable customer reaction to incorrect billings.
`both substantial storage and processor capability. The
`Thereis a separate line of developmentin communi-
`central station also includes television transmission fa-
`cations and CATV technology, in which special noise
`cilities for transmitting a substantial number of pro-
`measuring or distortion measuring circuits are included
`grams, some of which are “free” programs for the sub-
`in the system, along with controllable mechanisms for
`scribers, and the extent of use of which need not be
`selectively adjusting the gain, bandpass, slope and other
`monitored, while other programsare special or pre-
`amplifier characteristics, or for selectively blocking off
`mium programs such asfirst run motion pictures, the
`sources of noise in the system in order to enable one
`selection of which by a subscriber requires an appropri-
`remote transmitter out of a substantial number oftrans-
`ate payment. There arealso otherpossible categories of 30
`mitters to be received at the centralstation with a signal
`programs,including particularly the specialized or lim-
`having an adequatesignal-to-noise ratio. Extensive con-
`ited access type of program, here termed restricted
`trols of this kind, however, not only impose a substan-
`premium programs, to which only certain subscribers
`tial economic burden on the system, but also demand
`are to be permitted access. These may include, for ex-
`processor and equipment time and involve their own
`ample, specialized presentations for professional medi-
`operating problems.
`cal, legal, business, social or governmental groups.
`An interactive two-way CATV system should be
`There are a number of approaches to controlling
`able to provide useful interchanges between the central
`access to programsin a two-way CATV,some of which
`involve recording systems, coin operated systems, spe-
`station and the individual terminals. Some systems have
`cial pre-paid descramblers and the like. These ap-
`goneas far as to propose transmission of both video and
`proaches however are characterized by the common
`audio in both directions between the subscribers and the
`difficulties of cumbersome and unreliable accounting,
`central station, or between individual subscribers. The
`supply or collection procedures, and it
`is generally
`incorporation of such features, however, would not
`preferable to utilize the central control and accounting
`permit general usage in CATV systems, because of the
`functions of a two-way CATV system for such pur-
`attendant cost. Systems are known which provide a
`poses. A numberoftwo-way CATV systems are known
`number ofindividual desirable features, such as pro-
`which incorporate features intended to provide a de-
`gram previewing without cost, accurate accumulation
`gree of central control and monitoring of program con-
`of usage data, protection against unwanted usageof pay
`tent and usage. Someofsuch systems employ frequency
`programs, ability to interrogate subscribers, and capa-
`division multiplexing for data interchange, with a num-
`bility for indicating the existence offire, emergency or
`ber of different frequencies being utilized in combina-
`other alarm conditions. However, such features have
`tion to effect command and control. More advanced
`generally been provided on anisolated basis in individ-
`systems utilize a combination ofserial digital data in
`ual systems, and the prior art has not heretofore dis-
`both upstream and downstream directions that is fre-
`closed an arrangement that is at the same time highly
`quency multiplexed with the video and audio channels,
`versatile, economical and ofpractical utility,
`and interrogate the terminals using a time division mul-
`The following patents are illustration of theart:
`tiplex mode. Someof such systems employ a combina-
`eeee
`tion of frequency shift keying in one band in the down-
`U.S. Pat. Nos.
`stream direction, with phase shift keying in another
`bandin the upstream direction, to simplify the receiving
`and transmitting circuitry at the numerous subscriber
`terminals. Circuits may also be employed at the termi-
`nals for assembling messagesto be returned to the cen-
`tral station.
`The most relevant art pertaining to advanced two-
`way CATV systems using FSK or PSK upstream and
`downstream transmissions discusses, but does not show,
`high speed interrogation orpolling techniques. A num-
`
`George Bruck
`Eugene Leonard
`George Bruck et al
`Richard J. Farber et al
`William W. Face et al
`Joseph H. Beck
`John R. Thompson etal
`Samuel J. Curry et al
`David S. MeVoyet al
`Richard T. Callais et al
`William Osbornet al
`
`5
`
`20
`
`35
`
`45
`
`30
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`3,050,712
`3,130,265
`3,230,302
`3,387,083
`3,668,307
`3,676,580
`3,733,430
`3,750,022
`3,786,424
`3,790,700
`3,794,922
`
`Aug. 21, 1962
`April 21, 1964
`Jan. 18, 1966
`June 4, 1968
`June 6, 1972
`July 11, 1972
`May 15, 1973
`July 31, 1973
`Jan. 15, 1974
`Feb. 5, 1974
`Feb. 26, 1974
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 17
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 17
`
`

`

`4,245,245
`
`3
`-continued
`
`Robert G. Gray
`William Osborn
`F. Douglas Forbes
`David §. McVayet al
`Donald Kirk, Jr. et al
`Floyd C. Stewart et al
`George E.Jannery et al
`Ralph P, Harney
`Richard T. Callais ct al
`Thomas J. Kosco
`Charles B. Oakley et al
`Wallace T. Thompson
`Donald Kirk, Jr. et al
`
`U.S. Pat. Nos.
`
`3,796,829
`3,803,491
`3,806,814
`3,832,690
`3,833,757
`3,846,703
`3,859,596
`3,882,392
`3,885,089
`3,886,302
`3,886,454
`3,889,050
`3,916,091
`
`March 12, 1974
`April 9, 1974
`April 23, 1974
`Aug. 27, 1974
`Sept. 3, 1974
`Nov. 5, 1974
`Jan. 7, 1975
`May 6, 1975
`May 20, 1975
`May 27, 1975
`May 27, 1975
`June 10, 1975
`Oct. 28, 1975
`
`15
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`4
`Interactive systems in accordance with the invention
`utilizing this upstream and downstream message capa-
`bility transmit commands in the downstream direction
`and transmit status and response information in the
`upstream direction. The electronically controllable
`converter and descrambling units at the terminal are
`inhibited under central control only when unauthorized
`accessto restricted premium programsis sought. Oper-
`ation of the subscriber’s television set is automatically
`detected, and is selectively usedto initiate operation of
`a refresh sequence in which a predetermined channelis
`displayed. Security and alarm indications, and sub-
`scriber responses to questionnaires, are also provided as
`inputs to the terminal processor, and transmitted as
`priority-ordered data to the centralstation.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`20
`
`25
`
`Systems in accordance with the invention provide
`A better understanding of the invention may be had
`repetitive high speed interrogation ofa substantial num-
`by reference to the following invention taken in con-
`ber of subscribers with short fixed length word mes-
`junction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
`sages which control the selection of groupsof subscrib-
`FIG.1A is a diagram showing the construction of a
`ers and then control intercommunication with individ-
`wired transmission path showing a dual cable system
`ual subscribers within a group, the individual subscrib-
`employed in a two-way CATVsystem according to the
`ers responding immediately with short
`fixed length
`present invention;
`word messages. Both upstream and downstream mes-
`FIG.1B is a diagram showing the construction of a
`sages at a given pointin timeare priority determined, so
`wired transmission path showing a mono-cable system
`that essential controls and responses may bedistributed
`in a two-way CATV system;
`over a sequence of interchanges. The combination of
`FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of the signal
`short messages, reduced addressing time, priority order-
`bands used in the wired transmission paths for opposite
`ing of data, immediate responses and processing only of
`directions according to a mono-cable system in a two-
`change of status enables real time monitoring of the
`way CATY system;
`status of many subscribers’ terminals to be effected
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing primarily an ex-
`precisely and reliably, Interactive control functions are
`ample of the construction of the central control unit;
`concurrently effected by a terminal processor, con-
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing primarily an ex-
`verter and descrambler system that provides access to
`ample of the construction of a repeating transmission
`scrambled premium programs while being responsive
`network;
`not only to subscriber selection and control inputs, but
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing primarily an ex-
`also to central commandsand localized power sense,
`ample of the construction of a terminal unit;
`premium authorization and special alarm inputs.
`FIG. 6 consisting of FIGS. 6A and 6B comprises an
`In a high speed interrogation system in accordance
`explanatory diagram ofthe code formats for the signals
`with one example of the invention, the central system
`generatesrelatively short fixed length messages having
`to be transmitted from the central control unit to the
`an initiating synchronizing sequenceoffixed length and
`terminal unit and vice versa in the CATV system ac-
`includingbits of a given value, followed by at least two
`cording to the present invention;
`data sequences of shorter length, separated by at least
`FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are diagrammatic views showing
`one bisecting bit of a value different from that of the
`various types of frame constructions used in the trans-
`synchronizing bits. These messages include both a
`mission of the data signals;
`group address message and a private address message
`FIG. 10 is an explanatory chart for various code
`which is accompanied by command data and enable the
`formats for use with the transmission ofdigital signals;
`reliable reception and decoding ofdigital data despite
`FIG.11 is a diagrammatic view showing an example
`the fact that signal transmissions may occurat arbitrary
`of frame construction for the transmission of the data
`points in time and be subject to substantial signal distor-
`signals used in the present invention;
`tion and propagation delays. Despite the fact that differ-
`FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram illustrating the
`ent signal sequencesare sentfor different purposes, they
`contents of various operations to be performed by the
`are arranged to be unambiguously related so that the
`central computer;
`synchronizing sequences cannot be confused with each
`FIG, 13 shows one example of a scramblerused in the
`other and theprivate address cannot be confused with
`central controlunit;
`the group address. At the subscriber's terminals, re-
`FIG. 14 is a chart of waveformsillustrating the
`sponses are generated by pre-assembling priority or-
`changesin the signals in the example shown in FIG.13;
`dered fixed length messages of short duration. Continu-
`FIG. 15 is a graphical waveform representation
`ally running oscillators are used together with gated
`showingasignal pattern to be delivered from a commu-
`frequency dividers to provide substantially immediate
`nication data input/output device to a frequency shift
`response to interrogations. In addition, the system in-
`keying modulation sender;
`cludes means independent of the central processor for
`FIG. 16 is a graphical waveform representation
`monitoring transmissions and receptions to detect the
`showing a signal pattern to be delivered from a phase
`occurrence of failure conditions, excessive delay be-
`shift keying demodulation receiver to a response signal
`tween a transmission and the succeeding response sig-
`code converter;
`nal, or excessive delay between successive responses.
`
`45
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`65
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`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
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`4,245,245
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`5
`FIG, 17 is a block diagram primarily showing the
`construction of an input/output device for data commu-
`nication;
`FIG. 18 comprises a group of waveforms showing
`eachofthe signals in the device shown in FIG. 17 and
`the converted states thereof;
`FIG.19 is a block diagram showing the construction
`of the clock pulse detector;
`FIG.20 is a block diagram showing the construction
`of the upstream signal sender;
`FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the construction
`of an electronic tunable converter;
`FIG. 22 is a block diagram for showing the AFC
`circuit of the electronic tunable converter;
`FIG,23 is a graphical representation showing charac-
`teristics of each of the radio frequency transformersin
`the AFCcircuit shown in FIG. 22;
`FIGS. 24 and 25 are graphical representation show-
`ing the band characteristics of the AFC circuit of FIG.
`22 with the states of the video and audio carriers within
`each of the channels;
`FIG.26 is a block diagram showing the construction
`of an AFC controlcircuit;
`FIG.27 is a constructional view ofa notched helical
`band pass filter;
`FIG. 28 shows frequency characteristics of the heli-
`cal band passfilter shown in FIG, 27;
`FIG,29 is a block diagram ofasignalrestoring circuit
`exemplified as an AGC demodulator, together with the
`waveformsof input and outputsignals;
`FIG, 30 is a graphical representation illustrating the
`relation between the driving signal voltage vs RF
`powergainin the signal restoring circuit shown in FIG.
`29 for explanation of the dynamic condition of the AGC
`circuit;
`FIG. 31is a graphical representation of waveforms
`generated in the operation ofthe circuit of FIG. 29;
`FIG.32is a block diagram showing the arrangement
`of an auxiliary converter; and
`FIG. 33 is a combined schematic and generalized
`view showing the construction of a powersensor.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`The present invention relates to a two-way CATV
`system the primary object of which lies in providing a
`system in which a central control unit and each of the
`TV subscribers are closely interconnected to thereby
`properly offer to the subscribers desired programs from
`said central control unit as well as exactly account and
`record the fees for the offering of the programs to per-
`form the program offering service smoothly. This in-
`vention of course has various other auxiliary objects
`attainable based on the manyfeatures thereof other than
`the foregoing principal one, which are to be detailed
`hereinafter. It should, however, be understood that a
`system according to the present invention has novel
`features different from those found in commonto the
`conventional CATVsystems. As is already known, a
`CATV system is basically intended to enable video
`image reception of satisfactory quality from radio
`waves captured by a commonreception antennafor the
`aim ofproviding to those TV viewers, whoarein areas
`remote from TV broadcasting stations and in areas
`liable to suffer from radio waveinterference, benefits
`comparable to those enjoyed from TV broadcastingin
`areas in which preferred reception conditions are ob-
`tainable, and further as the case may be to enable a TV
`
`6
`image to be received even with weak signals in areas
`usually not capable of reception. The development of
`this system has promotedfurther provision for re-trans-
`mission to system subscribers thus to bring about the
`construction and operation of a central control unit for
`re-transmission and other facilities. A central control
`unit constructed primarily for such common reception
`facility has further been utilized, beyond its original
`purpose of re-transmission, for local TV broadcasting
`by making effective use offacilities that are inherently
`provided thereto, This, accompanied with the develop-
`ment of video recording apparatus, enables realization
`of the possibilities for a pay-TV broadcasting system
`which is capable ofoffering programs under special
`contracts through wired broadcasting as well as provid-
`ing a remarkably wider range of program selection for
`viewers in the specified system area in addition to the
`usual reception ofair-propagated radio waves.
`According to the present invention, a new CATV
`system is proposed wherein subscribers can be pres-
`ented with pay program service by means of special
`contracts with the central control unit by the provision
`of terminal units of their own or on lease. Where pay-
`program services are provided,high reliability is neces-
`sarily required for ensuring the proper offering to sub-
`scribers under special contract of programs they want
`to see at anytime they desire. In addition, smooth oper-
`ation of the system can be expected only when suitable
`counter measuresare taken for inhibiting the reception
`of the programsby those other than the contacted sub-
`scribers thus to effectively prevent the reception by
`unauthorized viewers, through unjust meansorthelike.
`At the sametime,in collecting fees from the contracted
`subscribers, exact accounting offees for the frequency
`and length of time period of reception must be made in
`addition to the fundamental subscription fees. This
`brings about the necessity of an automatic recording of
`the reception status of a contracted subscriber and fur-
`ther the automatic issue ofbills at periodical intervals.
`It is, therefore, a principal objectof the present inven-
`tion to provide solutionsfor the foregoing various tech-
`nical problemsby whichrealization of a pay-TV system
`useful for practical applications is achieved and in
`whichthe central control unit and contracted subscrib-
`ers having terminalunits are connected through repeat-
`ing wired transmission networks inherentofthis type of
`the system thereby also intending to provide special
`advantageforfull utilization.
`Accordingly, auxiliary objects of the present inven-
`tion include to statistically survey the requests for the
`programsthroughoutthe contracted subscribers having
`terminal units as well as to provide a complete security
`system including automatic information and warning
`for the occurrence offires, hazards, thefts and other
`events as well as emergency aids for patients, injuries
`and other accidents occurring at the premises of each
`subscriber.
`Thedetails for attaining the foregoing various objects
`of the invention will easily be understood through the
`descriptions in the introductory part of the present
`specification outlining the system andin the succeeding
`detailed description for each of the devices of the sys-
`tem. Other applications obtainable from the present
`invention and other objects than described above will
`become apparent referring to the detailed description
`below.
`A CATYsystem according to the present invention
`is based upon a two-way communication system and,in
`
`5
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`30
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`35
`
`40
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`45
`
`50
`
`60
`
`65
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`PMC Exhibit 2085
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`4,245,245
`
`8
`information in a counter direction relative to the essen-
`tially one way flow of the program information.
`For sending upstream signals from individual termi-
`nal units to the central control unit, there are considered
`a frequency band division method, a time division
`method which sequentially divides the frequency in a
`narrow band ona timebasis and a method of combining
`the above two methods. For the frequency division
`method in which a wide frequency band is used for
`sending upstream information,it is suitable to use the
`foregoing dual cable system and,
`in the time sharing
`method, the mono-cable system can also be used by
`properly selecting the frequency bands of the upstream
`and downstream signals so as to use different frequency
`band areas. Frequency band division utilizing a dual
`cable system is advantageous since the upstream signals
`generated from a numberof subscribers should be re-
`ceived in a short period of time. The employmentof the
`dual cable system, however, provides a disadvantage in
`view ofthe facility cost imposed on each subscriber due
`to the increased cable cost at the time of providing the
`apparatus as compared with that required for the time
`sharing method using mono-cable system as apparent
`from Table 1. The information content of the upstream
`signal in the system of the present invention is found to
`be less than that of the downstream video signals and,
`therefore, the upstream signal does not always require a
`wide f