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`PMC Exhibit 2105
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 1
`
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`PMC Exhibit 2105
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`

`

`Oct. 12, 1965
`
`H. W. SARGENT, JR
`PAY TELEVISION SWITCHING APPARATUS
`
`3,211,830 -
`
`Filed May 1, 1961
`
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`INVENTOR.
`H.W. SARGENT, JR.
`
`PMC Exhibit 2105
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 2
`
`PMC Exhibit 2105
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 2
`
`

`

`Oct. 12, 1965
`
`Filed May 1, 1961
`
`H. W. SARGENT,JR
`PAY TELEVISION SWITCHING APPARATUS
`
`3,211,830 —
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`PMC Exhibit 2105
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 3
`
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`PMC Exhibit 2105
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 3
`
`

`

`H. W. SARGENT,JR
`PAY TELEVISION SWITCHING APPARATUS
`
`3,211,830 -
`
`Oct. 12, 1965
`
`Filed May 1, 1961
`
`4 Sheets-Sheet 4
`
`INVENTOR.
`H.W. SARGENT, JR.
`
`BY
`
`ATTORNEYS
`
`PMC Exhibit 2105
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 4
`
`PMC Exhibit 2105
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 4
`
`

`

`3,211,830
`United States Patent Office
`Patented Oct. 12, 1965
`
`1
`
`3,211,830
`PAY TELEVISION SWITCHING APPARATUS
`Horace William Sargent, Jr., Little Rock, Ark., assignor,
`by mesne assignments, to Subscription Television, Inc.,
`NewYork, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware
`Filed May 1, 1961, Ser. No. 106,799
`1 Claim.
`(Cl. 178—6)
`
`This invention relates to pay television systems and
`more particularly to a wired pay television system.
`The increasing attention being given to pay television
`systems in the last few years and the advent of a number
`of ambitious test projects that have been approved by the
`FCC makeit quite clear that widespread interest is present
`in means and methods for adding pay television chan-
`nels to the existing free commercial system.
`Indicative
`of the interest and activity in this area are numerous pub-
`lications and patents that are directed to different or al-
`ternative systems. The most prominently publicized sys-
`tems to date are those which use complex electronic cit-
`cuitry for interleaving the pay TV program carriers be-
`tween channels assigned for commercial televison broad-
`cating and equally complex circuitry to detect the signals
`at a subscriber’s receiver upon the actuation of a charge
`signal by manual keying or deposit of coins.
`Exemplary of these types of systems is the one proposed
`by Zenith and described in general terms in the December
`1960 issue of Fortune Magazine at page 133. Their so-
`called Phonevision system garbles broadcasts before trans-
`mission and ungarbles them at the receiver.
`It does so by
`delaying certain of the scanning lines relative to the hori-
`zontal synchronizing pulses.
`Instead of sending the square
`waves that are used to break up the picture horizontally,
`a coded signal, that differs for each program,is sent. Ad-
`ditionally, the audio portion is scrambled by raising the
`frequency a preselected amount. A decoder at the sub-
`scriber’s television set responsive to a coded signal un-
`scrambles the pay program, punches a billing tape to co-
`incide with the price for the program and records the in-
`formation on a magnetic tape inside the decoder.
`The disadvantages of non-wire pay television systems
`have been discussed at length in the literature. Briefly, all
`require complex electronic components to unscramble the
`garbled signals. Beyond the circuit complexity required,
`they have to be carefully tailored to an already over-
`crowded commercial television spectrum. They must not
`interfere with the allocated commercial channels nor the
`intermediate carrier frequencies in the 21-25 me. and
`41-45 mc. ranges that are variously employed in current
`commercial operations.
`Quite aside from the economic disadvantages of the
`complex circuitry which must be provided at each sub-
`scriber’s set, certain practical disadvantages are also pres-
`ent. For one thing, in most non-wire systems, the de-
`coder and other subscriber set equipment is located on
`the subscriber's television receiver and entry to the sub-
`scriber’s house must be had in order to service or check
`on thebilling information. This causes an inconvenience
`to the subscriber and should be avoidedif possible. Other
`coded systems rather employ billing tapes that are sent
`in at the end of the month by the subscriber or are ac-
`tuated by coins which adds to the inconvenience butstill
`requires periodic inspection. Then too, non-wired systems
`also reflect the transmission characteristics of free com-
`mercial broadcasting,
`including ghosts,
`interfering sig-
`nals, etc. Poor transmission characteristics are not ac-
`cepted happily by home users in the case of free or com-
`mercial televisoin programs, and there will probably be
`even more objections when the programs are paid for.
`This being the case, there is much to be said for providing
`a pay television system which is reliable and which pro-
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`vides top quality transmissions so as to minimize com-
`plaints and maintain customer relations at a reasonably
`good level. Aside from these factors, a practical disad-
`vantage of radio wave transmitted pay television carriers
`is that approval of the Federal Communications Com-
`mission must be obtained. This restricts design freedom
`and increases the economic cost.
`As can be appreciated from the foregoing comments,
`from a practical design and customerrelations standpoint
`wired pay television systems are definitely superior to RF
`transmission systems. Wired systems require no FFC.
`approval and are relatively unaffected by weather and
`other transmitting difficulties. On the other hand, many
`previously proposed wire systems, such as that being cur-
`rently promoted by Paramount Pictures, have certain
`unique disadvantages of their own. For onething, the
`cost of installing an individual transmission link to each
`subscriber’s home has been difficult to overcome econom-
`ically. The need for service men to periodically collect
`the monies deposited in the coin demand box inside the
`subseriber’s home also argue against widespread accept-
`ance,
`
`The principal object of the present invention is to pro-
`vide a pay television system which overcomes the prac-
`tical and economic difficulties of both the RF transmission
`and wired transmission systems heretofore developed.
`Generally speaking, the present invention not only pro-
`vides an economically competetive pay television system,
`but does so with relatively simple electronic equipment
`that is easy to service, easily expanded to a larger num-
`ber of pay channels and programs, and has maximum se-
`curity built into it.
`The exemplary pay television system constituting the
`present invention is designed to provide a preview and
`two pay television programs. The carriers for these three
`programs are transmitted in distinct bands over a com-
`mon cable to all subscribers’ receivers, The individual
`decoding and selecting apparatus at each subscriber's sta-
`tion consists basically of a receiver-converter or sub-
`scriber system and meter and charging apparatus. The
`receiver-converter system is attached to the rear of the
`home receiver whereas the meter is preferably placed
`on an outside wall of the subscriber’s home for ready
`access by service personnel. The receiver-converter re-
`quires only a source of alternating voltage, attachment to
`the coaxial cable from the main station and to the re-
`ceiver antenna input terimnals.
`The subscriber selects the one of the three channels that
`he desires to monitor by pressing a push button in the
`receiver-converter for free viewing and ‘another for the
`specific pay channel desired. This selects the desired pro-
`gram channel and its carriers and converts them to an
`empty channel in the tuner of the receiver front end. The
`particular channel to which it is converted depends upon
`the local area but channel 6 is usedillustratively through-
`out the following description since it is not assigned for
`commercial telecasting.
`If the channel the subscriber has
`selected is the Preview channel, there is no charge made
`and the subscriber may obtain information about the pro-
`grams offered on the two pay television channels, the
`charges therefor and announcements of future programs
`that are to be available.
`If the subscriber then desires to
`view a program on one of the two paytelevision channels,
`he actuates the appropriate push button switch to convert
`the selected pay channel to exemplary channel 6 in his
`own receiver tuner for viewing.
`This selection also applies a control signal to the meter
`apparatus attached to the outside of his residence to mark
`a charge card for subsequent billing. The meter ap-
`paratus, which includes a charge card, is controlled from
`the main station by a signal carrier to advance the charge PMC Exhibit 2105
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 5
`
`‘
`
`PMC Exhibit 2105
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 5
`
`

`

`3,211,830
`
`3
`card for each program change so that unique individual
`marks are made each time a pay program is selected. The
`system briefly described above has a number of novel
`features.
`One feature relates to means for previewing the pay
`television material prior to selecting a program. This per-
`mits future programs to be advertised, charges for each
`programto be indicated,etc.
`Another feature of the invention pertains to the means
`for recycling the system to the preview channel after the
`end of any pay program which has been selected by a sub-
`scriber for viewing so that, upon the next viewing, the
`subscriber can again obtain information on the forth-
`coming programs, charges andthe like.
`Yet another feature of the invention pertains to means
`for permitting a subscriber to freely switch between a
`selected fee program and commercial or free television
`programs without incurring an additional charge. As long
`as the fee program is still in progress, the subscriber can
`switch back and forth between it and a free channel with-
`out any cost or other additionaldifficulties.
`Yet another feature of the invention pertains to separ-
`ately locating the meter and charge apparatus exterior to
`the subseriber’s home so that service men need not gain
`entry to the house to periodically collect billing cards.
`Still another feature of the invention pertains to means
`for preventing accidental operation of a fee channel by
`requiring a sequence of switches to be actuated.
`In order
`to view a fee channel program,it is first necessary to
`switch the receiver-converter circuit to a fee position and
`thereafter select a fee channel. This particular feature
`substantially avoids the possibility of children or other
`persons accidentally marking the charge card for pro-
`gramsthat are not wanted.
`Yet another feature of the invention pertains to the
`means for converting the picture and sound carriers for
`the preview or fee channels to an available open channel
`of the tuner of the subscriber’s receiver so as to utilize
`existing equipment and minimize additional electronic
`components.
`Still another feature of the invention pertains to the
`use of a control signal generator at the main station for
`controlling the meter and charge apparatus as well as
`resetting the receiver-converter unit to the preview chan-
`nel upon the expiration of a fee program that has been
`selected for viewing.
`The present pay television system provides a straight-
`forward and simple answer to the competitive demands
`of a wired system, yet provides the conveniences and
`economies which make the service superior to non-wire
`systems. The receiver-converter of the present system
`provides a simple and efficient means for permitting se-
`lection by a subscriber of one of a number of preview and
`fee channels transmitted to the subscriber’s home over a
`single cable. By placing the meter and charge apparatus
`on the outside of the subscriber’s home and requiring only
`a simple attachment of the receiver-converter unit on
`the back of the subscriber's receiver, it makes it possible
`to service the apparatus with a minimum of inconvenience.
`Furthermore, the particular means by which the meter
`and charge apparatus is synchronized to record the pro-
`grams selected by a subscriber during the course of a
`month or other billing period eliminates the inconvenience
`and complexity of the coin demand systems.
`While the present system is described in connection
`with a preferred embodiment, it should be apparent that
`variations may be envisioned by those skilled in the art
`without departing from the spirit and scope of the inven-
`tion. The claim alone should limit the breadth of the
`invention, though it is worth-while to note here that while
`the exemplary system has a preview channel and two fee
`channels at the main station,
`it could be expanded to
`provide additional fee channels if desirable and/or neces-
`sary in a given situation. Further, while the receiver-
`converter unit in the present system illustratively con-
`verts the preview and fee channel carriers to the band-
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`width of channel 6 (82.0-88.0 mc.), variations in the re-
`ceiver-converter circuits can be provided to convert the
`channels to any other channel in the VHF or UHF spec-
`trum.
`These and other objects, advantages and features of the
`present invention will be more apparent when the fol-
`lowing detailed description is read with reference to the
`drawings, in which:
`FIG, 1 is a block diagram showing the component parts
`of the pay television system forming the present invention;
`FIGS. 2 and 3 when horizontally alined provide a
`schematic diagram of the receiver-converter whichisillus-
`trated by block diagram in FIG.1;
`FIG, 4 is a schematic diagram of the signal generator
`which is illustrated by block diagram in FIG. 1; and
`FIG. 5 is a plan view of a charge card for the meter
`and charge apparatus of FIG,1.
`The pay television system constituting the present in-
`vention includes apparatus located at a main station and
`at the subscriber's home which are connected by a coaxial
`cable. More particularly, the main station includes a pre-
`view transmitter 21, a No. 1 fee channel transmitter 22, a
`No. 2 fee transmitter 23, a control unit 24, a control
`signal generator 25, and individual RF amplifiers 26, 27
`and 28 for the respective transmitters 21, 22 and 23. The
`preview channel, pay channels 1 and 2, and transmitters
`21, 22 and 23 are connected through their respective RF
`amplifiers 26, 27 and 28 to the input of coaxial cable 29.
`The coaxial cable 29 is commonly connected in homes to
`the input of the receiver-converters 30 which in turn co-
`operates with individual meter and charging apparatus 31.
`In the exemplary embodiment of the main station ap-
`paratus herein described, the preview transmitter 21 oc-
`cupies a bandwidth between 9.5 and 16.0 mc. with a pic-
`ture carrier of 14.75 mc. and a sound carrier of 10.25
`me.; pay channel 1 transmitter occupies a bandwidth be-
`tween 24,75 and 31.25 mc. with a picture carrier of 30.0
`me, and a sound carrier of 25.5 mc.; and pay channel 2
`transmitter is transmitted in a band width between 33.25
`and 39.75 me. with a picture carrier 38.5 mc. and a sound
`carrier of 34.0 mc. These particular bandwidths are
`chosen to avoid interference with the intermediate fre-
`quency carriers in the 21-25 mc. and 41-45 me. range.
`Further, the selection of the particular picture and sound
`carriers accord with the vestigal side band transmission
`that is standard for commercial or free telecasting trans-
`mission. The picture and sound carriers are commoned
`to the input of the cable 29 through their respective RF
`amplifiers. These isolate and amplify the signals of the
`transmitters.
`In addition to the particular exemplarily employed fre-
`quency bands there is provided a 9.25 mc. unmodulated
`carrier control signal. This is also connected to the input
`of cable 29.
`It should be apparent that other frequency
`bandwidths might have been selected for transmitters 21,
`22 and 23 and that a different frequency might be chosen
`for the signal generator 25. These particular combina-
`tions have worked well in practice and seem to provide
`sufficient separation to minimize interference with the
`subscriber’s television circuits and with each other. Of
`course, harmonic interference with the commercial RF
`carriers is no problem since the cable can be properly
`shielded from external energy.
`The 9.25 me. control carrier along with the picture and
`soundcarriers for the programs broadcast by transmitters
`21, 22 and 23 are transmitted by way of a cable 29 to
`the input of the receiver-converter 30. The receiver-
`converter 30 functionally includes a switching circuit 41,
`a band pass RF amplifier 42, a converter or mixer circuit
`43, a local oscillator circuit 44, a series of tuned circuits
`45, an IF transformer 46, a band pass filter 47, first and
`second signal amplifiers 48 and 49, a trigger amplifier 51,
`a control relay 52, and a power supply (not shown) for
`the various filaments, B+ and relay control switching
`signals,
`The picture and sound carriers for each channel and the
`
`at
`
`PMC Exhibit 2105
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 6
`
`PMC Exhibit 2105
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 6
`
`

`

`8,211,830
`
`5
`signal carrier are connected by way of cable 29 to the
`common input of band pass RF amplifier 42 and band
`pass filter 47. Depending upon the connections in switch-
`ing circuit 41, as determined by subscriber’s setting, the
`picture and soundcarriers transmitted by one of the three
`transmitters 21—23 is applied to the input of mixer 43 and
`an appropriate oscillator frequency, provided by local
`oscillator 44, beats the picture and sound carrier of the
`selected channel. The output of mixer 43 in all cases is
`a band between 82.0-88.0 mc. corresponding to commer-
`cial channel 6. Within these limits, the picture carrier
`applied to the input of IF transformer 46 is 83.25 mc.
`and the sound carrier is 87.75 mc. The output winding
`of transformer 46 is applied through a portion of switch-
`ing circuit 41 (which is designated 41a in FIG. 1) to the
`subscriber's receiver identified as 56.
`The selection of program is determined by the initial
`closure of one of the four switches 61, 62, 63 or $4 of
`the switching circuit 41.
`Switch 64 is a two position
`switch which will remain in one or the other position
`whereas 61, 62 and 63 are push button switches.
`If a
`subscriber desires to monitor commercial channels, switch
`64 is operated to the FREE side to connect a source of
`power 65 to the switching circuit 41. This causes the
`switching circuit 41a to connect antenna 60 directly to the
`TV receiver 56 so that the receiver tuner in a conventional
`manner may receive a commercial channel picture and
`sound carriers and reproduce the program on the receiver
`tube. On the other hand, if the subscriber desires to con-
`sider fee programs, the switch 64 is changed to the FEE
`position. Additionally, if preview channel is to be moni-
`tored to see what is being offered, etc., switch 61 is closed
`temporarily which causes the switching circuit 41 to con-
`nect appropriate tuned circuits of 45 into the RF bandpass
`amplifier 42, local oscillator 44 and mixer 43 circuits as
`well as to disconnect the antenna 60 from the receiver 56.
`With the picture and sound carrier frequencies em-
`ployed for the preview program channel, this selection
`causes switching circuit 41 to switch a filter network into
`the amplifier 42 which will pass only the band between
`9.5-16.0 mc.
`It also selects a tank circuit for local oscil-
`lator 44 to provide a 98.0 me. frequency. This in com-
`bination with the output from amplifier 42 is applied
`to mixer 43 to provide the output picture and sound car-
`tiers for commercial channel 6. This output is thereafter,
`as noted above, applied to IF transformer 46 and through
`switching circuit 41a to the receiver 56.
`the subscriber
`If after viewing the preview channel,
`desires to watch pay channel 1, he temporarily closes
`switch 62 which causes switching circuit 41 to change the
`tuned circuits 45 associated with amplifier 42, mixer 43,
`and local oscillator 44. The changes are designed to per-
`mit band pass RF amplifier 42 to pass only the band
`between 24.75-31.25 mc. (channel 1) and to change the
`local oscillator frequency to 113.25 mc. so that the output
`from the mixer 43 will still coincide with commercial
`channel 6. This having been done, pay channel 1
`is ap-
`plied through switching circuit 41a to channel 6 of re-
`ceiver 56 and tuned in just as a commercial channel would
`be tuned.
`In addition to switching the tuned circuits 45,
`the switching circuit 41 applies a marking pulse by way
`of Jead 78 to a solenoid 71 associated with the meter and
`charging apparatus 31. Solenoid 71 in operating provides
`a mark on a charge card 69 asillustrated in FIG. 5 indi-
`cating the selection of channel 1 by the subscriber.
`In a similar fashion, if the subscriber had selected chan-
`nel 2 by closing switch 63, switching circuit 41 controls
`tuned circuits 45 to switch the band pass filter for ampli-
`fier 42 to one between 33.25-39.75 mc. and change the
`beat frequency to 121.75 mc. The result is that the out-
`put of mixer 43 will again be the picture and sound
`carriers corresponding to commercial channel 6 to which
`the TV 56 is tuned. The switching circuit 41 provides
`a signal over lead 79 which is applied to a second solenoid
`72 in the meter apparatus 31 to cause it to punch the
`
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`charge card 68 to indicate that the subscriber has selected
`pay channel 2.
`Before describing the way in which the meter apparatus
`3i is controlled from the main station and the way in
`which the receiver-converter circuit 30 is reset to the
`preview channel following a pay program selection, it is
`necessary to briefly understand the working of meter ap-
`paratus 31. Meter 31 includes a circular platen 67 rotat-
`ably supported by a ratchet mechanism 75. The platen
`is designed to be advanced 2.8125 degrees upon each actu-
`ation of a stepping relay 68. Thus 128 unit steps for a
`platen 67 constitute a complete revolution of 360 degrees.
`Supported on the platen 67 is a charge card 69 which is
`illustrated in more detail in FIG. 5. As can be observed
`there, the card 69 is angularly divided into 128 segments.
`The segments are marked off around twocircular arcs at
`different
`radii, 69a, 695,
`the innermost
`lying directly
`beneath the plunger of solenoid 71 which is associated
`with channel 1 and the other directly beneath the plunger
`of solenoid 72 which is associated with pay channel 2.
`Whenever one or the other of solenoids 71 and 72 is actu-
`ated,
`its plunger descends and perforates the card along
`the associated circle 69a or 695 to record the fact that a
`selection has been made for that pay channel.
`The stepping switch 68 is operated by control relay 52
`which in turn is actuated by the presence of a 9.25 mc.
`control signal from signal generator 25,
`Thelatter is
`applied by way of cable 29 to the input of band pass
`amplifier 42 and band passfilter 47. As long as the syn-
`chronizing signal from signal generator 25 is applied by
`way of cable 29 to the receiver-converter 30, the stepping
`relay 68 continues to operate and release thereby moving
`the platen 67 one unit of approximately 2.8 degrees for
`each operation. Band pass filter 47 passes the 9.25 mc.
`signal that appears on cable 29 and attenuates the picture
`and sound carriers also commoned over the cable. The
`9,25 mec. signal passes through first and second signal am-
`plifiers 48 and 49 and trigger amplifier 51. The output
`of trigger amplifier 51 completes a circuit for control
`relay 52 causing it to operate.
`It will remain operated
`until the control signal is removed from cable 29,
`As long as control relay 52 is operated, a source of
`power 65 is applied by wayof its front contact 1 and lead
`66 to the armature of stepping relay 68. This completes
`45
`a circuit for relay 68 through a back contact 1 thereof
`_ which is broken each time the relay armature 74 closes.
`The armature 74 in closing rotates ratchet 75 to step the
`platen 67 and the indexed card 69 one angular unit. Con-
`trol relay 52 in operating also applies ground by way of
`its front contact 2 and lead 76 to the switching circuit 41
`for resetting the receiver-converter 30 to the preview posi-
`tion if it had previously been on either channel 1 or 2 as
`will be explained in more detail below.
`The meter and charging apparatus 31 is only exem-
`plarily illustrated in FIG. 1 although the format of the
`charge card is shown in detail
`in FIG.5. For under-
`standing of the present system application of this is deemed
`sufficient, however an application filed on an even date
`herewith (S.N. 106,800, filed May 1, 1961) discloses and
`claims the meter apparatus.
`It is suggested that this co-
`pending application be considered for more details of
`construction of the meter 31.
`The foregoing description of the main station and
`subscriber station equipment makes it apparent that the
`subscriber station equipment meets the basic requirements
`of a good paytelevision system, and in factis the only one
`known to date which does so. The multi-channel infor-
`mation is supplied to the receiver-converter by way of a
`cable where, depending upon the subscriber’s wishes, one
`of the three channels or the free or commercial channels
`can be selected and connected to the subscriber’s regular
`receiver for viewing. Means are provided to simply and
`effectively switch the receiver-converter to monitor one
`of the two pay channels and mark a card, the relative
`position of which is synchronized with control means at PMC Exhibit 2105
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 7
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`60
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`:
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`PMC Exhibit 2105
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 7
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`3,211,830
`
`on
`
`10
`
`7
`the main station so billing may be subsequently deter-
`mined. The system offers maximum security inasmuch
`as it uses a separate cable connected to each subscriber's
`home.
`It permits the recording of the programs pur-
`chased. Multiple pricing and payment therefor is a sim-
`ple matter. The system also provides multiple channels
`for program material; there are no internal connections to
`the customer’s TV set, an important consideration in any
`practical system); it passes NARB standards and color
`programs without difficulty; it is small in size, pleasing
`in appearance and economical
`in cost and installation;
`and, finally, the pricing and billing information is avail-
`able for service personnel outside the subscriber’s home,
`which minimizes the inconvenience and irritations accom-
`panying even wired systems that have coin demand boxes
`attached to the subscriber’s receiver.
`While the overall operation of the system is illustrated
`in FIG. 1, FIGS. 2 and 3 when arranged in side by side
`position illustrate the circuitry of the receiver-converter
`in detail and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the signal
`carrier oscillator circuit.
`Before considering the receiver-converter circuit in de-
`tail, consider the signal generator 25 (FIG. 4). The gen-
`erator 25 includes a cathode tuned oscillator tube 61,
`cathode follower output tube $2, a source of B+ 65 and
`the various associated circuit components. Closure of
`switch 83 causes the generator 25 to generate a 9.25 me.
`unmodulated carrier.
`It is amplified and connected to
`the cable 29 as shown. Control of the meter 31, etc.,
`is effected by operation of the switch 83.
`The receiver-converter circuit 30 as illustrated in com-
`bined FIGS. 2 and 3 and more particularly the switching
`circuit 41 thereof includes a stepping relay or switch 101
`that comprises a relay coil 102 and nine multi-position
`wafer sections 103a-103/, the four switches 61-64 and
`slow release relays 104, 105, 106 and 107, which are re-
`spectively associated with the selector switches 61-64.
`The wafers 103a-103i are associated with various parts
`of the receiver-converter 30 in order to provide the nec-
`essary switching functions for resetting channels 1 and 2
`to the preview channels after the termination of a sub-
`scription program which the subscriber has viewed
`(1034), visually indicating the channel in use at any one
`time (103c), establishing a closed path for B+ to the
`local oscillator 44 only after a switch has been actuated
`(103d), switching the antenna and pay television chan-
`nels as provided by auxiliary switching circuit 4£¢ in the
`FIG.1 block diagram (103¢ and 103f), and switching the
`proper tuned circuits into cooperative relationship with
`the mixer 43, the local oscillator 44 and the band pass RF
`amplifier 42 (103g-7).
`Before considering precisely how the stepping relay 101
`controls the various components of the receiver-converter
`30,it is well to understand the means by whichit is caused
`to step in response to the actuation of one of the selectors
`61-64. Looking to the lower part of FIG. 2, it will be
`observed that a source of B+ 65 is connected to the arma-
`ture of switch 64 (free channel selector) and one contact
`is connected to a line commoned to one terminal of push
`button switches 61-63 while the other contact is con-
`nected to the high side of the coil of relay 107. The
`commonline of these switches 61-63 is connected to the
`high side of their respective relays 104, 105 and 106.
`It
`will also be observed that armatures of each relay 104,
`105, 106 and 107 are commoned through a lead 109 to
`back contact 1 associated with stepping relay coil 102.
`Inasmuch as front contacts 2 of all four relays 104-107
`are connected to ground, every time any one of the four
`relays is operated, a path is closed from ground by way
`of lead 109 through back contact 1 of stepping switch
`101 and the coil 102 to a source of B+ 65. This causes
`stepping switch 101 to operate which in turn advances
`the armatures or wipers associated with wafer switches
`103a-103i one terminal each time it operates. Because
`the circuit is closed through back contact 1 of stepping 7
`
`8
`is
`the stepping switch buzzes. The circuit
`relay 101,
`broken each time the relay operates. Once the circuit
`path for the stepping switch 101 is closed,
`it will con-
`tinue to operate and release until the position correspond-
`ing to the actuated switch is reached by the wafer arma-
`tures. This is determined by wafer segment 1034. A
`lock up path over front contact 1 of relay 104 and lead
`i11 connected to terminal 1 of wafer 103a is provided;
`a lock up path over front contact 1 of relay 105 and lead
`112 to terminal 3 of switch wafer 103a is provided; a lock
`up path over front contact 106 and lead 113 to terminal
`5 of wafer 103a is provided; and a lock up path over
`front contact 1 of relay 197 and lead 114 connected to
`terminal 7 of wafer 103a is provided. A source of power
`65 is commoned through terminals 8, 9 and 10 of wafer
`163a to apply power through the armature or wiper of
`wafer 103a as long as the armature contacts the ring of
`the wafer. However, when the armature steps to the
`position exemplarily indicated in FIG, 2, the path to bat-
`tery 65 is interrupted and, when selector switch 61 is also
`open, causes relay 104 to slowly release.
`In a similar
`fashion, relays 105, 106 and 107 have hold paths asso-
`ciated with their respective terminals 3, 5 and 7 of the
`wafer 103a which paths are closed until
`the armature
`moves out of contact with the instant terminal on wafer
`103a which corresponds to the channel selected by the
`operation of switch 61, 62, 63 or 64.
`The stepping relay 101 upon the actuation of one of
`the four selector switches 61, 62, 63 or 64, which switches
`correspond to the preview, pay channel 1, pay channel 2,
`and free channels, respectively, rotates the armatures of
`wafer sections 103a—103/ to the terminal positions corre-
`sponding to the selected channel.
`In the case of the pre-
`view channel, the armatures of switch wafers 103a—103i
`step to terminals 1. For pay channels 1, 2 and the free
`channel, the terminal positions are 3, 5 and 7, respec-
`tively. These four terminal positions on the wafers are
`consistent through all nine wafer sections and hence act
`to permit setting the entire receiver-converter circuit 30
`in accordance with the subscriber’s programming wishes.
`Wafer section 1035 permits pay channels 1 and 2 to be
`reset to the preview channel by commoning, over lead
`117, terminals 3 and 5 of that wafer to t