United States Patent my
`Matsumoto et al.
`
`[1 I]
`
`[45]
`
`4,245,245
`
`Jan. 13, 1981
`
`3.934.079
`3,944,742
`
`1/I976
`3/i976
`
`l78f5.l
`Barnhart ............................. ..
`Cunningham ............. ..
`I78/DIG. 13
`
`Primary Examiner-—Stephen C. Buczinski
`Attorney. Agent, or Fi‘rm—F-raser and Bogucki
`
`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 tenni-
`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 iength digital messages are fre-
`quency multiplexed onto the cable in both upstream and
`downstream directions, and subscriber groups are con-
`trollabiy selected in turn, with each subscriber being
`scanned in what may be an arbitrary order by transmis-
`sion of unique private messages which are recognized at
`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 which are initiated by a series of syn»
`chronizing bits and non-ambiguously related subsequent
`data sequences, and by the provision of means to initiate
`both downstream and upstream messages of short
`length without deiay. rapid but
`reliabie 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 contajning priority selected data to be transmitted
`in response to an interrogation. The system incorpo-
`rates additional means for monitoring power status,
`program selection and authorization and other operat-
`ing conditions at each terminal effectively to provide
`accurate and reliable accounting information while
`preventing unauthorized or
`improper usage of re-
`stricted premium programs.
`
`22 Claims. 35 Drawing Figures
`
`[54]
`
`INTERACTIVE CATV SYSTEM
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Katsuai-ti Matstuooto; Yoshifumi
`Saelti; Osamu Tazawa; Minoru
`Kosaka; Masaki Saito; Hiroki
`Uemura; Tetuo Kanazashi; Seiji
`Hashimoto; Tsuyoshi Fujiwara;
`Tsutoruu Fukui, all of Tokyo; Saburo
`Takaoka, Tokorozawa; Tsutomu
`Suzuki, Tokorozawa; Shozo
`Nakamuta, Tokorozawa; Toshiltiko
`I-losaka. Tokorozawa; Kuniaki
`Shiratori, Tokorozawa; Youichiro
`Tsuda, Toltorozawa; Takaslii Morii,
`Tolcorozawa; Sumitaka Matsumura.
`Tokorozawa; Moriiiisa 01-ta,
`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, l9'i'5 [JP]
`Japan ................................ .. SO/23041
`
`[51]
`
`Int. Cl.3 ...................... .. H04-N 7/16; H04N 7/00;
`H04N 7/16
`[523 U.S. Cl. .................................... .. 358/122; 358/84;
`358/114; 358/118; 358/12!; 358/123
`{SB} Field of Search .......... .. 173/5.1, DIG. 13, 70 TS;
`279715 AB; 358/84, 86, 114, 121, I22, 123,
`I24. 118
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Shanahan etaL ................... H 353/84
`2/1963
`Face et al.
`..... ..
`353/86
`6/1972
`Court ..... ..
`.. 178/5.1
`2/1971
`Sulhvan H.
`H 178/SJ
`9/1973
`2/I974 Callais et ai.
`....... 358/34
`9/191-'4
`Boenke et al.
`. 173/DIG. 13
`6/l9?5 Nagei et al.
`ITB/DIG. 13
`ll/l9'r'5 Hartung et 31.
`....................... H3/5.!
`
`
`
`L07&33?
`3,668,307
`3,729,576
`lT5T,03S
`3,190,700
`3.836.888
`3.889.054
`3,919,462
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
`
`Page 1
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 1
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1931
`
`Sheet 1 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`FIG.
`
`1B
`
`fifla
`
`FIG. 2
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`uvstrean sisne-1
`
`downstream signal
`
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`.179/7H2
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`FIG. 6A
`
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`
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`start ( 1 bit )
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`isolation ( 1 bit.
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`
`.
`1'. 5 ‘-3f-*-
`addrefifi
`index ( 1 bit 3
`
`'
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`3 command ( 4 bits )
`address ( 11 bit )
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
`
`Page 2
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 2
`
`

`
`£10figa3..n..
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`MC Exhibit 2085
`
`Apple v PMC
`|PR2016-00753
`
`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
`
`FIG. 4
`
`1
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`PMC Exhibit 2085
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
`
`Page 4
`
`
`
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`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1931
`
`Sheet 4 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`
`
`
`
`1::::::::uuuqmuH>mm
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`PMC Exhibit 2085
`
`Apmev PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`
`Page5
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1931
`
`Sheet 5 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`
`
`DDCDIIIIOIIIUIIIOO1
`
`
`
`FIG. 11
`
`:1-1 th teminal
`n th temir-2.1 unit
`u.n1‘t.
`1 bitX ‘bits 8 bits
`
`
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`carrier stop
`
`carrier start
`
`carrier stop
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
`
`
`
`Page 6
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 6
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1981
`
`Sheet 6 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`
`
`+ PULSE FOR DATA (1 0)
`0 —
`FOR DATA (0 0
`- + for data (0 0)
`
`i),
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`
`Apple v. PMC
`
`|PR2016-00753
` Page 7
`
`EACH 1 BIT FUR LEVEL H FOR
`DATA (1), LEVEL L FOR DATA (0)
`
`LEVEL CHANGES FOR DATA MARK (1) ,
`LEVEL MAINTAINED FOR DATA
`
`LEVEL CHANGES FOR DATA SPACE
`LEVEL KEPT FOR DATA MARK
`
`U2 BIT 1'-DR LEVEL H EUR 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 NR DATA SPACE
`
`3M BIT PULSE FOR DATA (1%,
`U4 BIT PULSE FOR DATA (0
`
`+1.32 PULSE FOR DATA (1),
`-112 PULSE FOR DATA (0)
`
`FOR DATA (1).
`CHANGES - 0 + -
`-:0:-i,'1'~'oR DATA (0)
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 7
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13,
`
`1981
`
`Sheet 7 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`amsmmmaza
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`PMC Exhibit 2085
`
`Apple v PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`
`Page 8
`
`
`
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`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 8
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1981
`
`Sheet 8 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`F
`
`_
`IG 13
`
`SINUSOIDEL
`GRAY-SYN
`
`TV
`MODULATOR
`
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`1 ““““““““““““““““ “E
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`PMC Exhibit 2085
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
`
`Page 9
`
`
`
`*9
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`I 01001010101 )
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1931
`
`Sheet 9 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`FIG .
`
`1.6
`
`datasignal
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`PMC Exhibit 2085
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
`
`Page 10
`
`
`
`
`65
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`INTERRUPT
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`_
`TIMER
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 10
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1981
`
`Sheet 10 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
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`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
`
`Page 11
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 11
`
`

`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`_—-.-.-..-.———-—-....-...._.___.___J
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1981
`
`Sheet 11 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
` -..—-—.-_-.——-.-———-——..._...____l
`
`REQ.
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`FIG. 20
`
`FIG. 21
`
`FIG . 23
`
`frequency (MR2)
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
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`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
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`Page 12
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 12
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1981
`
`Sheet 12 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`I08
`:07’ 7-
`AM?
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`SWITCHING CIRCUIT
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`
`PMC Exhlblt 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
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`Page 13
`
`FIG 22
`
`If;
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`FIG 24
`
`{5}
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`frequency (MI-I93)
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 13
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1981
`
`Sheet 13 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
`
`Page 14
`
`‘-‘\
`
`E 31
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`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 14
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 1931
`
`Sheet 14 of 15
`
`4,245,245
`
`NORMAL
`RF-TV COMOS
`SIGNALS
`
`ITE
`powergain
`
`FIG . 30
`
`VOLTAGE
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
`
`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
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`
`
`Page 15
`
`PMC Exhibit 2085
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`IPR2016-00753
`Page 15
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 13, 1931
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`Sheet 15 of 15
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`PMC Exhibit 2085
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`Apple v. PMC
`|PR2016-00753
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`Page 16
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`FIG. 32
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`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
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`1
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`INTERACTIVE CATV SYSTEM
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`This invention relates to CATV and pay TV, and
`more particularly to two-way CATV systems.
`There have been many variations of pay television
`and subscription television systems, such as over-the-
`air, coin operated, multiple wiring, and other configura-
`tions, most of which have not been commercially em-
`ployed to any great extent although the subject of much
`patent literature. The field of community antenna tele-
`vision systems, or CATV, has more recently tended
`toward usage of modern electronic communication and
`data processing techniques and a substantial body of art
`has developed in what are known as two-way or bidi-
`rectional CATV systems. In the category of systems
`with which the present disclosure is concerned, a cen-
`tral station is employed which includes some type of
`processing and interrogating system, now typically a
`general purpose or special purpose computer having
`both substantial storage and processor capability. The
`central station also includes television transmission fa-
`cilities for transmitting a substantial number of pro-
`grams, some of which are “free" programs for the sub-
`scribers. and the extent of use of which need not be
`monitored, while other programs are special or pre-
`mium programs such as first run motion pictures, the
`selection of which by a subscriber requires an appropri-
`ate payment. There are also other possible categories of 30
`programs, including particularly the specialized or lim-
`ited access type of program, here termed restricted
`premium programs. to which only certain subscribers
`are to be permitted access. These may include. for ex-
`ample, specialized presentations for professional medi-
`cal, legal, business. social or governmental groups.
`There are a number of approaches to controlling
`access to programs in a two-way CATV, some of which
`involve recording systems, coin operated systems, spe-
`cial pre-paid descramblers and the like. These ap-
`proaches however are characterized by the common
`difficulties of cumbersome and unreliable accounting,
`supply or collection procedures, and it
`is generally
`preferable to utilize the central control and accounting
`functions of a two-way CATV system for such pur-
`poses. A number of two-way CATV systems are known
`which incorporate features intended to provide a de-
`gree of central control and monitoring of program con-
`tent and usage. Some of such systems employ frequency
`division multiplexing for data interchange, with a num-
`ber of different frequencies being utilized in combina-
`tion to effect command and control. More advanced
`systems utilize a combination of serial digital data in
`both upstream and downstream directions that is fre-
`quency multiplexed with the video and audio channels,
`and interrogate the terminals using a time division mul-
`tiplex mode. Some of such systems employ a combina-
`tion of frequency shift keying in one band in the down-
`stream direction, with phase shift keying in another
`band in the upstream direction, to simplify the receiving
`and transmitting circuitry at the numerous subscriber
`terminals. Circuits may also be employed at the tenni-
`nals for assembling messages to be returned to the cen-
`tral station.
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`2
`her of treatments can be found in the literature as to the
`general organization of systems for high speed interro-
`gation of the subscriber terminals, sometimes only in
`intermittent fashion as at the start of a program, and
`other times in overlapping precisely sequenced fashion
`in which successively more remote subscribers are in-
`terrogated in turn. There are descriptions in the litera-
`ture of systems intended to serve hundreds ofthousands
`and even up to a million subscribers. Such generalized
`treatments do not confront
`the substantial
`technical
`problems that are encountered in practice in communi-
`cating between a central station and a substantial num-
`ber, say 10,000 to 20,000 or more, of subscribers. In a
`multiple branch network of this kind the signals are in
`fact delayed, distorted and attenuated from many causes
`and to varying extents, so that intercommunication is
`far from ideal. Cumulative delays from various sources
`greatly reduce the interrogation rate, if reliable inter-
`communication is to be achieved. but there is a particu-
`lar need for correct data in a CATV system because of
`the inevitable customer reaction to incorrect billings.
`There is a separate line of development in communi-
`cations and CATV technology, in which special noise
`measuring or distortion measuring circuits are included
`in the system, along with controllable mechanisms for
`selectively adjusting the gain, bandpass, slope and other
`amplifier characteristics, or for selectively blocking off
`sources of noise in the system in order to enable one
`remote transmitter out of a substantial number of trans-
`mitters to be received at the central station with a signal
`having an adequate signal-to-noise ratio. Extensive con-
`trols of this kind, however, not only impose a substan-
`tial economic burden on the system, but also demand
`processor and equipment time and involve their own
`operating problems.
`An interactive two-way CATV system should be
`able to provide useful interchanges between the central
`station and the individual terminals. Some systems have
`gone as far as to propose transmission of both video and
`audio in both directions between the subscribers and the
`central station, or between individual subscribers. The
`incorporation of such features, however, would not
`permit general usage in CATV systems, because of the
`attendant cost. Systems are known which provide a
`number of individual desirable features, such as pro-
`gram previewing without cost, accurate accumulation
`of usage data, protection against unwanted usage of pay
`programs, ability to interrogate subscribers, and capa-
`bility for indicating the existence of fire, emergency or
`other alarm conditions. However, such features have
`generally been provided on an isolated basis in individ-
`ual systems, and the prior art has not heretofore dis-
`closed an arrangement that is at the same time highly
`versatile, economical and of practical utility.
`The following patents are illustration of the art:
`
`US. Pat. Nos. .j._jj.
`3.050312
`George Bruck
`Aug. 2|. I962
`3,130,255
`Eugene Leonard
`April 21. 1954
`3,230.302
`George Bruclt et al
`Jan. I8. 1966
`3.33108}
`Richard J. Farber cl at!
`June 4. 1963
`3,668.30?
`William W. Face et at]
`June 6.
`l‘l'l'2
`3.696.530
`Joseph H. Beck
`July It. [912
`3.'l'33.-130
`John R. Thompson ct al
`May 15. I973
`3.'.l'50.lJ22
`Samuel 1. Curry at al
`July .l-I.
`l9?3
`3.786.424
`David S. Ml.‘Vt}y et al
`Jail. I5. 1911!
`3.790.700
`Richard T. Cailais et ul
`Feb. 5. IGN-
`3,794.‘}22
`William Osborn ct al
`Feb. 26, I974
`
`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 or polling techniques. A num-
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`PMC Exhibit 2085
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`Apple v. PMC
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`|PR2016-00753
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`-continued
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`4, 245,245
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`US. Pat. Nos.
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`March 12. I976
`Robert 0. Gray
`3.'l'9£:.329
`April 9, 19‘!-l
`William Osborn
`1,803.49!
`April 23, I974
`F. Douglas Forbes
`3.806.814
`Aug. 2?. [974
`David S. Mcvny cl at
`3.332.690
`Sept. 3. I974
`Donald Kirk. Jr. ct .1]
`3,B33.":'5'l
`Nov. 5, I974
`Floyd C. Stewart ct al
`3.346.203
`Jan. '.l. I975
`George E. Jannery et al
`3.859.596
`May 6. I925
`Ralph P. Hnrney
`3.882.392
`May 20. I925
`Richard T. Callnis at at
`3,885,089
`May 2?. l9'l'5
`Thornas J. Rosco
`3.336.302
`May 27. 1915
`Charles B. Oakley ct al
`3386,4541
`June 10. I975
`Wullucc T. Thompson
`3,339,050
`
`
`Donald Kirk. Jr. at al3.916.091 Oct. Eli. I925
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`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
`access to restricted premium programs is sought. Oper-
`ation of the subscriber's television set is automatically
`detected, and is selectively used to initiate operation of
`a refresh sequence in which a predetermined channel is
`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 central station.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`Systems in accordance with the invention provide
`repetitive high speed interrogation of a substantial num-
`ber of subscribers with short fixed length word mes-
`sages which control the selection of groups of subscrib-
`ers and then control intercomniunication with individ-
`ual subscribers within a group, the individual subscrib-
`ers responding immediately with short
`fixed length
`word messages. Both upstream and downstream mes-
`sages at a given point in time are priority determined, so
`that essential controls and responses may be distributed
`over a sequence of interchanges. The combination of
`short messages, reduced addressing time, priority order-
`ing of data. immediate responses and processing only of
`change of status enables real time monitoring of the
`status of many subscribers‘ terminals to be effected
`precisely and reliably. Interactive control functions are
`concurrently effected by a terminal processor, con-
`verter and descrambler system that provides access to
`scrambled premium programs while being responsive
`not only to subscriber selection and control inputs, but
`also to central commands and localized power sense,
`premium authorization and special alarm inputs.
`In a high speed interrogation system in accordance
`with one example of the invention, the central system
`generates relatively short fixed length messages having
`an initiating synchronizing sequence of fixed length and
`including bits of a given value. followed by at least two
`data sequences of shorter length, separated by at least
`one bisecting bit of a value different from that of the
`synchronizing bits. These messages include both a
`group address message and a private address message
`which is accompanied by command data and enable the
`reliable reception and decoding of digital data despite
`the fact that signal transmissions may occur at arbitrary
`points in time and be subject to substantial signal distor-
`tion and propagation delays. Despite the fact that differ-
`ent signal sequences are sent for different purposes, they
`are arranged to be unambiguously related so that the
`synchronizing sequences cannot be confused with each
`other and the private address cannot be confused with
`the group address. At the subscriber's terminals, re-
`sponses are generated by pre-assembling priority or-
`dered fixed length messages of short duration. Continu-
`ally runnirig oscillators are used together with gated
`frequency dividers to provide substantially immediate
`response to interrogations. In addition, the system in-
`cludes means independent of the central processor for
`monitoring transmissions and receptions to detect the
`occurrence of failure conditions, excessive delay be-
`tween a transmission and the succeeding response sig-
`nal, or excessive delay between successive responses.
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`A better understanding of the invention may be had
`by reference to the following invention taken in con-
`junction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
`FIG. IA is a diagram showing the construction of a
`wired transmission path showing a dual cable system
`employed in a two-way CATV system according to the
`present invention;
`FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the construction of a
`wired transmission path showing a mono-cable system
`in a two—way CATV system;
`FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of the signal
`bands used in the wired transmission paths for opposite
`directions according to a mono-cable system in a two-
`way CATV system;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing primarily an ex-
`ample of the construction of the central control unit;
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing primarily an ex-
`ample of the construction of a repeating transmission
`network;
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing primarily an ex-
`ample of the construction of a terminal unit;
`FIG. 6 consisting of FIGS. 6A and 6B comprises an
`explanatory diagram of the code formats for the signals
`to be transmitted from the central control unit to the
`terminal unit and vice versa in the CATV system ac-
`cording to the present invention;
`FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are diagrammatic views showing
`various types of frame constructions used in the trans-
`mission of the data signals;
`FIG.
`II] is an explanatory chart for various code
`formats for use with the transmission of digital signals;
`FIG. II is a diagrammatic view showing an example
`of frame construction for the transmission of the data
`signals used in the present invention;
`FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram illustrating the
`contents of various operations to be performed by the
`central computer;
`FIG. 13 shows one example of a scrambler used in the
`central control unit;
`FIG. 14 is a chart of waveforms iiiustrating the
`changes in the signals in the example shown in FIG. 13;
`FIG. 15 is a graphical waveform representation
`showing a signal pattern to be delivered from a commu-
`nication data input/output device to a frequency shift
`keying modulation sender;
`FIG. 16 is a graphical waveform representation
`showing a signal pattern to be delivered from a phase
`shift keying demodulation receiver to a response signal
`code converter;
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`PMC Exhibit 2085
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`|PR2016-00753
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`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
`each of the 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 transformers in
`the AFC circuit 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 control circuit;
`FIG. 2".-' is a constructional view of a notched helical
`band pass filter;
`FIG. 28 shows frequency characteristics of the heli-
`cal band pass filter shown in FIG. 27;
`FIG. 29 is a block diagram ofa signal restoring circuit
`exemplified as an AGC demodulator, together with the
`waveforms of input and output signals;
`FIG. 3!} is a graphical representation illustrating the
`relation between the driving signal voltage vs RF
`power gain in the signal restoring circuit shown in FIG.
`29 for explanation of the dynamic condition of the AGC
`circuit;
`FIG. 31 is a graphical representation of waveforms
`generated in the operation of the circuit of FIG. 29;
`FIG. 32 is 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 power sensor.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
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`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 many features thereof other than
`theforegoing 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 common to the
`conventional CATV systems. As is already known, a
`CATV system is basically intended to enable video
`image reception of satisfactory quality from radio
`waves captured by a common reception antenna for the
`aim of providing to those TV viewers, who are in areas
`remote from TV broadcasting stations and in areas
`liable to suffer from radio wave interference, benefits
`comparable to those enjoyed from TV broadcasting in
`areas in which preferred reception conditions are ob-
`tainable, and further as the case may be to enable a TV
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`4,245,245
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`image to be received even with weak signals in areas
`usually not capable of reception. The development of
`this system has promoted further provision for re-trans-
`mission to system subscribers thus to bring about the
`construction and operation of a central control unit for
`re»transrnission 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 of facilities 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 of offering 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 of ainpropagated 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 any time they desire. In addition, smooth oper-
`ation of the system can be expected only when suitable
`counter measures are taken for inhibiting the reception
`of the programs by those other than the contacted sub-
`scribers thus to effectively prevent the reception by
`unauthorized viewers, through unjust means or the like.
`At the same time, in collecting fees from the contracted
`subscribers, exact accounting of fees 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 of bills at periodical intervals.
`It is, therefore, a principal object of the present inven-
`tion to provide solutions for the foregoing various tech-
`nical problems by which realization of a pay-TV system
`useful for practical applications is achieved and in
`which the central control unit and contracted subscrib-
`ers having terminal units are connected through repeat-
`ing wired transmission networks inherent of this type of
`the system thereby also intending to provide special
`advantage for full utilization.
`Accordingly, auxiliary objects of the present inven-
`tion include to statistically survey the requests for the
`programs throughout the contracted subscribers having
`terminal units as well as to provide a complete security
`system including automatic information and warning
`for the occurrence of tires, hazards, thefts and other
`events as well as emergency aids for patients, injuries
`and other accidents occurring at the premises of each
`subscriber.
`
`The details 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 and in 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.
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`A CATV system according to the present invention
`is based upon a two-way communication system and, in
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`PMC Exhibit 2085
`
`Apple v. PMC
`
`|PR2016-00753
` Page 19
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`PMC Exhibit 2085
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00753
`Page 19
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`4,245,245
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`particular. mono-cable system. The present invention is
`to be described at first with the outline of the entire
`construction thereof and then with the characteristic
`constructions and functions of individual units and de-
`vices.
`
`CONSTRUCTION OF A TWO-WAY CATV
`SYSTEM
`
`A two-way CATV system of the present invention
`for attaining the foregoing purposes is described in
`terms of a preferred embodiment.
`Two-way wired transmission paths are generally
`constituted either as a dual cable system as shown in
`FIG. 1A or a mono-cable system as shown in FIG. 1B.
`In the mono-cable system, transmission paths along the
`direction of distribution (referred to as downstream
`transmission path hereinafter) and transmission paths
`along the opposite di