United States Patent
`Kosco
`[451 May 27, 1975
`
`
`[Ill
`
`3,886,302
`
`no:
`
`[54] CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION MODEM
`SHARING SYSTEM
`
`[ 57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: Thomas J. Kosci), Harbor City,
`Calif.
`
`[73] Assignec: Hughes Aircraft Company, Culver
`City, Calif.
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Jan. 28,1974
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 437,410
`
`[52] U.S. Cl. ......... .. 178/5.1; 325/308; 178/DIG. I3
`[51]
`Int. Cl. ........................................... .. H04n 1/44
`[58]
`Field of Search ..... .. 325/308; 178/5.1, DIG. 13
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`
`3,786,424
`3,790,700
`3,798,548
`3.806.814
`
`l/l974 McVoy et I78/DIG. I3
`
`2/1974
`Callais et al.
`........ .. I78/5.l
`3/I974 White ct al. ............... .. 178/DIG. 13
`4/1974
`Forbes ....................... .. 178/DIG. 13
`
`Primary Examirzer—Maynard R. Wilbur
`Assistant Examiner—S. C. Buczinski
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—-W. H. MacAllister; Martin
`E4 Gerry
`
`A system for controlling CATV program viewing in a
`plurality of modes of operation. In a first mode of op-
`eration, a downstream digital transmission causes con-
`trol means to develop first binary data for comparison
`in a comparator with selected-channel code data from
`channel means to enable a first circuit to allow a first
`or second category program to be selected and re-
`ceived by a subscriber during a predetermined tempo-
`rary period of time. In a second mode of operation the
`enabling ofa second circuit by the subscriber will only
`cause the control means to be enabled if the sub-
`scriber is authorized to receive that selected first cate-
`gory program. In a third mode of operation the en-
`abling of the second circuit by the subscriber will en-
`able a third circuit to allow a selected second category
`program to be received. In a fourth mode of operation
`the selection of a third category program by the sub-
`scriber will enable a fourth circuit to allow that se-
`lected third category program to
`be
`received.
`MODEM sharing networks are provided in the cable
`system interconnecting a local processing center and
`the various subscriber terminals. Each MODEM shar-
`ing network has modulation and demodulation cir-
`cuitry, and ability to handle about twelve subscriber
`terminals.
`
`8 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures
`
`to Subscriber‘:
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`
`PMC Exhibit 210
`
`Apple v. PM
`|PR2016-0075
`
`Page 1
`
`PMC Exhibit 2108
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00755
`Page 1
`
`

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`PMC Exhibit 2108
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`Page 3
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`Apmev.PM
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`PMC Exhibit 2108
`Apple v. PMC
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`Page 4
`
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`PMC Exhibit 2108
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00755
`Page 5
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`Apple v. PMC
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`PMC Exhibit 2108
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00755
`Page 8
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`
`Apple v. PM
`|PR2016-0075
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`Page
`
`__________
`
`PMC Exhibit 2108
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00755
`Page 9
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`

`
`1
`CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION MODEM
`SHARING SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to CATV systems and particu-
`larly to a system for controlling CATV program view-
`ing in several modes of operation having a common
`MODEM sharing network for a plurality of subscriber
`terminals.
`
`Although the term “CATV," as used herein, origi-
`nally meant Community Antenna Television it has
`come to represent a much broader field of communica-
`tions. Within the past decade additional services have
`been proposed and in some cases actually provided by
`some CATV systems operators.
`In the realm of one-
`way communicatinos (i.e., from a central transmitter to
`the subscribers), services such as AM and FM radio
`programs, weather broadcasts and locally originated
`television programs have been provided as part of the
`CATV services. With the availability of two-way cable
`distribution networks a vast number of additional com-
`munications needs can be served. The availability of
`upstream communications channels allows the sub-
`scribers of a CATV system to be surveyed or polled for
`viewing habits or billing and,
`in addition, allows the
`subscribers to obtain services which are unrelated to
`television. Therefore, although the term “CATV“ is
`_used herein it should be noted that the term includes
`two-way communications on a much broader scale but
`which retains television programming as an important
`function.
`
`In the past, many systems have been proposed for se-
`lectively transmitting various television programs to
`subscribers. In one type of system a transmitting station
`utilizes a coder unit to scramble the video and sound of
`the television programs so that conventional television
`receiver cannot receive an intelligible signal. The signal
`being received is so distorted or jittered that it cannot
`be viewed normally. However, when the television re-
`ceiver is equipped with a decoder to unscramble the
`coded signal, normal video and sound can be received.
`The use of the decoder to unscramble the coded signal
`is generally recorded for billing the subscriber at some
`later time.
`
`In a second type of system, a transmitting station fur-
`nishes each of its subscribers with a list of films which
`it possesses, with each film having a specific selecting
`signal. Upon selecting a film from the list. a subscriber
`actuates a control which turns on his television set and
`searches for a free channel on one of a plurality of ca-
`bles connected to a distribution box which is coupled
`between the subscriber's location and the transmitting
`station. When a free channel is found, a signal informs
`the subscriber that he is connected with the transmit-
`ting station through a free channel which has been lo-
`cated. At that time the subscriber actuates a selector
`control which transmits through the free channel of the
`cable complex to the transmitting station a signal corre-
`sponding to the film which the subscriber has selected.
`The station then automatically selects the required
`film. starts this film and causes a high frequency trans-
`mitter to transmit the television program via the free
`channel to the subscriber's television set. At the com-
`pletion of the program, the transmission stops automat-
`ically and the television receiver is switched off auto-
`matically.
`
`3,886,302
`
`2
`
`In a third type of system a private coaxial distribution
`network allows a transmitting station network to simul-
`taneously transmit a plurality of unscrambled subscrip-
`tion television (TV) programs to each of a plurality of
`subscribers. EAch subscriber has a five-position switch
`on a special converter, which is coupled to the coaxial
`network and to the subscriber's television antenna. In
`one position of the converter switch. free television is
`received via the subscriber's television antenna in a
`conventional manner. In a second position of the con-
`verter switch, voice and music can be received through
`the loudspeaker of the subscriber’s TV set via the cable
`distribution network. In each of the last three positions
`of the converter switch, a different pay television chan-
`nel can be received. It is important to note that the only
`television programs utilized in this system are pay tele-
`vision programs, since the coaxial network is effec-
`tively disconnected if the subscriber wants to receive
`free TV programs from his antenna. A response code,
`indicating the position of the converter switch, is sent
`back to the transmitting station so that the subscriber
`may be billed for watching any pay TV programs.
`In a fourth type of system each of a plurality of sub-
`scribers is periodically interrogated from a central of-
`free during a preselected time slot. If a subscriber actu-
`ates a control on his subscription TV receiver set so
`that a channel he desires to watch may be utilized, a
`"yes" signal is sent back in response to the interroga-
`tion to indicate that a particular pay TV channel is
`being utilized or watched. A “no“ response, of course,
`indicates that the particular pay TV channel
`is not
`being viewed. The yes responses are ultimately used to
`bill the subscribers.
`
`In all of the above types of systems, some positive ac-
`tion by the subscriber must be undertaken to enable a
`pay TV program from the transmitting station or cen-
`tral office to be viewed by the subscriber. When the
`subscriber has undertaken that positive action, whether
`by setting up a decoder, positioning a switch or actuat-
`ing a control, he will be subsequently billed for watch-
`ing the selected TV program because it is a pay TV pro-
`gram. As a result, the above types of systems do not
`provide a period of time during which a pay TV pro-
`gram may be previewed without charge, and then auto-
`matically disabled unless the subscriber has taken the
`required action to see the balance of the program for
`a fee. Furthermore. none of the above types of systems
`provide restricted pay TV programs for which the sub-
`scriber must be eligible to watch. as well as be willing
`to pay.
`None of the aforesaid systems have a common
`MODEM (modulator ~ demodulator) network as an in-
`tegral portion of the cable distribution subsystem.
`shared among a plurality of subscriber terminals. Con-
`sequently, none of the systems make use of relatively
`inexpensive, ordinary telephone transmission lines for
`interconnection of the MODEM networks with several
`subscriber terminals.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Accordingly. it is a general objective of this invention
`to provide a common MODEM sharing network, within
`the cable distribution subsystem shared among a plural-
`ity of subscriber terminals. It is a further general objec-
`tive of this invention to interconnect data encoders and
`
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`
`ibit 210
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`Apple v. PM
`|PR201 6-0075
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`Page 1
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`PMC Exhibit 2108
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-00755
`Page 10
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`
`3,886,302
`
`4
`FIG. 3 shows in tabular form one live-bit channel
`code which may be used in the control of subscription
`TV channels;
`FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate waveforms useful in explain-
`ing the operation of the control logic circuit 47 of FIG.
`2‘.
`
`3
`
`nary telephone transmission lines and thereby reduce
`system cost and increase economy of operation.
`Another object of this invention is to provide a sys-
`tem wherein at least one subscription program may be
`previewed without charge by the subscriber during at
`least one predetermined preview period.
`Another object of this invention is to provide a sys-
`tem for allowing a restricted subscription program to
`be received only by members of a predetermined group
`of viewers.
`
`Another object of this invention is to provide a sys-
`tem which will enable a subscriber to selectively re-
`ceive nonrestricted subscription programs. authorized
`restricted subscription programs, free previews of sub-
`scription programs, and free programs.
`A further object of this invention is to provide a sys-
`tem which enables an authorized subscriber to switch
`away from a previously purchased subscription pro-
`gram and subsequently return to it without incurring an
`additional charge.
`Briefly, a novel system is provided for controlling
`CATV program viewing in a plurality of mode of oper-
`ation. In a first mode of operation, control logic enables
`a video register to cause a first circuit to enable an out-
`put circuit to allow a subscriber to preview at least one
`subscription TV program during a predetermined pre-
`view period of time without charge, if the subscriber
`selects that program during the preview period.
`In a
`second mode of operation, the subscriber will only be
`allowed to receive a selected restricted subscription
`program, if he enables a second circuit and the control
`logic is enabled by a signal indicating that the sub-
`scriber is authorized to watch that restricted subscrip-
`tion program. In a third mode of operation, the sub-
`scriber may select a non-restricted subscription pro-
`gram by enabling the second circuit which,
`in turn,
`causes a third circuit to enable the output circuit to
`allow the non-restricted subscription program to be re-
`ceived. In a fourth mode of operation, the subscriber
`may select a free program by enabling a fourth circuit
`to enable the output circuit to allow the free program
`to be received.
`The novel system includes the head end. wherein the
`local processing center is located, and connected by
`means of coaxial cable to a MODEM sharing network.
`The MODEM sharing network is connected by means
`of ordinary telephone transmission lines to a plurality
`of subscriber terminals for transmitting data informa-
`tion leaving only television channel to be transmitted
`on the coaxial cable through the MODEM sharing net-
`work on a preselected basis to a particular subscriber
`terminal.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`These and other objects, features and advantages of
`the invention, as well as the invention itself. will be-
`come more apparent to those skilled in the art in the
`light ofthe following detailed description taken in con-
`sideration with the accompanying drawings wherein
`like reference numerals indicate like or corresponding
`parts throughout the several views wherein:
`FIG.
`I
`is a schematic block diagram of a two-way
`CATV system;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the premium
`and restricted TV control circuit of FIG. 1;
`
`l0
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`FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of the control
`logic circuit 47 of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a two-way
`CATV’ system incorporating the headend of the system
`interconnected to the cable distribution subsystem
`which includes the MODEM sharing network;
`FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing a typical
`subscriber terminal as used with the MODEM sharing
`network, and telephone transmission line and coaxial
`cable interconnecting the MODEM sharing network
`with the typical subscriber terminal;
`FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of the same sys-
`tem as in FIG. 7 except that additionally a premium and
`restricted TV control circuit has been added thereto;
`and
`FIG. I0 is a schematic block diagram of the same
`subscriber terminal as in FIG. 8 except that a key con-
`trol and subscription TV request button has been
`added thereto.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 discloses a two-way
`CATV (cable television) system which incorporates
`the invention. Television (TV) and radio broadcast sig-
`nals transmitted through the air are received by a plu-
`rality of elevated receiving antennas lla through Iln
`for subsequent processing by a plurality of video pro-
`cessors l2a through l2n which are located at a hea-
`dend site I3. Signals from a local origination studio 14,
`which may be located at some distance from the hea-
`dend site 13, are supplied for subsequent processing to
`a video processor 15 at the headend site 13. A local
`processing center (LPC) I6 at the headend site 13 in-
`cludes a computer 17. The LPC I6 allows two-way
`communications between the subscribers and the hea-
`dend site 13. Each of the outputs of the LPC 16 and
`video processors 12:: through Dr: and 15 is frequency
`multiplexed onto a main trunk line 18 with the other
`outputs via its associated directional coupler 19. In a
`downstream transmission the television and radio sig-
`nals might occupy a large part of the frequency range
`from 54 MHZ to 270 MHz, for example. A carrier cen-
`tered about ll0 MHz, for example, might accommo-
`date the downstream digital data. The combined signals
`are transmitted downstream from the headend site I3
`to a plurality of subscriber terminals. In an upstream
`transmission, digital data responses in, for example. the
`21 to 25 MHz frequency range with a center frequency
`of 23 MHZ and video transmissions in, for example, the
`Sto 21 MHZ frequency range may be respectively re-
`ceived by the LPC 16 and video processor 15.
`It is understood, of course, that the frequency ranges
`mentioned above are for the purpose of explanation
`only and should not be understood to limit the scope of
`the present invention. The exemplary frequencies men-
`tioned above correspond roughly to the bandwidths of
`presently available commercial CATV equipment.
`The downstream transmission of the video band and
`digital signals goes through the main trunk line I8 and
`is split off into a distribution network 20 until it is chan-
`neled through a cable drop line 21 into a filter and
`PMC Exhibit 210
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`|PR2016-0075
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`combiner circuit 23 located within a subscriber termi-
`nal 25. The filter and combiner circuit 23 separates the
`digital data from the video band and routes the televi-
`sion and radio signals to a converter 27 and the digital
`data to a downstream command receiver and decoder
`29. The downstream command receiver and decoder
`29 may include a demodulator circuit (not shown) to
`remove the transmitted carrier frequency, a Manches-
`ter decoder (not shown) to separate input clock pulses
`from a digital code, and a decoder (not shown) to ex-
`tract channel data as well as any one of a group ofcom-
`mands such as preview enable, video enable. and video
`disable. The commands, channel data and input clock
`pulses are applied to a premium and restricted TV con-
`trol circuit 31 which controls the “on” and “of” status
`of the converter 27. In an on condition, the converter
`27 is allowed to pass a selected video channel within
`the video band to a subscriber’s TV antenna terminals
`for viewing.
`in an off condition, the converter is dis-
`abled, thereby preventing any video from being applied
`to the subscribers TV set. while the output of the con-
`verter 27 is shown and described as going to the sub-
`scribers TV set, it should be obvious that the converter
`27 may be an integral part of the subscriber's TV set
`rather than ancillary to it.
`The operation of the premium and restricted TV con-
`trol Circuit 31 is controlled from a console 33 and has
`four modes of operation. At the console 33 a channel
`selector switch 35 determines which TV channel is de-
`sired by the subscriber. while a fine tuning control 37
`allows for a close adjustment in the channel tuning. The
`channel selector switch 35 generates, for example, a
`five-bit channel code which is applied to the control
`circuit 31, as well as to a digital-to-analog (D/A) con-
`verter 39, to indicate the selected TV channel. A digital
`signal from the fine tuning control 37 is also applied to
`the D/A converter 39. The D/A converter 39 combines
`the digital information from the channel code and from
`the fine tuning control 37 and generates an analog con-
`verter tuning signal which is used to tune a varactor
`(not shown) in the converter 27, thereby allowing sig-
`nals from the finely tuned selected channel to be ap-
`plied from the converter 27 to the subscribers TV set
`at a predetermined output frequency.
`In a first mode operation, the computer 17 in the
`LPC 16 transmits a preview enable command down-
`stream to the control circuit 31 to allow a subscription
`TV program to be previewed on a predetermined chan-
`nel. Any subscriber may view the subscription TV pro-
`gram being previewed if he positions the channel selec-
`tor switch 35 to that channel within the preview period.
`If the subscriber selects the channel in which a sub-
`scription TV program is being previewed, he will be al-
`lowed to see that TV program for a predetermined
`length of time without charge. if the subscriber desires
`to watch the completion of the previewed program, he
`would have to insert a key in a key control unit 41
`which enables a subscription TV request button 43 to
`be pressed. If the subscriber presses the button 43 be-
`fore, or even after, the completion of the preview pe-
`riod, he will be allowed to watch the rest of that pre-
`mium program and will be billed accordingly. By press-
`ing the button 43, a pay TV request signal is generated
`by the control circuit 31 and applied to an upstream
`command formatter and transmitter unit 45 to which is
`also applied the channel code from the channel selec-
`tor switch 35. The formatter and transmitter unit 45
`
`combines the pay TV request signal and channel code
`with an internally generated station address code. This
`combination of signals is then modulated onto the pre-
`selected upstream carrier frequency. This upstream
`carrier is applied through the filter and combiner unit
`23 and transmitted upstream through the cable drop
`line 21, the distribution network 20 and the main trunk
`line 18 to the LPC 16 where it is processed by the com-
`puter 17. The computer 17 records the subscribers
`channel address and the channel selected for billing
`purposes and then initiates a downstream digital trans-
`mission at the center frequency of l 10 MHz which is
`ultimately decoded by the receiver and decoder unit 29
`as a video enable command. This video enable com-
`mand confirms that the subscriber has been billed and
`allows the control circuit 31 to keep the converter 27
`turned on after the termination of the preview period
`if the pay TV request was made before the completion
`of the preview period, or turns on the converter 27 if
`the pay TV request was made after the termination of
`the preview period.
`In a second mode of operation. the subscriber may
`initiate a request to receive a restricted category sub-
`scription program. This is accomplished at the console
`33 by the subscriber inserting his key in the key control
`circuit 41 and pressing the subscription TV request
`button 43 which enables the control circuit 31 to gen-
`erate the pay TV request signal. However.
`the sub-
`scriber will not be immediately allowed to receive the
`restricted program. The pay TV request signal will be
`sent upstream to the LPC 16, and the computer 17 will
`search its memory to see if the subscriber is one of the
`persons on its restricted list of persons authorized to re-
`ceive the requested program. Restricted lists, for exam-
`ple, may be respectively composed of groups of doc-
`tors, groups of lawyers. or other groups of subscribers
`sharing a common interest. Restricted programs there-
`fore might zomprise programs of interest to only those
`selected groups of persons. For example, a medical op-
`eration may be only useful to doctors; lectures on legal
`strategies, developments or training courses would only
`be of interest to the legal profession; or police tactics,
`such as criminal detection techniques or riot or crowd
`control, would only be of interest to law enforcement
`officers. In the event the computer 17 finds the termi-
`nal address of the subscriber on its restricted autho-
`rized viewer list for that type of program. it will trans-
`mit downstream to the subscriber terminal 25 a video
`enable command which will allow the control circuit 31
`to process the channel data so that the converter 27 is
`placed in an on condition to allow the subscriber to re-
`Ceive the restricted program. Of course, if the subscrib-
`er's terminal address is not on the computer‘s autho-
`rized viewer list, no video enable command is sent to
`the subscriber terminal 25. Under this mode of opera-
`tion therefore. only previously authorized persons can
`receive restricted category programs.
`in a third mode of operation, a subscriber can gain
`immediate access to a nonrestricted category subscrip-
`tion program by inserting his key in the key control cir-
`cuit 41 and pressing the subscription TV request button
`43. This operation will enable the control circuit to im-
`mediately turn on the converter 27 and therefore allow
`the selected nonrestricted subscription program to be
`received without delay. As described in the second
`mode of operation, the depression of the subscription
`TV request button 43 enables the control circuit 31 to
`PMC Exhibit 210
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`generate a pay TV request signal which is transmitted
`upstream to the LPC 16. Since a nonrestricted program
`is selected by the subscriber, the LPC 16 will automati-
`cally send, during its subsequent operation, a video en-
`able signal to confirm the billing and to keep the con-
`verter 27 turned on. It should be noted that the sub-
`scriber will still receive the nonrestricted subscription
`program even ifa video enable signal is not transmitted
`from the LPC 16.
`The computer 17 causes the LPC 16 to send a video
`disable signal to the control circuit 31 to turn the con-
`verter 27 off at the completion of the restricted cate-
`gory program of the second mode of operation; at the
`completion of the nonrestricted category program of
`the third mode ofoperation; or at the completion of the
`preview period of the first mode of operation,
`if the
`subscriber has not actuated the key control 41 and re-
`quest button 43 within the preview period. It should be
`noted at this time that both restricted energy category
`or nonrestricted category programs may be previewed
`during the first mode of operation.
`In a fourth mode of operation, if the channel selector
`switch 35 is positioned to receive a nonsubscription
`category TV program, or free TV program, the channel
`code will enable the control circuit 31 to generate an
`on control signal to turn the converter 27 on, so that
`the selected free TV program may be received at the
`subscriber's TV set.
`The premium and restricted TV control circuit 31
`will now be more fully discussed by referring to FIG. 2.
`In FIG. 2, the channel data, input clock pulses, and one
`of the preview enable, video enable, and video disable
`commands are applied to a control logic circuit 47 to
`initiate the operation of the control circuit 31. The con-
`trol logic 47 applies clock pulses along with a serial
`stream of, for example, eight bits of updated data to a
`video register 49. The video register 49 may be a shift
`register containing eight flip—flops (not shown). Each of
`the eight flip-flops stores one bit of the eight-bit up-
`dated data in order to produce eight outputs, 51
`through 58. This video register 49 stores information as
`to which subscription TV channels have been enabled
`for viewing, either via a preview enable command in
`the first mode of operation or a video enable command
`in the second or third mode of operation.
`When the subscriber positions the channel selector
`switch 35 to a channel, a five—bit channel code A, B. C.
`D. E is generated. When the subscriber has selected a
`subscription TV channel, which may either be re-
`stricted or nonrestricted, both A and B are in a binary
`0 state or condition. The C, D and E portion of the
`channel code is applied to a subscription channel de-
`coder 59 which, for example, can be similar to the
`decoders/demultiplexers discussed from page 9-160 to
`9-166 of The Integrated Circuits Catalog for Design
`Engineers, First Edition, of Texas Instruments, Inc. The
`subscription channel decoder 59 converts the three bi-
`nary bits C, D and E to eight output lines 61 through
`68. When A and B are both in binary 0 states, the out-
`put lines 61 through 68 of the decoder 59 represent the
`subscription restricted or premium channel that the
`subscriber has selected with the channel selector switch
`35.
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`lines 61 through 68 of the decoder 59 represent the re-
`stricted or premium subscription channel that the sub-
`scriber has selected. At this time, a I state at any ofthe
`outputs 61 through 68 indicates that a subscription,
`and not a free. channel has been selected by the sub-
`scriber. A 1 state from either of the outputs 61 or 62
`designates the selection of a restricted channel. A I
`state from any of the outputs 63 through 68 designates
`the selection of a premium, or nonrestricted channel.
`The outputs 51 through 58 of the video register 49
`are respectively compared with the outputs 61 through
`68 ofthe subscription channel decoder 59 in respective
`AND gates 71 through 78 contained in a channel com-
`parator 79. Each of the AND gates 71 through 78 in the
`comparator 79 has its output coupled to a different
`input of an OR gate 81. When the channel selected by
`the subscriber is one of the enabled channels stored in
`the video register 49, the AND gate in the comparator
`79 associated with the selected and enabled channel
`develops a binary 1 output which is applied through the
`OR gate 81, then through another OR gate 83 to one
`in