Premium video distribution system

• US 3,894,176 A
• Filed: 04/19/1974
• Issued: 07/08/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Regis Benedict Mellon
• Original Assignee: Regis Benedict Mellon
• Inventors: Mellon, Regis Benedict
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilbur, Maynard R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Buczinski, S. C.
• Application Number:
  US05/462,581
• Time in Patent Office: 445 Days
• Field of Search: 178/5.1 325/31,308 340/274
• US Class Current: 380/230
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/17372 the upstream transmission being initiated or timed by a signal from upstream of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

A video distribution system impresses an encripted premium, supplementary video program onto an MATV cable, e.g., in a hotelmotel, apartment-condominium, or like environment. Key switch enabled converters are provided at each viewing location to permit reception of the private program upon lease and insertion of the appropriate key via a conventional television receiver. For system accounting, supervisory and verification purposes, the ensemble of converter-enabling keys are secured and retained in an array electrical key switches. The switches are electronically polled at the inception of video distribution, and a non-volatile count is made of the keys missing at that time, or removed subsequently during the program. Circuitry is provided to electronically count and store key removal (billing) events at electronic speed, while advancing a totalizer at an electromechanical rate.

Claims

1. In combination in a key monitoring system, a plurality of key securing lock switches, each having electrical contacts exhibiting a closed or open state depending upon the presence of an associated key thereon, lock switch contact monitoring means connected to said lock switch contacts for supplying an output pulse when a key is removed from any of said lock switches, multiplex means having plural inputs connected to said lock switch electrical contact monitoring means, addressing means connected to said multiplex means for serially gating onto a multiplexed output port the state of said plural lock swItch electrical contacts, disjunctive logic means for providing an output responsive to an output of either said key removal pulse supplying means or an output of said multiplexing means, and key counting means for counting the outputs of said disjunctive logic means.

2. A combination as in claim 1, wherein said key counting means comprises first counter means connected to the output of said disjunctive logic means, second counter means, match circuit means connected to said first and second counter means for providing an output signal indicating whether or not a match obtains between the states of said first and second counter means, and relatively low speed oscillator means responsive to the output of said match circuit means for arbitrarily supplying output pulses to said second counter means.

3. A combination as in claim 2, further comprising electromechanical counter means connected to the output of said low speed oscillator means.

4. A combination as in claim 2, wherein said match circuit means comprises Exclusive OR type logic means.

5. A combination as in claim 1, wherein said key removal pulse supplying means comprises plural differentiator means, each connected to a different one of said lock switch contacts.

6. A combination as in claim 1, further comprising video source means, a signal distribution cable, and plural subscriber stations connected to said distribution cable, said subscriber locations comprising a standard television receiver and a converter connected intermediate said distribution cable and said receiver, said converter including a key actuated electrical switch for selectively enabling said converter, associated ones of said lock switches and said converters including means for responding to a like key.

7. A combination as in claim 1, further comprising means for monitoring the number of line power interruptions.

8. A combination as in claim 1, further comprising a time-date electrical clock, and latching relay means for selectively energizing said electrical time-date clock.

9. A combination as in claim 1, wherein said electrical contacts of said key securing lock switches are normally open when the associated key is secured therein, wherein one terminal of said contacts is grounded, and further comprising a voltage source, a resistor connected between said voltage source and the other of said lock switch contact terminals, and serially connected diode and capacitor means connecting said other contact terminal to ground.

10. A combination as in claim 1, wherein said key removal pulse supplying means includes plural flip-flops, each connected to different lock switch contacts, each flip-flop being set when the associated key is removed, plural pulse generating means, each producing an output pulse responsive to an associated flip-flop changing state, and means for interconnecting the outputs of said pulse generating means.