Method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a television signal receiver

• US 4,390,901 A
• Filed: 10/16/1980
• Issued: 06/28/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edmond Keiser
• Original Assignee: Edmond Keiser
• Inventors: Keiser, Edmond
• Primary Examiner(s): Masinick, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US06/197,672
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 358/142, 358/146, 358/147, 358/194.1, 358/114, 358/117, 358/120, 358/123, 358/4
• US Class Current: 348/465
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0887 for the transmission of programme or channel identifying signals

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a video recorder to enable it to record selected types of programs is disclosed. A code signal representing information with respect to the type of program is provided at the transmitter and inserted into the vertical blanking gap of the television signal. The video recorder detects and analyzes the code signal and is actuated for recording when a selected type of program is detected.

Claims

1. A method for controlling operation of a television signal receiver comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a code signal representing information with respect to the type of program at the transmitter side,

(b) inserting the code signal into the vertical blanking gap of the television signal to be transmitted therewith,

(c) detecting and analyzing the code signal at the receiver side, and

(d) actuating the receiver unit in response to detection of a predetermined code signal in said detecting step, characterized in that said actuating step includes controlling of a video recorder for recording a selected type of program.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized by the step of comparing the code signal detected at the receiver side with at least one selection criterion stored at the receiver side and energizing/de-energizing the receiver unit in response to predetermined criteria being satisfied.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein said code signal includes at least one of the following component signals:

a channel identification signal;

a program category signal;

a subcategory signal;

a specific program number signal;

a recommended age group signal; and

a forbid/permit note signal.

4. Apparatus for controlling operation of a television signal receiver in response to a code signal representing information with respect to the type of program, which code signal is transmitted with the television signal, comprising a decoder responsive to said code signal transmitted within the vertical blanking gap, and an analyzing means for actuating the receiver unit in response to a decoder output signal corresponding to a predetermined code signal, characterized in that the receiver unit comprises a video recorder the recording mode of which is controlled in response to said decoder output signal.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that said analyzing means comprises memory means for storing predetermined selection criteria, and in that said analyzing means is operable in response to the predetermined code signal as well as in response to the stored selection criteria.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said code signal includes at least one of the following component signals:

a channel identification signal;

a program category signal;

a subcategory signal;

a specific program number signal;

a recommended age group signal; and

a forbid/permit note signal.