Television receiver scrambling system

• US 4,417,278 A
• Filed: 06/19/1981
• Issued: 11/22/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charles M. Lacy, Hardy H. Walton Jr, Robert H. Hensleigh
• Original Assignee: Charles M. Lacy, Hardy H. Walton Jr, Robert H. Hensleigh
• Inventors: Hensleigh, Robert H., Lacy, Charles M., Walton, Hardy H. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Murray, Richard
• Application Number:
  US06/275,500
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 358/188, 358/194.1, 358/245, 455/1, 455/230, 455/352, 367/93, 367/94, 340/501, 340/541, 340/573, 340/715, 340/720
• US Class Current: 725/25
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44 Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence

Abstract

Discloses a proximity detection system mounted in combination with a TV receiver adapted to disrupt the programs of the receiver at the times when objects of at least the dimensions of children are positioned within a designated distance from the television picture. Detection system includes actuation means supplying electrical power to energize detection system. An acoustic pulse transducer means produces discrete periodic acoustic pulses into the viewing area and detects acoustic signals reflected back from the viewing area. A comparator means receives a signal corresponding to each of electrical pulses and echo signals and produces an actuating signal as a function of the distance between the transducer and target object. A receiver program disruption means operates to disrupt the TV program during such time when object is within a designated distance from the transducer. The actuation means may include a switch actuated by an RF tuned induction pickup coil and the signal disruption means radiates a disruption signal at a frequency of several KHz.

Claims

1. A proximity detection system mounted in combination with a TV receiver and adapted to disrupt the program of the receiver at times when an object of at least the dimensions of a child is positioned within a designated distance and a designated viewing area in front of the television picture, said detection system comprising:

(a) means for supplying electrical power to energize said detection system;

(b) pulse generator means for producing discrete periodic high energy electrical pulses;

(c) combination acoustic pulse transducer means responsive to said pulse generator means for producing discrete periodic acoustic pulses into said viewing area, and for detecting and converting discrete acoustic signals reflected back from said viewing area into discrete electrical echo signals;

(d) comparator means for receiving a signal corresponding to each of said electrical pulses and said echo signals and producing an actuating signal as a function of the time between each pulse of said electrical pulses and its corresponding echo signal; and

(e) receiver program disruption means for receiving said actuating signal and operating to produce a disruption signal of selected frequency and thereby to scramble said program during such time period as said actuating signal is within a range where said object is within a designated distance from said transducer.

2. The receiver of claim 1 wherein the period of said periodic high energy electrical pulses may be from about one to five seconds.

3. The receiver of claim 1 wherein said actuation means includes a switch actuated by an RF tuned induction pickup coil.

4. The receiver of claim 3 wherein said induction pickup coil is adapted to respond to an I.F. frequency in the range of about 10 to 12 MHz.

5. The receiver of claim 3 wherein said signal disruption means is adapted to radiate a disruption signal through an antenna means.

6. The receiver of claim 1 wherein said signal disruption means is adapted to radiate a disruption signal at a frequency of several KHz.

7. The receiver of claim 6 wherein the period of said periodic high energy electrical pulses may be from about one to five seconds.

8. The receiver of claim 1 wherein said signal disruption means is adapted to radiate a disruption signal through an antenna means.

9. The receiver of claim 8 wherein said signal disruption means is adapted to radiate a disruption signal at a frequency of several KHz.

10. The receiver of claim 1 wherein said electrical power is supplied from a battery.