Method and apparatus for downloading a code defining the channel transmission format employed in an addressable CATV system
First Claim
1. In a CATV system including a plurality of subscribers each having a CATV terminal operable for tuning received CATV signals transmitted over respective CATV channels configured in any one of a plurality of different transmission formats, at least some of said CATV signals comprising encoded data including a tuning mode command identifying the transmission format being used by the CATV system for downloading in said CATV terminals, an improved method of operating said terminals comprising the steps of:
- generating an on-mode signal representing that the terminal is in use and an off-mode signal representing that the terminal is not in use;
tuning to a selected CATV channel in response to said on-mode signal and operating said terminal in response to said off-mode signals, for executing a plurality of sequential tuning cycles each comprising sequentially tuning successive CATV channels configured according to a different one of said formats until a tuned channel is detected on which said encoded data is being accurately received; and
downloading said tuning mode command received over said detected channel into the terminal for enabling subsequent operation of the terminal for tuning CATV channels configured according to the format defined thereby.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tuning mode command identifying the channel transmission format being used in an addressable CATV system is transmitted via a plurality of encoded CATV channels for downloading in subscriber home terminals. Downloading at the home terminals is effected by executing a plurality of sequential tuning cycles each comprising sequentially tuning successive CATV channels configured according to a different transmission format until a channel is tuned on which encoded data is being accurately received.
154 Citations
7 Claims
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1. In a CATV system including a plurality of subscribers each having a CATV terminal operable for tuning received CATV signals transmitted over respective CATV channels configured in any one of a plurality of different transmission formats, at least some of said CATV signals comprising encoded data including a tuning mode command identifying the transmission format being used by the CATV system for downloading in said CATV terminals, an improved method of operating said terminals comprising the steps of:
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generating an on-mode signal representing that the terminal is in use and an off-mode signal representing that the terminal is not in use;
tuning to a selected CATV channel in response to said on-mode signal and operating said terminal in response to said off-mode signals, for executing a plurality of sequential tuning cycles each comprising sequentially tuning successive CATV channels configured according to a different one of said formats until a tuned channel is detected on which said encoded data is being accurately received; anddownloading said tuning mode command received over said detected channel into the terminal for enabling subsequent operation of the terminal for tuning CATV channels configured according to the format defined thereby. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. In a CATV system including a plurality of subscribers each having a CATV terminal operable for tuning received CATV signals transmitted over respective CATV channels configured in any one of a plurality of different transmission formats, at least some of said CATV signals comprising encoded data including a tuning mode command defining the transmission format being used by the CATV system, each of said terminals comprising:
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control means selectively operable for establishing a terminal on-mode signal representing that the terminal is in use or a terminal off-mode signal representing that the terminal is not in use; memory means for storing a code defining one of said transmission formats; and tuning means responsive to said on-mode signal for tuning a selected CATV channel configured in accordance with the transmission format defined by the code stored in said memory means and operable in response to said off-mode signal for executing a plurality of tuning cycles each comprising sequentially tuning successive CATV channels configured according to a different one of said transmission formats until a tuned channel is detected on which said encoded data is being accurately received and for thereupon downloading the tuning mode command received over said detected channel in said memory means in place of said code.
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4. In a CATV system including a plurality of subscribers each having a CATV terminal operable for tuning received CATV signals transmitted over respective CATV channels configured in any one of a plurality of different transmission formats, at least some of said CATV signals comprising encoded data including a tuning mode command defining the transmission format being used by the CATV system, each of said terminals comprising:
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control means selectively operable for establishing a terminal on-mode signal representing that the terminal is in use or a terminal off-mode signal representing that the terminal is not in use; first memory means for storing a code defining one of said transmission formats; and tuning means responsive to said on-mode signal for tuning a selected CATV channel configured in accordance with the transmission format defined by the code stored in said first memory means and operable in response to said off-mode signal for executing a plurality of tuning cycles each comprising sequentially tuning successive CATV channels configured according to a different one of said transmission formats until a channel is tuned on which correspondence is detected between a predetermined code transmitted as part of said encoded data and a corresponding code stored in said terminal and for thereupon downloading the tuning mode command received over said detected channel in said first memory means in place of said code. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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Specification