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Communications format for a subscription television system permitting transmission of individual text messages to subscribers

  • US 4,890,321 A
  • Filed: 09/30/1988
  • Issued: 12/26/1989
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1986
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of transmitting individual data in packets to plural decoders of a television subscription system, each decoder receiving the same addressed data packet, said method comprising the steps of:

  • assigning groups of decoders to membership in banks of decoders;

    assigning a bank identification number address to all decoders in a given bank of decoders;

    assigning an individual member code comprising n bits to each of the decoders in each bank;

    transmitting an addressed data packet including said bank identification number address to the decoders of said bank, said data packet including a data field, said data field having a predetermined format of at least 2n packet enable bits wherein the number of packet enable bits 2n is equal to or greater than the number of decoders assigned to a given bank, values of said bits in said data field being assigned to convey data to be transmitted to said plural decoders; and

    using said individual member code to point to one or more packet enable bits in said data field for status interpretation at said decoder to which said individual member code is assigned.

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