Video system and method for controlled viewing and videotaping

• US 4,945,563 A
• Filed: 09/22/1988
• Issued: 07/31/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Echostar Engineering Corporation (Echostar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Satellite Technology Services, Inc.
• Inventors: Horton, Edwin T., Smith, Edward W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buczinski, Stephen C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GREGORY, BERNARR E
• Application Number:
  US07/247,844
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 380/3-5, 380/9, 380/10, 380/23, 380/20, 360/60, 358/84, 358/86, 455/2-6
• US Class Current: 380/203
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91321 the copy protection signal being a copy protection control signal, e.g. a record inhibit signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91364 the video signal being scrambled
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/913 for scrambling ; for copy protection

Abstract

A satellite TV or cable video receiver includes a decoder for decoding information embedded in a broadcasted TV program which can be utilized to permit an operator to select the program for viewing only, or viewing and the preparation of a copy of the program. In an alternate embodiment, the operator may also select and the receiver permit the preparation of a copy inhibited tape. With this receiver, first run movies may be displayed on a tape or view basis without destroying the after-market for the film.

Claims

1. A video reception system for receiving encrypted premium TV programs and formatting said TV programs to control videotaping thereof, said programs being encoded to indicate that recording thereof is either permitted or not permitted, said system comprising a receiver, the receiver including:

means to descramble the encrypted TV program, means to decode the program code, means to permit operator selection of a program code, means to format said TV program for unrestricted viewing and taping, and means to format said TV program for viewing but not taping thereof.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising means to generate billing information corresponding to the operator selected program code.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising means to alter said billing information in response to operator input of responses to pre-selected questions.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising means to enable a VCR for recording of the TV program.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said operator selection means includes a remote control means.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising means to format said TV program to permit a copy inhibited recording to be made thereof.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising means to transmit said billing information via a telecommunication means.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said receiver comprises part of a TVRO satellite television reception system.

9. A method for receiving and formatting encrypted television programs to control the videotaping thereof, said TV programs being encoded to indicate that recording thereof is either permitted or not permitted, said method comprising the steps of:

descrambling the encrypted TV program;

decoding the program code;

selecting the desired code; and

formatting said received TV program to permit viewing only or to permit unrestricted viewing and taping.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of formatting includes the alternative of permitting a copy inhibited reproduction to be created.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of generating billing information corresponding to the selected program code.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of altering the billing information in response to operator input of requested information.

13. A satellite television TVRO receiver for receiving encrypted premium TV programs and formatting said TV programs to control videotaping thereof, said programs being encoded to indicate that recording thereof is either permitted or not permitted, said receiver including:

means to descramble the encrypted TV program;

means to decode the program code and display same for operator selection;

means to permit operator selection of a program code corresponding to either recording permitted or recording not permitted; and

means to format said TV program for viewing but to prevent taping thereof in response to operator selection of a program code corresponding to taping not permitted.

14. The device of claim 13 further comprising means to format said TV program to permit a copy inhibited recording to be made thereof by insertion of copy protection signal in response to operator selection of a program code corresponding to recording permitted.

15. The receiver of claim 13 further comprising means to generate billing information corresponding to the operator selected program code.

16. The receiver of claim 15 further comprising means to alter said billing information in response to operator input of responses to pre-selected questions.

17. The receiver of claim 13 further comprising means to enable a VCR for recording of the TV program.

18. A receiver for connection to a cable TV system, said receiver having means for receiving encrypted premium TV programs and formatting said TV programs to control videotaping thereof, said programs being encoded to indicate that recording thereof is either permitted or not permitted, said receiver including:

means to descramble the encrypted TV program;

means to decode the program code and display same for operator selection;

means to permit operator selection of a program code corresponding to either recording permitted or recording not permitted; and

means to format said TV program for viewing but to prevent taping thereof in response to operator selection of a program code corresponding to taping not permitted.

19. The device of claim 18 further comprising means to format said TV program to permit a copy inhibited recording to be made thereof by insertion of a copy protection signal in response to operator selection of a program code corresponding to recording permitted.

20. The receiver of claim 18 further comprising means to generate billing information corresponding to the operator selected program code.