Selective data broadcasting receiver adapter apparatus and method for personal computers

• US 5,245,429 A
• Filed: 12/17/1991
• Issued: 09/14/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Emilio, Riva, Virginio, Ratti
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miller, John W.
• Application Number:
  US07/808,862
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 358/142, 358/903, 358/188, 358/86, 364/521
• US Class Current: 375/240.25
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00283 with a television apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/03 Subscription systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/035 Circuits for the digital non-picture data signal, e.g. for slicing of the data signal, for regeneration of the data-clock signal, for error detection or correction of the data signal

Abstract

The present invention relates to a microcontroller based adapter card that interfaces a Micro Channel bus architecture to allow a personal computer implementing such hardware architecture to tune on a TV channel and capture digital data transmitted intermixed with an analog video signal used for diffusion of television programs. The receivers of such transmission system receive the incoming data stream, transmitted via "on air" or "cable" channels, through a TV cable of a broadcasting network or from the aerial antenna. Received serial data is decoded and stored into byte format for processing which is partially done by the on-board processor and then by the personal computer processor. This processing will result in storing data as records, messages and files formats into the personal computer mass storage devices. The on-board intelligence allows selectivity of transmitted data by checking the incoming addressing bytes (transmitted in the same data packet) against the card unique address or group membership parameter stored in non-volatile devices.

Claims

1. A personal computer (PC) adapter card for receiving data transmitted by a broadcaster in a broadcast station in a unidirectional broadcasting system using a TV channel which transmits digitally encoded data according to a given protocol, said adapter card being adapted for use in a host personal computer including a host processor, said adapter card comprising:

tuning means for tuning and demodulating a TV channel signal which TV channel signal includes digitally encoded data superimposed on a TV composite signal and addressing information for identifying a particular end-user or to a group of end-users;

separating means, coupled to said tuning means, for separating said digitally encoded data from said TV composite signal;

programmable decoder means, coupled to said separating means, for recognizing, receiving and storing said digitally encoded data;

a non-volatile memory, coupled to the programmable decoder means, for storing unique identification information relating to a selective transmission directed to the particular end-user or to a group of end-users for selecting data from the TV channel signal by checking the addressing information against the unique identification information;

processing means for controlling said tuning means and said programmable decoder means and for processing said digitally encoded data;

shared data buffer means, coupled between said processing means and said host personal computer, for said digitally encoded data and communication information so as to permit concurrent operation by said processing means on said adapter card and the host processor in said host computer, whereby data receiving throughput is increased.

2. A method implemented in an adapter card for a host personal computer for selectively receiving digitally encoded data transmitted by a broadcast station in a unidirectional transmission system using a TV channel signal, said method comprising the steps of:

tuning a selected TV channel signal;

decoding encoded digital data signals which are superimposed on said selected TV channel signal according to a predetermined transmission protocol, thus producing decoded data signals, said encoded digital data signals including addressing information which indicates a particular adapter card for which said encoded digital data signals are intended;

storing and updating unique identification parameters relating to a selective transmission according to said transmission protocol;

retrieving said decoded data signals;

checking said addressing information against selectivity parameters stored in a memory situated on said adapter card;

performing error detection and correction on said decoded data signals thus producing final data, and

storing said final data in a data buffer which is shared by a processor on said adapter card and a host processor included in said host computer.