TELEVISION CODER AND DECODER

• US 3,737,566 A
• Filed: 12/08/1970
• Issued: 06/05/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ralph H. Baer, William T. Rusch
• Original Assignee: Ralph H. Baer, William T. Rusch
• Inventors: Baer, Ralph H., Rusch, William T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Murray, Richard
• Application Number:
  US05/096,033
• Time in Patent Office: 910 Days
• Field of Search: 35/9B,9C,9G,9H 178/5.6 340/324A,190 250/217CR
• US Class Current: 348/61
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/06 of the multiple-choice answer-type, i.e. where a given question is provided with a series of answers and a choice has to be made from the answers

Abstract

Apparatus is herein disclosed for use in conjunction with television receivers for presenting coded messages displayed on a television screen and for decoding same by the selection of a particular displayed coded symbol. The coder comprises means for flashing symbols on the television screen an odd or even number of times. The decoder comprises a multivibrator responsive to said coded symbol.

Claims

1. Television apparatus, comprising:

a television receiver for receiving coded information from a television signal source which transmits a predetermined code comprising a series of signals correlated with the raster scan containing serially odd and even numbers of pulses with means at said receiver for utilizing said signals to display at least a first spot flashing an even number of times and a second spot flashing an odd number of times and means for decoding said displayed information.

2. Television apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first spot flashes n times and said second spot flashes n+1 times.

3. Television apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said decoding means includes a single light sensitive detector.

4. Television apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said decoding means further includes a bistable device coupled to said light sensitive detector.

5. Television apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said decoding means further includes means for initially setting said bistable device to a first state.

6. Television apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said decoding means further includes means responsive to the number of flashes of said flashing spots.

7. Television apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said means responsive includes means responsive to the state of said bistable device.

8. Television apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said decoding means includes only one light sensitive detector.