Receiver with interface for interaction with controller-decoder
First Claim
1. A receiver for use with a detachable addressable controller-decoder adapted to decode broadcast signals and a television to form one of a plurality of remote terminals in a system for distributing encoded broadcast signals, the receiver comprising means for generating control signal, tuning means for selecting one of the broadcast signals, said tuning means having an output, broadcast signal output means adapted to be connected to the decoder, said broadcast signal output means being operably connected to said tuning means output for transfer of said selected signal to the decoder, means for displaying indicia, control means operably connected to said control signal generating means for receiving said control signals and to said tuning means and said display means for ascertaining the status thereof and for controlling the operation therein in accordance with said control signals, means for generating data signals for transfer to the decoder, said data signals comprising data representative of said control signals and data representative of the status of said tuning means and said display means, means for receiving responsive data signals transferred from the decoder, said responsive data signals comprising data representative of signals generated by the decoder, said control means controlling the operation of said tuning means and said display means in accordance with said decoder generated signals, upon receipt thereof, means for operably connecting the receiver and the decoder for transfer of said generated data signals from said control means to the decoder and receipt of said responsive data signals by said control means form the decoder, broadcast signal input means adapted to be connected to the decoder to receive the selected signal therefrom and means, operably connected to said broadcast signal input means for modulating the selected signal for display on the television.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interface permits bi-directional data signal transfer between the microcomputer of the receiver and an addressable controller-decoder designed for use in conjunction therewith. The data transfer permits expansion of the receiver functions and future adaptability to a variety of satellite services. The interface transfers messages from the microcomputer representing keystrokes received from the receiver keyboard and the status of the various receiver components and receives commands from the decoder for regulating the operation of the receiver components and for the transfer of specific information. The data transfer is achieved through a serial communication protocol which facilitates the interaction between units.
219 Citations
37 Claims
- 1. A receiver for use with a detachable addressable controller-decoder adapted to decode broadcast signals and a television to form one of a plurality of remote terminals in a system for distributing encoded broadcast signals, the receiver comprising means for generating control signal, tuning means for selecting one of the broadcast signals, said tuning means having an output, broadcast signal output means adapted to be connected to the decoder, said broadcast signal output means being operably connected to said tuning means output for transfer of said selected signal to the decoder, means for displaying indicia, control means operably connected to said control signal generating means for receiving said control signals and to said tuning means and said display means for ascertaining the status thereof and for controlling the operation therein in accordance with said control signals, means for generating data signals for transfer to the decoder, said data signals comprising data representative of said control signals and data representative of the status of said tuning means and said display means, means for receiving responsive data signals transferred from the decoder, said responsive data signals comprising data representative of signals generated by the decoder, said control means controlling the operation of said tuning means and said display means in accordance with said decoder generated signals, upon receipt thereof, means for operably connecting the receiver and the decoder for transfer of said generated data signals from said control means to the decoder and receipt of said responsive data signals by said control means form the decoder, broadcast signal input means adapted to be connected to the decoder to receive the selected signal therefrom and means, operably connected to said broadcast signal input means for modulating the selected signal for display on the television.
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26. A method for controlling the operation of a receiver having a bi-directional serial data transfer capability with a detachable addressable controller-decoder, the receiver, decoder and a television forming one of a plurality of remote terminals in a system for distributing encoded broadcast signals, the receiver including keyboard means for generating control signals in accordance with the actuation thereof, tuning means for selecting one of the broadcast signals and transferring same to the decoder, indicia display means, signal storage means, control means operably connected to the tuning means and the display means to ascertain the status thereof and control the operation thereof, data signal generating and receiving means, data signal transfer means, and means for receiving broadcast signals from the decoder and for modulating same for display by the television, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) upon actuation of the keyboard means, generating a synchronizing data word and storing same in the storage means; (b) transferring the contents of the storage means to the decoder; (c) waiting a pre-selected time period; (d) during the waiting period, receiving a responsive data signal from the decoder, the responsive data signal comprising data representative of decoder generated signals; (e) utilizing the received decoder generated signals to control the function of the tuning means and display means; (f) utilizing the control signals to control the operation of the tuning means if no responsive data signal is received during the waiting period; (g) deciding if data representative of the control signals or signals reflecting the status of the tuning means and display means is to be transferred to the decoder and, if so, generating data signals comprising data representative of the control signals or signals reflecting the status of the tuning means and display means; and (h) storing the data signals in the storage means and returning to step (b). - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification