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Television receiver having memory control for tune-by-label feature |
| RE35952 |
Television receiver having memory control for tune-by-label feature
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| Patent Drawings: | |
| Inventor: |
Beery |
| Date Issued: |
November 10, 1998 |
| Application: |
08/116,019 |
| Filed: |
September 2, 1993 |
| Inventors: |
Beery; Jack (Washington, DC)
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| Assignee: |
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| Primary Examiner: |
Flynn; Nathan J. |
| Assistant Examiner: |
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| Attorney Or Agent: |
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| U.S. Class: |
348/570; 348/731; 348/734 |
| Field Of Search: |
347/731; 347/734 |
| International Class: |
H03J 1/00 |
| U.S Patent Documents: |
3976995; 4123713; 4187469; 4228541; 4228543; 4232396; 4261055; 4270145; 4279035; 4313213; 4314375; 4317213; 4317225; 4352202; 4355415; 4355416; 4361907; 4375651; 4392246; 4419769; 4425579; 4495654; 4510623; 4521914; 4527194; 4559561; 4600918; 4620229; 4626848; 4644349; 4686564; 4706121; 4718107; 4751578; 4763195; 4870492; 4885579; 4897714; 4907085; 4912463; 4914428; 4914517; 4959720; 4977455; 4998292; 4999622; 5151789; 5307173 |
| Foreign Patent Documents: |
0 209 703 A1; 0 424 725 A2; OS 26 12 260; 25 42 021 B2; 36 28 964 A1; 36 40 437 A1; 58-13082; 58-172011; 61-61577; 63-36608; 63-59075; 2 021 887; 2 083 722; 2 104 277; 2 126 002; WO 90/07844; WO 92/04801; WO 93/07711; WO 93/12612 |
| Other References: |
Eitz et al., "Videotext programmiert Videoheimgerate [Video Text Programs Video Devices in the Home]," Rundfunktechn. Mitteilungen, vol. 30(1986)..
"MOS Chip in Remote-control Unit Helps Tune TV Set Electronically," Electronics, Jun. 27, 1974, pp. 34-35..
Steckler, "STAR--New Kind of TV Remote Control," Radio-Electronics, Dec. 1974, pp. 44-50..
"Digital ICs Think for TV Tuners," Electronics, Jun. 19, 1975, p. 38..
Walker, "For TV Tuners, a Digital Look," Electronics, Jun. 26, 1975, pp. 65-66..
Wilson, "New Digital Remote Control," Remote-Electronics, Jan. 1976, pp. 58-60, 86-87..
Penner, "Digital Television Tuner Uses MOS LSI and Nonvolatile Memory," Electronics, Apr. 1, 1976, pp. 86-90..
Kleiman, "HEATHKIT GR-2001--Programmable Color TV," Radio-Electronics, May 1977, pp. 49-51, 93..
Philips, Technical Information 024, "DICS Digital Tuning System for TV Receivers," release date Feb. 7, 1977..
RCA "Dimensia" Color Television Owner's Manual, copyr. 1987 (excerpts)..
Baer, "Tele-briefs, A Novel User-Selectable Real Time News Headline Service for Cable TV," IEEE Trans. on Consumer Electronics, Vol. CE-25, No. 3, Jul. 1979..
d'Andrea et al., "Frequency Synthesis for Color TV-Receivers with a New Dedicated Micro-Computer," IEEE Trans. on Consumer Electronics, vol. CE-27, No. 3, Aug. 1981..
"Video Programm System: Flexibel programmieren mit VPS [Video Program System: Flexible Programming with VPS]," Funkschau, vol. 25, pp. 47-51, 1985..
Operating Guide for Hitachi TV Model CT-2079B..
Operating Guide for Hitachi TV Model CT-1938..
Instruction Manual for Hitachi videorecorder Model VT-1800A (excerpts)..
Instruction Manual for Hitachi videorecorder Model VT-2500A (excerpts)..
Instruction Manual for JVS TVs Models C-2018/C-2028/C-2038..
Service Manual for JVC TV Model AV-2637S (Jun. 1987)..
Service Manual for JVC TV Model C-2018 (Jan. 1988)(excerpts)..
Service Manual for JVC TV Model C-2627 (Apr. 1987)(excerpts)..
Operating Guide for Mitsubishi TV Model CF2670R..
Service Manual for Mitsubishi TV Model CF2670R..
Operations Manual for Jerrold "Starcom VI" Model DQN Digital Plain Converter..
Service Manual for Grundig TV Model CUC 2400 (excerpts)..
Owner's Manual for RCA videocorder Model VR695HF (1988)..
Customer Handbook Jerrold "Impulse 7000" Model DP71/DPV72/DPBB73 Addressable Converters (Jun. 1988)..
Advertisement re Oak Communications "Sigma" Converters, Communication Engineering and Design, May 1987..
Advertisement re Hamlin Model CR-6600 Channel Convertor, Cable Television Business, Sep. 1, 1986..
Advertisement re Hamlin Model CRX 5000 Channel Convertor, Cable Television Business, Dec. 1, 1983..
Advertisement re Pioneer Model BC-4000 Channel Converter, Cable Television Business, Dec. 15, 1983..
Advertisement re Magnavox "Magna 6400" Digital Converter, Cable Television Business, Feb. 1, 1983..
Advertisement re Eagle Centronics CATV Converters, Cable Television Business, Oct. 1, 1983..
Advertisement re Jerrold Channel Converters: "Welcome to Jerrold's World of Impulse", Cable Television Business, May 15, 1987..
Advertisement re Jerrold "Starcom VI" Channel Converter, Cable Television Business, Dec. 15, 1986..
Advertisement re Scientific Atlanta "Series 8500" Channel Converter, Cable Television Business, Dec. 1, 1983..
Advertisement re Scientific Atlanta Models 8525, 6780 and 8530 Channel Converters, Cable Television Business, Jan. 1, 1986..
Advertisement re Panasonic Model VCS-1 Switcher, TZ-PC120 and TZ-PC150 Converters and PC200 Converter, Communication Engineering and Design, Mar. 1987..
Advertisement re Oak Communications "Sigma" Converters, Cable Television Business, Oct. 1, 1987..
Advertisement re Oak Communications "Sigma" Converters, Cable Television Business, Nov. 1, 1986..
"Experts Agree The TV of the future is here . . . in the Heathkit Digital-Design GR-2000 TV," magazine advertisement, source unknown, pp. 28-29..
"If you can use any of these tools . . . ," Radio Electronics, date unknown, pp. 46-47..
Page from article, Radio Electronics, date unknown, p. 50..
Pat. Abs. of Japan, vol. 12, No. 246 re JP-A-63 036 608, abstract published Jul. 12, 1988.. |
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| Abstract: |
A television control system is for selecting a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation. A tuner receives multi-channel input signal, and in response to a processor signal, tunes out all but one selected channel. A memory stores at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for the channel tuning designations. An operator-actuated control means generates a first data signal representative of a desired channel select designation for one of the channel tuning designations, and a second data signal representative of a desired viewing channel identified by one of the channel select designations. A processor receives the first data signal from the control means, and in response, causes the memory to store the desired channel select designation as corresponding to the tuning designation. Upon receipt of the second data signal, the processor retrieves from the memory the channel tuning designation corresponding to the channel select designation, and generates the processor signal to correspond to the channel tuning designation. |
| Claim: |
What is claimed is:
1. In a television control system apparatus for selecting a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation, the system apparatus comprising:
tuner means for receiving a processor signal and a multi-channel input signal, and in response to said processor signal, tuning out all but one channel corresponding to a selected one of said preassigned channel tuning designations;
memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
first operator-actuated control means for generating a first control output signal comprising a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations;
second operator-actuated control means for generating a second control output signal comprising a second data set representative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
processor means for receiving said first and second control output signals from said first and second operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt of said first data set, causing said memory means to store said desired channel selectdesignation as corresponding to said one channel tuning designation, and upon receipt of said second data set, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel selectdesignation, and generating said processor signal to correspond to said one channel tuning designation;
said first control output signal comprising a first one of said channels of said multi-channel input signal;
said processor means including means for generating said processor signal to cause said tuner means to tune out all but said first one of said channels, and for receiving from said turner means said first control output signal comprising saidfirst one of said channels.
2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first operator actuated control means is remote from said second operator actuated control means.
3. In a television control system apparatus for selecting a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation, the system apparatus comprising:
tuner means for receiving a processor signal and a multi-channel input signal, and in response to said processor signal, tuning out all but one channel corresponding to a selected one of said preassigned channel tuning designations;
first memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
second memory means for storing said operator-assigned channel select designations for said channel tuning designations;
first operator-actuated control means for generating a first control output signal comprising a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations and for generating a dump controloutput signal;
second operator-actuated control means for generating a second control output signal comprising a second data set representative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
first processor means for receiving said first control output signal from said first operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt of said first data set, causing said first memory means to store said desired channel select designation ascorresponding to said one channel tuning designation, and upon receipt of said dump control output signal, causing said first memory means to dump any contents thereof to said second memory means; and
second processor means for receiving said second control output signal from said second operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt of second data set, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel tuning designationscorresponding to said operator selected channel select designation, and generating said processor signal to correspond to said one channel tuning designation.
4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said first operator actuated control means, said first memory means and said first processor means are remote from said second operator actuated control means, said second memory means and said secondprocessor means. .Iadd.5. A method of controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation upon receipt of a channel tuning control signal,comprising the steps of:
generating using an operator-actuated control means a first control output signal comprising a first data set representative of at least one desired channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
storing in a memory said channel select designation as corresponding to the respective one of said channel tuning designations;
generating using said operator-actuated control means a second control output signal comprising a second data set representative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
retrieving from said memory the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel select designation; and
generating said channel tuning control signal to correspond to said one
channel tuning designation. .Iaddend..Iadd.6. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation upon receipt of a channeltuning control signal, the system comprising:
memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second data setrepresentative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt of said first data set, causing said memory means to store said desired channel select designation as corresponding to said onechannel tuning designation, and upon receipt of said second data set, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel select designation, and generating said channel tuningcontrol signal to correspond to said one channel tuning designation;
said memory means including means for initially storing a channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations which is
identical thereto. .Iaddend..Iadd.7. In a television control system apparatus for selecting a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation, the system apparatus comprising:
tuner means for receiving a processor signal and a multi-channel input signal, and in response to said processor signal, tuning out all but one channel corresponding to a selected one of said preassigned channel tuning designations;
memory means for storing at least one marker/order bit for at least one of said channel tuning designations, for retaining slid channel tuning designations in an ordered cue;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of the presence of said marker/order bit associated with one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second dataset representative of a command to advance to a subsequent channel tuning designation within said cue;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt of said first data set, causing said memory means to store any of said marker/order bits associated with one of said channeltuning designations corresponding to the respective place of said channel tuning designation within said cue, and upon receipt of said second data set, reviewing said cue to determine a next in order of said channel tuning designations to have one ofsaid marker/order bits associated therewith, and generating said processor signal to correspond to said next channel tuning designation.
.Iaddend..Iadd.8. In a television control system apparatus for selecting a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation, the system apparatus comprising:
tuner means for receiving a processor signal and a multi-channel input signal, and in response to said processor signal, tuning out all but one channel corresponding to a selected one of said preassigned channel tuning designations;
memory means for storing a marker value for at least one of said channel tuning designations, and means for retaining said channel tuning designations in a plurality of ordered cues;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of the presence of said marker value associated with one of said channel tuning designations and one of said cues, and(b) a second data set representative of a command to advance to a subsequent channel tuning designation within a selected one of said cues;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt of said first data set, causing said memory means to store any of said marker values associated with one of said channel tuningdesignations, and upon receipt of said second data set, reviewing the corresponding one of said cues to determine a next of said channel tuning designations to have one of said marker values associated therewith which corresponds to said cue, andgenerating said processor signal to correspond to said next channel tuning
designation. .Iaddend..Iadd.9. A television control apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said control means further includes means for generating a cue selection signal corresponding to one of said cues, and wherein said processor means,upon receipt of said cue selection signal
reviews the one of said cues corresponding thereto. .Iaddend..Iadd.10. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designationupon receipt of a channel tuning control signal, the system comprising:
memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second data setrepresentative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt of said first data set, causing said memory means to store said desired channel select designation as corresponding to said onechannel tuning designation, and upon receipt of said second data set, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel select designation, and generating said channel tuningcontrol signal to correspond to said one channel tuning designation;
wherein said memory means includes means for storing a marker value for each of said channel select designations, and means for retaining said channel select designations in a plurality of ordered cues;
said control means including means for generating, at the selection of the operator, a part of said first data set representative of the presence of said marker value associated with one of said channel select designations and one of said cues,and means for generating a third data set representative of a command to advance to a subsequent channel select designation within a selected one of said cues;
said processor means, upon receipt of said first data set, causing said memory means to store any of said marker values associated with one of said channel select designations, and upon receipt of said third data set, reviewing the correspondingone of said cues to determine a next of said channel select designations to have one of said marker values associated therewith which corresponds to said cue, and generating said processor signal to correspond to said next channel select designation.
.Iaddend..Iadd.11. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation upon receipt of a channel tuning control signal, thesystem comprising:
memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second data setrepresentative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt of said first data set, causing said memory means to store said desired channel select designation as corresponding to said onechannel tuning designation, and upon receipt of said second data set, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel select designation, and generating said channel tuningcontrol signal to correspond to said one channel tuning designation;
wherein said memory means includes means for initially storing a channel select designation for each of said channel tuning designations which is identical thereto;
said operator-actuated control means including means for generating a memory clear signal;
said processor means including means for receiving said memory clear signal, and in response thereto, clearing said memory and restoring therein said channel select designation for each of said channel tuning designations which is identicalthereto. .Iaddend..Iadd.12. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation upon receipt of a channel tuning control signal, thesystem comprising:
memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
first operator-actuated control means for generating a first control output signal comprising a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations;
second operator-actuated control means distinct and remotely located from said first operator-actuated control means for generating a second control output signal comprising a second data set representative of a desired viewing channel identifiedby an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
processor means for receiving said first and second control output signals from said first and second operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt of said first data set, causing said memory means to store said desired channel selectdesignation as corresponding to said one channel tuning designation, and upon receipt of said second data set, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel selectdesignation, and generating said channel tuning control signal to correspond to said one
channel tuning designation. .Iaddend..Iadd.13. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation upon receipt of a channeltuning control signal, the system comprising:
memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
first operator-actuated control means for generating a first control output signal comprising a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations;
means for receiving said first data set and causing said memory means to store said desired channel select designation as corresponding to said one channel tuning designation;
second operator-actuated control means distinct and remotely located from said first operator-actuated control means for generating a second control output signal comprising a second data set representative of a desired viewing channel identifiedby an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
processor means for receiving said second control output signal from said second operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt thereof, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to saidoperator selected channel select designation, and generating said channel tuning control signal to
correspond to said one channel tuning designation. .Iaddend..Iadd.14. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designationupon receipt of a channel tuning control signal, the system comprising:
memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second data setrepresentative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt of said first data set, causing said memory means to store said desired channel select designation as corresponding to said onechannel tuning designation, and upon receipt of said second data set, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel select designation, and generating said channel tuningcontrol signal to correspond to said one channel tuning designation;
wherein said memory means includes means for storing more than one of said channel select designations corresponding to a single one of said channel
tuning designations. .Iaddend..Iadd.15. In a television control system apparatus for selecting a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation, the system apparatus comprising:
tuner means for receiving a processor signal and a multi-channel input signal, and in response to said processor signal, tuning out all but one channel corresponding to a selected one of said preassigned channel tuning designations;
memory means for storing at least one marker bit for at least one of said channel tuning designations, for retaining said channel tuning designations in an ordered cue;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of the presence of said marker bit associated with one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second data setrepresentative of a command to advance to a subsequent channel tuning designation within said cue;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt of said first data set, causing said memory means to store any of said marker bits associated with one of said channel tuningdesignations corresponding to the respective place of said channel tuning designation within said cue, and upon receipt of said second data set, reviewing said cue to determine a next in order of said channel tuning designations to have one of saidmarker bits associated therewith, and generating said processor signal to correspond to said next channel tuning designation;
said memory means including means for storing at least one order bit for each of said channel tuning designations which have one of said marker bits associated therewith which comprises said means for retaining said channel tuning designations insaid ordered cue;
said processor means, upon receipt of said first data set, causing said memory means to store an order bit associated with said channel tuning designation which has one of said marker bits associated therewith corresponding to the respectiveplace of said channel tuning designation within said cue, and upon receipt of said third data signal, determining said next of said channel tuning designations which have one of said marker bits associated therewith by reviewing said order bits.
.Iaddend..Iadd.16. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation in response to a channel tuning control signal, thesystem comprising:
memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second data setrepresentative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and in response to said first data set, causing said memory means to store said desired channel select designation as corresponding to said onechannel tuning designation, and in response to said second data set, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel select designation, and generating said channel tuningcontrol signal to correspond to said one channel tuning designation;
said memory means including means for initially storing a channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations which is identical thereto. .Iaddend..Iadd.17. A television control system as defined in claim 16, whereinsaid memory means includes means for storing, for a plurality of said channel tuning designations, a channel select designation for each of said plurality of channel tuning designations which is identical thereto. .Iaddend..Iadd.18. A televisioncontrol system as defined in claim 17, wherein said multi-channel input includes a plurality of active channels, said memory means including means for storing a channel select designation for each of said active channels
which is identical thereto. .Iaddend..Iadd.19. In a television control system apparatus for selecting a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation, the system apparatus comprising:
tuner means for receiving a processor signal and a multi-channel input signal, and in response to said processor signal, tuning out all but one channel corresponding to a selected one of said preassigned channel tuning designations;
memory means for storing at least one marker/order bit for at least one of said channel tuning designations, for retaining said channel tuning designations in an ordered cue;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of the presence of said marker/order bit associated with one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second dataset representative of a command to advance to a subsequent channel tuning designation within said cue;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and in response to said first data set, causing said memory means to store any of said marker/order bits associated with one of said channeltuning designations corresponding to the respective place of said channel tuning designation within said cue, and in response to said second data set, reviewing said cue to determine a next in order of said channel tuning designations to have one of saidmarker/order bits associated therewith, and generating said processor signal to correspond to said next channel tuning designation. .Iaddend..Iadd.20. In a television control system apparatus for selecting a television channel corresponding to apreassigned channel tuning designation, the system apparatus comprising:
tuner means for receiving a processor signal and a multi-channel input signal, and in response to said processor signal, tuning out all but one channel corresponding to a selected one of said preassigned channel tuning designations;
memory means for storing a marker value for at least one of said channel tuning designations, and means for retaining said channel tuning designations in a plurality of ordered cues;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of the presence of said marker value associated with one of said channel tuning designations and one of said cues, and(b) a second data set representative of a command to advance to a subsequent channel tuning designation within a selected one of said cues;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and in response to said first data set, causing said memory means to store any of said marker values associated with one of said channel tuningdesignations, and in response to said second data set, reviewing the corresponding one of said cues to determine a next of said channel tuning designations to have one of said marker values associated therewith which corresponds to said cue, andgenerating said processor signal to correspond to said next channel tuning
designation. .Iaddend..Iadd.21. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation in response to a channel tuning controlsignal, the system comprising:
memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second data setrepresentative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and in response to said first data set, causing said memory means to store said desired channel select designation as corresponding to said onechannel tuning designation, and in response to said second data set, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel select designation, and generating said channel tuningcontrol signal to correspond to said one channel tuning designation;
wherein said memory means includes means for storing a marker value for each of said channel select designations, and means for retaining said channel select designations in a plurality of ordered cues;
said control means including means for generating, at the selection of the operator, a part of said first data set representative of the presence of said marker value associated with one of said channel select designations and one of said cues,and means for generating a third data set representative of a command to advance to a subsequent channel select designation within a selected one of said cues;
said processor means, in response to said first data set, causing said memory means to store any of said marker values associated with one of said channel select designations, and in response to said third data set, reviewing the correspondingone of said cues to determine a next of said channel select designations to have one of said marker values associated therewith which corresponds to said cue, and generating said processor signal to correspond to said next channel select designation.
.Iaddend..Iadd.22. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation in response to a channel tuning control signal, thesystem comprising:
memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second data setrepresentative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and in response to said first data set, causing said memory means to store said desired channel select designation as corresponding to said onechannel tuning designation, and in response to said second data set, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel select designation, and generating said channel tuningcontrol signal to correspond to said one channel tuning designation;
wherein said memory means includes means for initially storing a channel select designation for each of said channel tuning designations which is identical thereto;
said operator-actuated control means including means for generating a memory clear signal;
said processor means including means for receiving said memory clear signal, and in response thereto, clearing said memory and restoring therein said channel select designation for each of said channel tuning designations which is identicalthereto. .Iaddend..Iadd.23. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation in response to a channel tuning control signal, thesystem comprising:
memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
first operator-actuated control means for generating a first control output signal comprising a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations;
second operator-actuated control means distinct and remotely located from said first operator-actuated control means for generating a second control output signal comprising a second data set representative of a desired viewing channel identifiedby an operator selected one of said channel select designations:
processor means for receiving said first and second control output signals from said first and second operator-actuated control means, and in response to said first data set, causing said memory means to store said desired channel selectdesignation as corresponding to said one channel tuning designation, and in response to said second data set, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel selectdesignation, and generating said channel tuning control signal to correspond to said one
channel tuning designation. .Iaddend..Iadd.24. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation in response to a channeltuning control signal, the system comprising:
memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
first operator-actuated control means for generating a first control output signal comprising a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations;
means for receiving said first data set and causing said memory means to store said desired channel select designation as corresponding to said one channel tuning designation;
second operator-actuated control means distinct and remotely located from said first operator-actuated control means for generating a second control output signal comprising a second data set representative of a desired viewing channel identifiedby an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
processor means for receiving said second control output signal from said second operator-actuated control means, and in response thereto, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to saidoperator selected channel select designation, and generating said channel tuning control signal to
correspond to said one channel tuning designation. .Iaddend..Iadd.25. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation inresponse to a channel tuning control signal, the system comprising:
memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second data setrepresentative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and in response to said first data set, causing said memory means to store said desired channel select designation as corresponding to said onechannel tuning designation, and in response to said second data set, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel select designation, and generating said channel tuningcontrol signal to correspond to said one channel tuning designation;
wherein said memory means includes means for storing more than one of said channel select designations corresponding to a single one of said channel tuning designations. .Iaddend..Iadd.26. In a television control system apparatus for selectinga television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation, the system apparatus comprising:
tuner means for receiving a processor signal and a multi-channel input signal, and in response to said processor signal, tuning out all but one channel corresponding to a selected one of said preassigned channel tuning designations;
memory means for storing at least one marker bit for at least one of said channel tuning designations, for retaining said channel tuning designations in an ordered cue;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of the presence of said marker bit associated with one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second data setrepresentative of a command to advance to a subsequent channel tuning designation within said cue;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and in response to said first data set, causing said memory means to store any of said marker bits associated with one of said channel tuningdesignations corresponding to the respective place of said channel tuning designation within said cue, and in response to said second data set, reviewing said cue to determine a next in order of said channel tuning designations to have one of said markerbits associated therewith, and generating said processor signal to correspond to said next channel tuning designation;
said memory means including means for storing at least one order bit for each of said channel tuning designations which have one of said marker bits associated therewith which comprises said means for retaining said channel tuning designations insaid ordered cue;
said processor means, in response to said first data set, causing said memory means to store an order bit associated with said channel tuning designation which has one of said marker bits associated therewith corresponding to the respective placeof said channel tuning designation within said cue, and in response to said third data signal, determining said next of said channel tuning designations which have one of said marker bits associated therewith by reviewing said order bits.
.Iaddend..Iadd.27. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation in response to a channel tuning control signal, thesystem comprising:
a memory adapted to store at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
an operator-actuated control device for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second data setrepresentative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
a processor that receives said control output signal from said operator-actuated control device, and in response to said first data set, causes said memory to store said desired channel select designation as corresponding to said one channeltuning designation, and in response to said second data set, retrieves from said memory the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel select designation, and generates said channel tuning control signal tocorrespond to said one channel tuning designation;
said memory further being adapted to initially store a channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations which is identical thereto. .Iaddend..Iadd.28. In a television control system apparatus for selecting atelevision channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation, the system apparatus comprising:
a tuner for receiving a processor signal and a multi-channel input signal, and in response to said processor signal, tuning out all but one channel corresponding to a selected one of said preassigned channel tuning designations;
a memory adapted to store at least one marker/order bit for at least one of said channel tuning designations, for retaining said channel tuning designations in an ordered cue;
an operator-actuated control device for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of the presence of said marker/order bit associated with one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a seconddata set representative of a command to advance to a subsequent channel tuning designation within said cue;
a processor that receives said control output signal from said operator-actuated control device, and in response to said first data set, causes said memory means to store any of said marker/order bits associated with one of said channel tuningdesignations corresponding to the respective place of said channel tuning designation within said cue, and in response to said second data set, reviews said cue to determine a next in order of said channel tuning designations to have one of saidmarker/order bits associated therewith, and generates said processor signal to correspond to said next channel tuning designation.
.Iaddend..Iadd.29. In a television control system apparatus for selecting a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation, the system apparatus comprising:
a tuner for receiving said multi-channel input signal and tuning out all but one channel corresponding to a selected one of said preassigned channel tuning designations;
a memory adapted to store a marker value for at least one of said channel tuning designations, and for retaining said channel tuning designations in a plurality of ordered cues;
an operator-actuated control device for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of the presence of said marker value associated with one of said channel tuning designations and one of said cues,and (b) a second data set representative of a command to advance to a subsequent channel tuning designation within a selected one of said cues;
a processor that receives said control output signal from said operator-actuated control device, and upon receipt of said first data set, causes said memory to store any of said marker values associated with one of said channel tuningdesignations, and upon receipt of said second data set, reviews the corresponding one of said cues to determine a next of said channel tuning designations to have one of said marker values associated therewith which corresponds to said cue, andgenerating said processor signal to correspond to said next channel tuning designation. .Iaddend..Iadd.30. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassignedchannel tuning designation in response to a channel tuning control signal, the system comprising:
a memory adapted to store at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
an operator-actuated control device for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second data setrepresentative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
a processor that receives said control output signal from said operator-actuated control device, and in response to said first data set, causes said memory to store said desired channel select designation as corresponding to said one channeltuning designation, and in response to said second data set, retrieves from said memory the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel select designation, and generates said channel tuning control signal tocorrespond to said one channel tuning designation;
wherein said memory further stores a marker value for each of said channel select designations, and retains said channel select designations in a plurality of ordered cues;
said control device further generating, at the selection of the operator, a part of said first data set representative of the presence of said marker value associated with one of said channel select designations and one of said cues, andgenerating a third data set representative of a command to advance to a subsequent channel select designation within a selected one of said cues;
said processor, in response to said first data set, causes said memory to store any of said marker values associated with one of said channel select designations, and in response to said third data set, reviews the corresponding one of said cuesto determine a next of said channel select designations to have one of said marker values associated therewith which corresponds to said cue, and generates said processor signal to correspond to said next channel select designation. .Iaddend..Iadd.31. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation in response to a channel tuning control signal, the system comprising:
a memory adapted to store at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
an operator-actuated control device for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second data setrepresentative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
a processor that receives said control output signal from said operator-actuated control device, and in response to said first data set, causes said memory to store said desired channel select designation as corresponding to said one channeltuning designation, and in response to said second data set, retrieves from said memory the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel select designation, and generates said channel tuning control signal tocorrespond to said one channel tuning designation;
wherein said memory is adapted to initially store a channel select designation for each of said channel tuning designations which is identical thereto;
said operator-actuated control device being adapted to generate a memory clear signal;
wherein said processor receives said memory clear signal, and in response thereto, clears said memory and restores therein said channel select designation for each of said channel tuning designations which is
identical thereto. .Iaddend..Iadd.32. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation in response to a channel tuningcontrol signal, the system comprising:
a memory adapted to store at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
a first operator-actuated control device for generating a first control output signal comprising a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations;
a second operator-actuated control device distinct and remotely located from said first operator-actuated control means for generating a second control output signal comprising a second data set representative of a desired viewing channelidentified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
a processor that receives said first and second control output signals from said first and second operator-actuated control devices, and in response to said first data set, causes said memory to store said desired channel select designation ascorresponding to said one channel tuning designation, and in response to said second data set, retrieves from said memory the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel select designation, and generates saidchannel tuning control signal to correspond to said one channel tuning
designation. .Iaddend..Iadd.33. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation in response to a channel tuning controlsignal, the system comprising:
a memory adapted to store at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
an operator-actuated control device for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second data setrepresentative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
a processor that receives said control output signal from said operator-actuated control device, and in response to said first data set, causes said memory to store said desired channel select designation as corresponding to said one channeltuning designation, and in response to said second data set, retrieves from said memory the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel select designation, and generates said channel tuning control signal tocorrespond to said one channel tuning designation;
wherein said memory is adapted to store more than one of said channel select designations corresponding to a single one of said channel tuning designations. .Iaddend..Iadd.34. In a television control system apparatus for selecting a televisionchannel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation, the system apparatus comprising:
a tuner for receiving a processor signal and a multi-channel input signal, and in response to said processor signal, tuning out all but one channel corresponding to a selected one of said preassigned channel tuning designations;
a memory adapted to store at least one marker/order bit for at least one of said channel tuning designations, for retaining said channel tuning designations in an ordered cue;
an operator-actuated control device for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of the presence of said marker/order bit associated with one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a seconddata set representative of a command to advance to a subsequent channel tuning designation within said cue;
a processor that receives said control output signal from said operator-actuated control device, and in response to said first data set, causes said memory to store any of said marker/order bits associated with one of said channel tuningdesignations corresponding to the respective place of said channel tuning designation within said cue, and in response to said second data set, reviews said cue to determine a next in order of said channel tuning designations to have one of saidmarker/order bits associated therewith, and generates said processor signal to correspond to said next channel tuning designation;
said memory being adapted to store at least one order bit for each of said channel tuning designations which have one of said marker bits associated therewith which retains said channel tuning designations in said ordered cue;
wherein said processor, in response to said first data set, causes said memory to store an order bit associated with said channel tuning designation which has one of said marker bits associated therewith corresponding to the respective place ofsaid channel tuning designation within said cue, and in response to said third data signal, determines said next of said channel tuning designations which have one of said marker bits associated therewith by reviewing said order bits. .Iaddend..Iadd.35. In a television control system apparatus for selecting a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation, the system apparatus comprising:
tuner means for receiving a processor signal and a multi-channel input signal, and in response to said processor signal, tuning out all but one channel corresponding to a selected one of said preassigned channel tuning designations;
memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for each of a plurality of said channel tuning designations;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second data setrepresentative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt of said first data set, causing said memory means to store said desired channel select designation as corresponding to said onechannel tuning designation, and upon receipt of said second data set, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel select designation, and generating said processor signalto correspond to said one channel tuning designation;
wherein said memory means includes means for initially storing a channel select designation for each of said plurality of said channel tuning designations which is identical thereto;
said operator-actuated control means including means for generating a memory clear signal;
said processor means including means for receiving said memory clear signal, and in response thereto, clearing from said memory a selected one of said channel select designations and restoring therein said channel select designation for acorresponding one of said channel tuning designations which is identical thereto. .Iaddend..Iadd.36. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channeltuning designation upon receipt of a channel tuning control signal, the system comprising:
memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for each of a plurality of said channel tuning designations;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second data setrepresentative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt of said first data set, causing said memory means to store said desired channel select designation as corresponding to said onechannel tuning designation, and upon receipt of said second data set, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel select designation, and generating said channel tuningcontrol signal to correspond to said one channel tuning designation;
wherein said memory means includes means for initially storing a channel select designation for each of said plurality of said channel tuning designations which is identical thereto;
said operator-actuated control means including means for generating a memory clear signal:
said processor means including means for receiving said memory clear signal, and in response thereto, clearing from said memory a selected one of said channel select designations and restoring therein said channel select designation for acorresponding one of said channel tuning designations which is identical thereto. .Iaddend..Iadd.37. In a television control system apparatus for selecting a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation, the systemapparatus comprising:
tuner means for receiving a processor signal and a multi-channel input signal, and in response to said processor signal, tuning out all but one channel corresponding to a selected one of said preassigned channel tuning designations;
memory means for storing a marker value for at least one of said channel tuning designations, and means for retaining said channel tuning designations in a plurality of scroll sequences;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of the presence of said marker value associated with one of said channel tuning designations and one of said scrollsequences, and (b) a second data set representative of a command to advance to a subsequent channel tuning designation within a selected one of said scroll sequences;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt of said first data set, causing said memory means to store any of said marker values associated with one of said channel tuningdesignations, and upon receipt of said second data set, reviewing the corresponding one of said scroll sequences to determine a next of said channel tuning designations to have one of said marker values associated therewith which corresponds to saidscroll sequence, and generating said processor signal to correspond to said next
channel tuning designation. .Iaddend..Iadd.38. A television control apparatus as defined in claim 37, wherein said control means further includes means for generating a scroll sequence selection signal corresponding to one of said scrollsequences, and wherein said processor means, upon receipt of said scroll sequence selection signal reviews the one of said scroll sequences corresponding thereto. .Iaddend..Iadd.39. In a television control system apparatus for selecting a televisionchannel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation, the system apparatus comprising:
tuner means for receiving a processor signal and a multi-channel input signal, and in response to said processor signal, tuning out all but one channel corresponding to a selected one of said preassigned channel tuning designations;
memory means for storing at least one marker/order bit for at least one of said channel tuning designations, for retaining said channel tuning designations in an ordered scroll sequence;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of the presence of said marker/order bit associated with one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second dataset representative of a command to advance to a subsequent channel tuning designation within said scroll sequence;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt of said first data set, causing said memory means to store any of said marker/order bits associated with one of said channeltuning designations corresponding to the respective place of said channel tuning designation within said scroll sequence, and upon receipt of said second data set, reviewing said scroll sequence to determine a next in order of said channel tuningdesignations to have one of said marker/order bits associated therewith, and generating said processor signal to correspond to said next channel tuning designation;
said memory means including means for storing at least one order bit for each of said channel tuning designations which have one of said marker bits associated therewith which comprises said means for retaining said channel tuning designations insaid ordered scroll sequence;
said processor means, upon receipt of said first data set, causing said memory means to store an order bit associated with said channel tuning designation which has one of said marker bits associated therewith corresponding to the respectiveplace of said channel tuning designation within said scroll sequence, and upon receipt of said third data signal, determining said next of said channel tuning designations which have one of said marker bits associated therewith by reviewing said orderbits. .Iaddend..Iadd.40. In a television control system apparatus for selecting a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation, the system apparatus comprising:
tuner means for receiving a processor signal and a multi-channel input signal, and in response to said processor signal, tuning out all but one channel corresponding to a selected one of said preassigned channel tuning designations;
memory means for storing at least one marker/order bit for at least one of said channel tuning designations, for retaining said channel tuning designations in an ordered scroll sequence;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of the presence of said marker/order bit associated with one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second dataset representative of a command to advance to a subsequent channel tuning designation within said scroll sequence;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and in response to said first data set, causing said memory means to store any of said marker/order bits associated with one of said channeltuning designations corresponding to the respective place of said channel tuning designation within said scroll sequence, and in response to said second data set, reviewing said scroll sequence to determine a next in order of said channel tuningdesignations to have one of said marker/order bits associated therewith, and generating said processor signal to correspond to said next channel tuning designation;
said memory means including means for storing at least one order bit for each of said channel tuning designations which have one of said marker bits associated therewith which comprises said means for retaining said channel tuning designations insaid ordered scroll sequence;
said processor means, in response to said first data set, causing said memory means to store an order bit associated with said channel tuning designation which has one of said marker bits associated therewith corresponding to the respective placeof said channel tuning designation within said scroll sequence, and in response to said third data signal, determining said next of said channel tuning designations which have one of said marker bits associated therewith by reviewing said order bits. .Iaddend..Iadd.41. In a television control system apparatus for selecting a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation, the system apparatus comprising:
tuner means for receiving a processor signal and a multi-channel input signal, and in response to said processor signal, tuning out all but one channel corresponding to a selected one of said preassigned channel tuning designations;
memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second data setrepresentative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt of said first data set, causing said memory means to store said desired channel select designation as corresponding to said onechannel tuning designation, and upon receipt of said second data set, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel select designation, and generating said processor signalto correspond to said one channel tuning designation;
wherein said memory means includes means for storing a marker value for each of said channel select designations, and means for retaining said channel select designations in a plurality of scroll sequences;
said control means including means for generating, at the selection of the operator, a part of said first data set representative of the presence of said marker value associated with one of said channel select designations and one of said scrollsequences, and means for generating a third data set representative of a command to advance to a subsequent channel select designation within a selected one of said scroll sequences;
said processor means, upon receipt of said first data set, causing said memory means to store any of said marker values associated with one of said channel select designations, and upon receipt of said third data set, reviewing the correspondingone of said scroll sequences to determine a next of said channel select designations to have one of said marker values associated therewith which corresponds to said scroll sequences, and generating said processor signal to correspond to said nextchannel select designation. .Iaddend..Iadd.42. A television control system apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein:
said memory means further includes means for storing at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
said control output signal further comprises one of (c) a third data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations, and (d) a fourth data set representative of a desired viewing channelidentified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
said processor means further, following receipt of said third data set, causing said memory means to store said desired channel select designation as corresponding to said one channel tuning designation, and following receipt of said fourth dataset, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel select designation, and generating said processor signal to correspond to said one channel tuning designation. .Iaddend..Iadd.43. A television control system apparatus as defined in claim 42, further comprising a display, and wherein:
said memory means further includes means for storing at least one operator-assigned display designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
said control output signal further comprises one of (e) a fifth data set representative of a desired display designation for one of said channel tuning designations;
said processor means further, following receipt of said fifth data set, causing said memory means to store said desired channel select designation as corresponding to said one channel tuning designation, and following receipt of said fourth dataset, retrieving from said memory means the one of said display designations corresponding to said one channel tuning designation and causing said one display designation to be displayed on said display. .Iaddend..Iadd.44. A television control systemapparatus as defined in claim 8, further comprising a display, and wherein:
said memory means further includes means for storing at least one operator-assigned display designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
said control output signal further comprises one of (c) a third data set representative of a desired display designation for one of said channel tuning designations;
said processor means further, following receipt of said third data set, causing said memory means to store said desired channel select designation as corresponding to said one channel tuning designation, and further following receipt of saidsecond data set, retrieving from said memory means the one of said display designations corresponding to said next channel tuning designation and causing said one display designation to be displayed on said display. .Iaddend..Iadd.45. In a televisioncontrol system apparatus for selecting a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation, the system apparatus comprising:
a television screen;
tuner means for receiving a processor signal and a multi-channel input signal, and in response to said processor signal, tuning out all but one channel corresponding to a selected one of said preassigned channel tuning designations;
memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of said channel tuning designations;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a second data setrepresentative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt of said first data set, causing said memory means to store said desired channel select designation as corresponding to said onechannel tuning designation, and upon receipt of said second data set, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel select designation, and generating said processor signalto correspond to said one channel tuning designation;
wherein said memory means includes means for storing a marker value for each of said channel select designations, and means for retaining said channel select designations in a plurality of ordered cues;
said control means including means for generating, at the selection of the operator, a part of said first data set representative of the presence of said marker value associated with one of said channel select designations and one of said cues,and means for generating a third data set representative of a command to advance to a subsequent channel select designation within a selected one of said cues;
said processor means, upon receipt of said first data set, causing said memory means to store any of said marker values associated with one of said channel select designations, and upon receipt of said third data set, reviewing the correspondingone of said cues to determine a next of said channel select designations to have one of said marker values associated therewith which corresponds to said cue, and generating said processor signal to correspond to said next channel select designationwhereby a selected television channel is displayed on said screen.
.Iaddend..Iadd. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel code in response to a channel tuning control signal, the system comprising:
memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned select code for at least one of said channel codes;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal including a string of two or more label characters and comprising one of (a) a first data set representative at least in part of a desired select code for one of said channelcodes, and (b) a second data set having as an initial character one of said label characters and representative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said select codes;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and in response to said first data set, causing said memory means to store said desired select code as corresponding to said one channel code, andin response to solely said second data set, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel codes corresponding to said operator selected select code, and generating said channel tuning control signal to correspond to said one channel code.
.Iaddend..Iadd.47. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel code in response to a channel tuning control signal, the systemcomprising:
memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned select code for at least one of said channel codes;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of a desired select code for one of said channel codes, and (b) a second data set representative of a desired viewingchannel identified by an operator selected one of said select codes;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and in response to said first data set, causing said memory means to store said desired select code as corresponding to said one channel code, andin response to said second data set, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel codes corresponding to said operator selected select code, and generating said channel tuning control signal to correspond to said one channel code;
said memory means including means for initially storing a select code for at least one of said channel codes which is identical thereto.
.Iaddend..Iadd.48. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel code in response to a channel tuning control signal, the systemcomprising:
memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned select code for at least one of said channel codes;
first operator-actuated control means for generating a first control output signal comprising a first data set representative of a desired select code for one of said channel codes;
second operator-actuated control means for generating a second control output signal comprising a second data set representative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said select codes;
processor means for receiving said first and second control output signals from said first and second operator-actuated control means, and in response to said first data set, causing said memory means to store said desired select code ascorresponding to said one channel code, and in response to said second data set, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel codes corresponding to said operator selected select code, and generating said channel tuning control signal tocorrespond to
said one channel code. .Iaddend..Iadd.49. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel code in response to a channel tuning controlsignal, the system comprising:
memory means for storing at least one operator-assigned select code for at least one of said channel codes;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative of a desired select code for one of said channel codes, and (b) a second data set representative of a desired viewingchannel identified by an operator selected one of said select codes;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and in response to said first data set, causing said memory means to store said desired select code as corresponding to said one channel code, andin response to said second data set, retrieving from said memory means the one of said channel codes corresponding to said operator selected select code, and generating said channel tuning control signal to correspond to said one channel code;
wherein said memory means includes means for storing more than one of said select codes corresponding to a single one of said channel codes.
.Iaddend..Iadd.50. A system for controlling a television receiver capable of tuning from a multi-channel input a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel tuning designation in response to a channel tuning control signal, thesystem comprising:
memory means for storing a plurality of said channel tuning designations within a first series, and for storing within a second series a plurality of operator-assigned channel select designations wherein each of said channel select designationswithin said second series corresponds to one of said channel tuning designations within said first series;
operator-actuated control means for generating a control output signal comprising one of (a) a first data set representative at least in part of a desired channel select designation for one of said channel tuning designations, and (b) a seconddata set representative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of said channel select designations;
processor means for receiving said control output signal from said operator-actuated control means, and in response to said first data set, causing said memory means to store said desired channel select designation within said second series ascorresponding to said one channel tuning designation within said first series, and in response to said second data set, retrieving from said first series the one of said channel tuning designations corresponding to said operator selected channel selectdesignation, and generating said channel tuning control signal to
correspond to said one channel tuning designation. .Iaddend..Iadd.51. A television control system as defined in claim 50, further comprising a display, and wherein:
said memory means further includes means for storing within a third series an operator-assigned display designation corresponding to at least one of said channel tuning designations within said first series;
said control output signal further comprises one of (c) a third data set representative of a desired display designation for one of said channel tuning designations;
said processor means further, following receipt of said third data set, causing said memory means to store said desired channel select designation within said third series as corresponding to said one channel tuning designation, and furtherfollowing receipt of said second data set, retrieving from said third series the one of said display designations corresponding to said next channel tuning designation and causing said one display designation to be displayed on said display. .Iaddend..Iadd.52. The method of claim 5, wherein said step of generating said first control output signal is performed by a first person, and wherein said step of generating said second control output signal is performed by a second
person. .Iaddend..Iadd.53. The method of claim 5, wherein said step of generating said first control output signal is performed by a first person, and wherein said desired channel select designation is predetermined by a second person. .Iaddend. |
| Description: |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to devices for viewer control of a television receiver and, more particularly, to such a control adapted especially for use with cable television service.
Historically, television channels have been identified by channel numbers, which numbers correspond both to a particular frequency with which the television signals are broadcast, and to a numerical designation on the controls of the televisionreceiver. Specific channel numbers have been assigned to television broadcasting stations by governmental control agencies so as to minimize interference among the limited number of channels in use, typically by insuring adequate geographic separationbetween stations of the same channel number.
With the advent of cable television service in recent years, proper separation between different stations having the same channel number designation may no longer be possible. Certain stations which may broadcast on a particular numbered channelin their local area have become regionally or nationally distributed channels through cable service. Further, other channels have become available only on cable service, providing movie, sports and similar special programming. Such channels aretypically not associated with any traditional channel number.
Because cable television service provides its channels on frequencies which are different from traditional over-the-air broadcasting, it has become common practice for cable subscribers to tune their television receivers to a desired channelusing other than the normal tuning system. Even in the case of so-called "cable ready" receivers, the tuning band is different from that used in the absence of cable. Thus, cable service providers assign stations to channels available within the cablefrequency band. These channels are numerical, like those for over-the-air broadcasting, although the total number of such channels may be different.
In general, cable providers assign over-the-air stations available on cable service to cable channels having the same numbers as the non-cable designation. For example, a channel "7" which may be received on the VHF broadcast band will beprovided by the cable service on cable channel "7". However, it is not uncommon for more than one channel to be available on cable service having identical channel designations. For example, two stations may be available with both identified forover-the-air broadcasting as channel "17". Further, some cable channels are not available as over-the-air broadcasts in any locations. These channels may not have any numerical channel associated with them, but may be designated by a single word (e.g.,"WEATHER," "NEWS," etc.), or by an acronym (e.g., "HBO," "ESPN," etc.).
As a result, cable service providers assign the various channels to numerical designations which may or may not correspond to the over-the-air channel designations with which the viewer is more likely to be familiar. A conversion chart musttherefore be provided to the viewer, to enable him to locate the proper numerical designation for the desired channel. This can be awkward and inconvenient for the viewer, particularly in metropolitan areas having more than one cable service provider,or for travelers and others who may not be familiar with the local system.
A similar problem exists for television viewers who receive programming with a satellite receiver. Indeed, the tuning designations of the satellite receiver are even less likely to have some correspondence to the conventional, over-the-airchannel designations of the desired programming.
What is needed, therefore, is a means by which cable and satellite television control devices may be made more convenient for the viewer. In particular, such means should enable control of television viewing using channel designations whichmatch those with which the viewer is familiar, such as those published in a local newspaper, or other designations which are more meaningful to the viewer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In meeting the foregoing needs, the present invention provides a television control system for selecting a television channel corresponding to a preassigned channel designation. Preferably, the channel designation represents a tuningdesignation. The system apparatus includes tuner means for inputing a processor signal and a multi-channel input signal, and in response to the processor signal, tuning out all but one channel corresponding to a selected one of the preassigned channeltuning designations. A memory means stores at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of the channel tuning designations. An operator-actuated control means generates a control output signal comprising one of (a) a firstdata signal representative of a desired channel select designation for one of the channel tuning designations, and (b) a second data signal representative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of the channel selectdesignations.
A processor means receives the control output signal from the operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt of the first data signal, causes the memory means to store the desired channel select designation as corresponding to the one channeltuning designation. Upon receipt of the second data signal, the processor means retrieves from the memory means the one of the channel tuning designations corresponding to the operator selected channel select designation, and generates the processorsignal to correspond to the one channel tuning designation.
The operator actuated control means may include an alpha- and/or numeric keypad, with the control output signal comprising a string of alpha- and/or numeric characters generated in response to actuation of said keypad. A remote housing may beprovided for mounting the keypad, along with means for transmitting the control output signal from the housing to the processor means. The transmitting means may include means for encoding the control signal as an infrared data stream, means fortransmitting the infrared data stream, and means connected to the processor means for receiving the infrared data stream.
Alternatively, the remote housing may be for mounting the keypad, the processor means and the memory means, along with means for transmitting the processor signal from the housing to said tuner means.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the television control system includes the tuner means for receiving a processor signal and a multi-channel input signal, and in response to the processor signal, tuning out all but onechannel corresponding to a selected one of the preassigned channel tuning designations. A memory means is provided for storing at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of the channel tuning designations. A firstoperator-actuated control means generates a first control output signal comprising a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of the channel tuning designations. A second operator-actuated control means generates asecond control output signal comprising a second data set representative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator-selected one of the channel select designations.
A processor means receives the first and second control output signals from the first and second operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt of the first data set, causes the memory means to store the desired channel select designation ascorresponding to the one channel tuning designation, and upon receipt of the second data set, retrieves from the memory means the one of the channel tuning designations corresponding to the operator selected channel select designation, and generates theprocessor signal to correspond to the one channel tuning designation.
The first control output signal comprises a first one of the channels of the multi-channel input signal. The processor means generates the processor signal to cause the tuner means to tune out all but the first one of the channels, and receivesfrom the tuner means the first control output signal comprising the first of the channels.
This embodiment enables the control system to be programmed through the cable itself. In such a case, the first operator actuated control means is remote from the second operator actuated control means and, indeed, is located at the origin ofthe multi-channel signal.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the television control system apparatus includes the tuner means for receiving a processor signal and a multi-channel input signal, and in response to the processor signal, tuning out allbut one channel corresponding to a selected one of the preassigned channel tuning designations. A first memory means stores at least one operator-assigned channel select designation for at least one of the channel tuning designations. A second memorymeans also stores the operator-assigned channel select designations for the channel tuning designations.
A first operator-actuated control means generates a first control output signal comprising a first data set representative of a desired channel select designation for one of the channel tuning designations and generates a dump control outputsignal. A second operator-actuated control means generates a second control output signal comprising a second data set representative of a desired viewing channel identified by an operator selected one of the channel select designations.
A first processor means receives the first control output signal from the first operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt of the first data set, causes the first memory means to store the desired channel select designation ascorresponding to the one channel tuning designation. Upon receipt of the dump control output signal, the first processor means causes the first memory means to dump any contents thereof to the second memory 10 means.
A second processor means receives the second control output signal from the second operator-actuated control means, and upon receipt of the second data set, retrieves from the memory means the one of the channel tuning designations correspondingto the operator selected channel select designation, and generates the processor signal to correspond to the one channel tuning designation.
This embodiment enables a single remote control unit to program more than one television receiver if desired. Accordingly, the first operator actuated control means, the first memory means and the first processor means may be remote from thesecond operator actuated control means, the second memory means and the second processor means.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a control system for television receivers, particularly although not limited to those receiving cable and/or satellite broadcasts, which is more convenient for use by the viewer; toprovide such a system wherein the viewer may select his own channel designations to accommodate his own preference; to provide such a system which may be incorporated into .[.convention.]. .Iadd.conventional .Iaddend.television designs; and to providesuch a control system which may be added to conventional designs without undue cost or complication.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the television control system of the present invention incorporated into a television receiver;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a portion of the television control system located within a remote control unit;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a remote control unit which may be used with the control system of FIGS. 1 and 2; and
FIG. 4, FIG. 5 (comprising FIGS. 5A and 5B), FIG. 6 (comprising FIGS. 6A and 6B) and FIG. 7 (comprising FIGS. 7A and 7B) are flowchart diagrams of a program for operating the control system of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONOF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A general block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be seen generally by reference to FIG. 1. In general, the circuitry comprising the various blocks as shown in FIG. 1 are conventional, and the detailed design of theindividual circuits will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in such circuitry.
The television system includes a screen 10, under immediate control of picture control circuitry 12 which for description purposes includes various power supply circuits, raster scan circuits, color control circuits and the like which areconventional and typically associated with a television receiver. A speaker 14 or other sound output means receives an audio output signal from audio control circuitry 16, again which includes conventional and typical circuitry including power supply,amplifier, audio filter and similar circuits.
A tuner 18 receives a multi-channel input at 20 and tunes out all but a selected channel for viewing. It will be recognized that the multi-channel input received by tuner 18 at 20 may be a convention cable input signal, but may also be the inputsignal received from a satellite transmission receiver. Moreover, the present invention may be used with any television input signal, including a conventional over-the-air broadcast signal received through a conventional antenna.
Tuner 18, and indeed, audio control 16 and picture control 12, operate under the control of processing unit 22, which may be any conventional programmable microprocessor or other means capable of receiving input control signals and producing acorresponding output control signal. Processing unit 22 in turn is controlled by an operator-actuated control means. In a preferred embodiment, operator-actuated control means includes a hand-held remote control unit, illustrated in block diagram formin FIG. 2. Input from the remote unit is received, in a preferred embodiment, in the form of infrared transmissions by infrared receiver 24. This input is in turn supplied to processing unit 22. As an alternative, input may be received from a localcontrol 26, such as a keypad or other control means located on the television receiver. Preferably, local control 26 may be provided in addition to a remote control means.
Processing unit 22 includes memory 28 for storing the control program for controlling the television receiver, control processor 30 for receiving input from memory 28 and operator input from either infrared receiver 24 or local control 26 andexecuting the control program, and output interface 32 for directing the output from control processor 30 to the appropriate circuits. As is known, these components may be located on one or more integrated circuit chips as appropriate.
One embodiment for a remote control unit may be seen by reference to FIG. 2. The remote unit operates under control of its own processing unit 34, which may be for example a microprocessor located on a single integrated circuit chip. Connectedto processor unit 34 is an alpha/numeric keypad 36 for operator input.
In one preferred embodiment, the remote unit is cordless, i.e., without physical connection to the television receiver. Thus, processing unit 36 is connected to a transmitter 38 which generates, preferably, an infrared signal containing thecontrol information. Such information is transmitted to the television receiver unit, being received by receiver 24. Of course, alternative means for transmitting the control signals to the television receiver may be used, such as by other thaninfrared radiation or ultrasonic waves. In addition, a cable could be used connecting the remote unit to the television receiver.
Associated with processing unit 34 may be a memory 40 which includes some portion of the control data for use in controlling the television receiver. This memory 40 may carry out some functions in place of or in addition to some portion ofmemory 28 associated with the system control processor 30 of the processing unit 22 for the television receiver. As another option, a local display 42 may be provided for displaying commands as they are entered through the keypad 36, or for displayingcontrol information concerning the television receiver or its tuning.
An important feature of the present invention is the memory available as memory 28 and/or as memory 40. These memories are connected to system control processor 30 and processing unit 34, respectively. At least one of these memories can be bothread and written by the corresponding processor, and is preferably an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EE PROM), or a non-volatile random access memory (NV RAM), the latter preferably equipped with a battery-powered back up. Eitherof these alternatives are well known to those skilled in the art, and are readily commercially available.
The invention enables the user of the television receiver to select a desired channel using a channel designation which the user or some other operator has previously chosen for the particular channel desired. This designation may be differentfrom the designation assigned by the cable service provider or governmental agency. In this way, the user can select a designation (or "select code") which makes sense to the individual user. Such a designation may be comprised of numeric characters,alphabetic characters, or both. Afterwards, appropriate keys on the keypad 36 of the remote unit are 20 actuated for channel selection. Alternatively, appropriate controls in local control 26 may be actuated for channel selection.
It should be recognized that channel designations other than alpha-/numeric characters could be used. For example, the remote unit keypad 36 could include a series of "preset" keys as is common in radio receivers, possibly coded or designated bykey shape, color or the like, which the user could program to correspond to certain desired channels. (Such presets, as with channel designations comprised of characters, could be associated with a "display code" as defined below.)
To facilitate further description of the present invention, the following terminology will be used as defined:
"Channel code" is the numerical (and perhaps also alphabetic) tuner designation at which a particular signal may be found. Such characters are the conventional input to a television receiver control system.
"Select code" is the channel designation chosen by the viewer for subsequent use in selecting a particular channel.
"Display code" is a series of alpha-/numeric characters chosen by the viewer for subsequent display on the television screen or a display panel as a channel is chosen using the select code. The display code may, but does not have to, bedifferent from the select code.
"Cue" is the listing in memory of the various programmed entries made by the viewer, wherein each select code is stored along with its corresponding channel code and display code.
A preferred embodiment for the layout of keypad 36 may be seen on the remote unit shown in FIG. 3. As can be seen, keypad 36 may be mounted in an appropriate housing 44 also containing a power source (not shown) for the remote unit such as a drycell battery. The keypad includes various specific keys, each with its designation imprinted thereon. For example, alpha-/numeric keys 46 for numerals 0-9 are provided. Alphabetic characters may be provided by the numeric keys as well, with mostnumeric keys also including up to three alphabetic designations per key. For instances where it is important to specify a particular alphabetic character, "alpha 1" keys 48, 50 and 52 are provided. An input from "alpha 1" key 48, for example, willindicate to processor 30 that the next key input will be one of the alpha-/numeric keys 46, and that such key should be interpreted as the first alphabetic character on the particular key. For instance, "alpha 1" followed by the "5" key will representthe character "M". Similarly, "alpha 2" followed by "4" will represent the character "K".
Keypad 36 also includes several special keys. The "clear" key 54 and "enter" key 56 are used in programming memory 28 and/or 40, as will be described below. Other keys conventional in remote television control devices may be provided, such as achannel advance or "scroll" key 58 to step through a series of channel selections.
Also for use in programming memory 28 and/or 40 is a "program" switch 60, which may for example be a conventional slide switch. Switch 60 is used to alert processor 30 and/or processing unit 34, as will be described below, that input keystrokesare to be used in programming the memory.
It will, of course, be recognized that the remote unit shown in FIG. 3 includes only those controls critical to the system as described herein. It will be readily apparent that other controls may be provided in a known manner on the remotecontrol unit, such as power on/off and audio volume and muting controls.
It will further be recognized that other means of inputing alpha characters using the keypad 36 may be used. For example, more or less than three "alpha" keys 48, 50 and 52 may be provided. A complete set of 26 dedicated alphabetic keys mayalso be provided.
It will also be realized that while the television control input device is described herein as keys and the like located on a remote control unit, similar controls may be physically located on the television receiver itself. Such controls may bein addition to or in place of those incorporated into a remote unit.
Operation of the control system is in accordance with a program resident in either system control processor 30, located within the television receiver, or processing unit 34 located within the remote unit. Advantages to either location will beapparent to those skilled in the art, although it may be noted that operation of the control system by the remote control processor enables the control system to function as a "universal" remote; that is, the remote control unit incorporating the controlsystem described herein may be used with any television receiver capable of being remotely controlled. This permits the remote control to be manufactured by one other than the television manufacturer, whereas controlling the system from the televisionreceiver as a practical matter requires the remote to be produced by the television manufacturer. On the other hand, this configuration simplifies or eliminates the processing unit 34 from the remote unit.
A preferred embodiment for the control program, regardless of which processor executes the program, may be seen by reference to FIGS. 4-7. The control system operates in either a "channel selection" mode, wherein the operator selects the desiredviewing channel using channel designations (select codes) which the operator has previously assigned, or in a "program" mode, wherein the select code assignments are made, changed, reviewed and the like. This latter mode will be described first, withspecific reference made to FIG. 4.
The program mode operates in the preferred embodiment as in interrupt; i.e., the program operates in its normal, program selection mode until the program switch 60 is actuated. At such time, the program immediately moves to the routine shown inFIG. 4 beginning at block 62. Conversely, the program mode routine may be interrupted at any time by actuating the program switch 60 to return the control to the normal channel selection mode.
At block 64, the operator is prompted "SELECT TV CHAN" to indicate whether he wishes to assign a channel selection code. An appropriate response in the form of "1" for yes and "0" for no, followed by the enter key (blocks 66 and 68) is entered. If yes, the program moves (block 70) to the select code entry routine shown in FIG. 5. If no, the program prompts the operator in block 72 for "SELECT CUE" wherein the operator may review the cue of previously assigned select and display codes. Aresponse of "1" for yes and "0" for no is followed by the enter key, blocks 74 and 76, whereafter the program either moves to the select cue routine (block 78) shown in FIG. 6, or displays a "CLEAR PROGRAM" prompt at block 80. This prompt gives theoperator the option to entirely clear the memory of select and display codes.
In response to this prompt, the operator enters "1" for yes and "0" for no, followed by the enter key, blocks 82 and 84. If the response is no ("0"), the program reverts to the "SELECT TV CHAN" prompt at block 64. If, on the other hand, theresponse is yes ("1"), the operator is given a confirmation prompt of "ARE YOU SURE?", block 86, to which the viewer responds with "1" or "0" followed by the enter key, blocks 88 and 90. Only if an affirmative response is received will the memory becleared, block 92. In the preferred embodiment, clearing of the memory substitutes codes wherein the select code is made equal to the tuning channel so that the television receiver may be used in a conventional manner.
Referring now to FIG. 5 (comprising FIGS. 5A and 5B), the select code entry routine may be seen. This routine is entered from block 70 in FIG. 4, and commences with block 94 whereat the operator is prompted "TV CHANNEL=.sub.-- -- -- ". Inresponse, the operator enters the characters (typically numeric) corresponding to the tuner designation (or "channel code") for the desired channel, block 96. Upon receipt of an "enter" keystroke, block 98, the entered channel code is temporarily storedin memory, block 100, while the channel cue is checked to determine whether any select codes have been previously assigned to the channel on a restricted (or password) basis.
One feature of the present invention is the ability to designate particular channels such that they may only be selected by entry of a password. Any selectable channel may be made such a restricted channel, thereby enabling, for example, aparent to restrict access to certain channels by children. As will be seen from the further description of the preferred embodiment, such feature can be readily incorporated into the control system of the present invention.
As noted, when a particular channel code is entered for assigning a select code thereto, a check is made to determine whether this channel has previously been assigned a restricted access (password required) select code. This is to ensure that arestricted channel is not assigned both a restricted and unrestricted select code, thereby defeating the restricted access. If the channel has been made restricted, a message "RESTRICTED CHANNEL" is displayed as flashing on the remote control unitdisplay or on the television screen, block 102. The operator in response actuates the "clear" key 54, block 104, whereafter the program returns to block 94 to request entry of a tuner channel.
If the requested tuner channel has not been previously made restricted, as determined at block 100, the operator is prompted (block 106) with "SELECT=.sub.-- -- -- -- -- -- ". In response, the operator enters his desired select code of up to sixcharacters, block 108, followed by the enter key, block 110. A check is made at block 112 as to whether the entered select code has been previously used and if so, a flashing display "PREVIOUS USE" is shown (block 114) until the user actuates the"clear" key (block 116).
In the preferred embodiment, a select code may contain a maximum of six characters, although a code for a restricted channel must contain six characters and an unrestricted .[.channel.]. .Iadd.select .Iaddend.code must include less than six. Ofcourse, it will be recognized that any other means may be used for distinguishing between restricted and unrestricted channels, but in the program of the preferred embodiment, a check of the entered code is next made at block 118 to determine whether theentered select code includes six characters. If less than six characters are found, indicating a nonrestricted code, the program moves to block 120.
One further feature of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is the ability to select a display code which differs from the select code used by the operator to choose a channel for viewing. When a channel is selected for viewing, thedisplay code is displayed either on the hand held remote display, on a display associated with the television receiver controls, or directly on the television screen. As can be seen, the display code may be entirely different from the select code (butneed not be), so that the operator may choose, for example, the channel number of the selected channel to be displayed along with the station call letters, network affiliation, or other description. Thus, at block 120, the user is prompted"DISPLAY=.sub.-- -- -- -- -- -- ", with a maximum display of six characters provided in this embodiment. The operator enters these characters at block 122, actuates the enter key at block 124, and the display code is temporarily stored at block 126.
Yet another feature of the preferred embodiment is the ability of the operator to designate only certain channels to be placed into a "scroll" so that the operator may later "scroll" by actuating a single key through a number of frequentlywatched channels. Those channels to be placed in the scroll are flagged with a marker bit. Thus, at block 128, the operator is presented the opportunity to so mark the channel by responding to the prompt "SCROLL ENABLE". At block 130, the userresponds with "1" to enable scrolling of the channel and "0" to not enable, followed by the enter key at 132.
The program the enters the channel code, select code, display code and scroll marker into the channel selection cue in the alpha-numeric order of select code. The program then returns to th | | | |
