Television – Two-way video and voice communication – User positioning
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-22
2001-01-09
Flynn, Nathan (Department: 2711)
Television
Two-way video and voice communication
User positioning
Reexamination Certificate
active
06172702
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a television set. More particularly, the present invention relates to a television set equipped with a tuner capable of receiving television signals that are radio-frequency broadcast radio-frequency (rf) broadcast signals or signals transmitted by cable or by satellite. Yet more particularly, this invention relates to such a television set that does not require external tuner boxes. Finally, the present invention relates to such a television set capable of being operated through the use of a single set of controls.
2. Description of the Prior Art
At one time, television signals were radio-frequency (rf) signals broadcast through the air as VHF signals and, later, as UHF signals. Initially, only twelve VHF channels were broadcast. Within a few years, numerous channels of UHF television signals were being broadcast in addition to the VHF. Today, there are hundreds of channels of rf television signals being broadcast over the airwaves, plus television signals transmitted via cable or satellite systems. Initially, television sets were equipped with a tuner and a dial that could handle the twelve VHF channels. A second dial was added to enable the viewer to select a VHF or UHF channel. Nowadays, television sets typically have several external tuner boxers stacked on top of them, one or more to receive the numerous rf channels, one or more to receive the many cable channels, and one for the satellite channels. This plethora of external tuner boxes and the necessary cables to hook them to the television set is messy, unsightly, and can constitute a confusing array to the viewer who simply wants to turn on the television set and watch a particular channel. Each such external tuner box requires its own set of controls and each box interfaces with the channel-selection circuitry within the television set itself. Given this situation, it is desirable to have a television set capable of receiving broadcast rf, cable, and satellite television transmissions through the use of a single set of controls on the television set itself so that external tuner boxes and connecting cables can be eliminated.
There have been some prior-art attempts to move in this direction. For example, DeVilbiss (U.S. Pat. No. 4,737,993; issued 1988) discloses a tuning device capable of switching between broadcast and cable television transmissions, and simultaneously accommodating the different channels associated with the two broadcast modes. The DeVilbiss device, however, does not meet today§s needs in that it is not capable of receiving and handling satellite television transmissions in the desired fashion.
Rotzoll (U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,035; issued 1998) discloses a television tuner, capable of receiving broadcast and cable television transmissions, fully integrated on a single, physically small microcircuit capable of being produced inexpensively. As with the DeVilbiss device, the Rotzoll device is also incapable of handling satellite television transmissions in the desired fashion.
Chimoto et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,838,383; issued 1998) discloses a multimedia television receiver capable of receiving signals in a wide variety of transmission and digital formats. This invention is designed to incorporate a personal computer and video display into a unit capable of displaying both television signals and computer output. Although the Chimoto et al. device is capable of handling satellite transmissions, it is a complex and expensive device that requires a computer to control the display as well as input and channel selection.
None of the examples of prior art incorporates receivers and simple channel-selection controls for broadcast rf, cable, and satellite television signals in a single enclosure that includes the video display tube. Therefore, what is needed is a television set capable of receiving television signals from broadcast rf signals, cable systems, and digital satellite systems in an integrated fashion so that the television set requires no external tuner boxes. What is further needed is such a television set that requires for all modes of television reception but one set of controls, mounted within the cabinetry of the television set.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a television set capable of receiving broadcast rf signals, cable television signals, and digital satellite signals. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a television set contained within a single enclosure. Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide such a television set equipped with a single set of controls.
The present invention is a cable/satellite-ready television set having a single set of controls that the viewer uses to select (1) a mode of transmission (rf broadcast, cable or satellite) and (2) the desired channel. The television is equipped with a main television chassis that has inputs for antenna or cable, video, and audio, as well as inputs for satellite, wideband data, and Superior-Video (S-Video) and a modem connector. The main television chassis is connected to a television or satellite a/c power cord and feeds the incoming signal to the television tuner/demodulator. It is possible, of course, that, a cable-ready television may be equipped with a main television chassis and a main satellite chassis. In this case, the television signal comes in to the main television chassis, which is connected to the satellite, cable, or antenna system. The main television chassis then feeds the television signal to the main satellite chassis, which then feeds the signal to the television tuner/demodulator. The description of the present invention is based on a television set that is equipped with both a main television chassis and a main satellite chassis, although it is understood that it is well within the scope of the present invention to have a television that is equipped with only one main television chassis that will receive incoming rf, cable, satellite, S-video, or wideband data signals and will feed the television signal to the television tuner/demodulator.
The television set of the present invention is further equipped with a satellite system access card assembly. This access card assembly, which includes a receiver slot for the satellite access card, is connected to the digital satellite receiver on the main satellite chassis. A cable/satellite control panel which contains transmission-mode/channel-selection controls is mounted on the front of the television set and also connected to the digital satellite receiver input on the main satellite chassis. This cable/satellite control panel can be activated by the user via a single remote control device or via manual controls (push-buttons). The satellite system access card assembly and cable/satellite control panel are contained within the television cabinet, as are the main television chassis and the main satellite chassis with the digital satellite receiver input.
The user selects the desired rf/cable/satellite transmission mode by activating the infrared receiver device using the remote control device, and then uses the direction buttons on the remote control to select the desired mode and channel. It is possible to manually select the desired mode and channel by pressing the MENU button on the cable/satellite control panel and using the up/down/right/left buttons to make a selection. A satellite access card receiver assembly is mounted within the television cabinet. The user can insert an access card into a card slot that is integrated into the television cabinet. The modem connection provided on the main television chassis allows the user to dial up the satellite system server to order services and allows the system server to record information from the card for billing purposes.
The television set of the present invention encompasses cathode-ray picture tube television sets as well as television sets that use a wide screen projection monitor that is mounted in a cabinet or as a flat screen on a wall. With flat-sc
Bohan Thomas L.
Flynn Nathan
Vu Ngoc
LandOfFree
Cable/satellite-ready television set does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Cable/satellite-ready television set, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cable/satellite-ready television set will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2479456