GB2170635A - Decoder apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Decoder apparatus for broadcast television coded signals, includes a decoded circuit 17 arranged to receive such coded signals through an input co-axial plug 6. The decoder circuit includes a switch to activate or inactivate the decoder circuit in response to the validity or invalidity of a card inserted into a slot 13 in the apparatus. A card reader-writer 18 reads information from a magnetic stripe on the card and feeds it to a logic circuit 20 where it is compared to determine validity or invalidity and a signal given to the switch. As decoding occurs, decoded signals are passed to a normal television aerial lead 12 and a clock informs the logic circuit of the time during which the decoder circuit is activated. This is decremented from a period read from the card as valid time remaining and when a card is removed, the original time remaining less the time of activation, i.e. the decremented time, is recorded in the magnetic stripe of the card for future use. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Decoder apparatus This invention relates to decoder apparatus for broadcast television coded signals. The invention has a particular application to direct broadcasting of television by satellite, in which signals are received by dish or plate, in place of the usual aerial, and used to control the usual television receiver or display unit. Such signals are coded and require decoding to enable them to be handled by the usual television receiver or display unit as though they were normal signals.

Unless television broadcasting is paid for by the broadcaster, for example from advertisement revenue, some means for collecting revenue from the user must be established.

The problems and expense of monitoring licensed or unlicensed receivers, in the case where individual licences are the source of revenue, are well known.

The invention seeks to provide for direct broadcast of television by satellite a simple means for collecting revenue from the user, without the need for licences or monitoring.

According to the invention, decoder apparatus for broadcast television coded signals is provided, the apparatus including a decoder circuit arranged to receive such coded signals as an input and to have an output of decoded signals, a token-operated switch to activate or de-activate the decoder circuit in response to the validity or invalidity of a token inserted into the apparatus, and a token reader responsive to characteristics of an inserted token to determine such validity or invalidity.

Whilst other forms of token and other readable characteristics may be used, it is pre ferred that the token is a card with a magnetic stripe on which readable information in coded form is recorded to constitute the characteristics to which the reader is responsive.

Although a fixed period of validity ending on a particular date could be used, it is preferred that the readable information includes representation of period of validity time, and the apparatus includes means to decrement the period of validity time recorded on an inserted card during operation of the decoder circit.

In this case it is preferred that a digital register is connected to the reader to receive and store information as to the amount of valid time indicated on the stripe of a card as it is inserted, means is provided to decrement the digital register in accordance with time during which the decoder circuit is operative, and means provided to write upon the stripe of a card as it is withdrawn the valid time remaining as indicated by the contents of the register.

Conveniently, the apparatus may include a numerical display of valid time remaining derived from the register.

Further, the apparatus may include a selfcontained power source such as a battery, for the decoder circuit and other electrical components.

Preferably, the decoder circuit input includes a male television co-axial plug for engagement in a standard female socket in a wall face plate, the casing for the apparatus having a step on the rear face spaced from the male plug to engage an edge of the wall face plate to prevent rotation of the apparatus.

The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims; and how it can be carried into effect is hereinafter particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of decoder apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and Figure 3 is a plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

The casing for the decoder apparatus according to the invention is constructed from two injection moulded plastic parts 2 and 3 connected by two self-tapping screws 4 (Fig.

3) from the back. The rear part 3 is of stepped formation having a thinner lower portion 5 from which projects a male television co-axial plug 6. The plug 6 is, in use, engaged in the usual female co-axial socket in a wall face plate 7 having an upper edge 8. The rear part 3 has a thicker upper portion 9 joined to the lower portion 5 by a step 10, complementary to the upper edge 8 and engageable therewith to prevent rotation of the casing 1 on the face plate 7.

The front part 2 has a female co-axial output socket, aligned with the plug 6 in the rear part 3, into which socket the male plug 11 on a normal television aerial lead 12 is inserted.

At the side, above the socket and plug, a slot 13 is formed between the front and rear parts 2 and 3 and is so dimensional as to be able to receive a magnetic stripe carrying card 14.

In the vicinity of the slot 13, the front part 2 has a cut away portion 15 for the purpose of providing a visual indication on the casing regarding the card entry slot 13. The front part 2 also has a small recess 16 leading from the output socket for the purpose of enhancing the casing's aesthetics.

Within the space between the two parts 2 and 3 below the card path formed by the slot 13 is located a decoder circuit 1 7 whose input is the plug 6 and whose output is the socket in the front part 2. The decoder circuit 17 includes a switch by which it can be rendered active or inactive.

When activated, the circuit 17 decodes broadcast television coded signals fed to the input plug 6 into decoded signals output via the socket to the normal television aerial lead 12, which decoded signals can be handled by a connected television receiver or display unit to provide visual pictures in the usual manner.

Mounted in the rear part 3 behind the slot 13 for the card 14 and aligned with a magnetic stripe on the card, is a magnetic readerwriter 18. This reader-writer reads the magnetic stripe on the card as it is inserted in the direction of the arrow 19 (Fig. 1). The information recorded on the stripe includes identification data and data indicating the number of months, days, hours, minutes or seconds of decoding for viewing purposes, for which the inserted card 14 is valid. The identification data is compared with fixed data in a logic circuit 20 which controls the switch in the decoder circuit 17.

The logic circuit 20, besides comparing the identification data to check the validity of an inserted card, also records in a digital register the amount of valid time indicated on the stripe on the card. So long as the register contains a positive indication of time, and the identification data is correct, the logic circuit maintains the switch in a condition to activate the decoder circuit 17. The logic circuit 20 also includes a clock to decrement the contents of the digital register at regular intervals during the operation of the decoder circuit.

As a card is removed from the slot 13 to stop decoding at the end of viewing, the reader-writer 18 is operated in the write mode as the direction of movement of the card is reverse to the arrow 9. The reader-writer then over-writes the magnetic stripe with the contents of the register which, having been regularly decremented, indicates the amount of valid time remaining.

The contents of the register are displayed in a liquid crystal display 21 (Fig. 3) visible through a cut away portion 22 of the top of the rear part 3. This indicates the valid time remaining so that a further card may be inserted as the existing card runs out.

A battery 23 is located in the upper portion 9 of the rear part 3 to provide a power source for the decoder circuit and other electrical components. For replacement purposes, a snap on cover 24 (Fig. 2) is provided for the battery.

Cards, for use in decoding apparatus according to the invention, would be purchased with amounts of valid time corresponding to price paid recorded in the magnetic stripe.

When a programme broadcast by satellite is to be viewed, a card is inserted and the amount of valid time read from the display checked to confirm that it is sufficient. At the end of the programme, the card is removed to stop decoding and to stop decrementing of valid time information.

Although the preferred and described embodiment uses the time of decoding as a charge determining unit, apparatus according to the invention could be used with cards with a predetermined validity period, for example, three or twelve months. The broadcast coded signals would then need to include a clock or date signal for entry into the logic circuit and comparison with a date of time read from an inserted card by the reader-writer.

Other forms of casing may be used and the decoder apparatus could be fitted into a television receiver, in which case no self-contained power source such as a battery would be needed.

The switch to activate or inactivate the decoder circuit may take any of serveral forms.

Inactivation may be achieved by disconnecting the power source or by altering the circuit configuration so that decoding is not correct.

Whilst a magnetic stripe on a card is the preferred form of token to conrol the switch, other forms may be used using different technologies and different shapes and sizes.

A mains supply, with or without transformer, may be used instead of a battery, as may be a solar cell.

Claims (8)

1. Decoder apparatus for broadcast television coded signals, the apparatus including a decoder circuit arranged to receive such coded signals as an input and to have an output of decoded signals, a token-operated switch to activate or de-activate the decoder circuit in response to the validity or invalidity of a token inserted into the apparatus, and a token reader responsive to characteristics of an inserted token to determine such validity or invalidity.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 in which the token is a card with a magnetic stripe on which readable information in coded form is recorded to constitute the characteristics to which the reader is responsive.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2 in which the readable information includes representation of period of validity time, and the apparatus includes means to decrement the period of validity time recorded on an inserted card during operation of the decoder circuit.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3 in which a digital register is connected to the reader to receive and store information as to the amount of valid time indicated on the stripe of a card as it is inserted, means is provided to decrement the digital register in accordance with time during which the decoder circuit is operative, and means provided to write upon the stripe of a card as it is withdrawn the valid time remaining as indicated by the contents of the register.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4 in which the apparatus includes a numerical display of valid time remaining derived from the register.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, including a selfcontained power source such as a battery, for the decoder circuit and other electrical components.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the decoder circuit input includes a male television co-axial plug for engagement in a standard female socket in a wall face plate, the casing for the apparatus having a step on the rear face spaced from the male plug to engage an edge of the wall face plate to prevent rotation of the apparatus.

8. Decoder apparatus for broadcast television coded signals, substantially as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings.