AUDIO VIDEO DEVICE WITH EXTERNALLY BUNDLED TV TUNER

Abstract

A CE device is vended with a TV tuner module which may be provided in an envelope in the same shipping container along with instructions to the consumer to connect the tuner module to the CE device if TV capabilities are desired and to return the module for a rebate if TV capabilities are not desired.

Description

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/970,215, filed Dec. 16, 2010 and to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/412,552, filed Nov. 11, 2010.

I. Field of the Invention

The present application relates generally to audio video (AV) devices that are sold with TV tuners and, e.g., demodulators external to the devices but bundled therewith.

II. Background of the Invention

Consumers may prefer audio video (AV) devices that do not have TV tuners because the consumer may plan to use CE device solely to obtain video over the Internet, and not to receive conventional TV programming. A non-limiting example of a “TV tuner” is defined in 47 CFR 15.117, incorporated herein by reference. In any case, the consumer has no reason to pay for an added component (a TV tuner) that the consumer does not need., Manufacturers of CE devices, however, are motivated to sell such devices with TV tuners because TVs may enjoy tariff advantages over non-TV CE devices, and because manufacturers may believe selling a full TV-enabled device is necessary from a marketing standpoint to advertise selling a “full”consumer line.

As understood herein, however, a TV-enabled device is encumbered with a National Television System Committee (NTSC) and/or digital Advanced Television System Committee (ATSC) tuner. Particularly with respect to ATSC tuners, license fees typically must be paid by the manufacturer, which passes the cost along to the consumer including consumers who do not plan to use the TV tuner. Also, once a CE device is classified as a TV, it is further encumbered by many other regulatory compliance requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As understood herein, it would be desirable to provide a product that allows a manufacturer to achieve a cost savings, while meeting, all the above criteria.

Accordingly, a method includes providing a consumer electronics (CE) device having no. TV tuner with a TV tuner module external to the CE device and connectable thereto to send TV signals to a processor in the CE device. The method includes instructing a purchaser of the CE device with tuner module to connect the tuner module to the CE device if the purchaser desires the CE device to be configured with TV tuner capabilities. Furthermore, the method includes instructing the purchaser to return the module if the purchaser does not desire the CE device to be configured with TV tuner capabilities.

If desired, the module and device are provided, together in a common shipping container. In example embodiments the module is in an envelope in the shipping container along with the instructions to the consumer to connect the tuner module to the CE device if TV capabilities are desired and to return the module for a rebate if TV capabilities are not desired. The instructions can be provided on a substrate in the container and/or on a computer readable storage medium in the CE device for presentation thereof on a display of the device. The purchaser may be instructed that a rebate will be paid to the purchaser upon return of the tuner module.

In another aspect, a method includes providing a consumer electronics (CE) device having a TV module receptacle with a TV tuner module removably engaged with the receptacle. The method also includes instructing a purchaser of the CE device with tuner module to leave the tuner module installed in the receptacle of the CE device if the purchaser desires the CE device to be configured with TV tuner capabilities. Additionally, the method includes instructing the purchaser to remove the module from the receptacle and return the module to a predetermined address if the purchaser does not desire the CE device to be configured with TV tuner capabilities.

In another aspect, an assembly includes a shipping container, a CE device in the shipping container and a TV tuner module in the shipping container. Instructions are contained on a substrate or on a computer readable storage medium. The instructions are to a purchaser of the assembly to engage or keep engaged the TV tuner module with the CE device if the purchaser desires the CE device to be configured with TV tuner capabilities and to return the TV tuner module, but not the CE device, to a predetermined address if the purchaser does not desire the CE device to be configured with TV tuner capabilities.

The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a non-limiting example system in accordance with present principles, showing the envelope in phantom and showing portions of the CE device schematically;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of logic related to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another non-limiting example system in accordance with present principles, showing portions of the CE device schematically and showing the removable TV tuner module in an exploded relationship with the CE device chassis; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of logic related to FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a shipping container 10 is shown which contains a consumer electronics (CE) device 12 and an envelope 14 holding a TV tuner module 16, which contains a TV timer such as but not limited to an NTSC and/or ATSC tuner. Absent the TV tuner module 16, the CE device 12 preferably has no TV tuner. The envelope 14 advantageously can be pre-addressed to be mailed back to an address of the manufacturer according to principles set forth further below.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the chassis 18 of the CE device 12 includes a video display 20 controlled by a processor 22 accessing one or more disk-based and/or solid state storage media 24. The processor 22 may also communicate with a network interface 26 such as a wireless or wired modem or wireless telephony transceiver to obtain video from the Internet for display on the display 20. Also, the processor 22 can communicate with an input port 28 such as a universal serial bus (USB) port into which a USB cable 30 of the TV tuner module 16 may be plugged according to instructions to the consumer printed on a substrate 32 in the envelope 14 or elsewhere as described further below. The instructions discussed below alternatively made be presented on the display 20 at initial power on.

Referring: to FIG. 2, block 34, at the point of Sale of the CE device 12, the device 12 is bundled with the tuner, module 16 in the container 10. This bundling meets the requirements for the CE device 12 to be considered a TV receiver. The TV tuner module 16 may be disposed separately from the chassis 18 of the CE device 12 as shown, in the envelope 14 if desired.

After a consumer purchases the CE device the consumer decides whether he wishes to use the TV tuner function. The consumer at block 36 accordingly is instructed, by means of the above-mentioned instructions, to engage the tuner module 16 with the CE device 12 if the consumer wishes the CE device 12 to possess TV functionality, i.e., to be able to display TV programming from an antenna, set top box, satellite dish, and the like. The instructions in the embodiment shown instruct the consumer to plug the USB cable 30 of the. TV tuner module 16 into the USB port 28 of the CE device 12.

The instructions also, at block 38, inform the consumer that the consumer need not select to use the tuner module, and that, in some embodiments, if the consumer returns the module to the manufacturer a rebate will be paid to the consumer. It will now be appreciated that using a pre-addressed envelope 14, preferably sealed, the consumer is facilitated in returning the tuner module and if the envelope remained sealed because the consumer never opened it, quality inspection of the returned module advantageously is reduced.

In the event that the consumer returns the module to the manufacturer, at block 40 the consumer is duly paid a rebate in embodiments that use rebates. At block 42 royalty payments from the manufacturer of the CE device to the manufacturer of the tuner module can be adjusted to reflect the fact that the CE device remains a non-TV device, e.g., any ATSC royalty paid by the manufacturer on account of the initial sale of the CE device 12 with tuner module 16 and administered by a licensing agency can be credited or refunded back to the manufacturer of the CE device 12.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate system in which a CE device 44 may be formed with a tuner module receptacle 46 configured to hold a TV tuner module 48 containing a TV tuner or tuners. The chassis of the device 44 includes a video display 50 controlled by a processor 52 accessing one or more disk-based and/or solid state storage media 54. The processor 52 may also communicate with a network interface 56 such as a wireless or wired modem or wireless telephony transceiver to obtain video from the Internet for display on the display 50. When the TV tuner module 48 is engaged with the receptacle 46, electrical communication is established between the module 48 and processor 52.

In any case and referring now to FIG. 4, at block 58 the TV module 48 may be vended with the CE device 44 installed in the receptacle 46. Instructions may be presented on a substrate such as the substrate shown in FIG. 1 or on the display 50 to instruct the consumer, at block 60, to remove the module 48 from the receptacle 46 if TV capability is not desired for the CE device 44. The consumer may be further instructed at block 62 to return the tuner module 48 to the manufacturer of the CE device 44, e.g., using a pre-addressed envelope such as the one shown in FIG. 1, and if desired the instructions may promise the consumer a rebate.

Moving to block 64 the consumer is duly paid a rebate in embodiments that use rebates and royalty payments from the manufacturer of the CE device to the manufacturer of the tuner module can be adjusted to reflect the fact that the CE device remains a non-TV device, e.g., any ATSC royalty paid by the manufacturer on account of the initial sale of the CE device 12 with tuner module 16 can be credited or refunded back to the manufacturer of the CE device 12.

While the particular AUDIO VIDEO DEVICE WITH EXTERNALLY BUNDLED TV TUNER is herein shown and described in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter which is encompassed by the present invention is limited only by the claims.

Claims

1. Method comprising:

providing a consumer electronics (CE) device having no TV tuner with a TV tuner module external to the CE device and connectable thereto to send TV signals to a processor in the CE device;

instructing a purchaser of the CE device with tuner module to connect the tuner module to the CE device if the purchaser desires the CE device to be configured with TV tuner capabilities; and

instructing the purchaser to return the module if the purchaser does not desire the CE device to be configured with TV tuner capabilities.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising providing the module and device in a common shipping container.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising providing the module in an envelope in the shipping container along with the instructions to the consumer to connect the tuner module to the CE device if TV capabilities are desired and to return the module for a rebate if TV capabilities are not desired.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the instructions are provided on a substrate in the container.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the instructions are contained on a computer readable storage medium in the CE device for presentation thereof on a display of the device.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising instructing the purchaser that a rebate will be paid to the purchaser upon return of the tuner module.

7. Method comprising:

providing a consumer electronics (CE) device having a TV module receptacle with a TV tuner module removably engaged with the receptacle;

instructing a purchaser of the CE device with tuner module to leave the tuner module installed in the receptacle of the CE device if the purchaser desires the CE device to be configured with TV tuner capabilities; and

instructing the purchaser to remove the module from the receptacle and return the module to a predetermined address if the purchaser does not desire the CE device to be configured with TV tuner capabilities.

8. The method of claim 7, comprising providing the module and device in a common shipping container.

9. The method of claim 8, comprising providing a return envelope in the shipping container along with the instructions to the consumer to leave the tuner module in the CE device if TV capabilities are desired and to remove and return the module for a rebate if TV capabilities are not desired.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the instructions are provided on a substrate in the container.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the instructions are contained on a computer readable storage medium in the CE device for presentation thereof on a display of the device.

12. The method of claim 7, comprising instructing the purchaser that a rebate will be paid to the purchaser upon return of the tuner module.

13. Assembly, comprising:

shipping container;

CE device in the shipping container;

TV tuner module in the shipping container; and

instructions contained on a substrate or a computer readable storage medium to a purchaser of the assembly to engage or keep engaged the TV tuner module with the CE device if the purchaser desires the CE device to be configured with TV tuner capabilities and to return the TV tuner module, but not the CE device to a predetermined address if the purchaser does not desire the CE device to be configured with TV tuner capabilities.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the TV tuner module is not installed in the CE device in the shipping container, the module being disposed in an envelope in the shipping container along with the instructions.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the instructions inform the purchaser that a rebate will be paid to the purchaser upon return of the tuner module.

16. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the TV tuner module includes a universal serial bus (USB) cable and the CE device includes a USB port connectable to the cable to operably engage the TV tuner module with the CE device.

17. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the TV tuner module is installed in the CE device in the shipping container.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the instructions instruct the purchaser to remove the module from the receptacle and return the module to a predetermined address if the purchaser does not desire the CE device to be configured with TV tuner capabilities.

19. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the instructions are provided on a substrate in the container.

20. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the instructions are contained on a computer readable storage medium in the CE device for presentation thereof on a display of the device.