Variable Reactance (e.g., Reactance Tube) Patents (Class 455/261)
  • Patent number: 8855613
    Abstract: The specification describes systems, and operation thereof, allowing parents or other parties to monitor mobile device activities of a child. In addition, parent can dynamically control mobile device activities of the child. Software, or network adjuncts, can link a mobile device to a station set or mobile phone under the control of the parent. Calling traffic to and from the mobile device may be routed to a receiver at a location monitored by the parent. In some embodiments, software allows the parent to intervene in the communications of the child. The intervention may take a variety of forms, such as interrupting a call in progress, terminating call activity, interrupting or terminating Internet access. Where the mobile device is provided with pre-programmed restraining software, the intervention may be modifying the restraining software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul J. Fellingham, Christopher P. Gilboy
  • Patent number: 8736326
    Abstract: A frequency synthesizer and a frequency synthesis method thereof are provided. The frequency synthesizer includes a phase-locked loop unit, a voltage-controlled oscillating unit, and a frequency mixing unit. The phase-locked loop unit receives a reference signal and a feedback injection signal and generates a first oscillating signal according to the reference signal and the feedback injection signal. The voltage-controlled oscillating unit receives the feedback injection signal and generates a second oscillating signal according to the feedback injection signal. The frequency mixing unit is coupled to the phase-locked loop unit and the voltage-controlled oscillating unit, receives the first oscillating signal and the second oscillating signal, and mixes the first oscillating signal and the second oscillating signal to generate the feedback injection signal and an output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: National Sun Yat-sen University
    Inventors: Tzyy-Sheng Horng, Chung-Hung Chen, Fu-Kang Wang
  • Patent number: 8483332
    Abstract: In an oscillating apparatus, a detection unit detects a frequency offset between an input signal and a reference signal. A code generation unit specifies a relationship among a code having a predetermined number of bits, the frequency offset, and a voltage to be applied to a voltage-controlled oscillator by a DAC, in accordance with a frequency offset detection state of the detection unit. The code generation unit also generates a frequency offset correction code having a predetermined number of bits in accordance with the specified relationship. The DAC applies the voltage to the voltage-controlled oscillator, in accordance with the relationship described above and the code generated by the code generation unit. The voltage controlled oscillator outputs an oscillator signal having an oscillation frequency corresponding to the voltage applied by the DAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Hiroki Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20130157594
    Abstract: Disclosed are circuits and methods for increasing an output frequency of an inductance-capacitance (LC) oscillator. In some embodiments, the LC oscillator can be implemented as a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) having differential outputs. When the VCO is implemented on a die, wirebond connections from the outputs to a ground results in an effective inductance that impacts a maximum frequency associated with the VCO. An electrical connection such as a wirebond between the differential outputs yields a reduction in the effective inductance thereby increasing the maximum frequency. In some embodiments, the wirebond between the differential outputs can be configured so that its contribution to mutual inductance is reduced or substantially nil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8401506
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for the wireless terminal radiation performance test based on a data mode, and wherein, the method comprises: building a human body model, in which the upper limb of the model holds the device under test at a predefined distance in front of the head of the model; taking the antenna of the device under test as the origin to build a spherical coordinate and selecting a testing point in the spherical coordinate; placing the model under the circumstance of a full-anechoic chamber, enabling the device under test to work in a data mode, and collecting the total radiated power at the testing point in the spherical placement system using the testing antenna, so as to obtain the total radiated power of the device under test. Through using the invention, the performance effect of human body coupling on the mobile terminal in a data mode could be reflected truly. It has higher authenticity and is easy to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventor: Zhong Yu
  • Patent number: 8358992
    Abstract: A method and system for the wireless terminal receiving sensitivity performance test based on a data mode are provided. The method comprises: building a human body model, in which the upper limb of the model holds the device under test at a predefined distance in front of the head of the model; taking the antenna of the device under test as the origin to build a spherical coordinate and selecting a testing point in the spherical coordinate; placing the model under the circumstance of a full-anechoic chamber; enabling the device under test to work in a data mode, and collecting the receiving power at the testing point in the spherical placement system using the testing antenna, so as to obtain the total power receiving sensitivity of the device under test. In this way, the performance influence on the mobile terminal from the human body coupling of the human being in a data mode can be actually reflected, the reality is high and the usage is easy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventor: Zhong Yu
  • Patent number: 8275336
    Abstract: An oscillator circuit having a source of an oscillating signal, a tank circuit including an inductor and a capacitor, and a discretely switchable capacitance module configured to control an amount of capacitance in the oscillator circuit. The discretely switchable capacitance module includes, in one embodiment, a capacitor coupled between a first node and a second node, a switch, having a control node, coupled between the second node and a third node; and a DC feed circuit, having a first end coupled to the second node and a second end configured to receive a first or second control signal. The control node of the switch is tied to a predetermined bias voltage. When the first control signal is applied, the capacitor is coupled between the first node and the third node via the switch such that the capacitor is coupled in parallel with the capacitor of the tank circuit, and when the second control signal is applied the capacitor is decoupled from the tank circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Richwave Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Chen Tse-Peng
  • Patent number: 8099089
    Abstract: A method, user equipment, and computer program product are disclosed for accepting a plurality of media streams at a first user equipment, and then sending a session initiation protocol refer request to a recipient. The request specifies a second user equipment, and the request also indicates a subset of those media streams which the recipient is requested to offer to the second user equipment. There can be at least two media streams of the same media type, out of which some media stream(s) are to be offered to the second user equipment and the other media stream(s) are not to be offered to the second user equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Ivo Sedlacek, Adamu Haruna, Miguel Garcia, Arto Leppisaari
  • Patent number: 7904045
    Abstract: A phase detector includes a plurality of phase detectors located in a phase correction loop, each phase detector configured to receive as input a radio frequency (RF) input signal and an RF reference signal, each of the plurality of phase detectors also configured to provide a signal representing a different phase offset based on the phase difference between the RE input signal and the RF reference signal; and a switch configured to receive an output of each of the plurality of phase detectors and configured to select the output representing the phase offset, that is closest to a phase of an output of an amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Axiom Microdevices, Inc.
    Inventors: Ichiro Aoki, Scott D. Kee, Dongjiang Qiao, Alyosha C. Molnar
  • Patent number: 7512389
    Abstract: An active inductor includes bipolar transistors T1, T2, T3 and TD (TD being arranged in diode), where T1's emitter is connected to an output port and to T2's collector. T2's base is connected to a first voltage line and between two connected capacitors. T2's emitter is connected to T3's collecter. An end of one capacitor is connected to T1's base and to a second voltage line. An end of the other capacitor is connected to T3's emitter and to a third voltage line. T1's collector is connected to a fourth voltage line and to TM's collecter, which is connected to TM's base. TM's emitter is electrically connected to T3's base. Preferably, the transistors T1-T3 and TD are Silicon based, and the active inductor is fabricated on a single substrate comprising Silicon. The active inductor is incorporated into adaptive oscillators and amplifiers and an improved transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Laurent Desclos
  • Patent number: 7274919
    Abstract: The invention provides a simple solution for a broadband transmitter/receiver for which the working bandwidth is split into at least two non-contiguous sub-bands. The invention uses a filtering means 50 which comprises at least two band-pass filters 51 and 52 provided with switching means 53 and 54. The use of two switched filters 51 and 52 makes it possible to use a single synthesizer 6 to scan two sub-bands of the working bandwidth. The frequency synthesizer 6 operates for one sub-band in supradyne mode and for the other sub-band in infradyne mode. In a variant, the invention uses a third filter and divides the bandwidth into three sub-bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Patrice Hirtzlin, Jean-Yves Le Naour, Patrick Wurm
  • Patent number: 6968168
    Abstract: A variable frequency oscillator comprising: an oscillatory circuit for generating a periodic output dependent on the capacitance between a first node and a second node of the circuit, and having a capacitative element connected between the first node and the second node; the capacitative element comprising: a variable capacitance unit, the capacitance of which is variable for varying the frequency of the output and a plurality of finite capacitances each being selectively connectable in parallel with the variable capacitance unit between the first node and the second node to trim the frequency of the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Cambridge Silicon Radio Ltd.
    Inventors: James Digby Yarlet Collier, Ian Michael Sabberton
  • Publication number: 20040205827
    Abstract: A multi-stage channel select filter and associated methods are disclosed that can be used, for example, with receiver architectures and associated methods that are also described herein. The multi-stage channel select filter can include a plurality of cascaded stages including at least one tunable stage. Each stage can include a digital mixer, a low pass filter and a decimator, with the decimator for each tunable stage including a tunable decimator having a decimation rate selection signal as an input. In addition, each non-tunable stage, if any are utilized, can include a decimator having a fixed decimation rate. In operation, the first cascaded stage is configured to receive a digitized channel signal spectrum, and the last cascaded change is configured to output a baseband signal representative of a desired channel within the digitized channel spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventor: Andrew W. Krone
  • Patent number: 6593826
    Abstract: An RF Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) design having improved power supply noise immunity. More particularly, a VCO resonant circuit that provides a high circuit Q, immunity to noise, and is tunable over multiple distinct bands. The resonant circuit is implemented in conjunction with an integrated circuit oscillator that requires a tuned circuit to determine the frequency of operation. When the integrated circuit oscillator is used as a Local Oscillator (LO) within a wireless phone it is subjected to numerous sources of power supply noise. In a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) wireless phone system the power supply to portions of the RF transmit path are cycled on and off depending on the transmitted data rate. The present invention provides an oscillator with increased immunity to the noise induced on the power supply due to power supply cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Qualcomm, INC
    Inventor: Puay Hoe See
  • Publication number: 20020127989
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a phase lock oscillator which has a phase-locked loop including a reactive element and varies a reactance of the reactive element at an instant prior to an instant at which the phase-locked loop reaches a limit of maintaining its lock state, and relates to a communication equipment with the lock phase oscillator mounted therein. The phase lock oscillator and the communication equipment can flexibly adapt to variances in environment conditions and maintain stable and high service quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: Kunitoshi Yonekura
  • Patent number: 6134423
    Abstract: A method and system wherein a system gateway (18) determines, from closed loop power control information, a power density at an antenna (13a) of a user terminal 13. The gateway also maintains a record of a duration of time that the power density exceeds a specified threshold. The gateway determines if an averaged transmitted power density associated with the antenna of the user terminal will equal or exceed at least one of a predetermined threshold level, within a specified period of time, or an absolute threshold level. If the gateway determines that a threshold will probably be exceeded if the call connection is maintained, the gateway terminates the connection prior to a time that the user terminal averaged transmitted power density level equals or exceeds the predetermined or absolute threshold level. A tone or a visual indicator may be employed to warn the user that a current connection or call will be terminated. Provisions are made for allowing predetermined types of calls (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Globalstar L.P.
    Inventors: Robert A. Wiedeman, Paul A. Monte, Michael J. Sites
  • Patent number: 6131032
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for centralizing the administration of intercept lists includes a master intercept list (305) and an interface (510) which communicates with switches (410). Switches (410) may or may not include local intercept lists (415). When a user makes a call, a switch (410) queries the local intercept list (415) or the master intercept list (305). Information from the query is used to determine whether to intercept the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Pramodkumar Patel
  • Patent number: 6091949
    Abstract: Call forwarding service provided to a wireless mobile communication station is controlled by barring call forwarding from the wireless mobile communication station selectively based on the location of the wireless mobile communication station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Juan Antonio Sanchez
  • Patent number: 6064972
    Abstract: The risk of fraud associated with access by a subscriber to a network (42) is managed by a system that includes a data base (46) that stores a record for each subscriber indicative of that subscriber's usage history and payment ability for each service to which that subscriber has access. Additionally, the subscriber's record also stores an individual service risk characteristic indicative of the risk of providing access by the subscriber to a particular service, as well as a composite risk characteristic indicative of an overall risk of access. In response to a request for access to a particular service by a subscriber, the data base (46) responds in accordance with the subscriber's individual service risk characteristic for the service sought as well as the composite risk characteristic. In this way, account is taken of the subscriber's usage and payment ability with respect to all services available to the subscriber, rather than the single service sought by the subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: AT&T Corp
    Inventors: Charles M. Jankowitz, Richard Mandelbaum
  • Patent number: 6052577
    Abstract: A mobile station use limiting system includes a base station provided in a cell and connected to a public telephone network, a use limiting station provided in the cell, for transmitting a use limitation signal. A mobile station can perform communication with the base station via an electromagnetic wave. The communication with the base station is limited in the mobile station in response to the use limitation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Taguchi
  • Patent number: 5940589
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for validating a terminal for access to a network that includes a central office having a memory for storing an equipment identity record and a local office having a memory for storing a subscriber record and an access count. The equipment identity record and the subscriber record each store an access authorization status of the terminal. Network access for the terminal is requested at the local office and a value of the access count at the local office is incremented when the value of the access count is less than a predetermined number. The access status of the terminal stored in the equipment identity record at the central office is requested by the local office when the terminal requests access for the first time or the value of the access count equals the predetermined number. The access authorization status of the terminal stored in the equipment identity record is sent to the local office in response to the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: MCI Corporation
    Inventors: Steven R. Donovan, Shou Gung, Jeremy Chiou
  • Patent number: 5898783
    Abstract: In a smartcard having a subscriber identity module ("SIMI") that cooperates with a mobile station to effect communication with a telecommunications network, a system for, and method of, disabling the smartcard. The system includes: (1) data commnications circuitry that transmits a code uniquely identifying the smartcard from logic circuitry within the smartcard to the telecommunications network via the mobile station, the code employable by the telecommunications network to search a disable database associated therewith, the telecommunications network returning a disable command if the code is found in the disable database and (2) disabling circuitry that incapacitates the logic circuitry to prevent an operation thereof, the smartcard being incapacitated with respect to the telecommunications network and systems independent of the telecommunications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Rohrbach
  • Patent number: 5826171
    Abstract: A mobile-radio system is disclosed in which it is possible to selectively monitor and interfere with calls. To this end, the base station includes an intercept device (5) whereby at least one traffic channel is can be intercepted, i.e., whereby transmissions on this channel can be intercepted or jammed. The intercept device (5) is connected to a baseband-processing portion (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Alcatel N.V.
    Inventor: Erich Franke
  • Patent number: 5802445
    Abstract: A method and system wherein a system gateway (18) determines, from closed loop power control information, a power density at an antenna (13a) of a user terminal 13. The gateway also maintains a record of a duration of time that the power density exceeds a specified threshold. The gateway determines if an averaged transmitted power density associated with the antenna of the user terminal will equal or exceed at least one of a predetermined threshold level, within a specified period of time, or an absolute threshold level. If the gateway determines that a threshold will probably be exceeded if the call connection is maintained, the gateway terminates the connection prior to a time that the user terminal averaged transmitted power density level equals or exceeds the predetermined or absolute threshold level. A tone or a visual indicator may be employed to warn the user that a current connection or call will be terminated. Provisions are made for allowing predetermined types of calls (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Globalstar L.P.
    Inventors: Robert A. Wiedeman, Paul A. Monte, Michael J. Sites
  • Patent number: 5761609
    Abstract: A limited use circuit in an electronic system that comprises a state machine which controls the operability of the electronic system and determines after boot whether a non-volatile memory device is at its initial data point and then allows the system to operate if it is at its initial data point or cause the electronic system to go down if it is not wherein the state machine is comprised of registers and logic gates or a CPU and a mask circuit and the non-volatile memory device may be selected from the group consisting of PLD, PAL, PLA, EEPROM, FLASH and ROM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventor: Chung-Shan Chen
  • Patent number: 5745677
    Abstract: A monitoring computer (115) monitors a communication resource within a wireless communication system for transmissions by a communication unit. Upon detecting the transmission, which contains a unit identifier, the monitoring computer compares the unit identifier with stored system access information for the communication unit. When the unit identifier is not compatible with the stored system access information, the monitoring computer reprograms at least a portion of the system access information of the communication unit. In this manner, discrepancies in communication unit programming may be corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Grube, Timothy W. Markison, Thomas E. Weston
  • Patent number: 5719937
    Abstract: Reproduction of a data signal which is stored on a source media or distributed via a communication network is controlled by inserting master tag data and control tag data into the data signal. A player/recorder inserts an additional generation of control tag information each time a copy of the media is made. If the number of generations of the control tag information is above a threshold value, reproduction of the data signal may be inhibited. For example, if the data signal comprises audio data, the player/recorder may only allow playing of the audio signal over speakers but will not allow recording. The playing and recording of associated signals, such as a video signal which accompanies an audio signal, may also be controlled. The master tag data and control tag data may be provided as spread spectrum signals which are spectrally shaped and power-adjusted according to the data signal to render them imperceptible in the data signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Solana Technology Develpment Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Warren, Chong U. Lee, Kamran Moallemi
  • Patent number: 5615246
    Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of spurious energy on a bus based network. The device identifies the subscriber location which is the source of spurious energy and includes disconnection capability to remove that subscriber location from the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: US West Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Beveridge
  • Patent number: 5592540
    Abstract: An interdiction device and method to jam or delete selected video and telephony signals. The interdiction device includes amplifiers and forward couplers to prevent the telephony signals from appearing at other undesired subscriber locations on the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: U S WEST Advanced Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Beveridge
  • Patent number: 5524217
    Abstract: To enable wired-OR signal lines to be connected without interlock in a bus linkage unit for connecting the bus of a computer system with the bus of an expansion device or the bus of another computer system through a signal transfer path in which the signal mode is different from those of the buses. A shadow register 46 that acts on the level of wired-OR signal line 51 of the other bus is provided in each system. The level of wired-OR signal lines in each system is sent to the shadow register of the other system through a communication path. When the shadow register of the system is at a predetermined level, said system will not send the level of said wired-OR signal line to the other system. Interlock is eliminated by avoiding repetition of level transfer echoes between both systems in this way. Both systems are further provided with a shadow-shadow register 47 for forming a mirror image of the shadow register of the other system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hironao Sone, Kazuo Sekiya
  • Patent number: 5493692
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method for selectively delivering electronic messages to an identified user or users in a system of mobile and fixed devices, including multiple display devices and multiple users, based on the context of the system and the environment of the identified user. Electronic messages intended for an identified user or users may be given a level of privacy and a level priority, and contextual attributes for its delivery may be specified. The system perceives contextual attributes for the recipient user or users, including display devices in close proximity to the identified users, and determines a display property for said electronic message based on the contextual attributes, the user profile properties of each user, and the level of privacy and level of priority of the electronic message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Marvin M. Theimer, Michael J. Spreitzer, Mark D. Weiser, Richard J. Goldstein, Douglas B. Terry, William N. Schilit, Roy Want
  • Patent number: 5465113
    Abstract: The programmable cable controller in accordance with the invention is adapted to accept a time limit and a time period which are input by a viewer. A channel timer is provided to track the display time of the cable television channel and, upon reaching the preset time limit, display of the cable channel is blocked. The channel timer is reinitialized upon expiration of the preset time period. The programmable cable controller is also adapted to receive cable television programming listings and a viewer's programming preferences and to store them in memory. The viewer's programming preferences are applied to the cable television programming listings to produce a redacted listing of television programming which may be displayed on the television set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: Christopher P. Gilboy
  • Patent number: 5465387
    Abstract: Access to a resource such as a telecommunications system is monitored and prevented adaptively on a real-time basis by establishing with the customer, a steady state low level of surveillance and arbitrary intermittent interruption during which the telecommunications company demands authentication, by personal identification number (PIN), of a given fraction of access demands (for example, telephone calls), and, in response to signals indicating that arrival of an alert condition, and preferably at least one prior invalid call, raising the level of authentication demands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: Arabinda Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 5408258
    Abstract: A method and system for automatically qualifying a signal reproduction device for installation of monitoring equipment. In a household in which viewing patterns are to be monitored, for example, a relatively inexpensive and simple set usage device is installed in proximity to a television set which is expected to receive little or no use. Times when the set is in use are sensed, and data concerning those times are stored and transmitted to a central location. At the central location, the times represented by the transmitted data are compared to a minimum usage threshold, and a more sophisticated monitoring device, able to detect the channel tuning state of the T.V. set, is installed in proximity to the T.V. set only if the usage of the T.V. set exceeds the minimum usage threshold. The number of relatively expensive and complex tuning-monitoring devices required to be installed is thereby reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: The Arbitron Company
    Inventor: Ronald S. Kolessar
  • Patent number: 5287539
    Abstract: Off premises cable television interdiction apparatus comprises a microprocessor actuation and control means for actuating and controlling at least one frequency agile voltage controlled oscillator. The voltage controlled oscillator selectively jams only unauthorized premium programming transmitted in the clear from a headend to a particular subscriber. The voltage controlled oscillator generates a jamming signal carrier at a frequency 1/N between the video and audio carriers where N is an integer, preferably small. The microprocessor provides a calibration mode and a normal mode of operation. During the normal mode of operation, a frequency hopping rate on the order of four thousand hertz is achievable. the method of interdiction comprises the steps of generating and storing voltage control words for operating the oscillator consistent with a headend selected jamming factor for a particular channel to be jammed and addressably transmitted and stored premium programming authorization data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
    Inventor: Lamar E. West, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5255318
    Abstract: A subscriber control system designed to be placed outside of the subscriber's home, for controlling access to cable television signals provided by a cable television headend. The system is modular in design containing a single control module and a single RF distribution module both shared by a number of jammer modules. The jammer modules contain a plurality of frequency agile oscillators, the frequencies of which can be changed in time-multiplex fashion. The outputs of the jammer modules can be shared amongst a number of subscribers using space division switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: North American Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Aravanan Gurusami, Robert Chamberlin, Victor J. Jacek, Thomas P. Strong, Jeffrey L. Cox, Mark Chapman
  • Patent number: 5222247
    Abstract: A communication system (100) has at least one base site (204) which includes a plurality of transceivers (110A-C) operating on a plurality of communication channels for communicating to at least one of a plurality of communicators (108). The at least one base site (204) comprises a generator (210) generating a plurality of interference signals according to a predetermined pattern on a subset of the plurality of communication channels. A processor (208) initiating and terminating communication between the base site (204) and the at least one communicator (108) on a selected communication channel substantially free of interference signals. The processor (208) further determines the communication channel being selected, and determines whether to change the predetermined pattern of the plurality of interference signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Breeden
  • Patent number: 5172111
    Abstract: A program material screening device is provided whereby the owner/operator of a program material playback device such as a videocassette player, television, laser disc player, motion picture projector, phonograph or the like may automatically and selectively prevent the reproduction into humanly perceivable form of unwanted program material. The screening device is capable of recognizing non-interfering material content signals stored along with the program signals that are reproduced by the program material playback device, and is capable of automatically disabling the playback device in response to the recognition of the material content signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Inventor: John W. Olivo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5168372
    Abstract: A video viewing control system which permits the parent to enter a viewing "allowance" (time) for each child and which disables viewing of a television by disrupting the television's Radio Frequency (RF) input signal or video input signal when the child has watched television for his allowable time. The system includes a single chip microprocessor and a liquid crystal display which permits display of graphical symbols to the child for easy comprehension. The system is battery powered to protect against power outages. The child's viewing time can be set on a daily basis (potentially different for each day of the week) or can be done on a weekly basis (a lump-sum covering the entire week). Block out times (during which television viewing is disabled) can be programmed for each child on the hour and half-hour for any day of the week. The system calculates and displays each child's average viewing time per day and the total viewing time over any desired period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Inventor: David J. Sweetser
  • Patent number: 5140633
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for controlling access to cable television signals. Jamming oscillators are shifted in frequency, jamming multiple services each. The oscillators are shared between multiple subscriber ports, providing a cost effective, high security control system. A modular approach allows security to be added as additional capacity is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: North American Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Aravanan Gurusami, Robert Chamberlin, Victor Jacek, Thomas Strong, Jeffrey Cox
  • Patent number: 5091937
    Abstract: A CATV terminal in which an on-screen video message is superimposed over the selected video program to indicate if the selected program is a pay per view, i.e., chargeable, program. The in-band data from the head end carries an event code designating whether the program is chargeable or not. If chargeable, a controller in the CATV terminal activates an on-screen video generator to generate an on-screen message announcing that the program is a PPV or chargeable program. This is superimposed on the program, which is not observable by the viewer until an authorization key is activated. An event code altered by noise or the like will have little adverse effect since the in-band event code has a period equal to the vertical period and the controller continuously controls the on-screen video generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiko Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 5060079
    Abstract: An arrangement for limiting the time an authorized viewer may view a television program on a television receiver including apparatus for sensing a value stored in a transportable magnetic medium, apparatus operating in response to the sensing of a value by the apparatus for sensing a value stored in a transportable magnetic medium for providing a signal indicative of the time remaining to the authorized viewer, apparatus responsive to an indication that time remains to the viewer to enable the transmission of television signals to a television receiver, and apparatus for reducing the signal indicating the time remaining to the viewer with the passage of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Inventor: Alexander Rufus-Isaacs
  • Patent number: 5046125
    Abstract: A lock control method for on-board terminal equipment of a mobile telecommunications network surely inhibits persons other than the user or an authorized person person from unlocking the equipment with the intention of originating a call thereon. When a unauthorized person enters a lock code resembling a set first lock code, or unlock code, by chance after a great number of lock codes, the first lock code is replaced with a second lock code. Hence, the unauthorized person cannot unlock the equipment despite that the entered code may coincide with the first lock code. While the unauthorized person may further enter other different lock codes, the second lock code serving as the unlock code will be replaced with the first lock code as the entered code approaches the second lock code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Takizawa
  • Patent number: 5020146
    Abstract: An amplifier loaded with a constant bandwidth tuned circuit is provided with an output series coil, and with a resistance in series with the output coil and a subsequent load to provide attenuation at high frequencies for maintaining the total overall gain of the amplifier and tuned circuit load constant with increasing frequency while simultaneously maintaining the bandwidth of the tuned circuit constant with increasing frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: RCA Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Pugel
  • Patent number: 5001554
    Abstract: A terminal apparatus for use in a cable television system which provides a plurality of channels capable of being tuned for display at a television receiver is provided. The apparatus includes a memory for storing data for generating a plurality of predetermined character screens and for storing deauthorization data, a character generator for generating character screens from the stored character screen data at the television receiver, a deauthorization mechanism responsive to the deauthorization data in the memory for deauthoring selected ones of the plurality of channels, and a controller for controlling the memory and the character generator, and for composing at least one predetermined character screen for display at the television receiver in accordance with the deauthorization of a channel by the deauthorization mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee R. Johnson, Elizabeth A. Smith, Howard L. Myers, Curt M. Kuban
  • Patent number: 4972480
    Abstract: A holographic device and method encrypts a time dependent data signal, s(t), by a complex time dependent phase shifting signal. This produces a new signal whose modulus is equal the absolute value of the data signal, s(t), but has widely spread the frequency of the data signal. This new complex signal is mathematically transformed, producing an amplitude and phase spectrum (or a real and imaginary transform spectrum) of signal components. The amplitude and phase signals are modulated into a radio frequency carrier (or some other radiating source) as quadrature components and transmitted. At the receiver, the quadrature signals are separated into an amplitude and phase components which are then mathematically inverse transformed. The result is a complex signal with a real and imaginary components. The resulting signal is an accurate representation of the original data signal if a complete signal is recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: General Dynamics (Space Systems Division)
    Inventor: Lowell Rosen
  • Patent number: 4903031
    Abstract: A satellite receiver which can selectively inhibit the reception of radio wave of the improper program. This receiver comprises: a receiver unit; a reproducer unit to reproduce the signal received by the receiver unit; a control unit including (a) a first memory to store the designated transponder number, (b) a second memory to store the transponder number which is parental locked, and (c) a generator to generate a parental lock signal when the memory contents of the first and second memories coincide; and means for disabling the signal from the designated transponder to be reproduced by the reproducer unit in response to the parental lock signal. With this receiver, the radio wave from the designated transponder cannot be received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Trio Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsuneo Yamada
  • Patent number: 4888796
    Abstract: A program material screening device is provided whereby the owner of a program signal receiving device such as a telephone, television, radio, VCR, or the like may automatically and selectively prevent the reception and replay by the receiving device of unwanted transmissions. The screening device is capable of recognizing non-interfering material content signals co-transmitted with the program signals received by the receiving device, and is capable of automatically disabling the receiving device in response to recognition of the material content signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Inventor: John W. Olivo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4829589
    Abstract: The system relates to a system for preventing unauthorized viewing of CATV etc. wherein each terminal is provided with a terminal own address generator and an auxiliary address generator. The center station allows outputs of respective address generators to be sent thereto in conformity with a time map to compare a signal sent back from the center state with the own address and the auxiliary address of the terminal of concern. The center station confirms that there is no overlap of addresses of respective terminals to provide a receiving signal permission if an abnormal condition is not found.Such an address overlap takes place at the time when the system is initially powered or when the pirater enters. Thus, when an overlap of addresses occurs, the address of the terminal concerned is changed. For such an address, an initial address is used as the own address, and an address based on the pseudo number is used as the address offset and the auxiliary address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tsutomu Uekusa
  • Patent number: RE36988
    Abstract: A terminal apparatus for use in a cable television system which provides a plurality of channels capable of being tuned for display at a television receiver is provided. The apparatus includes a memory for storing data for generating a plurality of predetermined character screens and for storing deauthorization data, a character generator for generating character screens from the stored character screen data at the television receiver, a deauthorization mechanism responsive to the deauthorization data in the memory for deauthoring selected ones of the plurality of channels, and a controller for controlling the memory and the character generator, and for composing at least one predetermined character screen for display at the television receiver in accordance with the deauthorization of a channel by the deauthorization mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee R. Johnson, Elizabeth A. Smith, Howard L. Myers, Curt M. Kuban