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Patent US4286288A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4286288A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for tamper resistant channel attenuation in subscription television converter
Assignee: TELEPROMPTER CORP
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Filing: 1979-05-25
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Granted: 1981-08-25
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Expires: 1999-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A tamper resistant subscription television converter is made by connecting a bandstop filter in the Radio Frequency circuit of the converter. The filter, for attenuating one or more preselected subscription television channels is connected in series at a location in the Radio Frequency circuit such that tampering with it would affect the converter's alignment. The filter is tuned to obtain maximum attenuation of the preselected channels and the converter is aligned for proper reception of the remaining channels. Any attempt to disable the attenuator results in unacceptable reception of all channels. A preferred bandstop filter is a constant K, T section L-C filter.
Inventors
- 👤 James K. Waldo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:04
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/166
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A tamper resistant subscription television converter, including a Radio Frequency circuit, comprising at least one bandstop filter means for attentuating a preselected subscription television band while passing the remaining television bands; said bandstop filter means being connected in said Radio Frequency circuit at a position requiring realignment of said converter in order to receive said remaining television bands; whereby tampering with said bandstop filter means, after said realignment tends to misalign the converter and thus cause interference with the reception of all the television bands.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A tamper resistant subscription television converter, including a Radio Frequency circuit, comprising at least one bandstop filter means for attentuating a preselected subscription television band while passing the remaining television bands; said bandstop filter means being connected in said Radio Frequency circuit at a position requiring realignment of said converter in order to receive said remaining television bands; whereby tampering with said bandstop filter means, after said realignment tends to misalign the converter and thus cause interference with the reception of all the television bands.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a subscription television converter having a Radio Frequency circuit including an input terminal, a Radio Frequency filter, a mixer and a tuned oscillator, the improvement comprising; including at least one bandstop filter means for attenuating a preselected television band while passing the remaining television bands; said bandstop filter means being connected in said Radio Frequency circuit at a position requiring realignment of said converter in order to receive said remaining television bands; whereby tampering with said bandstop filter means, after said realignment, tends to misalign the converter and thus cause interference with the reception of all the television bands.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a subscription television converter having a Radio Frequency circuit including an input terminal, a Radio Frequency filter, a mixer and a tuned oscillator, the improvement comprising; including at least one bandstop filter means for attenuating a preselected television band while passing the remaining television bands; said bandstop filter means being connected in said Radio Frequency circuit at a position requiring realignment of said converter in order to receive said remaining television bands; whereby tampering with said bandstop filter means, after said realignment, tends to misalign the converter and thus cause interference with the reception of all the television bands.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said bandstop filter means is connected between said input terminal and said radio frequency filter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said bandstop filter means is connected between said radio frequency filter and said mixer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said bandstop filter means is connected between said tuned oscillator and said mixer.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as defined in claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein said bandstop filter is a constant K, T section L-C filter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a block type subscription television converter having a Radio Frequency circuit including an input terminal, an input filter, a mixer, a fixed oscillator, an intermediate frequency amplifier and an output terminal the improvement comprising; a tamper resistant trap including at least one bandstop filter means for attenuating a preselected subscription television band while passing the remaining television bands; said bandstop filter means being connected in said Radio Frequency circuit at a position requiring realignment of said converter in order to receive said remaining television bands; whereby tampering with said bandstop filter means, after said realignment tends to misalign the converter and thus cause interference with the reception of all the television bands.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a block type subscription television converter having a Radio Frequency circuit including an input terminal, an input filter, a mixer, a fixed oscillator, an intermediate frequency amplifier and an output terminal the improvement comprising; a tamper resistant trap including at least one bandstop filter means for attenuating a preselected subscription television band while passing the remaining television bands; said bandstop filter means being connected in said Radio Frequency circuit at a position requiring realignment of said converter in order to receive said remaining television bands; whereby tampering with said bandstop filter means, after said realignment tends to misalign the converter and thus cause interference with the reception of all the television bands.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said bandstop filter means is connected between said input terminals and said input filter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said bandstop filter means is connected between said input filter and said mixer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said bandstop filter means is connected between said mixer and said intermediate frequency amplifier.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as defined in claims 7, 8, 9 or 10 wherein said bandstop filter is a constant K, T section L-C filter.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for rendering an aligned multi-channel subscription television converter tamper resistant comprising: a. connecting at least one bandstop filter means for attenuating a selected television bands, in the Radio Frequency circuit of said converter at a position requiring realignment of said converter; b. tuning said bandstop filter for maximum attenuation of said selected band; c. realigning said converter for proper reception of the remaining television bands, whereby proper reception of said bands is dependent upon the undisturbed presence of said bandstop filter.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for rendering an aligned multi-channel subscription television converter tamper resistant comprising: a. connecting at least one bandstop filter means for attenuating a selected television bands, in the Radio Frequency circuit of said converter at a position requiring realignment of said converter; b. tuning said bandstop filter for maximum attenuation of said selected band; c. realigning said converter for proper reception of the remaining television bands, whereby proper reception of said bands is dependent upon the undisturbed presence of said bandstop filter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-08-24 | 1985-02-23 | 1985-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-24 | 1989-02-23 | 1989-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-24 | 1993-02-23 | 1993-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |