TELEVISION SCRAMBLING AND UNSCRAMBLING METHOD AND APPARATUS

Abstract: Method and apparatus for scrambling and unscrambling television signals to prevent reception of acceptable signals by an unauthorized television receiver while maintaining the television signal recoverable by an authorized receiver. The present invention can also be used for reducing the necessary carrier signal power of a television transmitter. A transmitter (12) passes a television signal through at least one linear filter (30, 32, and 34) of the type that produces multiple time delayed signals of differing time delays. A receiver (14) receives the multiple time delayed signals from the transmitter and passes them through at least one linear filter (64, 66 and 68) to add the signals together so that one signal representative of the original is reinforced, allowing acceptable reception by an authorized viewer. In one arrangement, the linear filters are SAW devices. In an other arrangement, the linear filters of a type employing charge coupled devices and in yet another arrangement, the linear filters are of digital types. In yet another arrangement, high frequency linear filters are of a ferromagnetic type. Different scrambling codes are achieved.

Description: Description Television Scrambling and Unscrambling Method and Apparatus Technical Field This invention relates to methods and apparatus for preventing a television signal from being acceptably received by an unauthorized television receiver while maintaining the television signal recoverable by an authorized receiver. Subscription television is now in wide and growing use in both cable television and ove*r-the-air systems. In over-the-air systems, preventing unauthorized recei-vers from receiving the transmission is a major problem for subscription " services, but even cable television systems might desire to have different classes of customers which can be serviced over the same cable.. For instance, a special rate might be charged for customers who want to view certain sporting events or first run movies. In order to solve these problems, many systems have been developed for preventing the reception of an acceptable television signal by unauthorized receivers. Background Art Methods of scrambling and unscrambling television signals to prevent unauthorized viewing of protected material have been proposed almost since the inception of television. Everything from moving mirrors shown in J. S. Patent 2,531,974, to inserted carriers shown in ϋ. S. Patent 4,074,311 have been proposed. Some systems in use today seek to modify the synchronization pulses in the video signal as shown in ϋ. S. Patent 3,924,059 or insert interfering video signals which are suosequently removed in the unscrambling device as shown in ϋ. 5. Patent 4,112,464 or insert interfering carriers at tne transmitter which are subsequently removed in the unscrambling device with notch filte as shown in ϋ. S. Patent 4,074,311. Synchronization pulse modification or suppressi and video signal superposition are expensive to perfo in the decoder function, requiring demodulation of t received coded signal, and in the case of a set t decoder, the remodulation of the signal after it h been restored to viewable condition. ' While t injection of interferin-g carrier systems do not requi demodulation and remodulation, they have oth disadvantages. Such systems can be easily defeated persons with only modest means and effort. Ext transmitter power must be devoted to the interferi carrier. This is detrimental in cable systems, not much for the slight penalty in consumed energy, but f the care and expense that is involved in maintaini linearity in all the amplifiers that must amplify t signals. The linearity problem becomes especial severe in over-the-air transmission systems because the high transmitter power involved. Disclosure of Invention In accordance with the present invention, a meth for preventing a television signal from bei acceptably received by an unauthorized -televisi receiver while maintaining the television sign recoverable by an authorized receiver includes passi the television signal through at least one line filter of the type that produces multiple time delay signals of different time delays. The multiple ti delayed signals are then transmitted and receive They are then passed through at least one receiv linear filter of the type that produces multiple ti delayed signals of different time delays. The ti delays of the multiple signals of the receiver a spaced in time so that they reinforce the receiv multiple time delayed signals, creating one outp signal which is reinforced significantly more than t OM remaining output signals. The transmitting linear filter in different embodiments either shifts the phase of at least one of the multiple time delayed signals with respect to at least one other of the multiple time delayed signals, which can include inverting the phase of at least one of the multiple time delayed signals with respect to others, or varies the amplitude of the multiple time delayed signals with frequency or varies the time delay with frequency. In each case, the receiver includes a linear filter which compensates for the function of the linear filter in the transmitter so that the final reinforced signal is a substantially true representation of the original video signal. The at least one linear transmitter filter is in the signal path, but it can be in the video path prior to the video being modulated by the carrier or in the modulated carrier part of the path or right before transmission after mixing with the output of the transfer oscillator. ' Similarly, the at least one linear receiver filter can be located in various parts of the receiver's signal path. If a linear filter is in the video part of the signal path, then a preferred embodiment is of the charge coupled device or digital approximation type, when the linear filter is elsewhere, one preferred embodiment includes Surface Acoustic Wave devices known as SAW devices. At extremely high frequencies, a preferred embodiment of the linear filter includes ferromagnetic materials so that the signal takes on the nature of magnetostatic waves. Such linear filters can also be recursive in nature in the various embodiments. These and other objects, advantages, and features of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown the preferred embodiments of the invention. Brief Description of Drawing The details of the invention will be described connection with the accompanying drawing, in which: FIGURE 1 is a * block diagram of a system accordi to the present invention, including a transmitter and receiver, for preventing a television signal from bei acceptably received by an unauthorized televisi receiver while maintaining the television sign recoverable by an authorized receiver; FIGURE 2 is a pictorial representation and schema diagram of a linear filter of the type that produc multiple time delayed signals of different time dela for use in the transmitter of the system of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a linear filter of the type th produces multiple time delayed signals of differe time delays for use in the receiver of the system Figure 1; FIGURE 4 is a block diagram representation another linear filter for -use in the transmitter of t system shown in Figure 1; and FIGURE 5 is a block diagram representation another embodiment of a linear filter for " use in t transmitter of the system of Figure 1. • Best Mode for Carrying Out The Invention Referring now to the drawing, and in particular Figure 1, a system according to the present inventi for transmitting and receiving a television signal referred to generally by reference numeral 10. Syst 10 includes an apparatus 12 for preventing a televisi signal from being transmitted for acceptable use by unauthorized television receiver while maintaining t television signal recoverable by an authorized receiv and an apparatus 14 for receiving and decoding such signal. Apparatus 12 includes a means for generating television signal, having an input 16 for a vid signal, an output 18 to a transmission network 20, signal path connecting the input to che output, carrier oscillator 22 for generating a carrier signal, a first mixer 24 for modulating the carrier signal with the video signal, a transfer oscillator 26 and a second mixer _28 for mixing the modulated carrier signal with the output of transfer oscillator 26. Transmission network 20 might typically comprise, for example, at least two antennas and associated feed lines for transmitting and receiving the signals through space, or a cable transmission system, or satellite transmission paths, or other transmission means. Apparatus 12 also includes at least one linear filter in the signal path through which the signal must pass, of the type that produces multiple time delayed signals of different time delays, each time delayed signal representative of the corresponding signal at the input of the linear filter, in this case linear filter 30 located in the signal path between input 16 and first mixer 24, linear filter 32 located in the signal path between first mixer 24 and second mixer 28, and linear filter 34 located in the signal path between second mixer 28 and output 18. The signal path thus includes input 16, a video frequency amplifier 36, linear filter 30, a video frequency amplifier 38, mixer 24, an intermediate frequency amplifier 40, linear filter 32, another intermediate frequency amplifier 4 " 2, second mixer 28, a radio frequency amplifier 44, linear filter 34 and a radio frequency amplifier 46. All of the described linear filters will not be required in most systems. Apparatus 12 as shown represents three possible locations for linear filters in a transmitter which could be used singly or in concert. After the signal from output 13 is transmitted tnrough transmission network 20, it is received by apparatus 14 which is a means for receiving the transmitted signals. Apparatus 14 includes an impulse noise blanking circuit comprising delay line 48 which is in the signal path, impulse detector 50 which ovpasses delay line 48, and blanking switch 52 which is -Bϋ RΕΛT — o — in the signal path, but responsive to impulse detect 50. Apparatus 14 also includes means for producing video signal from a television signal, including local, oscillator 54 and a mixer 56 for mixing t output of local oscillator 54 with a television sign converting the frequency of the signal to t intermediate frequency, demodulator 58 for converti the intermediate frequency to video frequency, input for receiving the television signal from t transmission network, and output 62 for the vid signal. Apparatus 14 also includes at least one line filter, in this case linear filter 64 located in t signal path between input 60 and mixer 56, line filter 66 located in the signal path between mixer and demodulator 58 and linear filter 68 located in t signal path between demodulator 58 and output 62. T signal path through apparatus 14 thus includes inp 60, delay line 48, blanking switch 52, a rad frequency amplifier 70-, linear filter 64, a rad frequency amplifier 72, mixer 56, an intermedia frequency amplifier 74, linear filter 66, anoth intermediate frequency amplifier 76, demodulator 58, video frequency amplifier 78, linear filter 68, anoth video frequency amplifier 80 and output 62. As in t transmitter, not all linear filters may be required all systems. Apparatus 14 represents three possib locations for linear filters in a receiving apparatus. In order to be effective, a linear filter in t present invention must include delays approximately long as the sweep time necessary to define features interest in the resultant picture. For example, wi television systems in widespread use today, t " smallest sweep time is in the horizontal direction a is approximately 50 microseconds long. If it desired to prevent unauthorized viewers fr distinquishing features of the order of 10 percent the sjcreen width, total delay in the linear scrambli filter set must be approximately 5 microseconds O length, disregarding delay required for spectral weighting which may be necessary to provide distortion free reconstruction of the coded signal in the unscrambling filter set. If larger feature sizes must be masked, or if the scrambling is designed to cause unautnorized television receivers to fail to acheive or nold synchronization, even longer time delays are required in the linear filters. The original television signal is scrambled to such an extent that display of an acceptable picture is impossible without descrambling the multiple time delayed signals. Referring now to Figure 2, in one embodiment of linear filter 32 the intermediate frequency output of amplifier 40 is fed to linear filter 32 by means of bond wire 82 to pad 84. Pad 84 distributes the signal to metal fingers 86 which excite a surface wave in piezoelectric material substrate 88. A pad 90 connects the complementary fingers of finger pairs 86 to ground return 92. The surface wave traverses the substrate and is intercepted by metal fingers 94. A pad 96 connected to one of the metal fingers 94 is also connected to ground return 92 while a pad 98 connected to the complementary fingers provides input to intermediate frequency amplifier 42 by bond wire 100. The output signal in this example would consist of the input signal and two replicas of the input signal at different time delays determined by the spacing between the metal finger pairs 86. In this example, the three signals in the output are of equal strength, causing appearance on the television screen of an unauthorized viewer not equipped with a correct unscrambling filter, of a picture with two ghosts so strong as to deny identification of the intended picture. The lengths or amount of overlap between the various finger pairs can be varied so that the output signals are not of equal strength. Similarly, spacing between the pairs can be varied so that the time delays are unequal in length. Referring now to Figure 3, linear filter 66 in apparatus 14 includes a bond wire 102 for transmitti the output of intermediate frequency amplifier 74 to pad 104 and metal fingers 106. A pad 108 is connecte to the complementary fingers of pairs 106 as well as t receiver ground 110. The scrambled signals the traverse a piezoelectric substrate 112 to metal finge pairs 114. The ground side of metal finger pairs 11 is connected to ground 110 through a pad 116. A bon wire 118 connects a pad 120 for the complementar fingers of pairs 114 to the input of intermediat frequency amplifier 76. Metal finger pairs 106 and 11 are designed to have the reverse effect of transmitte metal finger pairs 94 and 86. The three signal transmitted from metal finger pairs 106 are al received at a single time by the pairs 114 so as t reinforce the signal. There are also unwanted sid lobe signals, but the side lobe signals are not a strongly reinforced. An ST cut of ' quartz crystal i workable for the substrate. The width of the substrat must take into account beam spreading and the packagin available, but will typically be between .2 inches an .25 inches. The thickness will normally be as thin a possible for economic reasons, but will typically b .025 inches. For a delay in the order of 1 microseconds, the length will be in the range of 1.2 and 1.30 inches. Typically, one transducer will have several ten of finger pairs and the second will have severa hundred. Spectral weighting will be typically include in the transmitter apparatus in systems with fe transmitters and many receivers, since longer tim delays are required in linear filters which includ weighting. A typical linear filter included in transmitter apparatus would have up to several thousan fingers in one transducer and several tens in th other. The .phase and amplitude of the scrambling filter and the descrambling filters will be typicall O ' complementary in the sense that the product of the amplitudes of their frequency responses will be essentially constant with frequency, and the total of their . . phase responses will * be linear over the information band of interest. When these conditions are met, distortion free reconstruction of the scrambled signal is assured. Linear filters which pass the signal through the delay paths one time are called transversal, while those with feedback paths such that the signal passes through the delay path multiple times are called recursive. Both types are applicable in television scrambling, and are within the scope of the invention. Recursive filters are typically realized in digital and CCD form. Referring now to Figure 4, one embodiment of linear filter 30 includes an analog to digital converter 122 for converting the video output of video amplifier 36 into digital form, a digital filter 124 for creating multiple time delayed digital signals of different time delays, each representative of the original digital signal at the output of analog to digital converter 122, and a digital to analog converter 126 for converting the multiple time delayed digital signals at the output of digital filter 124 into multiple time delayed analog signals acceptable for input to video amplifier 38. Referring also to Figure 5, a specific embodiment 128 of linear filter 30 includes analog to digital converters 130 and 132 for converting the output of video frequency amplifier 36 into digital form, but the conversion is accomplished with clock wave forms that are 90 degrees out of phase which is known as "phase quadrature." The digital outputs of these converters is then converted to multiple time delayed outputs by digital filters 134 and 136. The multiple time delayed outputs of digital filters 134- * and 136 are converted back into multiple time delayed analog signals by digital to analog converters 138 and 140 respectively. Finally ' , the -1.0- multiple time delayed outputs of digital to anal converters 138 and 140 are added by means of summi network 142. Rendering the signal unviewable can accomplished in a number of ways. The signal can coded in such a way that many images appear on t screen, making the picture confusing and unpleasant watch. If the images are placed close enough togeth the picture appears smeared beyond recognition. Oth choices of code for the scrambling filter result in t failure of the unequipped receiving set to acqui horizontal or vertical sychronization, so that t picture "tears" or "rolls", making it unacceptable. Some choices of code result in transmission syst efficiency improvement. Those codes for which t frequency spectra exhibits lower amplitude near t carrier frequencies in a television signal lower t average power required from the transmitter f acceptable signal to noise performance in the receiv equipped, with the corresponding descrambling filte Other choices of code result in reductions in pe power required in the transmitter for equivale results. These economies may in some cases outwei the cost of the scrambling and descrambling filter resulting in systems coded and decoded solely f transmission efficiency and economic reasons, rath than for the purpose of denying utilization unauthorized receivers of the video informatio Obviously, the scrambling could also be used in system to achieve both signal security and transmissi efficiency. Since scrambling the television signal results spreading it in time, the system demonstrates immuni to impulse noise, such as automobile ignition nois picked up in the transmission path anywhere between t scrambling filter set and the descrambling filter se Short interfering impulses are spread in time in t decoding filter set, reducing their amplitude in t output video. This characteristic of the system makes use of the impulse noise blanking system comprising delay line 48, impulse detector 50 and blanking switch 52 practical. Impulse noise blanking for television systems in the past was of little use, since typically blanking a noise pulse would simply change a white area of the screen to a black area of the screen or vice versa, but with the present invention there is redundancy so that blanking the noise will simply create a slightly lighter patch on the screen which may not even be noticeable. This same smoothing characteristic is useful in combining linear filter scrambling techniques with signal switching scrambling methods which might otherwise prove unpractical. A switching scrambler added to the transmitter apparatus after the first linear filter and a switching descrambler added to the receiver before ' the last linear filter could be included to further scramble the • signal. Unlike systems without the smoothing effects of linear filters, switching can be accomplished asynchronously to the sweep rate without visible effects in the reconstructed signal when the systems are combined. Scrambling with asynchronous switching waveforms is much more difficult to defeat than scrambling with switching waveforms synchronized to the video sweep rate. Asynchronous switching is not commonly used because imprecision in the descrambling apparatus which reconstructs the video results in unacceptable visible effects in the video output. Another suitable embodiment for linear filter 30 is a linear filter of the charge coupled device type. A suitable linear filter for extremely high frequency, such as linear filters 34 and 64 comprises ferromagnetic materials in the signal path and through which a signal must pass. The multiple time delayed signals n such a linear filter are in the for- of ,-nagnetostacιc waves of differing time delays. Receiver 14 does not, of course, have to be a single unit or in a single "box". It is contemplated that in some applications, a receiver linear filter and its accompanying descrambling apparatus will be a separate unit for use in combination with a conventional television set. From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to obtain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the apparatus. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub- combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims: Claims 1. A method for preventing a television signal from being acceptably received by an unauthorized television receiver while maintaining the television signal recoverable by an authorized receiver, comprising passing the television signal through at least one linear filter of the type that produces multiple time delayed signals of differing time delays, each time delayed signal representative of the original television signal wherein the original television signal is scrambled to such an extent that display of an acceptable picture is impossible without descrambling the multiple time delayed signals. 2. A method according to Claim 1 further comprising shifting the phase of at least one of the multiple time delayed signals with respect to at least one other of the multiple time delayed signals. 3. A method according to Claim 1 further comprising inverting the phase of at least one of the multiple time delayed signals with respect to at least one other of the multiple time " delayed signals. 4. A method according to Claim 1 further comprising amplitude weighting the multiple delayed signals by varying the amplitude of at least one of the multiple delayed signals with respect to at least one other of the multiple delayed signals. 5. A method for preventing a television signal from being acceptably received by an unauthorized television receiver while maintaining the television signal recoverable by an authorized receiver, comprising passing the television signal - 14- through at least one transversal linear filter o the type that produces multiple time delaye signals of differing time delays, each tim delayed signal representative of the origina television signal wherein the original televisio signal is scrambled to such an extent that displa of an acceptable picture is impossible withou descrambling the multiple time delayed signals. 6. A method for preventing a television signal fro being acceptably received by an unauthorize television receiver while maintaining th television signal recoverable by an authorize receiver, comprising passing the television signa through at least one recursive linear filter o the type that produces multiple time delaye signals of differing time delays, each tim delayed signal representative of the origina television signal .wherein the original televisio signal is scrambled to such an extent that displa of an acceptable picture is impossible withou descrambling the multiple time delayed signals. 7. A method for transmitting and receiving television signal comprising in combination". passing the television signal through a least one transmitter linear filter of the typ that produces multiple time delayed signals o differing time delays, each time delayed signa representative of the original television signa wnerein the original television signal i scrambled to such an extent that display of a acceptable signal is impossible withou descrambling the multiple time delayed signals; transmitting the multiple time delaye signals; receiving the multiple time delayed signals; passing the multiple time delayed signal - through at least one receiver linear filter of the type that produces multiple time delayed signals of differing time delays wherein the time delays of the multiple signals of the receiver are spaced in time so that they reinforce the received multiple time delayed signals creating one output signal whicn is reinforced significantly more than the remaining output signals. 8. A metnod according to Claim 7 further comprising, following receiving the multiple time delayed signals and prior to passing the multiple time delayed signals through the at least one receiver linear filter, the combination of: detecting the presence of any noise impulse; and blanking any detected noise impulse. 9. A method according to Claim 7 further comprising: passing the multiple time delayed signals through a scrambling modulator prior to transmitting; and passing the multiple time delayed signals through a descrambling modulator after receiving. 10. An apparatus for preventing a television signal from being acceptably transmitted for use by an unauthorized television receiver while maintaining the television signal recoverable by an authorized receiver, comprising in combination: means for generating- a television signal, having an input for a video signal, an output for a transmission network and a signal path connecting the input to the output; and at least one linear filter in the signal path and through which a signal must pass, of the type that produces multipLe time delayed signals of differing time delay."., each time delayed signai representative of the corresponding signal at t input of the linear filter wherein the televisi signal at the output of the means for generating television signal is scrambled to such an exte tnat display of an acceptable picture impossible without descra oling the multiple ti delayed signals. 11. An apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein t means for generating a television signal includ a carrier oscillator and a mixer for modulati tne carrier signal with a video signal, a wherein the at least * one linear filter is surface acoustic wave filter located in the sign path between the mixer and the output. 12. An .apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein t means for generating a television signal includ a carrier oscillator and a mixer for modulati the carrier signal with a video signal, a wherein the at least one linear filter is digital linear filter located in the signal pa between the input to the means for generating television signal and the mixer. 13. An apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein t means for generating a television signal includ a carrier oscillator and a mixer for modulati the carrier signal with a video* signal, a wnerein the at least one linear filter is a char coupled device linear filter located in the sign path between the input to the means for generati a television signal and the mixer. 14. An apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein t means for generating a television sign comp ises: a carrier oscillator for generating a carri signal; a first mixer for modulating the carrier signal witn a video signal; a transfer oscillator; and a second mixer for mixing the modulated carrier signal with the output of the transfer oscillator; and wherein the at least one linear filter is a SAW linear filter located in the signal path between the first mixer and the second mixer. 15. An apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein the means for generating a television signal comprises: a carrier oscillator; a first mixer for modulating the carrier with a video signal ,- a transfer oscillator; and a second mixer for mixing the modulated carrier signal with the output of the transfer oscillator; wherein the at least one linear filter is a SAW linear filter located in the signal path between the second mixer and the output. 16. An apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein the means for generating a television signal comprises: a carrier oscillator; a first mixer for modulating the carrier with a video signal; a transfer oscillator; and a second mixer for mixing the modulated carrier signal with the output of the transfer oscillator ; wherein the at least one linear filter is a cnarge coupled device linear filter located in the signal path between the first mixer and tne ixer . 17. An apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein t means for generating a television sign comprises: a carrier oscillator; a first mixer for modulating the carrier wi a video signal; a transfer oscillator; and a second mixer for mixing the modulat carrier signal with the output of the transf oscillator; wherein the at least one linear filter is charge coupled device linear filter located in t signal path between the second mixer and t output. * 18. An apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein the least one linear filter comprises means f varying the delay time of- a signal according frequency wherein the signal at the output of t means for generating a television signal vari with frequency to such an extent that display an acceptaole picture for a descrambled televisi signal is impossible without compensating for t difference in delay times of the vario frequencies. 19. An apparatus for preventing a television sign from being acceptably transmitted for use by unauthorized television receiver wnile maintaini the television signal recoverable by an authoriz receiver, comprising in combination: means for generating a television signa having an input for a video signal, an output f a transmission network and a signal pa connecting the input to the output; and at least one transversal linear filter in t -BI signal path and through which a signal must pass, of the type that produces multiple time delayed signals of differing time delays, each time delayed signal representative of the corresponding signal at tne input of tne transversal linear filter wherein the television signal at the output of the means for generating a television signal is scrambled to such an extent that display of an acceptable picture is impossible without descrambling the multiple time delayed signals. 20. An apparatus for preventing a television signal from being acceptably transmitted for use by an unauthorized television receiver while maintaining the television signal recoverable by an authorized receiver, comprising in combination: means for generating a television signal, having an input for a video signal, an output for a transmission network and a signal path connecting the input to the output; and at least one recursive linear filter in the signal path and through which a signal must pass, of the type that produces multiple time delayed signals of differing time delays, each time delayed signal representative of the corr-esponding signal at the input of the recursive linear filter wherein the television signal at the output of the means for generating a television signal is scramoled to such an extent that display of an acceptable picture is impossible without descrambling the multiple time delayed signals. 21. An apparatus for preventing a television signal from being acceptably transmitted for use by an unautnorized television receiver while maintaining the television signal recoverable by an authorized reveiver, comprising in combination: means for generating a television siαnai, I J TFRE A T having an input for a video signal, an output f a transmission network and a signal pa connecting the input to the output; and at least one linear recursive filter in t signal patή and through which a signal must pas of the type that produces multiple time delay signals of differing time delays, each ti delayed signal representative of the correspondi signal at the input of the linear recursive filt wherein the television signal at- the output of t means for generating a television signal scrambled to such an extent that display of acceptable picture is impossible witho descrambling the multiple time delayed signals. 22. An apparatus for preventing a television sign from being acceptably transmitted for use by unauthorized television receiver while maintaini the television signal recoveraole by an authoriz receiver, comprising in combination: means for generating a television signa having an input for a video signal, an output f a transmission network and a signal pa connecting the input to the output; and at least one linear filter comprisi ferromagnetic materials in the signal path a through which a signal must pass, of the type th produces multiple time delayed signals in the fo of magnetostatic waves of differing time delay each time delayed signal representative of t corresponding signal at the input of the line filter wherein the television signal at the outp of the means for generating a television signal scrambled to such an extent that display of acceptable picture is impossible witho descrambling the multiple time delayed signals. 23. An apparatus for receiving a scrambled televisi signal and producing an acceptable video signal, comprising in combination: means for receiving a television signal and generating a video signal, having an input for the 5 television signal, an output for the video signal and a signal path connecting the input to the output; and at least one linear filter in the signal path and through which a signal must pass, of the type 0 that produces multiple time delayed signals of differing time delays, each time delayed signal representative of the corresponding signal at the input of the linear filter wherein the scrambled signal at the input of the means for producing a 5 video output is reinforced to yield an acceptable signal. 24. An apparatus according to Claim 23 wherein the means for receiving a television signal and producing a video signal includes a demodulator 0 and wherein the at least one linear filter is a surface acoustic wave filter located in the signal path between the input and the demodulator. 25. An apparatus according to Claim 23 wherein the at least one linear filter has amplitude and phase 5 characteristics complementary to the amplitude and phase characteristics of the at least one linear filter in the transmitting apparatus such that the product of their amplitude responses are approximately constant and the sum of their pnase ° responses are approximately linear over the bandwidth of the television signal. 26. An apparatus according to Claim 23 wherein the means for _ receiving a television signal and producing the video signal includes; a local oscillator; -βlJREΛ a mixer for mixing the output of the loc oscillator with the television frequency sign and producing an intermediate frequency signa and a demodulator for changing the intermedia frequency signal into a video signal, and wherei the at least one linear filter is a SAW line filter located in the signal path between th output of the mixer and the input , to t demodulator. 27. An apparatus according to Claim 23 wherein th means for receiving a television signal an producing a video signal comprises in combination a local oscillator; and . a mixer for mixing the output of the loca oscillator with the television frequency signal and wherein the at least one linear filte comprises a SAW device linear filter locate between the input to the means for receiving television signal and generating a video signa and the input to the mixer. O

Inventors: HARTMANN C, RAGAN L
Applicants: RF MONOLITHICS, R F MONOLITHICS INC
Application year: 1981
Main classification: H04N7
IPC codes: H04N7