A DECODING DEVICE IN TV-SYSTEMS

Abstract: A decoding device in TV-systems having pay-TV-channels. Each decoder (10) forms a self-contained unit, provided with at least one connection means (11) and at least one tap means (12) between which are coupled a plurality of decoding blocks (19) which are disposed parallel to each other and decode several channels simultaneously, wherein each block is adapted to convert up "its" channel to a UHF-channel of its own. Each self-contained decoding unit comprises a data channel (20) and a control logic (21) for remote control of the individual decoding blocks from a central administrative control unit.

Description: A decoding device in TV-systems. The present invention relates to a decoding device in TV-systems, and more particularly to TV-systems of the kind where at least some of the channels are so called pay-TV- -lι channels. As far as it is known all to day existing decoders for i TV-systems of the above mentioned kind require that the respective subscriber first adjusts his TV-apparatus to a desired channel, and then chooses a channel on his decoder. In most cases this is performed by means of remote control¬ ler, which is specially designed for this purpose. The result is that the subscriber may have to handle two to three remote controllers, viz. one remote controller for the decoder, one remote controller for the TV-apparatus and one remote controller for a video set. In case the subscriber also has a CD-player with a remote controller he may feel himself somewhat confused. Another disadvantage with the decoders as hietherto known for TV-systems of the kind as mentioned in the outset is that they are normally comparatively bulky and have to be placed either on the TV-apparatus or underneath the same, or, of course, somewhere else. Sometimes, they are este- thically less attractive, and their outer appearance does not too seldom break with the outer appearance of the TV- apparatus. Still another disadvantage of the decoders as hietherto known for TV-systems of the kind as mentioned in the outset is that they do normally not permit watching the program on one channel while simultaneously recording the program on a different channel. The object of the present invention has been to provide an improved decoder for TV-systems, viz. of the kind where ^ at least some of the channels are so called pay-TV-channels, by means of which the above mentioned drawbacks are remedi- % ed. To the just mentioned end the decoder according to the present invention is characterized essentially in that that each decoder forms a self-contained unit, which is provided with at least one connection means and at least one tap means between which are coupled a plurality of decoding blocks which are disposed parallel to each other and are .adapted to decode several channels simultaneously, wherein each block is adapted to convert up "its" channel to a UHF- channel of its own, and wherein each self-contained decoding unit comprises a data channel and a control logic for remote control of the individual decoding blocks from a central administrative control unit. According to the invention it is preferred that the self-contained decoding unit also comprises a by-pass for uncoded signals. Further, it is preferred that the self-contained decod¬ ing unit is provided with connecting means and tap means for connection to an ordinary central radio antenna. The invention will be disclosed in more details below with reference had to the accompanying drawing, which very diagra atically illustrates one embodiment of a decoder according to the invention, picked as an example. The decoder shown in the drawing and generally denoted 10, is a self-contained unit, which is provided with con¬ necting means 11, not shown in detail, for connection to an existing, ordinary antenna tap, not shown, i.e. a cable-TV- tap (CATV) . The self-contained decoder unit 10 is also provided with a tap means 12, not shown in detail, to which the antenna cable of the subscriber's TV-apparatus may be connected. In the example shown the self-contained decoder unit 10 is further provided with a connecting means 13 for con¬ nection to an ordinary central radio antenna tap, not shown, and it is also provided with a tap means 14, not shown in detail, to which an ordinary radio antenna cable may be connected. The connecting means 13 and the tap means 14 form, per se, no part of the present invention for which reason they will not be disclosed in detail here. In fact, it is not even necessary for the invention that the decoder is provided with the connecting means and the tap means, respectively, for the radio antenna connection. It should be mentioned that the connecting means and the tap means, respectively, for the radio antenna connection, if present at all, may serve to stabilize the decoder unit 10 plainly mechanically, when it has been put in place. " . The decoder unit comprises a by-pass, generally denoted 15, between the connecting means 11 and the tap means 12 to . let through uncoded signals. Further, the decoder unit 10 comprises a plurality of branches 16, 17, 18 between the connecting means 11 and the tap means 12 to take care of coded signals, whereby each one of the branches 16, 17, 18 comprises a decoder block, such as the decoder block 19, for instance. These decoder blocks are disposed parallel to each other and are adapted to decode the respective channels or branches simultaneously. Each block 19 is adapted to convert up "its" channel to an own UHF-channel, which permits the channel choice to take place directly on the TV-apparatus, and, alternatively, on a further TV-apparatus or a video. The number of decoder blocks may be choosen according to the desire of each particular cable operator, and is conveniently 4 - 8, for instance. The frequency range of each decoder block is, to a certain extent, depending on the particular coding system, but a comparatively full covering range is e.g. 130 MHz - 550 MHz. Each block is adapted to be remote controlled from an existing administrative central within the cable net, via a data channel 21 and through a control logic 22, but may, on the contrary, not be controlled by the subscriber. Each decoder block 18 is individually adjustable to any one of the existing pay channels. Thus, the subscriber needs only advise the cable operator of which channels he desires, and will have these centrally picked from the administrative *" * -■ central. Further, for those operators who so desire, it is also • possible to obtain a traditional decoder function with remote control, which then operates on one of the decoder blocks. It should be mentioned that the connection means 11, 13 and the tap means 12, 14, respectively, of course may be omitted at installation of the decoder in houses under production, in which case the connection in stead takes place to the ordinary cables for cable-TV and the ordinary antenna taps, respectively, which should have been installed in the otherwise ordinary way.

Claims: Claims 1. A decoding device in TV-systems, and more particu¬ larly TV-systems of the kind where at least some of the channels are so called pay-TV-channels, characterized in that each decoder (10) forms a self-contained unit, which is provided with at least one connection means (11) and at least one tap means (12) between which are coupled a plura¬ lity of decoding blocks (19) which are disposed parallel to each other and are adapted to decode several channels simul¬ taneously, wherein each block is adapted to convert up "its" channel to a UHF-channel of its own, and wherein each self- contained decoding unit comprises a data channel (20) and a control logic (21) for remote control of the individual decoding blocks from a central administrative control unit. 2. A decoder as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the self-contained decoding unit (10) also comprises a by-pass (15) for uncoded signals. 3. A decoder as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the self-contained decoding unit (10) is provided with connecting means (13) and tap means (14) for connection to an ordinary central radio antenna. /11642 AMENDED CLAIMS PCT/SE92/00685 [received by the International Bureau on 23 April 1993 (23.04.93) ; original claim 1 amended - other claims unchanged (1 page)] 1. A decoding device in TV-systems, and more particu¬ larly TV-systems of the kind where at least some of the channels are so called pay-TV-channels, characterized in that each decoder (10) forms a self-contained unit, which is provided with at least one connection means (11) and at least one tap means (12) between which are coupled a plura¬ lity of decoding blocks (19) which are disposed " parallel to each other and are adapted to decode several channels simul¬ taneously, wherein each block is adapted to convert up "its" channel to a channel of its own, such as an UHF-channel, and wherein each self-contained decoding unit comprises a data channel (20) and a control logic (21) for remote control of the individual decoding blocks from a central administrative control unit. 2. A decoder as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the self-contained decoding unit (10) also comprises a by-pass (15) for uncoded signals. 3. A decoder as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the self-contained decoding unit (10) is provided with connecting means (13) and tap means (14) for connection to an ordinary central radio antenna.

Inventors: KAELLSTROEM ULF, KAELLSTROEM, ULF
Applicants: SWEDEN ON LINE AB
Application year: 1992
Main classification: H04N7
IPC codes: H04N7