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

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/970,215, filed Dec. 16, 2010 and to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/412,552, filed Nov. 11, 2010. 
     
    
       [0002]    I. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present application relates generally to audio video (AV) devices that are sold with TV tuners and, e.g., demodulators external to the devices but bundled therewith. 
         [0004]    II. Background of the Invention 
         [0005]    Consumers may prefer audio video (AV) devices that do not have TV tuners because the consumer may plan to use CE device solely to obtain video over the Internet, and not to receive conventional TV programming. A non-limiting example of a “TV tuner” is defined in 47 CFR 15.117, incorporated herein by reference. In any case, the consumer has no reason to pay for an added component (a TV tuner) that the consumer does not need., Manufacturers of CE devices, however, are motivated to sell such devices with TV tuners because TVs may enjoy tariff advantages over non-TV CE devices, and because manufacturers may believe selling a full TV-enabled device is necessary from a marketing standpoint to advertise selling a “full”consumer line. 
         [0006]    As understood herein, however, a TV-enabled device is encumbered with a National Television System Committee (NTSC) and/or digital Advanced Television System Committee (ATSC) tuner. Particularly with respect to ATSC tuners, license fees typically must be paid by the manufacturer, which passes the cost along to the consumer including consumers who do not plan to use the TV tuner. Also, once a CE device is classified as a TV, it is further encumbered by many other regulatory compliance requirements. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    As understood herein, it would be desirable to provide a product that allows a manufacturer to achieve a cost savings, while meeting, all the above criteria. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, a method includes providing a consumer electronics (CE) device having no. TV tuner with a TV tuner module external to the CE device and connectable thereto to send TV signals to a processor in the CE device. The method includes instructing a purchaser of the CE device with tuner module to connect the tuner module to the CE device if the purchaser desires the CE device to be configured with TV tuner capabilities. Furthermore, the method includes instructing the purchaser to return the module if the purchaser does not desire the CE device to be configured with TV tuner capabilities. 
         [0009]    If desired, the module and device are provided, together in a common shipping container. In example embodiments the module is in an envelope in the shipping container along with the instructions to the consumer to connect the tuner module to the CE device if TV capabilities are desired and to return the module for a rebate if TV capabilities are not desired. The instructions can be provided on a substrate in the container and/or on a computer readable storage medium in the CE device for presentation thereof on a display of the device. The purchaser may be instructed that a rebate will be paid to the purchaser upon return of the tuner module. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, a method includes providing a consumer electronics (CE) device having a TV module receptacle with a TV tuner module removably engaged with the receptacle. The method also includes instructing a purchaser of the CE device with tuner module to leave the tuner module installed in the receptacle of the CE device if the purchaser desires the CE device to be configured with TV tuner capabilities. Additionally, the method includes instructing the purchaser to remove the module from the receptacle and return the module to a predetermined address if the purchaser does not desire the CE device to be configured with TV tuner capabilities. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, an assembly includes a shipping container, a CE device in the shipping container and a TV tuner module in the shipping container. Instructions are contained on a substrate or on a computer readable storage medium. The instructions are to a purchaser of the assembly to engage or keep engaged the TV tuner module with the CE device if the purchaser desires the CE device to be configured with TV tuner capabilities and to return the TV tuner module, but not the CE device, to a predetermined address if the purchaser does not desire the CE device to be configured with TV tuner capabilities. 
         [0012]    The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a non-limiting example system in accordance with present principles, showing the envelope in phantom and showing portions of the CE device schematically; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart of logic related to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of another non-limiting example system in accordance with present principles, showing portions of the CE device schematically and showing the removable TV tuner module in an exploded relationship with the CE device chassis; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart of logic related to  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0017]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a shipping container  10  is shown which contains a consumer electronics (CE) device  12  and an envelope  14  holding a TV tuner module  16 , which contains a TV timer such as but not limited to an NTSC and/or ATSC tuner. Absent the TV tuner module  16 , the CE device  12  preferably has no TV tuner. The envelope  14  advantageously can be pre-addressed to be mailed back to an address of the manufacturer according to principles set forth further below. 
         [0018]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the chassis  18  of the CE device  12  includes a video display  20  controlled by a processor  22  accessing one or more disk-based and/or solid state storage media  24 . The processor  22  may also communicate with a network interface  26  such as a wireless or wired modem or wireless telephony transceiver to obtain video from the Internet for display on the display  20 . Also, the processor  22  can communicate with an input port  28  such as a universal serial bus (USB) port into which a USB cable  30  of the TV tuner module  16  may be plugged according to instructions to the consumer printed on a substrate  32  in the envelope  14  or elsewhere as described further below. The instructions discussed below alternatively made be presented on the display  20  at initial power on. 
         [0019]    Referring: to  FIG. 2 , block  34 , at the point of Sale of the CE device  12 , the device  12  is bundled with the tuner, module  16  in the container  10 . This bundling meets the requirements for the CE device  12  to be considered a TV receiver. The TV tuner module  16  may be disposed separately from the chassis  18  of the CE device  12  as shown, in the envelope  14  if desired. 
         [0020]    After a consumer purchases the CE device the consumer decides whether he wishes to use the TV tuner function. The consumer at block  36  accordingly is instructed, by means of the above-mentioned instructions, to engage the tuner module  16  with the CE device  12  if the consumer wishes the CE device  12  to possess TV functionality, i.e., to be able to display TV programming from an antenna, set top box, satellite dish, and the like. The instructions in the embodiment shown instruct the consumer to plug the USB cable  30  of the. TV tuner module  16  into the USB port  28  of the CE device  12 . 
         [0021]    The instructions also, at block  38 , inform the consumer that the consumer need not select to use the tuner module, and that, in some embodiments, if the consumer returns the module to the manufacturer a rebate will be paid to the consumer. It will now be appreciated that using a pre-addressed envelope  14 , preferably sealed, the consumer is facilitated in returning the tuner module and if the envelope remained sealed because the consumer never opened it, quality inspection of the returned module advantageously is reduced. 
         [0022]    In the event that the consumer returns the module to the manufacturer, at block  40  the consumer is duly paid a rebate in embodiments that use rebates. At block  42  royalty payments from the manufacturer of the CE device to the manufacturer of the tuner module can be adjusted to reflect the fact that the CE device remains a non-TV device, e.g., any ATSC royalty paid by the manufacturer on account of the initial sale of the CE device  12  with tuner module  16  and administered by a licensing agency can be credited or refunded back to the manufacturer of the CE device  12 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  shows an alternate system in which a CE device  44  may be formed with a tuner module receptacle  46  configured to hold a TV tuner module  48  containing a TV tuner or tuners. The chassis of the device  44  includes a video display  50  controlled by a processor  52  accessing one or more disk-based and/or solid state storage media  54 . The processor  52  may also communicate with a network interface  56  such as a wireless or wired modem or wireless telephony transceiver to obtain video from the Internet for display on the display  50 . When the TV tuner module  48  is engaged with the receptacle  46 , electrical communication is established between the module  48  and processor  52 . 
         [0024]    In any case and referring now to  FIG. 4 , at block  58  the TV module  48  may be vended with the CE device  44  installed in the receptacle  46 . Instructions may be presented on a substrate such as the substrate shown in  FIG. 1  or on the display  50  to instruct the consumer, at block  60 , to remove the module  48  from the receptacle  46  if TV capability is not desired for the CE device  44 . The consumer may be further instructed at block  62  to return the tuner module  48  to the manufacturer of the CE device  44 , e.g., using a pre-addressed envelope such as the one shown in  FIG. 1 , and if desired the instructions may promise the consumer a rebate. 
         [0025]    Moving to block  64  the consumer is duly paid a rebate in embodiments that use rebates and royalty payments from the manufacturer of the CE device to the manufacturer of the tuner module can be adjusted to reflect the fact that the CE device remains a non-TV device, e.g., any ATSC royalty paid by the manufacturer on account of the initial sale of the CE device  12  with tuner module  16  can be credited or refunded back to the manufacturer of the CE device  12 . 
         [0026]    While the particular AUDIO VIDEO DEVICE WITH EXTERNALLY BUNDLED TV TUNER is herein shown and described in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter which is encompassed by the present invention is limited only by the claims.