GB2173065A

GB2173065A - Television receiver

Info

Publication number: GB2173065A
Application number: GB08525773A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeffrey Shelton; David John Sidney Westwood
Original assignee: Thorn Emi Ferguson Ltd
Current assignee: Thomson Multimedia Sales UK Ltd
Priority date: 1984-10-25
Filing date: 1985-10-18
Publication date: 1986-10-01
Also published as: GB2173065B; GB8426983D0; GB8525773D0

Abstract

Television receiver 4 has a signal receiver 5 and an encryption unit 6 for handling the three signals I for identifying intended subscriber(s), P for identifying the relevent subscription charge, and V the video signal, all originating from satellite-broadcast station 1. Television receiver 4 has a malfunction detector 15 which, while television receiver 4 is switched on, continually monitors the output of comparator 8 (i.e. position A) and the input to screen 14 (i.e. position B); if detector 15 notes that there is a signal at A but not B, it enables a testing unit 16 which looks at the signals at various locations within the circuitry; thus the malfunction can be determined and a malfunction code generator 17 provides a suitable display on screen 14. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Television receiver The present invention relates to a television receiver and particularly, but not exclusively, to one suitable for use in a subscription-television network.

The present invention provides a television receiver having: means to detect a malfunction in operation of the television receiver; means to apply one or more tests to the television receiver for identifying the reason for a malfunction; and means to produce a display on the television receiver screen indicating, in use, the results of the test(s).

The present invention also provides a television receiver for use in a subscription-television network, the television receiver having: means to detect a malfunction in operation of the television receiver; means to apply at least one test, to the television receiver, concerning its subscription status; and means to produce a display on the television receiver screen indicating, in use, the result of the test(s).

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a television network comprising: a transmission station; one or more television receivers linked, in use, to the station; at least one television receiver having means to detect a malfunction in operation of the television receiver, means to apply one or more tests to the television receiver for identifying the reason for a malfunction, and means to produce a display on the television receiver screen indicating, in use, the results of the test(s).

Furthermore, this aspect of the present invention also provides a subscription-television network comprising: a transmission station; one or more television receivers linked in use to the station; at least one television receiver having means to detect a malfunction in operation of the television receiver, means to apply at least one test, to the television receiver, concerning its subscription status, and means to produce a display on the television receiver screen indicating, in use, the result of the test(s).

A network embodying the present invention may incorporate sateliite broadcast, or terrestial broadcast or down-line transmission, or any suitable combination of these features.

In order that the invention may more readily be understood, a description is now given, by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying sole Figure of part of a subscription-television network embodying the present invention.

The subscription-television network as illustrated shows part of a satellite-broadcasting station 1 which has an encryption unit 2 and a transmitter 3 for handling three signals to be broadcast by satellite to a specific television receiver 4 belonging to a particular subscriber.

The three signals consist of: an identification signal (I) to provide security of the network and to ensure the signals are addressed to the correct subscriber, this identification signal I having two separate components, one relating to a block of subscribers for the network and the other to the individual subscriber of television receiver 4; a payment signal (P) which provides information on the cost of subscribing to the channel as a whole or to the present programme in particular, whichever is appropriate; and a television signal (V) which contains the video information for display on television 4.

Television receiver 4 has a signal receiver 5 and decryption unit 6 for handling the three signals I, P and V. When the subscriber switches television receiver 4 to a channel which is broadcast by the network 1, a subscriberidentification generator 7 is automatically enabled in order to produce a signal (S), stored therein, corresponding to the code identifying the receiver 4 as a subscriber and the appropriate network block. This signal S is passed to a comparator 8 such that, when signals S and I correspond, a switch 9 is enabled in order to allow signal P to pass on to a comparator 10.This comparator unit 10 also receives a signal M from a meter 11, to indicate the present state of the subscriber's credit with the broadcast network company which operates station 1; comparator 10 determines whether or not signal M is of greater value than signal P, so as to indicate if the subscriber can pay for reception of that television programme. The comparator 10 may also ensure updating of the subscriber's credit rating, for example by subtracting the value of signal P from the value of M currently held in meter 11.

If the comparison performed by unit 10 indicates that viewing of the programme is permitted, unit 10 enables a switch 12 which then allows the television signal V to pass through a video processing unit 13 and on to display on a screen 14.

Television receiver 4 has a malfunction detector 15 which, while television receiver 4 is switched on, continuaily monitors the output of comparator 8 (i.e. position A as marked in the Figure) and the input to screen 14 (i.e.

position B as marked in the Figure); if detector 15 notes that there is a signal at A but not B, it enables a testing unit 16 which looks at the signals at various locations within the circuitry (some of which are shown in the Figure) both between, and within the illustrated components; in this way the position of the malfunc tion can be determined and an appropriate signal passed to a malfunction code generator 17 which can then provide a suitable display on screen 14.

In this way, the subscriber can determine immediately and easily whether the malfunction is occurring because of inadequate payment to the broadcast company, or because of some electronic fault. Thus when the subscriber contacts the broadcast company in order to request the malfunction to be remedied, the subscriber can give them some information as to the reason for the malfunction. It is not necessary for the subscriber to know the reason for the malfunction; if considered appropriate, he need only note a malfunction code displayed on the screen and advise the broadcast company of that code. If it transpires that there is an electronic fault and the general region of its occurrence is known by the diagnostic method indicated above, then the station 1 may transmit some additional signals in the format of any one or more of I, P and V.These additional signals are designed such that monitoring by unit 16 of their passage through television receiver 4 can increase knowledge about the reason for the malfunction, and hence more specific information as to the reason can be displayed on screen 14.

In a modification to the network as described and illustrated above, the testing unit 16 may be activated to a malfunction-diagnosis procedure, additionally or alternatively, by manual operation; in another modification, the testing unit 16 is also activated to do a malfunction-diagnosis procedure automatically when the receiver is switched to a channel broadcast by the subscription-network.

In another modification, an output signal from generator 17 indicating the nature of the malfunction is returned to station 1 either by down-loading a telephone line or by passage along a return path of a cable-television network.

In another modification, an auxiliary display (e.g. a seven-character LED device) is electri daily connected to receiver 4, thereby to show the amount in credit and/or the malfunction code.

Claims

1. A television receiver having: means to detect a malfunction in operation of the television receiver; means to apply one or more tests to the television receiver for identifying the reason for a malfunction; and means to produce a display on the television receiver screen indicating, in use, the results of the test(s).

2. A television receiver for use in a subscription-television network, the television receiver having: means to detect a malfunction in operation of the television receiver; means to apply at least one test, to the television receiver, concerning its subscription status; and means to produce a display on the television receiver screen indicating, in use, the result of the test(s).

3. A television receiver substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the sole accompanying Figure.

4. A television network comprising: a transmission station; one or more television receivers linked, in use, to the station; at least one television receiver having means to detect a malfunction in operation of the television receiver, means to apply one or more tests to the television receiver for identifying the reason for a malfunction, and means to produce a display on the television receiver screen indicating, in use, the results of the test(s).

5. A subscription-television network comprising: a transmission station; one or more television receivers linked in use to the station; at least one television receiver having means to detect a malfunction in operation of the television receiver, means to apply at least one test, to the television receiver, concerning its subscription status, and means to produce a display on the television receiver screen indicating, in use, the result of the test(s).

6. A television network substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the sole accompanying Figure.