Richard William Frederick

US Patent:

49264443, May 15, 1990

Filed:

Apr 29, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/187978

Inventors:

Scott L. Hamilton - Duluth GA
Michael P. Harney - Atlanta GA
David J. Naddor - Doraville GA
James O. Farmer - Lilburn GA
Richard B. Frederick - Doraville GA
Randolph J. Schaubs - Stone Mountain GA

Assignee:

Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

H04L 526

US Classification:

375 9

Abstract:

Apparatus for transmitting and receiving a period shift keyed data stream comprises a data processor such as a microprocessor which may control the generation of the waveform as well as the determination of the bit values of an incoming signal. When the data to be transmitted comprises a plurality of data values, each data value is represented by a different predetermined frequency. Further, each data value is represented by the transmission of the predetermined frequency for a predetermined transitionary interval plus one cycle or period. One portion of the transitionary interval precedes and the remaining portion follows the one cycle. For example, the data value may be represented by a three cycle burst of frequency such that, in determining the represented data value, two cycles of transitionary interval are detected but ignored and the central cycle of the three cycle burst is timed for determining the data value by edge detection techniques. Consequently, transitionary influences caused by changes in frequency do not adversely affect data value determination.

US Patent:

50033840, Mar 26, 1991

Filed:

Apr 1, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/176776

Inventors:

Gregory S. Durden - Jonesboro GA
Ray T. Haman - Duluth GA
Scott L. Hamilton - Duluth GA
Richard B. Frederick - Doraville GA
David J. Naddor - Doraville GA
Randolph J. Schaubs - Stone Mountain GA

Assignee:

Scientific Atlanta, Inc. - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

H04N 7167
H04N 710

US Classification:

358 84

Abstract:

An impulse pay-per-view system wherein a number of downloadable transactions may be utilized to effect increased control and diversity is disclosed. A preview time/free transaction permits a system subscriber to view portions of a pay-per-view event without purchasing the event. A security transaction sent while a pay-per-view event is active may be used to prevent a subscriber from receiving events which have not been purchased. A telephone number transaction may include a special character representing an instruction to pause between the dialing of selected digits. A viewer statistic transaction may be use dot instruct a subscriber to record the channel he is viewing. Finally, a subscriber may pre-buy pay-preview events in order to facilitate VCR recording of the events while he is asleep or away from home.