Importance

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Abstract

A remotely located and controlled programming controller for a cable-compatible television receiver is disclosed. Cable head end-generated control signals are provided by wire to the cable TV controller for selectively enabling the reception of subscribed-to CATV channels by the television receiver. Coded subscriber addressing and operating mode control signals are provided to each controller in the cable network for selectively enabling/disabling each controller for limiting cable programming distribution. Each controller is responsive to transmitted operating mode control data bits for enabling/disabling individual cable channel reception. In addition, each controller is assigned and responsive to subsequently transmitted, uniquely coded address identifier data bits. Operating mode control and address data are represented respectively by the first and last bit groups of the head end-generated cable access signal. The programming controller may be remotely located in coupling the television receiver to the cable network with system status monitoring provided by head end-generated probe signals for enhanced programming security.

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First Claim