Importance

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Abstract

An improved system for the integration of off-air and satellite TV tuners in a direct broadcast system, comprising a source of an RF television signal, a TV tuner coupled to the RF signal source for demodulating the RF signal and producing baseband video and audio signals, a satellite antenna for receiving a data stream including direct broadcast satellite signals, a direct broadcast satellite tuner coupled to the satellite antenna for converting and demodulating the incoming signals to video and audio baseband output signals. An electronic program guide is included as part of the data stream received along with the direct broadcast satellite signals. A microprocessor is coupled to the direct broadcast satellite tuner for conditioning the electronic program guide. A multiplexer is coupled to the TV tuner, the broadcast satellite tuner, the electronic program guide and the microprocessor and is used to switch the signals and source so that an appropriate output signal can be directed to a display device for using the baseband video and audio signals. A controller is provided for the selection of the desired program channel from the guide and the automatic switching of the appropriate video and audio baseband signals and the signal source for the selected program. The user programs the zip code into the system for localizing the electronic programming guide used in the selection process.

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First Claim