REDUCING TV LICENSING COSTS
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present application relates generally to reducing licensing costs of televisions
and other audio-video display apparatus.
II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Televisions incorporate a host of technologies to enable a viewer to watch
programming from a variety of sources. These sources include terrestrial broadcast
sources of analog (using National Television System Committee, or NTSC, format) and
digital (using Advanced Television System Committee, or ATSC, format) TV signals.
ATSC signals typically use video compression known as Motion Picture Experts Group
(MPEG-2) and TVs must consequently support MPEG-2 decompression if they support
ATSC programming.
Cable-provided "basic" television programming can also be provided in NTSC or
quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) format Cable-provided "enhanced"
programming may also be provided using high definition multimedia interface (HDMI)
principles. Likewise, satellite-provided TV signals may be received in HDMI. As well,
video from the Internet can be displayed on many modern TVs in a variety of formats,
including data over cable service Internet specification (DOCSIS) format Furthermore,
TVs are often configured to support multiple audio formats, including advanced audio
coding (AAQ, Audio code 3 (AC3), digital theater system (DTS), and so on. And as
contemporary viewers know, TVs are expected to support the presentation of electronic
program guides (EPGs).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
As understood herein, various TV technologies require license fees to be paid. As
further understood herein, many technologies that must be built in to modem TVs to
support various program sources may not be used. As but one example, present principles
understand that an ATSC demodulator and MPEG decoder are not used in a TV that
receives only enhanced cable programming from a set-top box (STB) or satellite TV
signals from a satellite TV integrated receiver/decoder ( D), because baseband HDMI
signals are received by the TV from the STB or IRD. Further, the present application
understands that a terrestrially-broadcast EPG is not used under the conditions in the
preceding sentence since the cable or satellite provider sends its own EPO for display, and
the terrestrial broadcast EPG is of no use unless the user configures the TV connections to
receive and display terrestrial TV signals. Nonetheless, license fees for the unused
technologies are still paid, unnecessarily cascading cost.
Accordingly, a method includes, with a terrestrial broadcast quadrature amplitude
modulation (QAM) demodulator assembly and/or an advanced television systems
committee (ATSC) demodulator assembly of a TV deactivated and prior to purchasing a
license for the ATSC demodulator assembly of the TV, deterrnining whether a voltage
exists in an automatic gain adjust (AGC) component of TV signal receiving assembly.
Typically, AGC refers to an automatic gain adjusting signal that is generated by one
component for use in another component and accordingly an AGC component is a
component in which such a signal exists. Responsive to determining that a voltage exists
in the AGC component of the TV signal receiving assembly, the method includes
activating a national television systems committee (NTSC) demodulator assembly to
process TV signals from the AGC component t is determined whether energy in a nonNTSC
portion of the spectrum exists in the TV signals and responsive to a determination
that energy in a non-NTSC portion of the spectrum does not exist in die TV signals, the
ATSC demodulator is maintained deactivated and a license for the ATSC demodulator
assembly is not requested. The TV signals are processed using the NTSC demodulator for
presentation of the TV signals on a TV display. On the other hand, responsive to a
determination mat energy in a non-NTSC portion of the spectrum exists in the TV signals,
the ATSC demodulator assembly is activated to process the TV signals from the AGC
component Also, a license for the ATSC demodulator assembly of the TV is requested.
If desired, responsive to a determination that energy in a non-NTSC portion of the
spectrum exists in the TV signals, the method may include sending a request to a licensing
authority for a license for the ATSC demodulator. The request can include a unique
identifier of the TV such as a combination of a serial number of the TV and a model
number of the TV, or a high definition content protection (HDCP) key selection vector
(KSV), or a digital transmission content protection (DTCP) certificate.
In example embodiments the method may include receiving license information
responsive to the request The ATSC demodulator cannot be activated without the license
information, such that the act of activating the ATSC demodulator assembly to process the
TV signals from the AGC component cannot occur prior to receiving the license
information. In an alternative embodiment, however, the ATSC demodulator can be
activated without the license information, such that the act of activating the ATSC
demodulator assembly to process the TV signals from the AGC component can occur and
the ATSC demodulator used to process the TV signals at least for a limited time period
prior to receiving the license information.
In another aspect, an audio video (AV) assembly has a terrestrial broadcast
advanced television systems committee (ATSC) demodulator assembly deactivated prior
to purchasing a license for the ATSC demodulator assembly. A processor in the AV
assembly determines whether a physical condition exists in the AV assembly and
responsive to determining that the physical condition exists, automatically activates the
ATSC demodulator assembly and otherwise does not activate the ATSC demodulator
assembly. The activating includes communicating a request mat results in a transaction
related to die ATSC assembly to a licensing entity.
In another aspect, a TV includes at least one licensable component for which a
license has not been obtained prior to vending the TV. A processor in the TV determines
whether a condition exists in the TV and responsive to determining that the condition
exists, activates die licensable component. Otherwise the processor does not activate the
licensable component The activating includes communicating information related to a
license related to the licensable component to a licensing entity.
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 tike reference
numerals refer to like parts, and in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a block diagram of a non-limiting example system in accordance with
present principles;
Figure 2 is a block diagram of an example TV;
Figure 3 is a flow chart of non-limiting TV set up logic in accordance with present
principles;
Figure 4 is a flow chart of non-limiting logic for automatically detecting whether
an ATSC demodulator is required to be activated;
Figures 5-7 are schematic diagrams illustrating alternate methods for activating an
ATSC demodulator, and
Figure 8 is a flow chart of non-limiting logic for licensing a component in a TV.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring initially to the non-limiting example embodiment show in Figure 1, a
system 10 includes an audio video device such as a TV 12 including a TV tuner 16
communicating with a TV processor 18 accessing a tangible computer readable storage
medium 20 such as disk-based or solid state storage. The TV 12 can output audio on one
or more speakers 22. The TV 12 can receive streaming video from the Internet using a
built-in wired or wireless modem 24 communicating with the processor 12 which may
execute a software-implemented browser 26. Video is presented under control of the TV
processor 18 on a TV display 28 such as but not limited to a high definition TV (HDTV)
flat panel display. User commands to the processor 18 may be wirelessly received from a
remote control (RC) 30 using, e.g., if or infrared.
TV programming from one or more terrestrial TV broadcast sources 32 as received
by a terrestrial broadcast antenna 34 which communicates with the TV 12 may be
presented on die display 28 and speakers 22. The terrestrial broadcast programming may
conform to digital ATSC standards and may carry within it a terrestrial broadcast EPG,
although the terrestrial broadcast EPG may be received from alternate sources, e.g., the
Internet via Ethernet, or cable communication link, or satellite communication link.
TV programming from a cable TV head end 36 may also be received at the TV for
presentation of TV signals on the display 28 and speakers 22. When basic cable only is
desired, the cable from the wall typically carries TV signals in QAM or NTSC format and
is plugged directly into the "F-type connector" 38 on the TV chassis in the U.S., although
the connector used for this purpose in other countries may vary. In contrast, when the user
has an extended cable subscription for instance, the signals from the head end 36 are
typically sent through a STB 40 which may be separate from or integrated within the TV
chassis but in any case which sends HDMI baseband signals to the TV.
Similarly, HDMI baseband signals transmitted from a satellite source 42 of TV
broadcast signals received by an integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) 44 associated with a
home satellite dish may be input to the TV 12 for presentation on die display 28 and
speakers 22. Also, streaming video may be received from the Internet 46 for presentation
on the display 28 and speakers 22. The streaming video may be received at the computer
modem 24 or it may be received at an in-home modem 48 mat is externa] to the TV 12 and
conveyed to the TV 12 over a wired or wireless Ethernet link and received at an RJ45 or
802.11 antenna on the TV chassis.
Figure 2 shows details of an example TV 12. As shown, the terrestrial signal in
ATSC format is input to the TV tuner 16, as is basic cable in NTSC or QAM format in the
event mat basic cable is used and the wall cable plugged into the F-type connector 38. On
the other hand, streaming Internet video may be received at a DOCSIS tuner SO and
demodulated/decoded at a DOCSIS decoder/demodulator 52. Typically, the DOCSIS
components are housed separately from the TV 12 but in some embodiments may be
included in the chassis of die TV 12.
The output of the tuner 16, depending on the signal format received, may be sent to
an TSC decoder/demodulator 54, or a QAM decoder/demodulator 56, or an ATSC
decoder/demodulator 58. The output from the NTSC decoder/demodulator 54 can be sent
directly to the display 28 and speakers 22 for presentation. On the other hand, the output
from the digital decoder/demodulators 56, 58 typically is sent to a transport stream
demultiplexer 60, which separates the desired program from other programs in the selected
stream and sends the desired program to an MPEG video decoder 62, which in turn
uncompresses the MPEG desired program and sends the uncompressed program to the TV
display 28 for presentation. Audio from die demultiplexer 60 may be sent to an audio
decoder 64 which in turn sends die decoded audio to the speakers 22 for presentation.
In contrast to the sequence of decoder/demodulators, demultiplexer, and MPEG
decoders discussed above, video from either the STB 40 or 1RD 44 is in baseband HDMI
when it is received by the TV 12. Accordingly, the signals from the STB 40 or IRD 44 are
sent directly to the TV display 28 for presentation without further video decompression
between the STB 40 or IRD 44 and TV display 28. Audio from the STB 40 or IRD 44
may still be in a format, e.g., AC3, mat requires decoding prior to play on the speakers 22
so the audio may be sent through the audio decoder 64 as shown. Likewise, audio from
the ATSC terrestrial source 32 may be in AC3 format and so may be sent through the
audio decoder 64. Internet video from the DOCSIS decoder/demodulator 52 may be sent
through the demultiplexer 60 and decoders 62, 64 as shown.
Now referring to Figure 3, at block 66 a user of the TV 12 can be conducted, using
onscreen user interfaces (UI), through a set-up routine upon first power on or thereafter
from a menu to set up various features of the TV. As an example, the user may be asked,
for one or more licensable components within the TV, if the user desires to use that
component. This may be done implicitly, e.g., by asking the user if the user wishes to
automatically scan the broadcast spectrum to detect channels, in which case it may be
inferred that the ATSC decoder/demodulator 58 and MPEG decoder 62 will be required
and, hence, mat licenses to use those components will be needed. Also, in this latter case
it may be inferred that a license to the terrestrial broadcast EPG may be required, whereas
such a license would not be required if terrestrial broadcast were not being used as an
input source.
Or again, the user may be given the choice to receive Internet video through the
built-in modem 24 or from an external modem 48 and if the latter is chosen, no license
need be obtained for the internal browser 26; otherwise, a license may be required to use
the internal browser 26.
Proceeding to block 68, for each license mat is inferred to be required based on the
user set-up selections at block 66, the TV 12 uploads a request for the license over the
Internet, for example, or back through a two-way cable system, etc. Or, as explained
further below the request may be made by telephone. Regardless of how made, the
request typically identifies the component for which a license is required based on user
input at block 66 along with a unique identification of the TV, e.g., a hash of the TV
model number and serial number, in some embodiments encrypted if desired. The request
may be made at set-up time. Alternatively, the request may be cached for later upload
when, e.g., an appropriate broadband connection is sensed. In any case, the request may
be sent to an Internet server at a prestored Internet address or to a cable head end or to
another appropriate licensing entity or agent.
Block 70 indicates that assuming it passes authentication the TV 12 receives back
the license in the form of licensing information, typically a code that must be input to the
TV processor 1 to enable or unlock die associated component The code may be
automatically input to the appropriate internal components of the TV at block 72 or the
code may be displayed on the TV and the user prompted by means of an onscreen U to
enter the code using, e.g., the RC 30. Proper input of the code activates the related
component within the TV. Block 74 simply indicates that license fee data is maintained
and used to generate billing information from the licensing agency to the manufacturer of
the TV, and may also be used to generate marketing data as discussed further below. The
data may be kept in the TV until uploaded to a licensing entity/agent by means noted
above.
Figure 4 shows that automatic license determinations may be made outside of a
user set-up routine if desired. n the example shown in Figure 4, commencing at decision
diamond 76 it is determined whether a predetermined physical condition exists in the TV,
e.g., a particular kind of connection, from which it may be inferred what licensable
components will be required. In the example of Figure 4, the physical condition is the
presence of a voltage in the automatic gain control (AGC) circuitry of the tuner 16, which
would occur when, for instance, a connection is made at the TV chassis to the terrestrial
antenna 34 or when a cable from the wall is connected to the F-type connector 38.
When the tested-fbr physical condition exists, the logic flows to block 78, in this
example to activate the NTSC demodulator 54. This is done recognizing that NTSC
demodulators typically require no licenses, so to avoid unnecessarily requesting licenses,
the signal at the tuner 1 is first tested to determine if it is an NTSC signal. Decision
diamond 80 indicates that the test may be whether "noise", is present in the signal.
If the test indicates that NTSC signals only are present the logic ends, but
otherwise the logic flows to block 82 to activate the QAM decoder/demodulator 56. If
QAM only is detected (by die QAM decoder/demodulator 56 recognizing QAM signals
and/or no noise) die logic ends, but if die QAM decoderfdemodulator 56 does not
recognize the signal, this indicates that the signal is neither QAM nor (from decision
diamond 80) NTSC, with the inference thus being that the signal is ATSC requiring use of
the ATSC decoder/demodulator 58, which is activated at block 86 to process the signal.
At block 88 an uplink is obtained by the TV processor 18 to the above-described licensing
entity/agent to obtain the license code discussed above using the unique ID of the TV, and
at block 90 die code is received and used as necessary to permit use of the ATSC
decoder/demodulator 58.
Or, the step at block 90 can be omitted and the ATSC decoder/demodulator 58
immediately activated on the assumption mat the processor 18 is programmed to send a
message to the licensing entity/agent that licensing accounting is to be generated after
activation of die ATSC decoder/demodulator 58.
Yet again, as shown in dashed lines in Figure 4 the logic may flow first from
decision diamond 84 to blocks 88 and 90 to obtain the licensing "unlock" code and men
back to block 86 to activate the ATSC decoder/demodulator 58 using the code, to ensure
that no use may be made of the ATSC decoder/demodulator 58 until such time as the
licensing entity/agent has been informed of its use, has authenticated the TV for the
necessary ATSC license, and has determined that under business rules the license code
should be downloaded to fulfill the request
Additional example inference rules that may be employed pursuant to
automatically obtaining needed component licenses after vending the TV to avoid paying
for unnecessary licenses prior to sale of the TV include, if there is ATSC present, it is less
likely that QAM will be found; if ATSC is present, the total number of ATSC channels
will be much smaller than the number for QAM channels. Also, when signals are received
from an external modem 48, audio video programming does not require use of the built-in
browser 26 and so receipt of video over an Ethernet link without receipt of signals at the
internal modem 24 may be inferred to mean that the browser 26 is not in use.
Figures 5-7 illustrate logic that may be used during setup to obtain licenses. Using,
e.g., the RC 30, a person may input 92 a request to conduct auto-scan of available
terrestrial or cable or satellite channels from, e.g., an onscreen setup menu presented on an
audio video display product 94 (which may be implemented by the TV 12). In response,
the AV display product sends an activation request for, e.g., the ATSC
decoder/demodulator 58 which may include the tuner ID and product 94 ID and/or the
decoder/demodulator 58 ID/product 94 ID. Activation of the ATSC decoder/demodulator
58 is executed at 96 using activation codes from one or more licensing entities/agents such
as server 98, provided the licensing entities/agents detennine, based on the information
received from the product 94, that the product is entitled to a license for the requested
component If desired, the TV may be vended with essential executable code missing
from licensable components so that the components are not only non-enabled, they are
non-functional. The activation codes sent to the TV pursuant to a license request in such
embodiments may include the essential code that had been missing to render the
components not only activated, but functional as well
A log may be kept by the licensing entities/agents indicating what products and
what components in those products have been activated and based on mat log, licensing
accounting data may be generated for purposes of presenting licensing invoices for
activated components to the manufacturer of the product 94. In any case, 100 indicates
that the product 94 receives the activation response, e.g., activation codes, to activate the
demodulator/decoder 58 at 101, which converts the product 94 to an ATSC-capable
device. The user may be notified using onscreen notification that ATSC programming
may now be viewed using the product 94.
Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment Using, e.g., the RC 30, a person may
input 102 a request to conduct auto-scan of available terrestrial or cable or satellite
channels from, e.g., an onscreen setup menu presented on an audio video display product
94 (which may be implemented by the TV 12). In response, at 104 telephone information
including a phone number to a licensing entity/agent is prepared and the user notified 106
of the information by means of, e.g., a user interface or prompt presented on the product
94. The user enters 108 the information into a telephone, either by speaking the number or
by holding the telephone adjacent a speaker on the product 94 for receiving dual tone
multifrequency (DTMF) tones from the product mat are detected by the telephone and
used to automatically dial the number using, e.g., a voice response unit (VRU) 110.
Other alternate embodiments involve sending short message service (SMS)
messages to a server to send the above information or scanning bar-type codes on the TV
or component to send the requisite information to the server to obtain the license. In any
case, determining what licenses are needed may be accomplished upon start up and/or
periodically during operation.
Tuner activation is generated at 112 by licensing entities/agents 114 such as
Internet servers and the activation code discussed above sent 116 to the VRU 110, which
presents the code to the user to complete the activation process at 120. Activation of the
licensable component, e.g., the ATSC decoder/demodulator 58, is executed at 101, which
converts the product 94 to an ATSC-capable device. The user may be notified using
onscreen notification that ATSC programming may now be viewed using the product 94.
Figure 7 shows another alternative embodiment Using, e.g., the RC 30, a person
may input 122 a request to conduct auto-scan of available terrestrial or cable or satellite
channels from, e.g., an onscreen setup menu presented on an audio video display product
94 (which may be implemented by the TV 12). In response, at 124 Internet information
including an Internet address of a licensing entity/agent is prepared and the user notified
126 of the information by means of, e.g., a user interface or prompt presented on the
product 94. The user enters 128 the information into, e.g., a home computer 127.
Tuner activation is generated at 130 by licensing entities/agents 132 such as Internet
servers and the activation code discussed above sent 134 to the computer, which presents
136 the code to the user by means of, e.g., a web page or telephone to complete the
activation process at 138. Activation of the licensable component, eg., the ATSC
decoder/demodulator 58, is executed at 101, which converts the product 94 to an ATSCcapable
device. The user may be notified using onscreen notification that ATSC
programming may now be viewed using the product 94.
Alternatively, licensing information may be exchanged using short message
service (SMS) codes or by using bar codes. To use bar codes the TV can include a camera
that images the bar codes on various components, which are interpreted by the processor
1 as identifying information.
In some instances, if only a limited number (e.g., two) NTSC channels are needed,
a limited and less expensive license may be requested and granted to permit access to only
those two channels through the NTSC demodulator with a license being requested and
granted to any component such as a stereo audio decoder should the legacy device
(typically, a VCR) use such audio.
Figure 8 shows logic that may be executed by a licensing entity/agent computer.
Commencing at block 140, a license request from, e.g., the TV 12 is received at, e.g., any
of the above-described servers or head ends, which are programmed with software to
execute the logic shown in Figure 8. The unique ID discussed above is looked up at block
142 and the requesting device is authenticated at decision diamond 144 by, e.g.,
determining if the device is on a list of approved devices. If desired, it may be further
determined whether a license for the particular licensable component mat is the subject of
the request has already been granted and if so, authentication fails. If the requesting
device is approved and a license for the licensable component that is the subject of the
request has not already been granted, the logic moves to block 146 to send license
information, e.g., activation codes, to the requesting device.
Block 148 indicates that license accounting data is generated pursuant to sending
the activation code to the requesting device. This accounting data can be used to effect
remuneration from the manufacturer of the requesting device to the licensing authority for
the component that is the subject of the request. At block I O the authorized device
database is modified to record the grant of the license.
Marketing data may be generated at block 1S2 based on the license grant As an
example, the total number of devices vended with the licensable component may be
compared against the number of licenses granted to requesting devices to ascertain usage
of the component compared to other components within the requesting device. For
instance, it might be noted that 30% of vended devices of a particular TV model ever
request activation of the ATSC tuner. This data can moreover be correlated to
demographic data obtained during device registration so that, as an example, of the 30% of
devices requesting activation of the TV tuner, it can be known which geographic region
was more likely to request such activation, or which demographic age group, etc. It may
be further ascertained, using device registration information submitted by purchasers, that
of the devices requesting activation of the ATSC tuner, for example, 90% of those devices
were second or third home TVs that consequently can be inferred to lack a cable or
satellite hookup.
It is preferred mat once a licensable component has been activated by obtaining a
license for it, it cannot subsequently be deactivated by the user, to avoid multiple license
payments for the same component Accordingly, the TV processor 18 may be
programmed to refuse deactivation commands from the user if any are input for any
component that has been activated and licensed, at least insofar as deactivation would
require another license to reactivate.
Verification of license may also be provided by die TV processor so mat, for
example, if a component license is requested by the TV but the corresponding feature
never used within some period of time, the TV can retract the license request and any
license fees refunded as a result
Without limitation, the need for paying for licenses for the following technologies
may be determined during TV set-up or subsequently by automatically detecting whether
the technologies are being used:
VIDEO DECODERS
MPEG-2 video, MPEG-2 video with optical disk, MPEG4 advanced video coding
(AVC), MPEG4 Visual, MPEG video codec (VC) 1
AUDIO DECODERS
unified AAC (MPEG 2&4 AAC) 2ch, unified AAC (MPEG 2&A AAC) 3ch,
Dolby Digital AC3 2ch, Dolby Digital AC3 S.lch, Dolby Digital Plus (DD+) 2ch,
ProLogic2 (Surround Sound), MPEG audio 1&2 layer 1, 2, 3) MP3, DTSJBlueray disk
(BD) (2CH/2CH+ Digital Out), BBE Sound, sound retrieval system (SRS) sound
EPGs
Gemstar Guide EPG, non-Gemstar EPG (SI-EPG)
DEMODULATORS
Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB) (D+BS+CS), ATSC,
digital video broadcasting (terrestrial) (DVB-T)
OTHER COMPONENTS INCLUDING DIGITAL RIGHTS
MANAGEMENT (DRM)
Joint Photographic Expert Group (JPEG), digital transmission content protection
(DTCP)/AACP/Open MG, HDMI, System Synchronized Brightness Control (contrast
enhancement), Inverter controller integrated circuit (IC), IEEE 802.1 1 wireless license,
IEEE 802.1 1(n), BD Pool (player), BD Pool (recorder), digital video disk (DVD) format,
IEEE 802.1 1/16, IEEE 1394
SOFTWARE
JAVA, MHP/Ginga interactive TV software, JAVA-BD combination, DivX codec
software, Windows Media Audio, Windows Media Video, Windows Media Network read,
Windows Media digital rights management (DRM), audio watermark, Netfront, web
browser software.
Additionally, production encryption keys and test encryption keys may be used to
permit testing a licensable component in production, pre-sale, without triggering the
above-described license request mechanisms. A TV may be placed in a test activation
mode used only in the manufacturing or test phase, and if desired the test mode may have
a hardwired time out. A test key or keys can be used to activate licensable components
and the license request algorithm recognizes a test key and responsive to the recognition
does not request a license. The test activation mode may be hardwired to deactivate after a
single power cycle and the TV processor may not permit reactivation of the test mode
thereafter. Activation of a licensable component thereafter requires a production key
which is associated with a license request
While the particular REDUCING TV LICENSING COSTS is herein shown and
described in detail, it is to be understood mat the subject matter which is encompassed by
die present invention is limited only by the claims.
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. Method comprising:
with a terrestrial broadcast advanced television systems committee (ATSC)
demodulator assembly (58) of a TV (12) deactivated and prior to purchasing a license for
the ATSC demodulator assembly of the TV, determining (76) whether a voltage exists in
an automatic gain adjust (AGC) component of TV signal receiving assembly (16);
responsive to determining mat a voltage exists in die AGC component of
the TV signal receiving assembly, activating (78) a national television systems committee
(NTSC) demodulator assembly (54) to process TV signals from the AGC component;
determining (80) whether energy in a non-NTSC portion of the spectrum
exists in the TV signals;
responsive to a determination mat energy in a non-NTSC portion of the
spectrum does not exist in the TV signals, maintaining the ATSC demodulator assembly
deactivated and not requesting a license for the ATSC demodulator assembly of the TV
and processing the TV signals using the NTSC demodulator for presentation of the TV
signals on a TV display; and
responsive to a determination that energy in a non-NTSC portion of the
spectrum exists in the TV signals, activating (86) the ATSC demodulator assembly to
process the TV signals from the AGC component and requesting (88) a license for the
ATSC demodulator assembly of the TV.
2. The method of Claim 1, comprising, responsive to a determination that
energy in a non-NTSC portion of the spectrum exists in the TV signals, sending (88) a
request to a licensing authority for a license for the ATSC demodulator.
3. The method of Claim 2, wherein the request includes (140) a unique
identifier of the TV.
4. The method of Claim 3, wherein the unique identifier is a combination of a
serial number of the TV and other data.
5. The method of Claim 2, comprising receiving (90) license information
responsive to the request
6. The method of Claim 5, wherein the ATSC demodulator cannot be
activated without the license information, such that the act of activating the ATSC
demodulator assembly to process die TV signals from the AGC component cannot occur
prior to receiving the license information.
7. The method of Claim 5, wherein the ATSC demodulator can be activated
without the license information, such that the act of activating the ATSC demodulator
assembly to process the TV signals from the AGC component can occur and the ATSC
demodulator used to process the TV signals at least for a limited time period prior to
receiving the license information.
8. Audio video (AV) assembly comprising:
a terrestrial broadcast advanced television systems committee (ATSC)
demodulator assembly (58) deactivated prior to purchasing a license for the ATSC
demodulator assembly;
a processor (1 ) in the AV assembly determining whether a physical
condition exists in the AV assembly;
the processor, responsive to determining mat the physical condition exists,
automatically activating (86) the ATSC demodulator assembly and otherwise not
activating the ATSC demodulator assembly, the activating including communicating (88)
a request that results in a transaction related to the ATSC assembly to a licensing entity.
9. The AV assembly of Claim 8, wherein responsive to a determination that
the physical condition exists, the processor.
activates a national television systems committee (NTSC) demodulator
assembly (54) to process AV signals, determines (80) whether energy in a non-NTSC
portion of the spectrum exists in the AV signals, and responsive to a determination that
energy in a non-NTSC portion of the spectrum does not exist in the AV signals, maintains
the ATSC demodulator assembly deactivated and does not request a license for the ATSC
demodulator assembly, processing the TV signals using the NTSC demodulator for
presentation of the AV signals on a display.
10. The AV assembly of Claim 9, wherein the processor:
responsive to a determination that energy in a non-NTSC portion of the
spectrum exists in the AV signals, activates (86) the ATSC demodulator assembly to
process the AV signals and requests a license for the ATSC demodulator assembly.
11. The AV assembly of Claim 8, wherein the physical condition is a voltage
existing in an automatic gain adjust (AGC) component (16) of the AV assembly.
12. The AV assembly of Claim 8, wherein the physical condition is a channel
automatic scan.
13. The AV assembly of Claim 10, wherein the processor responsive to a
determination that energy in a non-NTSC portion of die spectrum exists in the AV signals,
sends (88) a request to a licensing authority for a license for the ATSC demodulator.
1 . The AV assembly of Claim 13, wherein the request includes a unique
identifier of the AV assembly.
15. The AV assembly of Claim 14, wherein the unique identifier is a
combination of a serial number of the AV assembly and a model number of the AV
assembly.
16. The AV assembly of Claim 13, wherein the processor receives license
information responsive to the request
17. TV comprising:
at least one licensable component (e.g., 58) for which a license has not been
obtained prior to vending the TV;
a processor (16) in the TV determining whether a condition exists in the
TV;
the processor, responsive to detennining that the condition exists, activating
(86) the licensable component and otherwise not activating the licensable component, the
activating including communicating (88) information related to a license related to the
licensable component to a licensing entity.
1 . The TV of Claim 17, wherein the licensable component is a terrestrial
broadcast advanced television systems committee (ATSC) demodulator assembly (58).
19. The TV of Claim 17, wherein the condition is a physical condition.
20. The TV of Claim 17, wherein the condition is receipt of a user-generated
command requiring use of the licensable component.