Selective data broadcasting receiver adapter apparatus and method for personal computers

摘要

The present invention relates to a microcontroller based adapter card that interfaces a Micro Channel bus architecture to allow a personal computer implementing such hardware architecture to tune on a TV channel and capture digital data transmitted intermixed with an analog video signal used for diffusion of television programs. The receivers of such transmission system receive the incoming data stream, transmitted via "on air" or "cable" channels, through a TV cable of a broadcasting network or from the aerial antenna. Received serial data is decoded and stored into byte format for processing which is partially done by the on-board processor and then by the personal computer processor. This processing will result in storing data as records, messages and files formats into the personal computer mass storage devices. The on-board intelligence allows selectivity of transmitted data by checking the incoming addressing bytes (transmitted in the same data packet) against the card unique address or group membership parameter stored in non-volatile devices.