MXPA01002448A - Enhanced security communications system - Google Patents

Abstract

A telecommunications system for providing telecommunication services to a plurality of users connected to a loop-through cable distribution architecture. The system includes a signal collection and transmission circuit or headend (11) circuit for collecting and transmitting telecommunication signals to the user (15). In addition, the system comprises a signal distribution system (12) or circuit operatively connected to the signal collection and transmission circuit for receiving and transmitting telecommunication signals threfrom and thereto. The system includes a user or customer interface (14) device operatively connected to an associated signal distribution circuit for both receiving teleommunication signals from the associated signal distribution circuit and transmitting telecommunication signals to the associated signal distribution circuit. The signal distribution circuit is formed by a node (38) having a plurality of output lines and a service module (40) operatively connected to one of the node output lines. The service module further includes a signal splitter (41) having a plurality of output lines, a user service module circuit operatively connected to one of the splitter output lines, and a processor control circuit operatively controlling the service module.

Description

IMPROVED SECURITY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED REQUESTS This application is a partial continuation of Application No. 09 / 149,194, filed on September 8, 1998. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a communications system for capturing and distributing selected forms. of communication signals, and more particularly to a new communications system for capturing and distributing television, telephone, and data signals to and from an end-user location. The mechanisms for connecting communication signals by optical fiber or coaxial cable directly to a television receiver or through an interconnection box to the television receiver are known. However, these signals are highly susceptible to theft or diversion to others that are not subscribed users. A person who wants to steal the signal, can connect to the proposed user's cable line or use the components of the computer system and / or the logical equipment that allows the reception and interpretation of signals or unauthorized channels. Known semi-secure communication systems have made use of complex spike equipment boxes and receiving interfaces. Such systems are expensive and often include more features than the users require or need, thus increasing the cost of interconnection. In addition, in many areas and countries, the bandwidth for communication systems is limited, usually to 300 MHz, as well as the number of channels in most television receivers. A typical central node system of a communication distribution system receives analog and digital compressed signals, modulates the signals towards different carrier frequencies, combines the signals, and sends the signals by means of optical fiber or coaxial cable to several electronic nodes, each one of which typically serves a large number of users, often as many as 300 or more. At the node, the signal can be distributed directly or converted to those frequencies compatible with the equipment at the user's site. Between the central node system and the distribution nodes, the trajectory is controlled and secured and thus it is difficult to enter the signal. However, a number of serious problems can occur between the nodes and a subscriber user. The signal can be stolen with an intermediate connection in the cable, the channels can be decoded using an unauthorized decoder equipment, and the reception of foreign signals can cause the quality of signal reception at the user's site to be poor. Finally, with many of the above equipment, there is no other return circuit that allows the subscribing user to communicate with the signal provider except through the use of conventional telephone equipment and procedures. This makes the provision of value-added services, such as telephone and computer services, dependent on the telephone company for return trajectory communications. What is needed is a way to handle a large number of communication channels and different types of media (for example, voice, video, data, etc.) at no additional cost. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, a telecommunication system for providing telecommunication services to a plurality of users comprises a signal acquisition and transmission system (also referred to as a central node system) for capturing and transmitting signals from telecommunication, at least one signal distribution system operatively connected to the signal acquisition and transmission system that receives the telecommunication signals from the signal acquisition and transmission system and transmits or distributes the telecommunication signals, by means of service modules agree 1 I; ¿-1., ¿., -ufk? ^ With the invention, a plurality of users, which communicates with the customer interconnection boxes ("CIB") that receives both signals and sends requests for telecommunication services to the signal distribution system . The signal distribution system preferably comprises one or more nodes, each having one or more communication lines to connect to the service modules. The service modules are preferably connected to the CIB configured to control and authorize the telecommunication service requests of the customer's communication devices. A more complete understanding of the present invention can be derived by referring to the detailed description of the preferred embodiments and claims when considered in connection with the figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout the figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a telecommunications system; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a user or customer interconnection box forming a part of a telecommunications system; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a l =? i ,. alternative mode of a user or client interconnection box that forms a part of a telecommunications system; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a service module that forms a part of a telecommunications system; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a service module in which the processor communicates with the IRDs with an infrared transceiver; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a signal distribution system designed to be used in a department or multiple dwelling unit; Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a signal distribution system designed for cable connection systems derived; Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a customer interconnection box that can be used with the signal distribution system of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method for using the telecommunications circuit or system; Figure 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for the telephone communication of the customer with the telecommunications system; and Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for communicating customer or computer data with a telecommunications system. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES The present invention is incorporated into a telecommunications system 10, as shown in Figure 1, formed by a system or circuit for signal acquisition and transmission 11, sometimes referred to as a central node system, and a signal distribution system or circuit 12, both of which are preferably located in a secured site or sites. A customer interconnection box ("CIB") 14, located on the site 15 of a user or subscriber, is operatively connected to the signal distribution system 12 via a suitable connection cable 16, such as a coaxial cable, cable fiber optic, twisted pair cable, or other suitable means of broadband amplitude connection. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the user's site can be a home, office, business or the like. Such a site is typically not a secure site, so that the signals received from the central node system of the telecommunication system may be susceptible to theft or embezzlement. By using the unique signal distribution system embodying the present invention located in a secure location, signals to and from the user's site are limited to those specifically eleven - . 11 -J- "TTG required by the user, and thus, a substantial improvement in the security of the system is achieved.In addition, as will be discussed in more detail below, the channel signal from the secured site to the user's final site. it can also be scrambled for additional security In the signal acquisition system or central node 11, signals, such as cable, broadcast, pay per view, video on demand, and network interconnection signals, can be received from a a variety of sources, such as one or more satellite dish antennas 18, one or more non-transmitting antennas 19, and / or a wide bandwidth cable source 20 that transports a signal from a central node master system (not In addition, the signal pickup or central node system circuit 11 desirably includes one or more connections 21 to a telephone network, and one or more connections 22 to a computer system server, such as a connection to network interconnection, or similar. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, a connection to network interconnection through a central node system 11 can be done in a variety of ways. For example, the central node system 11 can be connected to a network interconnect service (ISP) provider through a standard telephone line, a high-speed DSL line, a coaxial cable, an optical fiber connection or other adequate means of communication. NeverthelessNQ. , given the amount of data flowing between the central node system 11 and the ISP, the connection 22 between the central node system 11 and the ISP is a broad bandwidth connection, such as a coaxial cable or fiber connection optics. According to an alternative embodiment, the central node system 11 can be connected to an ISP through a cable connection, for example, a service provider connected to a central node system 11 by means of a cable source 20. broad bandwidth, or the central node system 11 may include an interconnecting server (not shown) to provide connectivity services to network interconnection through cable connections by itself. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the signal pick-up system or central node 11 provides an output signal through a communication connection 24 to the signal distribution system or circuit 12. The communication connection 12 can comprising any high speed connection or wide suitable bandwidth, but in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the communication connection 24 comprises a coaxial cable connection or a fiber optic cable connection. The output signal from the signal pick-up system or central node 11, which is sent through the connection 24 to the signal distribution system 12, preferably comprises a combination of video and / or television signals for a plurality of signals. of channels, as well as telephone, computer data, and data system signals, which system of signal capture or central node 11 generates or receives from its various sources. The signal (s) that pass between signal capture system or central node 11 and signal distribution system 12 can be analog, digital, or a combination of both analog and digital. Referring still to Figure 1, the satellite dish 18 can receive digitally compressed video channels or the like from several satellites. According to one aspect of the present invention, the signals received by the satellite antenna 18 are preferably analogous. In particular, analog signals are received from the satellite at a frequency ranging from about 3.7 to about 4.2 GHz. The analog signal then passes to a low noise block converter (LNB) (not shown) that converts the signal at L-band frequencies (approximately 950 to approximately 1450 MHz or higher). Next, the signal passes to one or more analog integrated receiver decoders ("IRDs") 25 which convert each channel residing in the L-band frequency to a basic band frequency. thus, as one skilled in the art will appreciate, it is preferable to have an IRD for each channel residing in the signal. From the IRDs 25, the individual baseband channels are modulated to a channel (i.e., carrier frequency) chosen by the cable system operator by a video processor modulator 30. In addition, the video processor modulator can be configured to encode the signals so that only paying subscribers are able to decode the signals. As mentioned briefly above, satellite antennas 18 can also receive digitally compressed signals from satellites. According to this aspect of the invention, the signals can be handled in two different ways, one way for a single analogue cable system, and one way for a digital or analogue and digital system. if the cable system is purely an analogous system, or if the cable operator decides to distribute particular digital channels in an analog channel alignment, then the digitally compressed signals are processed in the same way as discussed above with respect to the analog signals except that a digital IRD 25 will be used instead of an analog IRD. However, if the cable system has digital capabilities, and the cable system operator wants to distribute the digital channels in digital form, then a receiver transcoder is used ? ? Integrated ("IRT") to change the digital modulation and QPSK modulation error correction protocol to QAM modulation which is suitable for cable transport. Then, the modulator video processor 30 will modulate the digitally modulated RF signal to a desired RF channel position. Typically the interrupted signals received by the antenna 19 are not encoded. thus, in accordance with the present invention, the signals preferably pass to a demodulator / modulator unit 28 that demodulates the received signals to the basic band and then remodulates the signal channels to the channel frequency of the appropriate cable system as selected by the cable operator. Furthermore, as one skilled in the art will appreciate, if the received interrupted signal channel is already at the frequency to which the user will be sent then the demodulator / modulator 28 will not demodulate and remodulate the signal, but simply pass the signal. Finally, the signals received by means of connection of wide band amplitude 20, are treated in the same way as the signals received by the satellite antennas 18. That is, the signals are decoded and then demodulated and demodulated at the frequency of desired channel, if the wideband bandwidth connection 20 also provides a broad bandwidth network interconnection connection, for example, connection to network interconnection of a cable system using the Data Interconnection Specification About Cable Service (DOCSIS) or other standard base connections, a Cable Modem Transmission System (CMTS) with the modulator 29 can be used. That is, the modulator 29 can also be configured after a CMTS in a flexible DOCSIS system or other system. data transmission for the cable connection. After the signals of the video processor modulator 30 and the other modulators / demodulators 28 and 29 are combined and aggregated for a combined circuit 31 into a single video signal. The single video signal preferably comprises all the channels that a client or user of the system desires or is capable of receiving. By For example, the signal of the mixer circuit 31 comprises local broadcast television channels, cable television channels, pay-per-view channels, and video-on-demand channels. Then a video output signal from the mixer circuit 31 to a control system 32 and access data path modulator 34. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, the system access control 32 keeps track of the user authorization for each transmitted channel. For example, yes a user buys rights to receive certain channels of - £ '^^^^' ^^^ ^^ ¿r jt Rar 1 A cable such as HBO, Showtime, Pay-per-view, or the like, the access control system 32 will keep track of authorization of users to receive these channels. The authorization data for each user 5 is then typically sent to the service modules 40 in a separate channel bandwidth frequency variation. As discussed in more detail below, then the authorization data is used by the service modules to determine if a required channel is sent to a particular user, or not. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the access control system 32 may comprise a suitable computer system and database for maintaining user authorization data. The data path modulator 34 preferably is a commercial piece of computer system components typically configured to receive user authorization data and other data, such as system messages, and the like, and modulate that data to a particular channel frequency. How will you appreciate a skilled in the art, since the communication system of the present invention have a large number of users, a large amount of data user authorization will be transmitted to the service modules 40. Therefore, in one embodiment, is preferable to send the data through the system on one or more channel carrier frequencies separate, instead of adding the channel authorization data to the individual video channels. After having modulated the data at the appropriate frequency, then the data and video signal is sent through a high-speed or broad-bandwidth connection 35, such as a coaxial or fiber optic cable connection, to a signal separator 36. Also the telephone and computer connections 21 and 22 are fed to the signal separator 36. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the signal separator 36 preferably produces a direct path signal which may include video, system data, telephone, and computer, and sends the direct path signal to the circuits or distribution systems 12 through communication connections 24 of wide band width. In addition, the signal separator 36 preferably extracts telephone and / or computer signals from the reverse or return signal path of the communication connection 24 and sends the telephone and / or computer day data signals over the connection of the connection. telephone 21 and computer connection 22, respectively. The telephone connection 21 can be connected to a carrier current of an urban power station or to a long-distance carrier current, whichever is appropriate. Also, the computer connection 22 may be in any suitable communication connection, such as standard telephone, high speed telephone (eg, DSL, ISDN), coaxial cable, fiber optic, or the like. As illustrated in Figure 1, the output signal from the central node system 11, which data may be in analogous form, digital form, or a combination of both, is transmitted through a communication connection 24 to the distribution system signal 12, which preferably comprises one or more cable nodes 38 and a plurality of service modules 40. The nodes 38 are typically fiber optic or coaxial cable systems, or combinations thereof, and are constructed to meet the amplitude requirements of band of the system. In conventional cable systems, such nodes typically each serve approximately 50 to 500 clients, and more preferably to approximately 100 clients. In accordance with the present invention, each node 38 typically serves from about 10 to about 40 service modules, and each service module in turn serves between about 10 and about 40 user sites. At node 38 the signal is typically converted from optical fiber to coaxial (ie, optical to RF) form using an optoelectronic converter circuit (O / E) and then transmitted to service modules 40. As one skilled in the art will appreciate. the technique, while the signals pass to the service modules 40, the signals can pass & through a number of signal separators or couplers and amplifiers. Since the signal between the nodes 38 and the service modules 40 have both progressive and return paths, the separators and amplifiers are preferably configured to handle the double path. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the progressive path communications (ie, video and telephone and progress path data) between the service modules 40 and the intercommunication boxes ("CIBs") 14 on the sites of the user 15 preferably take place either on a baseband frequency or on a very low frequency channel, such as channels 2,3,4 or 5 through the connection 16. Also, as will be appreciated by an expert in The technique, the data transmitted to the end users can be transmitted on a separate data channel, which will typically be determined by the cable system and the CMTS. The connection 16 may comprise any suitable connection, such as optical fiber, coaxial cable, twisted pair telephone cable, POTS telephone cable, or any other connection for suitable communications. In addition, there may be more than one communication connection 16 between the site 15 and the service module 40. The signal from the service module 40 to the CIB 14 is preferably in analogous RF form; however, the signal can also be transmitted in digital form. For example, a signal l-? The digital can pass through a coaxial connection to the CIB 14, or an xDSL line can be used to transport the digital data. The return path or reverse communication from the CIB 14 to the service module preferably comprises telephone, computer and user requested data from the modem 66 (see Figure 2) and is preferably modulated within a carrier frequency between 5 and 50 MHz. In a typical DOCSIS flexible system, the CMTS informs the cable modem connected to a frequency computer for the return transmission. As discussed in more detail below, CIBs 14 require little construction intelligence, but can be over-leveled to a higher computational level if desired. Furthermore, in accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention, instead of transmitting the telephone, data and user request data from the CIB 14 to the service module 40 via the return path of the connection 16, a separate line of communication; for example, as the user's existing telephone line. Referring now to Figure 2, a more detailed illustration of a modality of a customer interconnection box (CIB) is shown. In particular, the CIB 14 comprises an intercom multiplex channel (MUX) 58, a modem 66, a receiver 68, a processor 70, and a display device 71. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the module signal service 40 is received at the CIB 14 via the MUX interconnection 58 via the connection 16. The CIB 14, and in particular the MUX interconnection 58, in turn is connected via a connection 59 to one or more television sets 60. In addition, the MUX interconnect 58 is connected to one or more telephone sets 62 and one or more computers 64 via connections 61 and 63, respectively. The MUX interconnection 58 preferably filters the video signal (s) from the progressive path and sends it to the one or more television sets 60 via the connection (s) 59. Similarly, the interconnection MUX 58 filters the progressive path signals of telephone, computer day data and system messages and sends them to the modem 66. Finally, the MUX interconnect 58 receives the return path data from the modem 66, which is modulated on a carrier between 5 and 50 MHz and sends the bearer with the return path data back to the service module 40. The modem 66 can be any suitable modem, such as a standard modem for telephone line, a compatible xDSL modem, a modem Flexible DOCSIS cable, or any other suitable communication modem. According to the illustrated embodiment, the data of the telephone device 62, computer day 64 and the receiver 68 preferably passes through the modem 66, which converts the computer day data, the telephone voice and the user request data to the form appropriate (ie, analogue or digital), and modulates the data at the frequency of the return path (eg 5-50 MHz). For example, if the signals passed between the service module 40 and the CIB 14 are in analogous form, the day computer day 64 digital signals should preferably be modulated at the appropriate return path frequency by means of the modem 66 before pass over the communication connection 16 to the service module 40. Similarly, the computer day signals received by the CIB 14 must be converted to the digital form before passing the 64 computer or the 70 processor. Also, as the expert in the technique will appreciate, even if the signals between the service module 40 and the CIB 14 are digital signals, the modem 66 may still be needed to modulate the return path data at the appropriate frequency, and the modem may be needed to facilitate the protocol of return path communication; for example, yes the xDSL or other suitable means of digital communication is used. As illustrated in Figure 2, the CIB 14 further comprises the receiver 68 for receiving request signals from the * í A ... i -user. For example, the receiver 68 can be configured to receive the user's request and message data from a remote control device, such as a laser diode, infrared, or RF remote control device, or the receiver 68 can have a wireless connection. cable to a signal source (not shown). Thus, the CIB 14, is addressable by means of a manual remote control unit or other similar control device. The operation of the CIB 14 in this particular mode is controlled by an internal processor 70. For example, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the processor 70 facilitates the transmission of the television or video signal from the MUX interconnect 58 to the television 60. In addition, the processor 70 is preferably connected to the modem 66, dictating to the modem how it should handle voice data and computer day data. Finally, the processor 70 preferably coordinates the sending of the request and message data of the user received by the receiver 68 back to the service module 50 (via the modem 66), and facilitates the display of the data of the channel and message of the user. system on the display 71. The system message data may include payment data, as well as authorization or system messages from the service provider or from the central node through the service module 40.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a cheaper CIB 14 having less intelligence can be used. For example, as illustrated in Figure 3, the CIB 14 may be configured with a MUX interconnect 58 and a remote receiver 68 for receiving signals from a remote control device. The MUX interconnect 58 is configured to receive the voice, data and video signals from the service module 40 via the connection 16 and divides and sends the respective signals to the appropriate locations. For example, the voice and data signals pass to the multiplex modem 66 of communication, and the video signals pass to a television set for viewing. As with the CIB 14 illustrated in Figure 2 and discussed above, the communication modem or combiner 66 preferably converts the signal to the appropriate analog or digital form, and then passes the voice signals to the telephone 62 and the data signals the computer 64. Also, the MUX interconnect 58 may include a decoding circuit to decode the signal from the service module 40 if the signal was previously encoded or encoded prior to transmission to the CIB 14. As will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art, while Figure 3 shows the separate signals of video, voice and data going to the televisions 60, telephone 62 and computer 64 respectively, all the signals can '? ^? move to a single device that can function as a TV, a computer and / or a telephone. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the video and audio portions of the video signal are modulated together within an RF carrier, for example, channel 2, 3, 4 or the like and are transmitted from the service module 40. to CIB 14 over a communication connection. In one aspect of the invention, the video portion of the signal is in a composite video format and the audio portion of the signal is in a single channel single audio signal, which may be a two channel stereo signal within of a single channel. In accordance with this aspect of the present invention, the CIB 14 can pass the composite video and audio signals to the television viewing apparatus or to a home cinema or stereo system via a suitable communication connection, such as a coaxial cable. , or another suitable communication cable. Alternatively, the CIB 14 can be configured with an S video generator (also known as Y / C video) and / or a surround stereo generator. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, an S video or Y / C video cable, and stereo connection cables are used to connect the television system or the home cinema system to the CIB 14. As one skilled in the art will appreciate. the technique, an S video or Y / C video generator preferably comprises a * i t 1 appropriate comb filter mechanism adapted to separate the Y and C components of the video signal from the composite video signal. The stereo or surround sound generator may comprise any suitable sound mixing system that can create a 2-channel or 6-channel signal from a single audio signal. The surround sound signal can be Dolby AC-3, Sony Dynamic Digital Sound, Digital Theater Systems, or any other. According to an alternative modality of the In accordance with the present invention, instead of the CIB 14 converting the signal to S video and / or stereo audio, the service module 40 can perform the conversion. This particular modality is discussed below in more detail. With reference now to Figure 4, there is shown a more detailed illustration of the distribution system 12 in a particular service module 40. As mentioned above, the distribution system 12 preferably comprises one or more nodes 38 which are connected to a plurality of service modules 40. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the service modules 40 are configured of preference to receive signals from the central node system 11 and distribute them to the authorized requesting users of the service at the user sites 15 through the CIB 14. The service modules 40 can also handle traffic in two telephone and computer routes for each user. Each service module 40 is designed to serve a number of users simultaneously, such as between about 5 and about 50 users, and more preferably about 20 users. The present invention is based on the premise that all communications between the service modules 40 and the CIBs 14 are given on one or more television band amplitude channels, typically one channel for each television set having its own CIB 14 The channels communicate either as a baseband video and audio signal, or as a low frequency channel such as 2, 3, 4, or 5. As a result of sending only one or a few channels to each location 15 of the user, the theft of signal is reduced since only a few channels can be stolen at the same time, and the part that steals the signal is limited to see the channel (s) selected by the valid user. Also, if the valid user turns off their TV set, there can be no signal theft since no signal is being transmitted to the CIB. This premise, of course, presupposes that all cable connections and device devices of the computer system between the central node system 11 and the service modules 40 are secure. Such security can be achieved by providing constructions and safe structures for all l I. i, í, r i ..? the system equipment of the central node, node and service module, as well as using sophisticated interference algorithms and other forms of decoding and coding. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the video signal received and processed by the service modules 40 can be analog signals, digitally compressed signals, or a combination of both. Consequently, the type of signal (ie, analog or digital) will dictate the type of decoding, interference and / or coding techniques used. In addition, if additional security is needed, the signal between the service module 40 and the user site 15 may also be decoded, interfered with and / or encrypted. The service module 40 is preferably an addressable or programmable module, which receives a coded, decoded, interfered, and / or offset frequency signal having a plurality of channels modulated therein. The service module 40 then converts the video channel requested by the user of its frequency modulated into the signal to a baseband and then perhaps to a low frequency channel and transmits it to the requesting user. thus, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a significant amount of intelligence and decision-making aspects of the system are provided within the service module 40, as shown schematically in Figure 4. In particular, the service module 40 preferably includes a power divider. of signal 41 which receives signals and transmits signals to cable node 38 through a communication line of broad band width 39, such as a coaxial cable, an optical fiber cable or the like. In addition, the signal power divider 41 preferably amplifies and distributes signals to circuits 42 of the individual user in the service module 40, through the connections of the splitter 44. The segments or circuits 42 of the individual user of the service module 40 are they communicate preferably with the individual CIBs 14 of each user. Each user circuit 42 preferably comprises an interconnect service multiplex (MUX) 45, an interconnect output multiplex (MUX) 46, a communication service module 49, a receiver decoder 54, and a modulator 59. In addition, if the signal from the service module 40 to the CIB 14 is decoded or coded, each user circuit 42 will also include a decoding or coding circuit. The decoding or encoding circuit may be a separate circuit or device within a user circuit 42, or the decoding or encoding circuit may be configured as part of one of the other components, such as a * .iia ii & receiver decoder 54, a modulator 59, an output interconnect (MUX) 42 a processor 58, or the like. The service interconnect MUX 45 of the service module 40 is preferably configured to receive a communication signal from the node 38 by means of the divider 41 and the connection of the divider 44. The service interconnect MUX 45 in turn sends the signal to the MUX output interconnect 46 either through the communication service module 49, which handles telephone and computer traffic to the user, or through the receiver decoder 54, which handles the video signals. In accordance with this aspect of the present invention, if the signal includes telephone or computer signals, the service interconnect MUX 45 preferably passes the telephone and / or computer components of the signal to a communication service module 49 through means of the connection 48. If the user is authorized to receive the telephone signal (s) and / or computer, then the communication service module 49 to the MUX 46 output interconnect via the 50 connection. , in essence, the communication service module 49 acts as a communication switch allowing the telephone and / or computer signals to pass through if the user is authorized for such services. On the other hand, if the user is not authorized, the communication service module 49 will prevent communication. As mentioned above, the signal from the central node system 11 can be analog, digital or a combination of both. Regardless of its form, if the telephone and / or computer data is modulated within an analogous channel and a communication service module 49 preferably passes the signal to the CIB 14 if the user is authorized to receive the service . The video portion of the signal, which may be analog, coded analog, or compressed and digitally encoded preferably passes to the receiver decoder 54 via the connection 52. Upon receiving the video signal, the receiver decoder 54 decodes or decrypts the signal. signal and converts the particular video channel requested by the user from its modulated or compressed waveform to baseband frequency. Once the signal is in baseband, the receiver decoder 54 can pass the signal to the MUX output interconnect 46 via the baseband connection 55, or the receiver decoder 54 can remodulate the signal to a low frequency channel default, such as channel 2, 3, 4 or 5, and send the signal out to that frequency. As will be discussed in more detail below, the receiver decoder 54 preferably uses the modulator 59 to convert the selected channel from its modulated frequency to baseband frequency, and then, if appropriate, to the low frequency channel output. Also, if coding or coding is desired, it can be carried out at this point. The coding can be inversion of spectrum (carried out by the oscillator and / or local modulator), suppression of synchronization that makes the signal not visible in an unauthorized receiver, or a combination of both techniques. In addition, if the signal from the service module 40 to the CIB 14 is a digital signal, digital coding techniques can be used. Once the MUX outgoing interconnect 46 has received the video, voice and / or computer signals from the receiver decoder 54 and the communication service module 49, it in turn sends the signal through the communication connection 16 to the client interconnection box (CIB) 14 of the user or subscriber. In addition, if the premise of the subscriber or the user's site has more than one TV that is independently tuned (ie, has its own CIB), the service module 40 will preferably have a receiver decoder 54 per TV set. Each receiver decoder 54 will modulate each required program from each TV to a different channel, say 2, 3, 4 or 5. The channels will then be combined with each other by the same MUX 46 output interconnect. The MUX service interconnect 45, the MUX output interconnect 46, the receiver decoder 54, the communication service module 49, and the modulator 59 of each user circuit 42 are preferably controlled by a common processor 58. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the processor 58 may comprise any suitable computer processor and may further be configured with memory, repository and common links. communication and interconnections, as necessary. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the processor 58 preferably controls all functions for each user of a particular service module 40. For example, processor 58 can be programmed or configured to maintain all billing data, perform routine checks to verify that the signal is not stolen, handle user requests, control the allocation of system management data and messages from the system. subscriber, execute digital coding processes, and tele-send programming data of pay and television channels to the CIB 14. In addition, the processor 58 can be configured to receive security data about each home, and execute functions such as reading the meter by communicating with the reading circuitry of the meter connected to a data port of the CIB 14 or connected to a computer that is connected to the data port of the CIB. The processor 58 preferably provides control signals to the various components of the service module 40 to control the operation of the service module and the system. For example, when a user sends a request for a particular video channel, this request 5 preferably arrives at the MUX outgoing interconnect 46 where it is recognized as a service request and sent to the module control processor 58. The message or request code preferably includes the channel request, as well as various data of the client, such as the number of customer identification, and the secret code or key. In addition, the processor 58 can be programmed to request additional identification data from the user if necessary. Upon receiving the channel request and the data of the client, the processor 58 then verifies that the client or user is a valid client and also verifies that the client is authorized to receive the required channel. if the client passes the authorization checks, the processor 58 sends the appropriate signal tuning to the modulator 59 and the decoding or decryption command appropriate to the receiver decoder 54. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the video or television signal received by the service module 40 from the central node system 11 may be encoded or encoded according to one or more of the techniques of For example, encoding, synchronization suppression, spectrum inversion, interference, non-standard frequency modulation, or a combination of these may be used, and some of the channels modulated in the signal may be analogous. and other digital ones, thus, user circuits 42 are preferably configured to decrypt or decrypt the signal and handle both analog and digital channels at the same time, eg, user circuits 42 may have analog receiver decoders 54 to handle the analog portion. of the signal and a digital receiver decoder (or transcoder) for handling the digital portion of the signal, preferably the processor 58 includes the decoding or deciphering intelligence and instructs the receiver decoder 54 (and the digital transcoder) for how to handle the decryption according to the appropriate decryption scheme, as well as the signal from the service module. or 40 to the CIB 14 to be encoded, the processor 58 will dictate the coding technique and control the coding process. For digitally compressed video signals, typically approximately six (6) to ten (10) channels are compressed in approximately 6 MHz of an RF signal. thus, when the digital receiver decoder 54 in the user circuit 42 receives the digitally compressed signals it selects the group of digitally compressed signals carrying the required channel. Then the receiver decoder 54, preferably using the modulator 59, demodulates the group of channels of its frequency modulated to its baseband and decompresses the compressed channels. Then, the receiver decoder 54 preferably decrypts the channels if they were encoded in the central node system and selects the channel that the user requested. Then the receiver decoder 54 transmits the clean channel to the baseband MUX 46 output interconnection, or the receiver decoder remodulates the signal to a low frequency channel, such as 2, 3, 4, or 5, as desired, using preferably the modulator 59. Then the output interconnection MUX 46 transmits the signal to the CIB 14. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the digital receiver decoder preferably adapts any digital coding technique including asynchronous coding or synchronous coding as . For analog video signals, a channel is typically modulated to approximately a 6 MHz band of an RF signal. thus, when an analog receiver receiver 54 in the user circuit 42 receives the analog signal it converts it from its modulated frequency to the baseband, preferably using the modulator 59. Then, if the baseband that is coded or interfered with was used in the central node system, the receiver decoder 54 preferably decodes the channel and transmits the clean channel to the baseband MUX 46 output interconnect. Alternatively, the receiver decoder 54 can remodulate the signal to a low frequency channel, such as 2, 3, 4, or 5, as desired, preferably using the modulator 59, and then transmitting the low frequency channel to the MUX 46 output interconnect. Then the MUX output interconnect 46 transmits the signal to the CIB 14. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the analog receiver decoder is preferably adapted to handle any type of coding technique used in the central node system, including coding or RF interference or assembly table. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, if RF coding or interference was used, the receiver decoder 54 will decode the signal before converting the channel to baseband or low frequency channel (2, 3, 4, etc.). Also, instead of converting the desired channel to the baseband before converting it to a low frequency channel, the modulator 59 can be configured to convert the channel directly from its undulated frequency to the low frequency channel without converting it first to the baseband. During the authorization process, if the client is an invalid or unauthorized client, the processor 58 preferably sends an alarm to the central node system 11 through the common system management data link to inform the central node system that an invalid client is over the port. Also the processor 58 then turns off the modulator 59 for that particular user port 42, in effect disabling the port until the central node system resolves the illegitimate request problem. Once the problem is rectified, the central node system 11 can reactivate the port, either locally or remotely from the central node system. According to a further aspect of the present invention, if a client or user requests a channel that is not authorized to receive, the processor 58 will preferably send a system message to the CIB 14 for that user, informing the user who requested a channel not valid or not authorized. Preferably, the message will be displayed on the display 71 of the CIB 14 (see Figure 2) or on the TV screen. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, if the user requests a special pay-per-view or video movie on demand, the processor 58 checks to see if the user has sufficient credit for that purpose. This can be achieved in several ways. For example, the processor 58 can verify a credit report for the user or the payment history of the user. yes the user has a sufficient credit record or a you. «.," ... * ar rA *. -. *. If the payment history is adequate, the processor 58 will allow the request and announce the user, on the other hand, the processor 58 will reject the request and send a message to the user clarifying the reason for the request. In addition, the system 5 can be installed in such a way that the user must previously pay for any request for a pay channel, so the user preferably has an account with payment credits in it, if the user has enough credits. available, the 58 processor will allow the request of the pay channel and charge to the user's credit account; otherwise, processor 58 will reject the request and send a message to the user explaining the reason. As with the other video channels, yes the payment channel request is allowed, the processor 58 will direct it to the receiver decoder 54 to select the payment channel from the video signal stream, and the modulator 59 will convert the payment channel from its modulated frequency to the baseband and then at the appropriate frequency of Transmission for transmission to the CIB 14 of the user (ie, to channels 2, 3, 4, 5 or the like). In accordance with yet a further aspect of the present invention, the processor 58 may also desirably include parental control or other capabilities of filtration. For example, processor 58 can be programmed * & *? ** if ?? Mirr, 't. *. ? ? ? ? Í,? to exclude children from receiving certain selected video channels. Thus, for parents to receive an excluded channel, the parent will preferably access a secret code that allows the parent to receive the channel. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, if the intercom box 14 of the customer or the user's television set is turned off, the processor 58 preferably receives this data via the connection 16 and the MUX interconnection 46 of exit and close the signal to the CIB 14. This effectively protects the system from someone who is entering the cable and watching a video channel when the legitimate subscriber is not viewing it. When a user or client attempts to make a telephone call, the CIB 14 preferably formats the return path of the signal with a telephone request message and the telephone number to which it is accessed. The processor 58 then receives the telephone request and checks whether the user is authorized to receive the telephone service. if so, the processor 58 sends a command to the service communication module 49 to connect the user's telephone connection to the central node system 11 or directly to a public telephone branch exchange (PBX) or a long distance carrier via of a suitable communication connection, such as fiber optic cable, coaxial cable, twisted pair telephone line, or a satellite or cellular connection. As mentioned above, if the telephone call is connected to a central node system 11, preferably the telephone call is communicated to the central node system via the return path of the connection 39 to the node 38, and from the node 38 through the connection 24 to the central node system 24 (see Figure 1). Similarly, if a user requests data or access services for network interconnection, the processor 58 receives the service request and the user data from the CIB 14 via the return path of the communication connection 16. Again, the processor 58 verifies that the client is authorized for such services and then, if authorized, instructs the communication service module 49 to connect the communication device 14, and in particular, the computer 64 to the return path to a computer or network interconnection connection in the central node system, for example, by connection 22 or wide bandwidth connection 20. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the MUX 45 service interconnect for each user circuit 42 in the service module 40 is preferably configured to separate the progressive and reverse signals to and from the node system .i i.i.il.i. , central jQ 11. The signals from the central node system 11 typically comprise several television, cable and pay-as-you-go broadcasting channels which may be in analogous form, digitally compressed form, or a combination of both. The signals from the central node system 11 can also include progressive path data for the computer and / or telephone communications of the clients, as well as global and / or individual messages or instructions to the various service modules or individual subscribers. These progressive path signals are typically modulated at frequencies above 50 MHz. Reverse path or return signals from the service modules to the central node system typically comprise telephone and computer communications of the users, as well as service requests of the client, requests for programming of payment by event and of data of handling of system, such as repair, maintenance and messages of data of state from the users or in the modules of service. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the return path signals are typically communicated at frequencies below 40 MHz, and more specifically between about 4 MHz and about 40 MHz. In accordance with this aspect of the invention , the MUX 45 service interconnections preferably have a 50 MHz high pass filter in the progressive path and a 50 MHz low pass filter in the return path, thus separating the progressive and return paths of the signals. In addition, the MUX service interconnects 45 can be configured to create or format the return path signal by combining the output signals of the telephone and / or computer communications, and the system management data in a data block of return path, and ensuring that the data or return path data is formatted or modulated at the appropriate return path frequencies. However, while in accordance with the described embodiment of the present invention, the MUX service interconnects 45 are configured to format the return path to the central node system 11, one skilled in the art will appreciate that others can be configured modules or components of the service module 40 to format the return path data. For example, the processor 58 and / or the receiver decoder 54 can be used to combine and format the return path data. In this way, the invention is not limited to the described modality. The MUX output interconnections 46 are essentially similar to the MUX 45 service interconnections and preferably comprise similar low pass filters. í ,? Í. .A, .t. l and high pass. As discussed above when a client requests a particular video or television channel, the processor 58 directs the receiving decoder 54 (and the modulator 59) to convert the video channel of its frequency modulation to the baseband signal frequency, decrypts or decodes the signal, and then transmits the signal to baseband or a low channel frequency, preferably channel 2, 3, 4 or 5. thus the video portion of the progressive path signal from the service module 40 to the user site preferably comprises only one channel for each interconnection box 14 of the client. In addition, the telephone and computer data portions of the progressive path signal to the CIB 14 can be carried in the line blanking interval (VBI) of one or more progressive path channels, or the telephone and computer data can be formatted in one or more channels of progressive trajectory. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the video portion of the signal transmitted from the service module 40 to the CIB 14 is in the form of a composite video, and the audio portion of the signal is a single channel signal of audio, both modulated together in the same RF frequency band. However, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the service module 40, and in particular the user circuit 42, can be adapted £ »t ... t j ¿. ? ..- x. to transmit S video signals (also called Y / C video) and / or 2-channel stereo sound signals or 6-channel surrounds to the CIB 14. In accordance with this particular aspect of this invention, the service module 40 may include circuitry for converting the composite video signal into an S video signal (Y / C video). For example, a suitable comb filter can be used to extract the Y and C components of the composite video signal. However, since a video signal S comprises two separate video signal components instead of a single component signal, the two signals (components Y and C) should not be modulated at a single modulation frequency. thus, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each Y and C video signal component can is modulated to separate the frequency modulation bands and transmitted to the CIB 14 as separate channels. Similarly, to send the audio portion of the video signal in stereo mode (2 channels) or surround sound mode (6 channels), the service module 40 preferably includes a stereo or surround sound generating circuit that creates the 2 audio channels for stereo or the 6 audio channels for surround sound. As with the video signal S, it is preferable to transmit the multiple audio channels to the CIB 14 in bands of frequency modulated separately. In this way, the separation JMÉ & ü. ». _ t "",., stereo or surround sound audio is not lost when combining separate channels within the same modulation band. In accordance with this embodiment of the present invention, the CIB 14 preferably includes a demodulator 5 for each video and / or audio component of the video signal transmitted in a separate frequency band. For example, if the video signal of the service module 40 is transmitted as an S video signal and a 2-channel stereo audio signal, the video signal is modulated in four bands of frequency separated; one for the video component Y, one for the video component C, one for the right stereo audio channel, and one for the left stereo audio channel. In this way, the CIB 14 includes at least four demodulators to demodulate each part of the component. After each part of the component is demodulated to baseband, the CIB 14 transmits the signal to a television set and / or to a home cinema system using appropriate connections. For example, the video signal S is preferably transmitted to the TV set using an S video cable, and the stereo channels are transmitted to the TV set or stereo system using appropriate audio connections, such as cables with RCA connectors or the like. According to another modality of this invention, if a user's site has more than one television, that user's location may have more than one CIB 14; one for each television set. Since the user site will typically have only one communication connection to a service module 40, for each television apparatus to display a video signal different from that of the other television sets on the user's site, channels of Multiple video to the user's site. Preferably one channel is transmitted for each television set and the CIB 14 associated with the user's site via a communication connection 16, thus, to accommodate such configuration, each CIB 14 associated with each television set is preferably tuned to a channel different, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, etc., and the progressive path signal to the user's site will include a multi-channel signal, one channel per device. if the signals from the service module 40 are in the form of video S and / or stereo audio, each television set in the home preferably will receive a plurality of frequency bands, one for each component of the video signal for that TV set. In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, instead of each television set in the home having a separate CIB 14, a single CIB 14 can be configured to receive multiple signals; preferably, a signal for each TV set in the home. Agree , A t i 1; with this particular mode, since the MUX interconnection 58 in the CIB 14 is typically configured to receive all requested channels for each TV set in the home from a service module 40, there is no need for additional CIBs but to process requests for Separate channel for separate television sets. In this way, it is possible that the CIB 14 is configured to receive RF or other transmissions from multiple remote control devices, allowing the remote control devices associated with each individual TV to control the channel input with the TV with which it is associated. the remote, without the need for additional CIBs in the home. As mentioned above, the CIB 14 preferably communicates service request data, and computer and telephony data, if appropriate, to the service module 40 via the return path of the connection 16. For example, the trajectory typical return of a standard coaxial cable communication connection is the frequency range between about 4 MHz and about 40 MHz. However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the return path can be configured to higher ranges of frequency, such as one of the channel frequency ranges between about 50 MHz and about 500 MHz. yes the communication connection 16 between the service module 40 and If the CIB 14 comprises an xDSL connection, the audio and video signals can be sent from the service module 40 to the CIB 14 in the baseband. According to this particular embodiment of the invention, the return path of the CIB 14 to the service module 40 is then between approximately DC and approximately 128 KHz. According to another embodiment of the present invention, instead of the CIB 14 communicating with the service module 40 via the return path of the communication connection 16, the CIB 14 can communicate with the service module 40 via of a separate communication connection. For example, service requests, data, and telephony signals may occur from the CIB 14 to the service module 40 over a standard telephone line, or through another communication connection such as PCS, cellular, local point distribution system multiple (LMDS, or similar). Also, the service module 40 can communicate with the central node system 11 in a similar manner. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to using the return path of standard coaxial or fiber optic cable connections. As discussed above, the return path of the CIB 14 to the service module 40 is preferably configured to carry data from a user's computer, outgoing telephony signals and requests from tJU? a .i.Lr ±? jt í user service. However, according to still another embodiment of the present invention, in the case that the client's computer is configured to receive baseband data, a separate connection of the service module 40 can be provided to the user's site to carry the Separate baseband output from the service module 40 the computer. Such connection may be a separate cable fiber connection or copper wire so as not to interfere with other television data and signals between the user's site and the service module. The computer can connect directly to this connection through a modem, or similar without connecting to the CIB. The main function of the communication service module 49 as shown in Figure 4 is to handle all voice and data communication according to the needs of the user. As mentioned above, the user's CIB 14 either includes or has a modem connected in such a way that the data is presented to the properly formatted service module 40. thus, if the processor 58 authorizes a request for telephone and / or computer service, the communication service module 49 acts as a switch, allowing telephone and / or computer communication to be transferred to the MUX 45 service interconnect, and finally to the central node system. As mentioned above, the computer and telephony data can be carried in the progressive path from the service module 40 to the CIB 14 in a channel dedicated to the high frequency (i.e., less than 50 MHz), in the band of 4. -40 MHz, or the data can be encoded in the line suppression interval (VBI) of one or more video channels. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the progressive path data is transmitted from the central node system to the service module 49 and then to the CIB 14 using a cable data service interconnection specification (DOCSIS) system. or another suitable cable data system. In accordance with this aspect of the present invention, the central node system has a cable modem termination system (CMTS), which includes a modulator and demodulator to modulate the progressive path data (i.e., from the node system). central to the user's CIB terminal by means of a service module) at a particular frequency and to demodulate the return path data (i.e., from a user computer by means of a CIB to a service module). The CMTS also provides an interconnection between the cable system and the main network of network interconnection, either locally, or reaching a remote point of main network interconnection of presence network by means of a wide area network. The CMTS will typically modulate the data at a frequency above 50 MHz and then tell the cable modem what frequency to use for the return path (typically between 4 and 40 MHz). When the data reaches the service module 40, the communication service module 49 will pass the data signal to each CIB 14 connected to the service module 40. Then the DOCSIS flexible cable modem in the CIB 14 or connected to the CIB 14 will extract the designated data signal portion for that particular user. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, each CIB and cable modem connected to the service module 40 will receive the complete data signal. (that is, the data for all users connected to the service module), not just that particular end-user data. In accordance with this aspect of the present invention, the cable modem is configured to extract the data for its particular end user from the composite data signal. For the return path, the cable modem will modulate the return data at a frequency determined by the CMTS (typically below 40 MHz). The return path data will pass from the CIB 14 to the service module 40. In the service module 40, the communication service module 49 will pass the return path data to the CMTS in the central node system. .... i .J Cable telephony will be handled in a similar manner. The communication service module 49 in the service module 40 will pass the telephony communication between the central node system and each CIB 14. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the CIB 14 can be equipped with a network interface device. Telephone cable (NID) to handle the functionality of the cable phone. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the telephony and data communication between the service module 40 and the user modem 66 of the CIB 14 can be in a separate dedicated two-way communication line, such as a line of communication. phone or similar. In this case, the communication module 49 will handle both progressive and return information in the same manner discussed above. Similarly, the system can be configured in such a way that the progressive path communication between the service module 40 and the CIB 14 is via the communication line 16, and the return path communication of the CIB 14 to the module service 40 is by means of a separate communication line, such as a twisted pair telephone line (POTS, xDSL, etc.), or the like. Referring now to Figure 5, another embodiment of a service module is illustrated. According to this particular embodiment of the present invention, the module of service 40 is preferably configured to provide only video services to the end user. In this manner, the service module 40 includes an integrated receiver decoder (IRD) 54 for each end user television 5 connected to the service module 40. The service module 40 of this particular embodiment can be configured from a plurality of IRDs commercially available. However, many commercially available IRDs receive commands from infrared remote control devices. By Therefore, for the processor 58 to communicate with the IRDs 54, infrared transmitters 86 are preferably used. The processor 58 sends commands to the infrared transmitters 86 via the communication connection 88, and the transmitters 86 communicate the commands to the IRDs 54 using an infrared transmission. When the IRDs 54 receive the command from the processor 58 to select and transmit a particular video channel, the IRDs 54 select the requested channel, decrypt or decode it, convert it to baseband or low channel. , and then send the channel to the MUX output interconnect 80 for transmission to the associated CIB 14. The service module 40 may comprise a single output interconnect MUX 80 for all the IRDs 54 as illustrated in Figure 5, or each IRD 54 may have its own interconnection output MUX 80 associated with it.

»--- *« M »* fc *** ^ a» This allows the use of commercially available IRDs to achieve the same goal of using existing cabling. Referring now to Figure 6, another embodiment of the present invention is shown. In accordance with this particular embodiment, a telecommunication system 100 is configured to deliver a variety of communication services that reside in multiple dwelling homes (MDUs) or shared antenna complexes (SAC)., such as apartments, urban homes, a group or group of single-family homes, office buildings, campuses, or any other group of users that use an antenna or a group of common antennas. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, delivering direct satellite transmissions to the home to residents in MDU complexes or SACs is difficult because it is difficult or impossible to add individual satellite antennas for each unit. Thus, to overcome this problem, some SACs place a single antenna or a group of antennas on the roof or another location on the SAC property and transmit the signal to the individual residence homes. The antennas are typically 18"Ku-band antennas, 30" average power antennas, or the larger C-band antennas that receive only TV (TVRO). The problem with these systems is that they require separate expensive receiver decoders for each resident unit, increasing the cost of the system and thus making it difficult to compete with traditional cable television systems. In addition, current systems have no means to provide additional telephone services and computer access. Therefore, it is desirable to have a system that can provide satellite TV, local TV, telephone and computer services to customers in SACs at a reasonable cost. The telecommunication system 100, illustrated in Figure 6 is configured to provide such services. In particular, the telecommunication system 100 comprises one or more master antennas 102, a low noise block converter (LNB) 104, a multiplex MUX 106, an energy divider circuit 108, a plurality of signal amplifiers 110, and one or more service modules 112. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the master antenna 102 is configured to receive a variety of television programming channels from a direct broadcasting satellite (DBS) video service provider. Video channels can comprise a variety of cable channels, as well as pay-per-view and video-on-demand services. Preferably, the video signal received by the antenna 102 is a signal of bandwidth of 500 MHz or bandwidth of 1000 MHz at the Ku-band frequency. He i. : LNB converter 104 receives the signal and converts it to an L-band frequency range of approximately 950 to 1450 MHz and 1450 to 2050 MHz. This band-width signal of 500-1000 MHz can be divided into approximately 20 to approximately 40 repeating slots, each of which can carry an analog video channel or approximately 1-20 digitally compressed video channels. Each repeater slot comprises a frequency band between about 25 MHz, and more preferably about 36 MHz. From the LNB converter 104, the digitally compressed and / or analog video signal passes to the MUX 106, which as discussed in greater detail above , separates the descending signals from the return path signals. From the MUX 106, the signal passes through the energy divider circuit 108, which divides and amplifies the signal to a plurality of signals, preferably a signal for each floor or two, group of urban homes, or groups of apartments, such as sets of houses, apartments with garden, etc. Then the output for each individual split line is transmitted to one or more service modules 112 for the particular group or floor. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, while the signals are transmitted to the various service modules 112 over the various floors or groups of houses, it may be desirable to amplify the signals ".:» ... í A l while they are transmitted. thus, as illustrated in Figure 6, the signals can pass through one or more signal amplifiers 110. The number and location of the signal amplifiers 110 will depend on the particular configuration of the SAC. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the signal from the antenna 102 and LNB 104 can be converted to an optical signal using an electrical or optical converter (not shown) and sent over a fiber optic cable to the service modules 112 in the several floors or in other relatively safe places. Then the service modules 112 are preferably configured to convert the optical signal back to electrical and then process accordingly. According to the illustrated embodiment, the service modules 112 are similar to the service modules discussed above with reference to Figure 4. Therefore, the service modules 112 can be configured to receive the video signals in analogous manner, form digitally compressed, or both. if the digitally compressed signals are handled, which are typically satellite signals, the service modules 112 include circuitry for decompressing the digitally compressed video signals. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the service modules 112 preferably comprise about 10 to about 20 built-in receiver decoders or chip sets (interchangeably referred to herein as IRDs) (one for each user's television connected to the service module 112) . The IRDs preferably extract the repeating frequency band from the compressed video signal that includes the channel requested by the particular user and demodulate it towards baseband frequency. Then the IRD decompresses the frequency band towards 10 to 20 individual channels that were digitally compressed towards this band. if the signal was coded, then the IRD or the processor decodes the signal. Finally, the service module 112 extracts the requested video channel and transmits it to the user in baseband, or remodulates the signal at a channel frequency, such as channel 2, 3, 4 or 5. if the service module 112 receives analog video signals, this will preferably process these signals in the same way as the service modules in Figure 4. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may further comprise an antenna 114 for receiving television signals from local broadcasting and / or a cable connection (not shown) to receive channels from a cable company. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, local broadcasting channels are typically analog, uncoded and reside in the bandwidth of 50-850 MHz. In accordance with this aspect of this ¿. In the invention, the signal of the antenna 114 preferably passes to a frequency converter 116, which may or may not convert the local broadcast signals received at different frequencies. From the frequency converter 116, the signal passes to an add-on circuit 118. Similarly, the channels of the cable system can pass directly to the add-on circuit 118, or they can first be converted to different frequencies before passing through the add-on circuit 118. The adding circuit may combine the local broadcast signals and the cable signals with signals received from satellite antenna 102 and pass the signals to the splitter 108. In this way, the system 100 can provide satellite channels, local broadcasting channels and channels from a cable company to users, a solution that many satellite service providers can not currently provide, even to single houses. Also, one skilled in the art will appreciate, if the local cable and broadcast signals are analog and the satellite signals are digital, the adding circuit 118 will add the analog signals to the digital signals and pass all the signals to the service modulator 112. Then the service module 112 will be configured to process both analog and digital signals. In addition, according to an alternative modality of this t 1 A? In the invention, instead of combining the analog and digital signals, analog signals can be passed to the service module 112 in a communication connection and the digital signals can be passed to the service module 112 in a separate communication connection. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the local broadcasting channels are received by the service module 140 and passed to an end user without being processed by the service module 112. For example, the local broadcast signals pass from the node 38 directly to the MUX outgoing interconnection 46 via a communication path 122 (see Figure 4) and then out to the end user via the communication connection 16. In this manner, the end users can receive local broadcasting stations via connection 16 without having a CIB 14 and without subscribing to cable or DBS services. The system 100 can also be configured to provide telephone and computer services to the clients residing in the MDUs and / or SACs. As with the system illustrated in Figure 1 and described above, customer service requests, as well as telephone and computer access, are preferably originated from a customer interconnection box (CIB) located at the user's site. From the CIB, the service requests and the telephone and computer signals are communicated to the service modules 112. The service modules 112 process the service requests and forward the telephone and computer signals to a telephone system and / or to an installation of access to network or computer interconnection, respectively. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the telephone and computer signals from the service modules 112 preferably pass back through the MUX 106, which separates the progressive and return path signals. Then the return path signals (ie telephone and computer signals) are connected from the MUX 106 to the appropriate locations by means of a suitable connection 120, such as telephone line, cable line, cellular connection, transmission of micro wave or similar. For example, a telephone call can be connected to a local PBX, or the telephone call can be connected directly to a long distance carrier. Similarly, computer signals can be connected to one or more computer network access services or network interconnection, as discussed above. Referring now to Figure 7, still another embodiment of the present invention is shown. In accordance with this particular embodiment of the present invention, a service module 152 is configured to provide telecommunication services to users connected to each other in a manner ? -t-.i i, t ri L i?, 3 í serial in a derived connection system. For example, in many old apartment buildings, a single cable passes serially from one department to the next, and so on. Typically, a closed circuit will connect the apartments on the same floor, although this should not be configured in this way. According to these derived connection systems, each department typically comprises a connector that divides the signal so that one or more televisions can be connected to the derived connection system. Buildings with derivative connection cabling have traditionally been very difficult to improve to provide premium channels, pay-per-view channels, or even additional cable channels. In addition, it is extremely difficult to provide bi-directional communications, such as telephone and computer services along the cable with traditional derived connection systems. However, the service module 152 is adapted to provide such services to users connected to derived connection systems. According to this particular embodiment of the present invention, the service module 152 preferably comprises a divider 154, a plurality of user control circuits (UCCs) 156, an adder circuit 158, a multiplex (MUX) 160, and a control processor 162. Like with the service module 40 illustrated in Figure 4, the divider 154 is configured to receive signals from and transmit signals to a central node system that provides video, telephone, and / or computer services. In addition, the divider 154 amplifies and distributes signals to individual UCCs in the service module 152 via the divider connections 155. As with the user control circuits 42 of the service module 40, the user control circuits 156 are configured to communicate with the individual departments in the derived connection circuit, and comprises a MUX service interconnect, the integrated receiver decoder, the communication service module, and the modulator all operating in the same manner as the equivalent components in the module service 40 discussed above, except that instead of each IRD and UCC 156 transmitting video channels in baseband or in a low frequency channel such as 2, 3, 4 or 5, in the derived connection system, the signal of video that is sent beyond the service module 152 is preferably modulated to channel 2, the signal for the next closest department is modulated preferably towards channel 3, and so on, modulating the signal for the department closest to the service module 152 to the highest channel number. With this particular configuration, if there are "N" number of departments in total in the derived connection circuit, preferably at least "N" UCCs 156 in the service module 152 and the IRD in UCC "N" preferably modulates its signaling video requested at the frequency associated with channel M, where M = N + 1. thus, for example, if a connection system derived in a floor department of the particular building serves ten (10) departments, the video signal for the department closest to the service module should preferably be modulated to channel 11. This Particular configuration minimizes the loss for the farthest department. After the IRDs in the UCCs 156 modulate the signals to the particular channel frequencies, then the modulated outputs of the UCCS 156 pass to a combiner circuit 158 via the connections 157, and combine to a single signal. The signal is then transmitted through an output MUX 160 to the cable 164 feeding all the departments in the branch connection circuit. That is, at least one customer interconnection box (CIB) 172 in each department is connected to the derived connection circuit through a connector 168. To extract the appropriate channel for each department, the connector 168 or the CIB 172 includes preference a bandpass filter (BPF) that allows to make only the channel (s) of departments in _ »Í Í A ¿i -i, - .. .- irr £. In particular, they are available to the TV set (s) in the department. For example, for department 1, connector 168 or CIB 172 includes a BPF that allows users of department 1 to see only channel 2 and not other channels. Similarly, in department "N", connector 168 or CIB 172 includes a BPF that allows users in department "N" to see channel "M". In this way the service module 152 can provide the premium and pay-per-event channels to the users who pay for these services. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, if the BPF is configured with the connector 168, only a single channel will pass to the CIB 172. However, if the BPF is configured with the CIB 172, all the 2-M channels will pass to the CIB 172 in each department, and the appropriate channel for a particular department will be extracted by CIB 172. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, to prevent users in departments from stealing signals directed to another department, the connector 168 and the BPF are preferably set together, and apart from the CIB 172 (see Figure 8). Referring now to Figure 8, a more detailed diagram of a connector housing 166 and a CIB 172 is illustrated. In particular, the connector housing 166 includes a divider or connector 168 and a bandpass filter (BPF) 170. The CIB 172 includes an interconnection multiplex 174, a decoder 176, a communication multiplex 178, an authorization module 180, and a remote receiver 182. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the divider or connector 168 and the BPF 170 are configured separately from the CIB 172. However, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the divider or connector 168 and the BPF 170 can be configured within the CIB 172. Each combination of connector 168 and BPF 170 only allows it to pass. the channel associated with a particular department to the CIB 172. The signal passes from the connector 168 to the BPF 170 and then to the interconnection multiplex 174, which separates the video channels, the path data pro gressive and return trajectory data. The video channels pass from the interconnection multiplex 174 to the decoder 176. If one or more TV sets in that department are authorized to receive premium or paid channels, the decoder will decode the premium or payment channels and make them available to the devices. of TV in the department. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, if a department has more than one TV set, the department can receive multiple video channels; preferably one for each TV set. The data of progressive trajectory, voice and authorization data are divided by the interconnection multiplex 174 t - 't wái and pass to the communication multiplex 178. Typically, the data data, voice data and authorization command data are sent to the individual clients in dedicated channels determined by the cable system and / or assigned in the service module. These frequencies are common to all subscribers with the data data, voice and authorization commands that have additional address data, so that the CIB 172 receives and processes the data, voice and authorization commands addressed to that CIB for that department. When the communication multiplex 178 receives that data data, voice and authorization commands, it separates the data and passes the data and voice data to a modem, and passes the authorization data to an authorization module 180. The modem will process the voice and data data similarly to the modems illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 and described above. The authorization module 180 receives the authorization data, processes it, and sends decoder commands to the decoder 176. That is, if the user in the particular department is authorized to view a premium channel or a pay-per-view channel, the module The authorization 180 will verify the authorization data and then pass decoder commands to the decoder 176. Upon receiving the decoder command, the decoder 176 decodes the encoded signal. As discussed briefly above, the decoder 176 may comprise a A-í * ¡L4 »i - * ut * &. * Diode circuit that, on command, restores the synchronization pulse, allowing the image to synchronize horizontally. In addition, the decoder 176 may encompass other decoding and descriptive techniques. As discussed above, a user of the CIB 172 in a department you can select the channel he / she wants to see using a remote control device. The remote receiver 182 will receive the signal from the remote control device and pass it to the communication multiplex 178. In addition, the voice data and / or computer of a modem or directly from a telephone or a PC will also pass to the communication multiplex. 178. The communication multiplex 178 will format this towards the bandwidth spectrum from 1 to 40 MHz. Then the communication multiplex 178 will pass the return path data through a return path amplifier 184 to the interconnection multiplex. 174. The return path amplifier 184 amplifies the signal so that the losses caused by the splitter in the return transmission path are compensated. Then the interconnection multiplex 174 will pass the data back through the connector 168 and then back to the service module 152. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, while the amplifier 184 is positioned between the communication MUX 178 and the MUX of interconnection 174, the amplifier can ..... located in any part of the circuit, even within the communication MUX 178 and / or the interconnection MUX 174. In the service module 152, the return path data is handled in a manner similar to that of the service module 40 discussed above . This is the return path data, which includes the service requests and telephone and computer data, preferably transmitted back to the MUX 160 through the return path of the derived connection cable 164. The MUX 160 passes the service requests to control processor 162 and computer and voice data for each department back to Ucc 156 associated with the department via connections 159. For service requests, control processor 162 verifies that the client is authorized to receive the requested channel. if so, the control processor 162 sends a message to the IRD associated with that user to demodulate and decode that channel and provide it to the requesting user. The protocol does not change even though the CIBs are in a serial link rather than a parallel link, since each CIB 172 must be identified with the microprocessor. However, when more than one user makes a request, a waiting system is preferably used. In this way, the control processor 162 preferably handles service requests on the basis that the requestor first TO? .i-¿ú, i..u * ...

It is attended first. While not discussed in detail here, the service module 152 and, in particular, the UCCs 156 will handle the telephone and computer services in a manner similar to the service modules 40 as discussed above. Also, while this embodiment of the present invention described herein with reference to departments with derived connection configurations, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be used for other derived connection facilities. For example, rural cable systems in which individual farm houses are connected to a single cable with connectors or dividers can also use the present invention. As described above, the present invention provides a simple and efficient method, for a user or subscriber to select a desired service, and a system for determining whether the client or user is valid for that service, and, if so, to provide the service. selected service. Referring now to Figs. 9, 10 and 11, there is illustrated a flow chart of a method for providing telecommunication services to a client or users. According to a preferred method, the client or user chooses preferably a telecommunication service, such as video, telephone or computer services. The flow process for telephone services is shown in Figure 10, while the flow process for computer services is shown in Figure 11. Referring now to Figure 9, the method for providing video services will be discussed. In particular, when a client selects a video channel to view (step 202), the client communication device or box located on the surface determines that a video service is requested (step 204) and preferably communicates the selected channel and other user data to the service module (step 206). The service module receives the request and then the processor of the service module verifies the authorization of the client (step 208) and determines whether the client is a valid user or not (step 210). otherwise, the service module sends an invalid client message to the client's communication device and denies the service (step 212). If the customer has a valid account, the cable or pay TV channel is selected and processed accordingly (step 214). if a cable channel is selected, the service module checks to determine whether or not the client is authorized to receive the selected channel (step 216 and 218). if not, an invalid channel message is sent to the client (step 220). if the client is authorized to receive the selected cable channel, the signal is decoded and converted to the appropriate frequency (step 222). Once converted, the signal is sent to the requesting user (step 224). If the customer selects a pay-per-event selection, the service module checks the customer's credit (steps 226 and 228) and, if it is valid, is charged to the customer's account or charged to the customer (step 230). Then the service module decodes the selected channel (step 222), and sends it at the appropriate frequency to the client communication device (step 224). if the credit is rejected, the client is notified (step 232). The telephone and computer selections are handled in a similar manner, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11. If the client selects telephone services (Figure 10), the client communication device sends a telephone request and the selected telephone number to the service module (step 234). The service module verifies the authorization of the client (step 236) and determines whether the requester is an authorized client or not (step 238). otherwise, the service module sends an invalid client message to the requesting client communication device (step 240). if the client is a valid client, the service module creates a telephone connection between the customer's telephone and the central node system, a PBX or a long distance carrier (step 246). Otherwise, the service module sends an unauthorized service message to the iÁ? A U. 1. ír. j ... irt i > ». £» ... communication device of the requesting client (step 248). Also, if the client selects communication by computer (Figure 11), that data is sent through the interconnection of the client to the service module (step 250), where the service module again verifies the customer's service authorization (steps 252). -258), and, if authorized, the client receives the desired computer service and the service module creates a computer connection to the central node system (for example, using a CMTS) or an interconnection service provider. network (step 260). Otherwise, exception messages are sent to the user (steps 254 and 262). If there is a telephone call to the client, the service module preferably verifies that this is a client with telephone services, makes a MUX connection with the interconnection located on the client's surface, sends the call through to the client, and the customer's phone rings. The telephone services offered by the telephone provider can be passed on to the customer in the usual manner to be used in the usual way. In conclusion, the present invention provides a new telecommunication system for providing a plurality of telecommunication services for a plurality of customers in a safe and inexpensive manner.

While a detailed description of the present embodiments of the invention has been given above, various alternatives, modifications and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, while components or circuits different from the service module of the present invention are described herein by developing certain specific functions, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other components or circuits in the service module may develop some or all of the functions of the module. service without changing the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the above description should not be taken as limiting the spectrum of the invention which is defined by the included claims.

Claims (46)

1. CLAIMS 1. A telecommunication system for providing telecommunication services to customers, comprising: a central node system that provides telecommunication services in the form of telecommunication signals; a service module in communication with the central node system and configured to receive telecommunication signals from the central node system and provide telecommunication signals from the central node system to the clients; and a client interface device for each of the clients, the client interface device being in communication with the service module; where to obtain telecommunication services from the telecommunication system; a client issues one or more service requests to the service module for one or more telecommunication services using a client interface device associated with the client; the service module receives one or more service requests from the customer interface device and determines whether the customer is authorized to receive one or more of the requested telecommunication services; If the customer is authorized to receive one or more of the telecommunication services requested, the service module obtains a telecommunication signal associated with one or more of the telecommunication services. requested from the central node system and provides a telecommunication signal associated with one or more of the telecommunication services requested for the client interface device associated with the client.
2. 2. The telecommunication system as recited in claim 1, wherein the service module includes processing means to determine whether the customer is authorized to receive one or more of the requested telecommunication services. 3. The telecommunication system as recited in claim 1, wherein the telecommunication signals from the central node system may be in analogous form, in digital form, or a combination of analogous and digital form. The telecommunication system as recited in claim 1, wherein one of the requested telecommunication services comprises video services, and the customer service request comprises a request for a video channel of a plurality of video channels , each of the plurality of video channels being modulated at a different frequency and combined as a single ai 1 .... J video signal by the central node system and transmitted from the central node system to the service module, and where upon receiving the service module the customer service request for the video channel: if the client is authorized to receive the video channel requested by the client, a receiver / decoder in the service module extracts the video channel requested by the client from the video signal and converts the video channel of its modulated frequency to its baseband frequency, then the service module transmits the baseband frequency video channel to the client interface device associated with the client; and the client interface device associated with the client receives the baseband frequency video channel and communicates the video channel to a viewing device to view it. The telecommunication system as recited in claim 4, wherein the service module further comprises output means for receiving the video channel from the receiver / decoder and transmitting the video channel to the client interface device. 6. The telecommunication system as recited in claim 4, wherein after the receiver / decoder converts the video channel from its modulated frequency to the baseband frequency, the j »t:, ~ Ar» l. * r.l .J i? líí, l, JL ~ 2 ?? ¿i * .. __ ».._. _. ttJk 1 A. receiver / decoder modulates the video channel from the baseband frequency to a predetermined frequency, and the service module transmits the video signal in predetermined frequency to the client interface device associated with the client. The telecommunication system as recited in claim 4, wherein the plurality of video channels in the video signal comprises analog video channels, and the receiver / decoder comprises an analog receiver / decoder, and wherein the channels Analog video are decoded before being transmitted from the central node system to the service module, and the service module includes descrambling means for descrambling the randomized analog video channels. The telecommunication system as recited in claim 4, wherein the plurality of video channels in the video signal comprises digitally compressed video channels, and the receiver / decoder comprises a digital receiver / decoder, and wherein the Digitally compressed video channels are encoded before being transmitted from the central node system to the service module, and the service module includes decoding means for decoding the encoded digitally compressed video channels. 9. The telecommunication system as cited in ÍÁ Ú. i'.i'.ri ¡r -: claim 4, wherein one or more of the plurality of video channels comprises pay-per-view television channels, and the customer service request comprises a request to acquire a program of the payment channel in one of the pay-per-view television channels, and where the customer is authorized to receive the program of the payment channel, the service module transmits the pay-per-view television channel carrying the program of the payment channel to the customer interface device associated with the customer and charges the customer the cost of the payment channel program. The telecommunication system as recited in claim 1, wherein one of the requested telecommunication services comprises an outgoing telephone call from the customer and the customer service request comprises a request to connect the customer's telephone call to the customer. the other party that has telephone services, and where upon receiving the service module the service request by a telephone call from the client, the service module connects the customer's telephone call to a telephone service provider, which at his Once, connect the phone call to the other party. The telecommunication system as recited in claim 1, wherein one of the requested telecommunication services comprises an outbound telephone call from the client and the customer service request comprises a request to connect the customer's telephone call to the other party that has telephone services, and where upon receiving the service module the service request for a telephone call from the client, the service module connects the customer's telephone call to the central node system, which at its once it connects the customer's telephone call to a telephone service provider, which in turn, connects the telephone call 10 to the other party. 12. The telecommunication system as recited in claim 1, wherein one of the requested telecommunication services comprises connectivity services to the computer network and the request for The customer service comprises a request to connect a computer to a network, and wherein upon receiving the service module the customer service request, the service module creates a data connection between a computer connected to the customer interface device and a 20 network connectivity service provider. 13. The telecommunication system as recited in claim 1, wherein one of the requested telecommunication services comprises connectivity services to the computer network and the request for 25 customer service comprises a request to connect H | l ^? .. Í.Í, ¿. i MÜiJ, a computer to a network, and where upon receiving the service module the customer service request, the service module creates a data connection between a computer connected to the client interface device and the central node system . The telecommunication system as recited in claim 13, wherein the data connection is a flexible data connection of the DOCSIS. 15. The telecommunication system as recited in claim 1, wherein one of the telecommunication services comprises incoming telephone services, and wherein when a third party calls a user connected to the telecommunication system, the call of the third part is connected to a service module associated with the user, then the service module checks to determine if the user is authorized to receive phone calls, if the user is authorized, the service module connects the call of the third party to a client interface device associated with the user, which, in turn, connects the call of the third party to a telephone device. 16. A system for providing video services to users in a shared antenna complex, comprising: means for formatting the video signal to receive video channels from at least one video channel provider and formatting a video signal when modulating the video channels to different frequencies and combine the modulated video channels at different frequencies in a video signal; a service module in communication with the means for formatting video and adapted to provide video services to a group of users in the shared antenna complex, the service module comprising: dividing means for receiving video signal from the means for formatting video and dividing the video signal into a plurality of video signals, one for each user of the user group; processing means for processing the channel request of the users; channel formatting means for each of the users, the channel formatting means being adapted to receive one of the plurality of video signals, extracting a video channel from one of the plurality of video signals, the requested video channel being by one of the users, demodulating the video channel of its frequency modulated to the baseband, and transmitting the video channel in baseband frequency to a client interface device associated with one of the users, the interface device being of the client, in turn transmitting the video channel to a video channel display apparatus. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the client interface device communicates a request for the user's video channel to the processing means of the service module, and where the processing means verify whether the user is authorized. to receive the requested video channel, and if the user is authorized, the processing means instruct one of the channel formatting means to extract and transmit the requested video channel to the client's interface device. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the channel formatting means further comprises decoding means for extracting the requested video channel from the video signal and demodulating the video channel from its modulated frequency to the baseband. 19. The system as recited in claim 18, wherein after the decoding means demodulates the requested video channel to baseband, then the decoding means re-modulates the requested video channel at a predetermined frequency, and the formatting means of channel transmit the video channel in predetermined frequency to the client interface device. i ... i. i. a. i. j. &. ..,. _a__ > _i. .; _i ____. __ $ 20. The system as recited in claim 18, wherein the video channels in the video signal comprise analog video channels, and the decoding means comprise an analog receiver decoder, and wherein the analog video channels are scrambled before being transmitted. to the service module, and the service module includes descrambling means for descrambling the randomized analog video channels. The system as recited in claim 18, wherein the video channels in the video signal comprise digitally compressed video channels, and the decoding means comprise a digital receiver / decoder, and wherein the digitally compressed video channels they are encoded before being transmitted to the service module, and the service module includes encoding means for encoding the encoded digitally compressed video channels. 22. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein one or more of the video channels comprises pay-per-view video channels, and wherein a request for the user's video channel is for one of the pay-as-you-go channels. pay-per-view video, the processors verify if the user is authorized to receive the pay-per-view video channel, and if the user is authorized, the processing means instruct one of the media ? .rii .ír í. l channel formatters to extract and transmit the pay-per-event video channel requested, to the client interface device. 23. The system as recited in claim 16 further configured to provide telephone services to users, the service module further comprising telephony interface means for connecting telephone calls between a telephone service provider and a telephone connected to a device of client interface in the user's site, where when a service request from a user comprises a request to connect a telephone call from the user to the other party having telephone services or when a telephone call addressed to the user is connected to the service module from the telephony service provider, the processing means verify to determine if the user is authorized for telephony services, and if the user is authorized for telephony services, the telephony interface means of the service module connect the phone call between the provider of telephone service, and the user. 24. The system as recited in claim 16 further configured to provide connectivity services to the computer network to users, the service module further comprising means of interface to network of to * -a.A4kl computer for connecting a computer connected to a client interface device in a user site to a computer network, wherein when a service request from a user comprises a request to connect the computer to the computer. user's site to the computer network, the means processor verify to determine if the user is authorized for connectivity services to computer network, and if the user is authorized for the services, the means of interface to the computer network of the module of service provide a data connection between the network and the computer connected to the customer interface box. 25. A system for providing telecommunication services, including video, telephony and computer network services to users, the system comprising: a central node system providing the telecommunication services in the form of telecommunication signals, comprising the signals telecommunication a video signal; a service module in communication with the central node system and adapted to receive telecommunication signals from the central node system and provide the telecommunication signals from the central node system to the users, the service module comprises: processing means for processing requests for LUta a J, _fc ___ IUa_ ... .A.
3. 3 I * - .. »- telecommunication service from users; dividing means for receiving the video signal from the central node system and dividing the video signal into a plurality of video signals, one for each user of the user group; channel formatting means for each of the users, the channel formatting means being adapted to receive one of the plurality of video signals, extracting a video channel from one of the plurality of video signals, the requested video channel being by one of the users, demodulate the video channel from its modulated frequency to baseband, and transmit the baseband frequency video channel to a client interface device associated with one of the users, the client interface device , in turn, transmits the video channel to a video channel display device. 26. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein the telecommunication signals from the central node system carry analog signals, digital signals, digitally compressed signals or any combination of analog, digital and digitally compressed signals. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein the channel formatting means further comprises decoding means for extracting the video channel requested from the video signal and demodulate the video channel from its modulated frequency to baseband. 28. The system as recited in claim 27 wherein after the decoding means demodulates the requested video channel to the baseband, then the decoding means re-modulates the requested video channel at a predetermined frequency, and the channel formatting means they transmit the video channel in predetermined frequency to the client interface device. 29. The system as recited in claim 28, wherein the predetermined frequency comprises a frequency associated with a single television channel. The system as recited in claim 27, wherein the video channels in the video signal comprise analog video channels, and the decoding means comprise an analog receiver decoder, and wherein the analog video channels are scrambled before of being transmitted to the service module, and wherein the service module includes descrambling means for descrambling the randomized analog video channels. The system as recited in claim 27, wherein the video channels in the video signal comprise digitally compressed video channels, and wherein the decoding means comprise a digital receiver / decoder, and wherein the digitally compressed video channels are encoded by the central node system before being transmitted to the service module, and the service module includes decoding means for decoding the encoded digitally compressed video channels. 32. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein the telecommunication signals comprise telephony signals, and the service module further comprises telephony interface means for connecting telephone calls between a telephone service provider and a connected telephone. to a client interface device at the user's site, wherein when a service request from a user comprising a request to connect a telephone call from the user to another party having telephone services the processing means verify to determine whether the The user is authorized for telephony services, and if the user is authorized for telephony services, the telephony interface means of the service module connects the telephone call to the central node system, which, in turn, connects the user's telephone call. to the telephone service provider, which in turn connects the telephone call unique to the other party. 33. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein the telecommunication signals comprise ..i ... í? -ití &léiíírS '-V,. .. .. computer data signals, and the service module further comprises a computer network means for connecting a computer connected to a client interface device to a user site to a computer network, where a service request user comprises a request to connect the computer in the user's site to the computer network, the processor means verify to determine if the user is authorized for computer network interconnection services, and if the user is authorized for the services, The computer network interface means of the service module connects the computer connected to the client interface device to the central node system, which, in turn, connects the computer to the computer network. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein the telecommunication signals comprise progressive path data signals, which may include one or more telephony signals, computer data signals, and information message signal, and wherein the progressive path data signals are transmitted from the service module to a client interface device to a user site in the baseband. 35. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein the telecommunication signals comprise progressive path data signals, which can liiiiiliiai iilli l lto '? . "Ufe include one or more telephony signals, computer data signals, and information message signal, and wherein the progressive path data signals are transmitted from the service module to a client interface device to a site of the user modulating the progressive path data signals at a frequency corresponding to a channel frequency and transmitting the progressive path data signals to the client interface device in channel frequency. 36. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein the return path data signals of the client interface device may include one or more of the telecommunication service request signals, telephony signals, data signals. of the computer, the information message signals, and wherein the return path data signals are transmitted from the client interface device to the service module by modulating the return path data signals at a frequency corresponding to a frequency channel and transmitting the return path data signals to the service module at the channel frequency. 37. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein the return path signals from the client interface device may include one or more of the telecommunication service request signals, telephone signals, computer data signals, information message signals, and where the return path data signals are transmitted from the client interface device to the service module by modulating the return path data signals at a frequency between about 4 MHz and about 40 MHz and transmitting the return path data signals to the service module at that frequency. 38. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein the return path data signals from the client interface device may include one or more of the telecommunication service request signals, telephony signals, computer data, information message signals, and where the return path data signals are transmitted from the client interface device to the service module by transmitting the return path signal over a separate communication path of the communication path in which the signals are transmitted from the service module to the client interface device. 39. A telecommunication system for providing telecommunication services, including video, telephony and computer network services, to a group of end-user sites connected to a derivative connection cable distribution system, comprising: a system of central node providing the telecommunication services in the form of telecommunication signals, the telecommunication signals comprise a video signal; a service module in communication with the central node system and adapted to receive telecommunication signals from the central node system and provide the telecommunication signals from the central node system to the group of end user sites, the service module comprises: processing means for processing telecommunication service requests from the end user sites; dividing means for receiving the video signal from the central node system and dividing the video signal into a plurality of video signals, one for each of the end user sites; channel formatting means for each of the end user sites, the channel formatting means being for receiving one of the plurality of video signals, extracting a video channel from one of the plurality of video signals, the channel being video requested by one of the end user sites, demodulate the video channel of its frequency modulated to baseband, and create a video output channel for one of the end user sites il-il, l¿. < i .t.J.,. . r .___._. ___._. . Jr _. , ... UA ~ ~ l by remodulating the baseband video channel at a predetermined frequency, the predetermined frequency being different for each of the end user sites; totalizing means for totalizing the video output channel from each of the channel formatter means in a composite video signal comprising each video output channel modulated at different frequencies; a connection connection of the derived connection cable that communicates the composite video signal from the totalizing means to each end user location; couple the means to couple the communication connection to an end user site; filter means for filtering the user's output channel for the end user site from the composite video signal, by creating an end user video signal; and a client interface device that receives the video signal from the end user and transmits the video signal of the end user to a video signal display apparatus. 40. The system as cited in the claim 39, wherein the channel formatting means further comprises decoding means for extracting the requested video channel from the video signal and demodulating the video channel from its modulated frequency to the baseband. r ^ Y * - 41. The system as recited in claim 40, wherein after the decoding means demodulates the requested video channel to baseband, the decoding means then re-modulates the requested video channel at the predetermined frequency. 42. The system as recited in claim 39 comprising N end-user sites and N channel formatting means, and wherein X = N, such that the X-channel formatting means modulates the video signal of output to the end user site at an associated frequency, associated with the M channel, where M = X + 1. 43. The system as recited in claim 42, wherein the end user site 1 is further from the service module and the end user site N is closer to the service module. 44. The system as recited in claim 39, wherein the filter means comprises a bandpass filter. 45. The system as recited in claim 39, wherein the telecommunication signals comprise telephony signals, and the service module further comprises telephony interface means for connecting telephone calls between a telephony service provider and a connected telephone. to a client interface device in an end-user site, where when a request ÍA- .l? .A.rí-Í rh? . ri. service from the end-user site comprises a request to connect a telephone call from the end user site to the other party having telephone services, the processor means checks to determine whether the end user site is authorized for telephony services, and if the end user site is authorized for telephony services, the telephony interface means of the service module connects the user's telephone call to the central node system, which in turn, connects the telephone call of the end user site. to the telephone service provider, which in turn connects the telephone call to the other party. 46. The system as recited in claim 39, wherein the telecommunication signals comprise computer data signals, and the service module further comprises computer network interface means for connecting a computer connected to a computer interface device. client at an end user site to a computer network, wherein when a service request from an end user site comprises a request to connect the computer at the end user site to the computer network, the processing means revise to determine if the end user site is authorized for computer network interface services, and if the end user site is authorized for such services, the The computer network interface of the service module connects the computer connected to the client interface device to the central node system, which, in turn, connects the computer to the computer network. li4J _______. i __.__ i .__ i SUMMARY A telecommunication system to provide telecommunication services to a plurality of users connected to a derived cable connection distribution architecture. The system includes a signal acquisition and transmission circuit or a central node circuit (11) for capturing and transmitting telecommunication signals to the user (15). In addition, the system comprises a signal distribution system (12) or circuit operatively connected to the signal acquisition and transmission circuit for receiving and transmitting telecommunication signals to and from it. The system includes an interface device (14) of the user or client operatively connected to an associated signal distribution circuit for receiving both telecommunication signals from the associated signal distribution circuit and transmitting telecommunication signals to the associated signal distribution circuit . The signal distribution circuit is formed by a node (38) having a plurality of output lines and a service module (40) operatively connected to one of the node output lines. The service module further includes a signal splitter (41) having a plurality of output lines, a user service module circuit operatively connected to one of the output lines of the splitter, and a control circuit ? j? al át? ^ ÜM ^ ^ l. processor that operationally controls the service module. Ír¿. ??. Jírl.Í -ü.Árr? -. I _ «.. J .. *« J; iátA-íit.