ES2214943A1 - MATV/SMATV system, has graphic terminal to present interactive service and configuration menu, where menu is presented on television screen of user through television channel - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a signal processing unit (6) forming a head and a graphic terminal (20) to present an interactive service and configuration menu for the system. Control equipment (2) generates an information menu in an 8 megahertz television channel in the UHF band. The menu is presented on a television screen (60) of a user through the television channel. An independent claim is also included for an arrangement for a system for reception and distribution of terrestrial and/or satellite television signals.

Description

System for reception and distribution of signals of terrestrial television and / or satellite.

The present invention relates to a system according to the preamble of claim 1.

MATV / SMATV networks are already known, which are television signal reception and distribution systems terrestrial and / or satellite that through a common equipment allows the television reception to the different components of a Neighborhood community These systems are basically composed by a signal picker responsible for receiving the different terrestrial and / or satellite television channels, a team of header consisting of amplifier equipment, converters, modulators, etc., responsible for adapting and amplifying the channels received and a distribution network responsible for transport the signals to the user sockets located in the different user homes (one home has 1. generally more than one connection to the MATV / SMATV network).

The number of users of these MATV systems / SMATV is limited to a maximum of a few hundred users and at least one user (housing with various user shots). The signals that are generally distributed do not They are generated in the system itself.

There is currently a large number on the market of equipment for this type of systems. Said equipment exclusively contemplates the aspects of reception, adaptation and distribution of television signals and sound broadcasting but not the possibility of transmitting data at high speed. This is mainly because these networks are constituted by distribution elements that have characteristics that prevent the transmission between the various users connected to the network.

On the other hand, there are several transmission protocols on the market that allow the connection of different user stations through high-speed networks, such as the type protocols
Ethernet, HomPNA ... etc.

In the case of Ethernet networks, the means of transmission used is the peer cable and for its implementation it is necessary to create an exclusive network for this purpose with the problem that it represents.

WO 00/055895 describes a process for the introduction of the Ethernet signal in the coaxial cable for its use in distributions made in homes single family.

This procedure raises the problem of the large losses that occur in the data signal as consequence of the baseband distribution of the Ethernet signal. In addition, this baseband transmission generates a bandwidth (100 KHz to 42 MHz) that occupies the entire return channel (5-30 Mhz) and as a consequence will render said useless return channel in a MATV / SMATV distribution network.

The HomePNA protocol is developed for cable of pairs in order to be implemented taking advantage of the line telephone available in the house its transmission frequency It is in the 5 to 10 MHz band.

The use of said telephone line reduces the possibilities of the network to be limited to only one housing, not allowing the network interconnection of the different Community housing.

US Patent 6252755 describes a device to transmit HomePNA through the tension lines. East system poses similar interconnection problems between homes in a community, while increasing noise and interference problems as a result of the child screen screening.

The object of the present invention is to develop a system that enables high speed data transmission between users in a MATV / SMATV network without interfering with services established in said network.

This object is obtained by the invention defined in the claims.

The invention has a plurality of advantage.

In an example according to the invention the system community for reception and distribution of television signals terrestrial and / or satellite has means that enable the high speed data transmission between the various users connected to the network and / or header equipment.

Such a system allows the file transfer between the various users of the network, as well as the sharing of resources (internet connection shared, access to external and internal databases, ... etc) using an existing network, without the need to establish a new wiring through all homes and all existing connection points in these homes.

In another example, the community system for reception and distribution of terrestrial television signals and / or satellite according to the invention is characterized in that the transmission of High speed data is performed according to the HomePNA protocol.

This allows the use of terminal equipment that have standard interfaces allowing for easy connection of such equipment to the high speed network established.

It also allows its use with devices whose cutoff frequency is below 5 MHz as This is the case of the devices used in MATV / SMAT networks avoiding the change of said devices in existing networks.

Another example of a community system for reception and distribution of terrestrial television signals and / or satellite according to the invention is characterized in that the means that enable high-speed data transmission between various users connected to the network and / or header equipment They are located in the distribution network.

This has the advantage of facilitating the adaptation of existing networks by limiting modifications exclusively to the distribution network.

In another example of community system for reception and distribution of terrestrial television signals and / or satellite according to the invention means that enable the high speed data transmission between the various users connected to the network and / or the header equipment are located in the header equipment.

This has the advantage of facilitating the adaptation of existing networks by limiting modifications exclusively to the header team. So in the case of large SMATV networks with a large number of connected users will makes it possible not to have to modify the distribution network, of great Size for these cases.

In another example of community system for reception and distribution of terrestrial television signals and / or satellite according to the invention means that enable the high speed data transmission between the various users connected to the network and / or the header equipment, located in the network  distribution, are constituted at least by an element of coupling, a distribution element, a plurality of elements of filtering and a plurality of mixing elements.

This has the advantage that being these elements exclusively passive elements allow their Easier incorporation into an existing network.

In another example of community system for reception and distribution of terrestrial television signals and / or satellite according to the invention means that enable the high speed data transmission between the various users connected to the network and / or the header equipment are constituted at least for a diplexer element, a switch and a plurality of mixing elements

This allows the data signal to be regenerated. by the switch and consequently the distribution network can grow in number of users without affecting the data signal.

In another example according to the invention the system community for reception and distribution of television signals terrestrial and satellite has a device consisting of at least one distribution element, one coupling element, one distribution element, a plurality of filtering elements and a plurality of mixing elements.

This allows greater integration within the network facilitating the assembly and maintenance of the
same.

In another example according to the invention the system community for reception and distribution of television signals terrestrial and / or satellite has a device consisting of minus a diplexer element, a switch and a plurality of mixing elements

This allows greater integration within the network facilitating the assembly and maintenance of the
same.

In another example of community system for reception and distribution of terrestrial television signals and what satellite according to the invention means that enable the high speed data transmission between the various users connected to the network and / or header equipment, located on the computer header, are constituted at least by router.

This allows you to centralize all data traffic in the header, while limiting modifications to introduce into an existing network at a single point.

A non-limiting example of the invention is Describe the attached figures:

Figure 1 shows a MATV / SMATV System in general.

Figure 2 shows an example of System of MATV / SMATV according to the invention.

Figure 3 shows another example of System of MATV / SMATV according to the invention.

Figure 4 shows another example of System of MATV / SMATV according to the invention.

Figure 5 shows a device made according to the invention.

Figure 6 shows another possible device made according to the invention.

Figure 7 shows a separator element made according to the invention.

As can well be seen in figure 1 a MATV / SMATV system is made up of a team that captures signals 2 where the antennas are located, usually of terrestrial and satellite television, responsible for receiving the signals, a header team 3 where all the teams are located amplification, modulation, conversion, mixing, ... etc, managers to adapt the signals and a distribution network 4 that distributes The signal to the users.

How well you can see the distribution network 4 is constituted by coaxial cable 41, branch elements 42, delivery elements 43 and user sockets 44.

The signals received by the collector of signals 2 are sent to header equipment 3 where they are properly treated and amplified. This amplification is will be carried out according to the levels required by the losses introduced by distribution network 4 in the distribution.

The distribution network 4 distributes the signals from the header equipment 3 to the different user sockets 44. For this, the distribution network 4 also comprises the corresponding coaxial cable 41 of branch elements 42 responsible for extracting part of the signal and directing it. to the various user sockets 44 existing in said branches. The branch elements 42 generally consist of a signal input 421, a step output 423 through which the signal is transmitted to the other elements of the network and two or four branch outputs 422 through which the signal is transmitted to the user sockets 44. The losses experienced by the signal are different in the case of the step output 423 and the branch outputs 422 and both depend on the type of branch element 42 which will depend on its location in the network of distribution 4. Despite the losses in derivation are much higher than the losses of passage. The first being between 10 and 25 dB and the second between
1 and 4 dB.

Following bypass outputs 422 of the branch element 42 there are generally elements 43 distributors responsible for distributing the signal to the various user shots 44, giving rise to what is known as cast in star. In some cases bypass output 422 of the branch elements 42 go directly to the user sockets 44 establishing a chain known as the cast name cascading

Figure 2 shows an example of System of MATV / SMATV according to the invention. As well it can be seen in the this network is made up of a signal pickup device 2, a header team 3 and a distribution network 4. The network of distribution 4 is constituted by a coaxial cable 41, elements bypass 42, distributors 43, user sockets 44, elements of coupling 45, distribution elements 46, a plurality of elements of filtering 47, a plurality of mixing elements 48.

These devices establish a Bidirectional path of low losses for the data signal. Said path is constituted from the header team 3 or from the preceding branch element 42 through the element of coupling 45, the distribution element 46, the mixing elements 48, the distribution elements 43 (when they exist) until the user 44.

The signal transmitted through the network will be constituted by the signals corresponding to the services of the MATV / SMATV network (usually TV) located in the frequency band 47 to 2150 MHz and corresponding signals to the data, located these for the case of HomePNA protocol, between 5 and 10 MHZ.

The composite signal (TV plus data) from the element of header 3 or branch element 42 above, it is introduced in a coupling element 45 where it is taken a sample of the data signal to the element of cast 46.

The composite signal (TV plus data) once crossed the coupling element 45 is introduced into the element bypass 42.

At branch outputs 422 of the element branch 42 the composite signal will be present (TV plus data).

Also, in the outputs of the distribution element 46 the data signals will be present. The number of outputs of the delivery element 46 will match the number of outputs of branch 422 of branch element 42.

TV signals of bypass outputs 422 of the branch element 42 are introduced into elements of Filtering 47 in order to eliminate data signals.

Once the output signals of the shunt element 42 are mixed, with the data signals corresponding to the outputs of the distribution element 46, in the mixing elements 48.

It is thus obtained at the exit of each element of mix 48, the composite signal (TV plus data) with the attenuations corresponding.

These attenuations are introduced for the case of TV by the bypass element 42 and for the data signal by the coupling element 45, the distribution element 46 and the elements Mixing 48.

Once the composite signals are obtained (TV more data) are transmitted with the corresponding attenuations up to the user sockets, 44 through the delivery elements 43, if they exist. Once in the user socket 44 a separating element 49 separates TV signals and data so that the first one Enter on the TV and the second on the computer.

Also at the exit of step 423 of the element of branch 42 will be present the composite signal (TV plus data), the which will be introduced in the coupling element 42 below starting again the process described above.

Figure 3 shows another alternative of embodiment of the invention applicable to MATV / SMATV systems With large number of users.

As you can see in the figure the cast element 46 is replaced by a Swicth 50, the element of coupling 45 is replaced by a diplexer element 51 and added to the outlet of the branch element 42 a new mixing element 48.

The composite signal of (TV plus Data) is introduced in Diplexer 51 where it is separated in the TV signal and The data signal. The first is introduced in the element of bypass 42 and the second in a 5-way switch 50. Switch 50 distribute the signals present in their tracks according to the directions destination of the various packages that make up the signal of data.

At branch outputs 422 of the element branch 42 will be present exclusively TV signals.

Also in the 5-way switch 50 will be Present the data signals. The number of switch 50 tracks will match the number of bypass outputs 422 of the element bypass 42 plus one.

The output signals of the branch element 42 are mixed with the 4-way data signals of the switch 50 in the control elements.
mix 48.

It is thus obtained at the exit of each element of mix 48, the composite signal (TV plus data) with the levels adequate.

The branch element 42 introduces the attenuation corresponding to the TV signal and switch 50 sets the corresponding levels of the data signals.

Once the composite signals are obtained (TV more data) are transmitted to user sockets 44 through the delivery elements 43 if they exist. Once in making user 44 a separator element 49 separates the TV signals and data so that the first one is entered on the TV and the second in the computer.

One of the paths of the switch 50 is mixed in the mixing element 48 existing at the outlet of step 423 of the bypass element 42 with the existing TV signal in said step output 423 thus obtaining the composite signal (TV plus data) which will be entered in the coupling element 42 next starting again the process described above.

Figure 4 shows a hybrid solution of the solutions proposed in Figure 2 and Figure 3. This way manages to increase the number of users of the proposed network in the Figure 2 by using switch 50 and on the other hand it reduce the cost of the network proposed in figure 3 as consequence of the reduction of switch number 50.

Figure 5 shows a block diagram of a device 6 constituted according to the invention. Said device 6 it is constituted by a coupling element 45, an element of distribution 46 of an entrance and four exits, an element of branch 42, four filter elements 47 and four elements mixing 48. The device 6 has an input 61, a step output 423 and four bypass outputs 62. Said device 6 whose operation has been described based on the Figure 2 allows the transmission of the composite signal (TV plus data) from input 61 to bypass outputs 62 with the appropriate attenuations for TV and data, enabling data transfer between the various sockets of the network MATV / SMATV when establishing a low loss bidirectional path for that signal. Also at the exit of step 423 the device 6 presents the composite signal (TV plus data) with a small attenuation with respect to input 61.

Figure 6 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of device 7 according to the invention. Saying device 7 is constituted by a diplexer element 51, a 5-way switch 50, a branch element 42, and 5 elements of mix 48. Device 7 has an input 71, an output step 423 and four bypass outputs 72. Said device 7, whose operation has been described based on figure 3, allows the transmission of the composite signal (TV plus data) from the input 71 to bypass outputs 72 with attenuations suitable for TV and data enabling data transfer between the various shots of the MATV / SMATV network when establishing a bidirectional path of low losses for said signal. Likewise at step output 423 the device 7 presents the signal composite (TV plus data) in this case the data signal is regenerated by the swicht 50 allowing the increase in the number of MATV / SMATV network users without diminishing the capacity of High speed data transmission of the network.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the element separator 49 according to the invention. As well it can be seen in the said separator element 49 is constituted by an element diplexer 491.

Said separating element 49 has a direct connection between your input 492 and your exit 493 through which passes the radio signal from the radio output of the user socket 44 (Fig 2,3,4) to which said entry 492

It also has a 494 entrance through the which is the composite signal (TV plus data) from user socket 44 (Fig 2,3,4).

Said signal is separated into a diplexer element. 491 on the TV signal and the data signal. The first is taken to exit 495 through which you enter the TV and the Data signal is taken to exit 496.

The data signal before it is taken to computer has to be transformed from coaxial output to RJ11 output what which will be carried out by a device consisting of a transformer.

Reference List

one.-

System of MATV / SMATV

two.-

Pickup equipment signals

3.-

Team of Headboard

4.-

Network of distribution

41.-

Cable coaxial

42.-

Element of derivation

421.-

Signal input of branch element 42

422.-

Departure from branch of branch element 42

423.-

Way out of branch element 42 (or of devices 6 or 7)

43.-

Element of distribution

44.-

Take user

Four. Five.-

Element of coupling

46.-

Element of distribution

47.-

Element of filtered out

48.-

Element of mixture

49.-

Element separator

491.-

Element diplexer of the separator element 49

492.-

Item entry separator 49

493.-

Item output separator 49

494.-

Signal input composite (TV plus data) separator element 49

495.-

Signal output TV separator element 49

496.-

Signal output data separator element 49

fifty.-

Switch

51.-

Element diplexer

6.-

Device

61.-

Entry device 6

62.-

Departures from bypass device 6

7.-

Device

71.-

Entrance of device 7

72.-

Departure from device bypass 7

Claims (9)

1. System for reception and distribution of terrestrial and / or satellite television signals constituted at least by a signal pickup system (2), a header device (3) and a distribution network (4) Characterized because it has means that enable the high speed data transmission between the various users connected to the system and / or header equipment (3). 2. System according to claim 1 characterized in that the high-speed data transmission is performed according to the HomePNA protocol. 3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means that enable high-speed data transmission between the various users connected to the system and / or the header equipment (3) are located in the distribution network (4). System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means that enable high-speed data transmission between the various users connected to the system and / or the header equipment (3) are located in the header equipment (3). 5. System according to claims 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that the means that enable high-speed data transmission between the various users connected to the system and / or the header equipment (3) consist of at least one coupling element. (45), a distribution element (43), a plurality of filtering elements (47) and a plurality of mixing elements (48). 6. System according to claims 1, 2 and 3 characterized in that the means that enable high-speed data transmission between the various users connected to the system and / or the header equipment (3) consist of at least one diplexer element ( 51), a swicht (50) and a plurality of mixing elements (48). 7. Device (6) for a system for receiving and distributing terrestrial and / or satellite television signals according to previous claims characterized in that it has at least one branch element (42), a coupling element (45), an element of distribution (46), a plurality of filtering elements (47) and a plurality of mixing elements (48). Device (7) for a system for receiving and distributing terrestrial and / or satellite television signals according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it has at least one diplexer element (51), a switch (50) and a plurality of mixing elements (48). 9. System for receiving and distributing terrestrial and / or satellite television signals according to claims 1, 2 or 4 characterized in that the means that enable high-speed data transmission between the various users connected to the system and / or the equipment header (3) consist of at least one router.