GB2384925A - A broadcast data receiver or set top box with RS232 and SCART connection to a PC detects voltage on audio line of SCART to allow communication - Google Patents
A broadcast data receiver or set top box with RS232 and SCART connection to a PC detects voltage on audio line of SCART to allow communication Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2384925A GB2384925A GB0220486A GB0220486A GB2384925A GB 2384925 A GB2384925 A GB 2384925A GB 0220486 A GB0220486 A GB 0220486A GB 0220486 A GB0220486 A GB 0220486A GB 2384925 A GB2384925 A GB 2384925A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- bdr
- voltage
- scart
- audio
- communications device
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 40
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 31
- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000005236 sound signal Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001010 compromised effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/436—Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/4104—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
- H04N21/4113—PC
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/442—Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed, the storage space available from the internal hard disk
- H04N21/44231—Monitoring of peripheral device or external card, e.g. to detect processing problems in a handheld device or the failure of an external recording device
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
- Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
Abstract
A broadcast data receiver (BDR) or set top box is provided, typically as part of a television system. The BDR receives and processes data from a broadcaster at a remote location. The BDR communicates with a personal computer (PC) via a SCART connection. The BDR is also provided with an RS232 interface. A voltage is applied to the audio line 1 by PC 28 to act as a request to send RTS signal. A Voltage detection circuit R1-R3 and Q1 is provided in the BDR for detecting voltage on an audio line of the SCART connection, such that on detection of a voltage above a pre-determined level by the detection circuit, an output signal is activated from the RS232 interface, thereby allowing communication between the BDR and the PC via pins 10 and 12 of the SCART connector. So no RS232 connector is needed.
Description
<Desc/Clms Page number 1>
Broadcast Data Receiver This invention relates to data communication devices, and particularly but not exclusively to a broadcast data receiver (BDR) and a further data communication device connected to and/or communicating therewith.
BDRs are typically provided as part of television systems and receive data from a broadcaster at a remote location via cable, satellite and/or terrestrial broadcast systems. The BDR processes and decodes the received data to provide video, audio and/or auxiliary data for display on a display screen and/or for listening to via speakers connected to or forming part of the BDR. Telecommunication lines and/or other forms of communication connections are increasingly being provided with BDRs to allow e-mail, Internet connections, telephone and voice mail facilities, home shopping services and/or the like to be provided via the BDR and television system.
One form of connection which is currently used in serial data communication devices, including the connection of BDRs to devices such as computers, is via a Recommended Standard (RS) 232C connection. An RS232C connection is a standard connection and interface approved by the Electronic Industries Association for connecting serial data communication devices together.
An aim of the present invention is to utilise an RS-232C interface for communication between a BDR and further communications device without requiring use of an RS-232C connector, thereby reducing the number of connector sockets and hence space required to be provided on the rear of the BDR.
<Desc/Clms Page number 2>
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a broadcast data receiver (BDR), said BDR receiving and processing data from a broadcaster at a remote location, said BDR communicating with a further data communications device via a SCART connection, and said BDR being provided with an RS232 interface therein, and wherein voltage detection means are provided in the BDR for detecting voltage on an audio line of said SCART connection, such that on detection of a voltage at or between a pre-determined level or levels by said voltage detection means, said RS232 interface is activated, thereby allowing communication between said BDR and said further communications device via pins 10 and 12 of said SCART connector.
Although serial interface signals have been sent over pins 10 and 12 of the SCART connector in previous designs, the present invention provides a means by which signals can be sent without interference with the reserve function requirement of pins 10 and 12. In addition, input and outpu. t from said RS232 interface is disabled during normal use and in the present invention activates of the RS232 interface, thereby allowing RS232 output and/or input therefrom. This allows communication between the BDR and the further communications device without the need for an RS232 connector being provided on the back panel of the BDR. This has the advantage of reducing the space required on the back panel of the BDR.
Preferably the voltage detection means is a voltage detection circuit provided in the BDR which detects a pre-determined change in the voltage on the audio line of the SCART connector.
Preferably the voltage detection circuit detects Direct Current (DC). The audio line of the SCART connector is normally AC
<Desc/Clms Page number 3>
coupled and thus detection of DC voltage by the voltage detection circuit is not overly prone to interference.
Preferably the audio line signal is from a ground referenced source (i. e. , is centred on 0 volts) and/or passed through at least one decoupling capacitor to remove any DC voltage therefrom prior to passing through the audio input pin of the SCART connector.
Preferably the further communications device connects with the chosen audio input pin of the SCART connector and, when the further device requires to communicate with the BDR, a predetermined signal is transmitted from said further communications device through said audio input pin. This signal changes the voltage in the audio line and this pre-determined change is detected by the voltage detection circuit. If the predetermined signal is at or between the pre-determined levels, then communication is initiated between said BDR and further communications device.
Preferably the further communications device transmits a predetermined DC voltage through said audio input pin of the SCART connector to said BDR. Since DC voltage in the audio line signal has been removed, the DC voltage from the further communications device is not interfered with.
Preferably the DC voltage signal transmitted from the further communications device to the audio input pin, which results in the change in voltage in the audio line of the SCART connector, is greater than or equal to +3 volts.
Further preferably the DC voltage signal is greater than or equal to +5 volts.
<Desc/Clms Page number 4>
Preferably the audio line voltage is passed through a capacitor in the BDR to remove any DC voltage therefrom prior to the voltage passing into the audio circuitry of the BDR. The voltage detection circuit is provided between the SCART connector and the capacitor.
Preferably the increase in voltage at said pre-determined level switches on a transistor in the voltage detection circuitry. The output signal provided from the transistor once it is switched on, activates the RS232 interface.
Further preferably one or more resistors are provided to control the voltage at which the transistor is switched on.
In one embodiment the further data communications device is a Personal Computer (PC).
Thus, in summary, the present invention provides the significant advantage that since the RS232 connector is not required, the requirements for back panel space on the BDR is reduced, together with a reduction in the number of components required in the BDR, thereby resulting in reduced expense of manufacture of the BDR. In addition, the present invention allows use of pins 10 and 12 of the SCART connector of the BDR without violating the pins"reserve"function.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures wherein: Figure 1 is an example of a voltage detection circuit according to the present invention; and
<Desc/Clms Page number 5>
Figure 2 is an example of a broadcast data receiver (BDR) and personal computer communications system in which the present invention can be used.
Conventionally, communication between a BDR and a further communications device, such as a PC, occurs via an RS232 interface and connector.
In order to save back panel space on the BDR, pins 10 and 12 of the BDR's SCART connector are used in the present invention for RS232 signals (transmit signals and receive signals) between the BDR and a further communications device, thereby removing the requirement for an RS232 connector to be provided on the back panel of the BDR. Pins 10 and 12 would not generally be used under normal operating conditions because they are reserved for television and video functions. However, the present invention is able to use pins 10 and 12 without interfering with their reserve function.
Thus, in accordance with the present invention, a DC voltage detection circuit is provided on an AC coupled audio input line of the BDR for detecting a voltage above a pre-determined level.
Once a voltage above the pre-determined level is detected, this activates an RS232 output line on an RS232 interface.
The RS232 transmission output line is typically disabled in normal use until a suitable connection is made between the further communications device and the SCART connector of the BDR. This ensures that future use of pins 10 and 12 in relation to a television, video recorders and/or the similar device connected to the BDR is not compromised.
The voltage detection circuit of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to figures 1 and 2. A
<Desc/Clms Page number 6>
voltage detection circuit for a broadcast data receiver (BDR) 6 is provided to allow communication between a PC 28 via SCART pins 10 and 12 without violating the standard required reserve functions thereof.
The BDR 6 is connected to a television display screen 34 and both the BDR 6 and television 34 are powered by mains voltage 36. A remote control device 38 is used to control functions of the television and BDR. A panel 40 is provided on the back 42 of the BDR and a SCART connector 4 is provided thereon.
A PC 28, which comprises a display screen 44, a processing unit 46 and a keyboard 48, is connected to the BDR 6 via the SCART connector 4.
In normal use of the voltage detection circuit, an audio signal 1 is fed through an audio pin of the SCART connector 4 into the broadcast data receiver (BDR) 6. The audio signal 1 is from either a ground referenced source (Le., it is centred on 0 volts) or, in this example, is passed through a decoupling capacitor 2 to isolate any DC voltage from the incoming signal.
The audio signal is then passed from the audio pin of the SCART connector 4 through a capacitor 8. This removes any DC voltage signal that might be present in the audio signal, prior to the signal passing into the audio circuitry 9 of the BDR.
Between the capacitor 8 and SCART connector 4 a DC voltage detection circuit is provided. This circuit includes resistors 10, 12 and 14, and transistor 16. Resistor 10 is provided so that the audio signal level is not affected. The selected combination of resistors 10 and 12 allows the selection of the DC voltage level at which the transistor 16 will switch on. For example, when resistor 10 = 150K and resistor 12 = 22K the transistor 16 will
<Desc/Clms Page number 7>
switch on if the DC voltage exceeds +5 volts. The resulting output 17 from the transistor 16 (the"control signal") is used to activate the RS232 output 30.
The PC 28 is connected to the SCART connector 4 via a suitable audio pin in the SCART connector through which the audio signal 1 also passes. A current limiting external resistor 24 is connected directly or indirectly to the chosen audio input pin on the SCART connector.
When communication between the PC 28 and BDR 6 is required via its RS232 interface, i. e. , via the SCART connector (serial RS232 communication), the PC 28 sets the request-to-send (RTS) signal from the PC to the BDR high ( > +5 volts). This increase in DC voltage is detected via the audio pin by the voltage detection circuit in the BDR, and this in turn switches the transistor 16 on and activates the RS232 interface to allow communication via RS232 output 30 and RS232 input 32 between the BDR and PC 28 using the SCART pins 10,12 which are activated by detection of the predefined voltage level.
Claims (18)
1. A broadcast data receiver (BDR), said BDR receiving and processing data from a broadcaster at a remote location, said BDR communicating with a further data communications device via a SCART connection, and said
BDR being provided with an RS232 interface therein, and wherein voltage detection means are provided in the BDR for detecting voltage on an audio line of said SCART connection, such that on detection of a voltage at or between a pre-determined level or levels by said voltage detection means, said RS232 interface is activated, thereby allowing communication between said BDR and said further communications device via pins 10 and 12 of said
SCART connector.
2. A BDR according to claim 1 wherein said voltage detection means includes a voltage detection circuit.
3. A BDR according to claim 2 wherein said voltage detection circuit detects direct current (DC) voltage.
4. A BDR according to claim 1 wherein audio line signals for the BDR are provided from a ground referenced source prior to passing through an audio pin of the SCART connector.
5. A BDR according to claim 1 wherein audio line signals for the BDR are passed through at least one decoupling capacitor prior to passing through an audio pin of SCART connector.
<Desc/Clms Page number 9>
6. A BDR according to claim 1 wherein the further communications device is connected to an audio input pin of the SCART connector of the BDR.
7. A BDR according to claim 6 wherein when said further communications device requires to communicate with said
BDR, said device transmits a pre-determined signal through the audio input pin of said SCART connector to said BDR.
8. A BDR according to claim 7 wherein the pre-determined signal is in the form of a DC voltage.
9. A BDR according to claim 8 wherein the pre-determined
DC voltage transmitted from the further communications device to the audio input pin is greater than or equal to +3 volts.
10. A BDR according to claim 8 wherein the pre- determined DC voltage transmitted from the further communications device to the audio input pin is greater than or equal to +5 volts.
11. A BDR according to claim 1 wherein a capacitor is provided on the audio line in the BDR such that audio line voltage is passed through said capacitor prior to passing into audio circuitry of said BDR.
12. A BDR according to claim 11 wherein the voltage detection circuit is provided between the SCART connector and the capacitor provided on the audio line.
13. A BDR according to any preceding claim wherein the pre-determined voltage signal transmitted from said
<Desc/Clms Page number 10>
further communications device to said BDR is at or between the pre-determined levels detected by the voltage detection circuitry.
14. A BDR according to any preceding claim wherein a transistor is switched on in the voltage detection circuitry when said pre-determined voltage level is reached.
15. A BDR according to claim 14 wherein when the transistor is switched an output signal is initiated therefrom which activates RS232 input and/or output.
16. A BDR according to claim 14 wherein one or more resistors are provided to control the voltage at which the transistor switches on.
17. A BDR according to any preceding claim wherein the further communications device is a personal computer (PC).
18. A BDR substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures and description.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0122314A GB0122314D0 (en) | 2001-09-15 | 2001-09-15 | Broadcast data receiver |
Publications (4)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0220486D0 GB0220486D0 (en) | 2002-10-09 |
| GB2384925A true GB2384925A (en) | 2003-08-06 |
| GB2384925A8 GB2384925A8 (en) | 2004-02-13 |
| GB2384925B GB2384925B (en) | 2005-02-16 |
Family
ID=9922144
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0122314A Ceased GB0122314D0 (en) | 2001-09-15 | 2001-09-15 | Broadcast data receiver |
| GB0220486A Expired - Fee Related GB2384925B (en) | 2001-09-15 | 2002-09-04 | Broadcast data reciever |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0122314A Ceased GB0122314D0 (en) | 2001-09-15 | 2001-09-15 | Broadcast data receiver |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB0122314D0 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1317140A3 (en) * | 2001-11-29 | 2004-04-28 | Pace Micro Technology PLC | Broadcast data receiver with access to a UART |
-
2001
- 2001-09-15 GB GB0122314A patent/GB0122314D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2002
- 2002-09-04 GB GB0220486A patent/GB2384925B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1317140A3 (en) * | 2001-11-29 | 2004-04-28 | Pace Micro Technology PLC | Broadcast data receiver with access to a UART |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2384925B (en) | 2005-02-16 |
| GB2384925A8 (en) | 2004-02-13 |
| GB0220486D0 (en) | 2002-10-09 |
| GB0122314D0 (en) | 2001-11-07 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20210904 |