GB2389758A - Universal video/audio link - Google Patents

Universal video/audio link Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2389758A
GB2389758A GB0208653A GB0208653A GB2389758A GB 2389758 A GB2389758 A GB 2389758A GB 0208653 A GB0208653 A GB 0208653A GB 0208653 A GB0208653 A GB 0208653A GB 2389758 A GB2389758 A GB 2389758A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
devices
video
audio
band
transmission
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0208653A
Other versions
GB0208653D0 (en
Inventor
Philip Clarke
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0208653A priority Critical patent/GB2389758A/en
Publication of GB0208653D0 publication Critical patent/GB0208653D0/en
Publication of GB2389758A publication Critical patent/GB2389758A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
    • H04B1/06—Receivers
    • H04B1/16—Circuits
    • H04B1/20—Circuits for coupling gramophone pick-up, recorder output, or microphone to receiver
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/76—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet
    • H04H60/78—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet characterised by source locations or destination locations
    • H04H60/80—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet characterised by source locations or destination locations characterised by transmission among terminal devices
    • 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
    • H04N21/426—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof
    • 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
    • H04N21/4363—Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a Bluetooth® network
    • H04N21/43632—Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a Bluetooth® network involving a wired protocol, e.g. IEEE 1394
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/76—Television signal recording
    • H04N5/765—Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/10—Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable
    • H04N7/106—Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable for domestic distribution

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

A means of physically connecting together multiple video and audio devices. Devices may transmit control data to request functions on other connected devices (e.g. a TV to a set-top-box to change channel). Devices are connected together by screened coaxial cable which is continuously chained so that all devices are connected to all other devices. Transmission between devices is through channels within modulated frequency bands, consisting of a video band (for the transmission of video signals), an audio band (for the transmission of audio signals), an identity band (for the transmission of identity data so that devices are aware of other connected devices, their capabilities and use of other bands), and a control band (for devices to request control function on other connected devices).

Description

UNIVERAL VIDEO / AUDIO LINK
Background
The Universal Video I Audio Link (UVAL) is a means of physically connecting together deferent types of consumer video and audio equipment.
Existing means of connecting video and audio equipment (phono connectors, SCART leads and RF coaxial cables) each have various limitations, including: À With SCART and phono, each device needs to be connected to each other device, making it complex, inconvenient and expensive to link multiple devices together, often necessitating additional splitting and switching devices. À With SCART, the cables are expensive making it impractical to link disparate devices. À With RF, transmissions are limited to a single audio channel (mono) per video channel. À W'th each of these technologies, it is not possible to control a remote device; e.g. 1: increasingly, video signals are produced by the a set-top box (such as satellite, cable and terrestrial digital), and channels have to be selected on the set-top box' not the television; e.g. 2: it is not easily possible to control a video that is in one room when the television you are watching is in another room.
The UVAL addresses each of the issues in a single interface.
The following are the main features of the UVAL: À Universal: Entertainment equipment with deferent functions (e.g. television, hi-
fi, video, VCR, DVD) can be connected together, utilising (optionally) a video channel and multiple audio channels.
À Multiple Devices: Many devices can be connected together.
Disparate Devices: Devices should not have to be close together.
Device Control: One device can control others (e.g. TV controlling settop box or video).
À Simple and Cheap Connection: Each device only needs one connector to connect it to multiple devices, making it simple, intuitive and cheap for home users. Page 1
l Essential Features Devices are connected together by screened coaxial cable with a single standard connector. The cable connecting multiple devices is continuous, therefore all devices are connected to all other devices (the UVAL network).
Video, audio and control data is broadcast by devices using modulated electromagnetic waves over the UVAL network to all other devices on the UVAL network. Devices are either broadcaster devices (e.g. set-top-box), receiver devices (e.g. television), or bath (e.g. VCR). Broadcaster devices broadcast video and/or audio.
Receiver devices send control data to broadcaster devices and render their broadcasts (e.g. video and audio).
The UVAL frequency spectrum Consists of four separate bands - identity, control, audio and video. Each band is further split into channels.
Identity Band Each device continually broadcasts data over an identity channel. The data is a looping stream of data which comprises of headed data, including a string of text describing the device (e.g. make and model of the device), and ID of any control, video and audio channels it is using.
When a broadcast device is first connected to the UVAL network, it scans the identity channels to look for other devices broadcasting over that channel. Once a free channel is found, the device reserves that identity channel by broadcasting H's description data over it, indicating to other new devices that the identity channel is
reserved and should not be used by another device. Next, the device examines the data within the identity channels of all other connected devices to look for spare control, video and audio channels as needed. When free channels have been identified, they are reserved by the device by the inclusion of the channel identities in the device's identity data.
When a receiver device is first connected to the UVAL nab vork, it will scan all identity channels to look for broadcast devices. A receiver may list the description string of
each connected broadcast device for the user to select - once selected, the receiver device may tune to the video and audio channels indicated by the broadcast device.
Control Band A broadcast device normally reserves a Control channel. A control channel allows receiver devices to transmit instructions to a broadcast device. Instructions are small bursts of data to request an action. Some instnJctions are single code instructions (e.g. standby, play, stop, pause, forward-wind, re wind), others are strings of codes with a termination character (e.g. changing channel, select track).
Page 2
it Video Band Any video being broadcast by a device will be broadcast over a video channel. No imposition is made on the video format, therefore NTSC, PAL and Secam are supported as well as digital data encoding (e.g. Widescreen Signal).
Audio Band Any audio being broadcast by a device will be broadcast over an audio channel.
There is no limit to the number of audio channels a device may use.
Example lJsage
The following is a simple and realistic example of how UVAL could be used in a home with a number of UVAL devices.
Connected UVAL devices: À Lounge -1V, video, cable set-top box, hi-fi.
À Bedroom: TV, hi-fi.
The devices are all connected using UVAL screen-coaxial cables. There is E' single cable connecting the lounge and bedroom devices.
Any of the video devices (TVs and video) can view what is being shown by the set-
top box. Furthermore, they can control what the set-top box is showing (e. g. the bedroom television remote control can be used to change the settop box's channel, and the video can be programmed to record a specific channel at a specific time).
The televisions can view what the video is showing. Furthermore, they can control the video (e.g. play, forward-wind and re-wind a video).
Both hi-fis can play the sound that is being produced by the video or settop box. If the functionality is available, the hi-fis could also play whatever is being shown by either television, or could play what the other hi-fi is producing (e.g. a CD could be played on one hi-fi and listened to on both hi-fis).
Page 3

Claims (2)

Claims
1. An interface for connecting together multiple video and audio devices for the transmission between devices of audio and video signals, and control data so that connected devices can control other connected devices.
2. An interface as claimed in Claim 1 where devices are physically connected together using a single chain of cables so that all devices are able to transmit to and/or receive form all other connected devices.
Page 4
GB0208653A 2002-04-16 2002-04-16 Universal video/audio link Withdrawn GB2389758A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0208653A GB2389758A (en) 2002-04-16 2002-04-16 Universal video/audio link

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0208653A GB2389758A (en) 2002-04-16 2002-04-16 Universal video/audio link

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0208653D0 GB0208653D0 (en) 2002-05-29
GB2389758A true GB2389758A (en) 2003-12-17

Family

ID=9934891

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0208653A Withdrawn GB2389758A (en) 2002-04-16 2002-04-16 Universal video/audio link

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2389758A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2431841A (en) * 2005-10-28 2007-05-02 Hewlett Packard Development Co Multiport switching between consumer devices over a WLAN

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1520647A (en) * 1974-11-01 1978-08-09 Int Home Systems System for the remote control of a plurality of electrical devices
EP0457673A2 (en) * 1990-05-14 1991-11-21 Sony Corporation Signal transmission system for a home network
JPH09224235A (en) * 1996-02-15 1997-08-26 Nippon Soft Purannaa:Kk Av controller
JPH11120681A (en) * 1997-10-08 1999-04-30 Sony Corp Electronic equipment system
JP2001309458A (en) * 2000-04-20 2001-11-02 Canon Inc Remote control system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1520647A (en) * 1974-11-01 1978-08-09 Int Home Systems System for the remote control of a plurality of electrical devices
EP0457673A2 (en) * 1990-05-14 1991-11-21 Sony Corporation Signal transmission system for a home network
JPH09224235A (en) * 1996-02-15 1997-08-26 Nippon Soft Purannaa:Kk Av controller
JPH11120681A (en) * 1997-10-08 1999-04-30 Sony Corp Electronic equipment system
JP2001309458A (en) * 2000-04-20 2001-11-02 Canon Inc Remote control system

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
A thumbnail history of the IEEE 1394 standard", www.firewirestuff.com/whatis.html, October 2001 *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2431841A (en) * 2005-10-28 2007-05-02 Hewlett Packard Development Co Multiport switching between consumer devices over a WLAN

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0208653D0 (en) 2002-05-29

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7036091B1 (en) Concentric curvilinear menus for a graphical user interface
JP4526387B2 (en) Centralized home processing equipment for providing video and data to multiple locations
US5852437A (en) Wireless device for displaying integrated computer and television user interfaces
US7269386B2 (en) Method and apparatus for adjusting signal component strength
CN1309219C (en) Singnal main controller using infrared transmission ordor and bus transmission order to control AV device
US8966550B2 (en) Home communication systems
US7509181B2 (en) System and method for request, delivery and use of multimedia files for audiovisual entertainment
US7242316B2 (en) Device control apparatus and method
US20120036535A1 (en) Set top box apparatus having a radio frequency antenna and an associated method
JPH10511191A (en) Home entertainment system with high quality display
US20050086706A1 (en) Television system
JP2007502090A (en) Digital media server for multiple digital TV devices using native signals transmitted through home network coaxial wiring
KR100602954B1 (en) Media gateway
CA2416790A1 (en) Video/audio/data distribution architecture
US7409142B2 (en) Receiving apparatus, receiving method, and supplying medium
KR20030018067A (en) Interface unit
US20080313666A1 (en) Method and system for controlling access to media content distributed within a premises
US20030122964A1 (en) Synchronization network, system and method for synchronizing audio
KR20020074190A (en) System and method for a baseband digital television
GB2389758A (en) Universal video/audio link
US20030126623A1 (en) Audio/video network, system and method for providing audio
KR100886745B1 (en) Multimedia modulator
CN1971653A (en) Remote controller with macro function and TV set using the same
KR100737081B1 (en) Method and apparatus for receiving analog signal in digital broadcasting system
KR100654987B1 (en) Distributed broadcast storage system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)