WO2002065780A1 - Systeme de commutation entre un signal satellite et un signal de television et procede d'insertion d'un signal telephonique - Google Patents

Systeme de commutation entre un signal satellite et un signal de television et procede d'insertion d'un signal telephonique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002065780A1
WO2002065780A1 PCT/US2002/004356 US0204356W WO02065780A1 WO 2002065780 A1 WO2002065780 A1 WO 2002065780A1 US 0204356 W US0204356 W US 0204356W WO 02065780 A1 WO02065780 A1 WO 02065780A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
signal
telephony
radio frequency
signals
providing
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/004356
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Mark J. Antoine
Michael G. Ellis, Sr.
Peter Anthony Cascio
Original Assignee
Satellite Accessories, Llc
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.)
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Publication date
Application filed by Satellite Accessories, Llc filed Critical Satellite Accessories, Llc
Publication of WO2002065780A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002065780A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/20—Adaptations for transmission via a GHz frequency band, e.g. via satellite
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
    • H04B7/14—Relay systems
    • H04B7/15—Active relay systems
    • H04B7/185—Space-based or airborne stations; Stations for satellite systems
    • H04B7/18523—Satellite systems for providing broadcast service to terrestrial stations, i.e. broadcast satellite service
    • 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
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/4786—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application e-mailing
    • 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
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/4788—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application communicating with other users, e.g. chatting

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to electronic signal coupling of multiple signals onto a coaxial cable transport, and in particular to a system and method for providing telephony interfacing to a broadcast television and satellite systems.
  • installers of satellite dishes and receivers connect three different signals to the satellite receiver in order for a cable television system to work properly.
  • a connection is made from the antenna, generally a satellite dish, to the receiver.
  • a second connection to the receiver may then include an off air antenna or cable signal so that the receiver can access local television (TV) signals should the consumer/customer wish to view local TV stations.
  • the installer must provide for a telephone signal (herein referred to as dial tone) connection for use by the customer and the satellite provider.
  • the service provider typically wants to access the satellite receiver for verifying the location of the receiver. It is of value to the provider to know when a customer is changing locations of the receiver. Also, if multiple receivers are being used, it is desirable for all receivers using a common satellite dish, dishes, antenna, or antennas to be operable with the same phone line. Telephone connection verification is useful in preventing piracy of the satellite signal. Satellite providers also use the telephone connection to down load any pay-per-view or other purchases made during a billing period.
  • installers use a device often referred to as a multiswitch for combining a satellite signals and an off-air antenna or cable television signal.
  • This new combined signal is then sent out through the output connector of the multiswitch to various coaxial cable (coax) connections located throughout a house or structure, by way of example.
  • coax coaxial cable
  • the installer typically attaches a device called a device called a diplexer that serves to separate the combined signals back out based on frequency bands so they can be connected to the Satellite receiver at their respective input port locations.
  • the third and last signal is as important as the first two signals. Yet it is typically not combined with the first two signals. As a result, the installer must go through a time consuming and often difficult process to provide the dial tone signal. In many situations currently known in the art, a telephone outlet is not conveniently located near preferred television or audio/visual system locations.
  • the installer may choose from available solutions, herein described by way of example to include: "running" new wire to each location of a satellite receiver, a normally difficult and labor intensive procedure; accessing a telephone outlet that is closest to the receiver and running a line within the house, also a labor intensive procedure typically requiring the installer to hide the wire so that it is not exposed for view as it runs across a finished room within the house; and as another option, using wireless phone jacks.
  • “wireless” is a misnomer in that typical devices require electrical wiring to be run in a home to transmit the phone signal. Further, there are problems associated with the use of wireless phone jacks. In many instances there is too much electrical interference within the setup.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,027,426 to Chiocca, Jr. discloses the use of a diplex filter to place telephony and RF signals on a single coaxial cable (coax), but uses the shield of the coax as the needed second conductor. In practice, the shield typically can be unintentionally grounded during installation, causing undesirable telephony signal transmission problems.
  • U.S. Patent No. 6,144,399 to Manchester et al. discloses a passive system for merging a telephone and broadband signals onto one cable, and by way of example teaches that the outer conductor must remain ungrounded to avoid shorting the telephone electrical to earth ground.
  • Telephony signals are dc coupled onto the inner and outer conductors of the coaxial cable, while the information wire and reference ground of the broadband signal are ac coupled onto the inner and outer conductors of the coaxial cable.
  • the present invention seeks to overcome such problems by avoiding the need to use both the center conductor and the shield for transmitting the telephony signals and employs the use of digital square wave pulses used by microcontrollers located at each end of the single coax to communicate telephony information to each other.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,896,556 to Moreland et al. uses the modulation and demodulation of the telephony signals to an RF frequency over the coax.
  • the suggested telephony interface is to be connected at only one place in the system, and prior to any splitters on the coax cable.
  • the present invention seeks to reduce costs and minimize components, and as a result discloses transmission of the telephony baseband requiring no modulation.
  • the system comprises a switch for receiving a plurality of radio frequency signals and providing a selected signal output to a coaxial cable in response to a control signal, a telephony device for receiving a telephony signal, a controller operable with the switch for providing the selected signal output and operable with the telephony device for receiving telephony information and a baseband communications system operable with the controller and the telephony device for modifying the telephony signal as characterized by a control signal for transmitting a modified telephony signal through a single center conductor wire of the coaxial cable.
  • One preferred embodiment includes a triplexer for connection to the single cable for receiving the modified telephony signal and the selected radio frequency signal, the triplexer further having a controller communicating with the controller through the single conductor wire and an interface device for connection to a receiver.
  • a method aspect of the present invention includes receiving a plurality of radio frequency signals, processing the radio frequency signals for transmitting to a switch, selecting one radio frequency signal from the plurality of radio frequency signals for transmission through a single cable, receiving a telephony signal, modifying the telephony signal as characterized by a digital control signal for transmitting a modified telephony signal through a single conductor wire of the single cable, receiving the selected radio frequency signal and the modified telephony signal, processing the modified telephony signal for reforming the telephony signal from the modified telephony signal, and transmitting the telephony signal and the selected radio frequency signal to a receiver.
  • the system of the present invention permits a merging of all three desired signals, including a satellite signal, off-air antenna or cable television, and a telephone signal. Further, these signals can be distributed to multiple locations so that the satellite receivers can work independently of one another. As a result, an installer can simply connect a satellite signal, an off-air antenna, and a telephone signal, all at one easy location in a single multiswitch device. The installer also has the option of connecting the telephone signal at the triplexer instead for providing distribution of dial tone to other triplexers and receivers through the multiswitch in situations where a telephone signal is not present at the multiswitch location. The installer connects the existing cabling to the outputs of the multiswitch device and delivers all three signals over one coax to each receiver location.
  • This triplexer separates out the multiplexed signals so that the installer can connect them to their respective connections on the receiver. This is an easy solution for the installer or the homeowner. A single system that can merge all three signals and distribute them to any location in the home using the single existing cabling and each receiver can act independently of each other. There is a savings in time and the installer does not have multiple devices to connect or buy in order to handle the telephone signal separately.
  • the installer simply connects the satellite signal and the off-air/ cable to multiswitch just as he currently does with existing multi-switches.
  • the installer simply connects a phone signal to the new multiswitch or triplexer. This is a great savings in cost over the current solution not only in reducing the cost of associated equipment the installer must purchase and the labor that is involved, but it also reduces time lost on a job due to down time as the installer tries to figure out which "fix" is best. Also it takes all of the guesswork out any particular job for a less experienced installer.
  • the installer will find a phone line located near the multiswitch or one or the triplexers to which to connect. After he has located a phone signal, the installer simply plugs it into the multiswitch or triplexer that is near-by.
  • the system of the present invention does the rest of the work including delivering all three needed signals to all locations in a home across existing coax cable or wire.
  • the multiswitch and triplexer of the present invention offers a major cost savings in the labor required for installation, reduces the cost of associated equipment needed to connect a telephone service to a satellite receiver, and ensures an esthetically pleasing system installation.
  • each installation has a phone connected to the satellite receiver so that it can verify the location of each receiver, download all pertinent charges from the many different pay-per-view options which also helps to increase the satellite provider's revenues because all installations will now have a phone signal properly connected resulting in an increase in orders due to the ease of the ordering process, help to end theft or pirating of the satellite signal, and helps to lower installation costs when compared to current satellite jobs which is most desirable in light of the current "free" installation programs satellite providers are offering.
  • the system of the present invention which combines three needed signals and transmits the combined signal over a coax that already exists in a home or structure, is a needed accomplishment.
  • the system does not simply combine the signals. It manages the transmission of radio frequency and telephony signals and processes programming and telephony requests from multiple receivers to which it communicates.
  • One embodiment of the present invention includes a triplexer.
  • the receiver controls the multiswitch using its own system protocol that it transmits to the multiswitch via a coaxial cable connection through the triplexer to the multiswitch output RF connector for channel selection and telephone connection.
  • the triplexer modifies the protocol of the receiver and creates a unique protocol to which the multiswitch will respond.
  • the duties of a multiswitch include analyzing the protocol and transmitting requested signals to each receiver, which may differ based upon the selection in each receiver.
  • satellite channels have pre-assigned signals that are transmitted by the satellite provider.
  • Typical receiver channel selection protocol includes using a control signal varying between a 13 volts DC or 18 volts DC level with or without the presence of a 22 kHz signal.
  • the triplexer analyzes the receiver channel selection request as well as any request for a dial tone connection.
  • the multiswitch must process each request from a receiver then send the proper channel and/or telephony connection to that receiver.
  • the microcontroller operable with the multiswitch communicates with the controller in each triplexer through the coax in order to determine if a dial tone is present at any of the triplexers or at the multiswitch in order to process channel and telephony path connections.
  • Current system protocol signals 13 and 18 volt plus the 22 kHz signal, make it difficult to transmit the phone signal simultaneously.
  • the 18 and 13-volt signals and the 22kHz signal are changed to a new and different format to avoid interference of these signal voltages with the telephone signal.
  • One embodiment of the present invention as will be later described in further detail includes a triplexer. The request is then processed and transmitted back to the triplexer.
  • the requested channel Before it can be transmitted, the requested channel must be changed to the new format.
  • the triplexer When the triplexer receives the requested channel, it changes it back to the original signal for recognition by the receiver.
  • the multi-switch While the multi-switch is processing the satellite signal, off-air antenna and phone signals are being transmitted across the coax cable or wire. Off-air/cable, phone and satellite signals must be able to operate simultaneously and not interfere with each respective signal. This allows the receiver to do multiple tasks at the same time. An example of this is a user of a satellite watching a satellite channel and at the same time receiving an incoming call.
  • the multi-switch must now pass the phone signal to the receiver where it is recognized. Then it processes the phone signal so that a caller I.D. may be shown on the users screen where the viewer is watching a satellite channel.
  • Another example is a simple activation of a satellite receiver or receivers by an installer.
  • an installer When an installer has finished connecting a satellite, phone and off- air/cable signals, he is at a stage where they must activate the satellite receiver with the satellite provider. With the TV and the satellite on, the installer contacts the provider by phone. The satellite provider must at the time of the call be able to interact with the receiver or receivers. If the phone signal is not connected to the receiver then the provider will not activate the receiver. Therefore the multi-switch must be able to send all needed signals simultaneously to any satellite receiver that is to be activated.
  • FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating a telephony signal insertion device operable with a multiswitch for switching satellite and cable television broadcast signals combined with telephony information for transmission over a single coaxial cable to a receiver;
  • FIG. 1 A is a system block diagram of an alternate embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrating the telephony signal insertion device carried by the multiswitch having seven RF input signals and telephony information combined for a four way output to the coaxial cable operable with a receiver;
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an alternate embodiment of the multiswitch and triplexer of the present invention
  • FIG. 2A is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the system of FIG. 2 in keeping with the teachings of the present invention
  • FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic block diagrams illustrating alternate embodiment of a triplexer of the present invention
  • FIGS. 4 is a partial block diagram illustrating operating elements of the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 2A
  • FIG. 5 is a partial functional flow diagram illustrating a baseband communications system including a microcontroller operable with the multiswitch and triplexer of FIGS. 2 and 2A;
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one implementation of the system of FIG. 5; and FIG. 7 is a functional flow diagram illustrating an alternate embodiment of a controller of FIG. 5.
  • one embodiment of the present invention as herein described comprises a system 10 for switching multiple broadcast signals 12 from satellite antennas 14 and terrestrial antennas or cable 16 for transmission through a single coaxial cable 18 to a television receiver 20 while managing use of the broadcast signals through telephony signal 22 insertion.
  • the system 10 incorporates passage of a telephony signal 22 and an RF signal 24 on the single coax 18 between a multiswitch 26 and a triplexer 28.
  • a telephony interface 30 provides an RJ-11 connector port 32 on an eight input (D8) 34 interface for connection to the multiswitch 26 through a data access arrangement (DAA) device 36 which brings the outside phone line signal 22 into operation with the multiswitch 26.
  • DAA data access arrangement
  • one embodiment of the triplexer 28 has a similar DAA device for connecting to an outside line interface.
  • the triplexer 28 also includes an RJ-11 connection 40 to a subscriber line interface circuit (SLIC) to interface to the receiver to provide a dial tone (DT) and telephony information, as will be later described.
  • SLIC subscriber line interface circuit
  • the multiswitch 26 and telephony interface 30 route telephony information to the receiver 20 either using a triplexer as a direct connection to the wall (the single coax 18 running through the building, by way of example) or by going from one triplexer 28 through the multiswitch 26 to another triplexer to provide the telephony information such as a dial tone.
  • This functionality is illustrated with reference again to FIG. 1 , wherein a separate box is used to carry the telephony interface 30 for installer connection to a standard multiswitch for providing the telephony signal injection as will be described later in this section.
  • one embodiment of the invention includes the system 10 of FIG.
  • a multiswitch may have multiple input ports 42 and output ports 44 as desired, and those illustrated with reference to the attached drawings are provided by way of example.
  • one preferred embodiment of the system 10 includes input ports 42 providing six satellite port connections 46 and a cable TN. port feed connection 48 which as herein provided by way of example are routed through output ports 44 to as many as eight receivers 20.
  • Cascaded antenna outputs 50 are provided after initial antenna signal processing within the multiswitch 26 for providing a feed to other multiswitch antenna ports thus allowing a cascading of the antenna ports to feed multiple receivers.
  • the multiswitch 26 interfaces to the triplexer 28. Alternate triplexer embodiments will include a "high end" triplexer 28h or a "low end” triplexer 28I as illustrated with reference to the system of FIG.
  • the "high end" triplexer 28h has a SLIC interface device 52 and a DAA interface device 54.
  • the SLIC 52 is a subscriber line interface that allows connection to the receiver 20 and the DAA interface 54 allows connection to an outside wall line connection 54.
  • the function of DAA device 36 is to detect a ring or connection signal to the outside ring connection and the SLIC device 52 is used to regenerate the ring and connect to the receiver 20 for providing connectivity through the multiswitch 26.
  • FIG. 2A illustrates, by way of example, a low end system 101 having the multiswitch using either a low 281 or high 28h end triplexer 28.
  • Low end and high end as herein described refer to the cost of the equipment and allow for optional uses as desired by the installer or customer.
  • the cascading outputs 50 may or may not be included depending on the intended use of the system 101.
  • the system 10 optionally includes cable TV upstream components 56 to allow a cable modem 58 in place of a receiver 58 and triplexer 28 to provide cable modem access from the cable connection 48 through the multiswitch 26.
  • the low end embodiment of the system 101 as herein described has only a downstream connection 60 for providing cable TV or off air antenna programming coupled with the satellite input feeds.
  • the block diagram signal input flow starts at the top portion where either a vertical 42v or a horizontal 42h polarization is provided by the satellite signal antenna 14.
  • the system provides 13 volt and 18 volt biasing 62, respectively.
  • the 13 volt signal is referred to as vertical or as having right hand polarization, and the 18 volt signal as horizontal or as having a left hand polarization. These biases are fixed onto each of the respective ports.
  • Signal gain and filtering 64 provide a desired 950 to 1450 MHz signal passage from the satellite antenna ports 46.
  • Distributed couplers 66 provide uniform feeds to each of the single pole multi-throw switches 68 which will connect to each antenna port and satellite antenna port and allow a master microcontroller 70 to select the needed programming feed for routing to a particular receiver 20.
  • the switches 68 are controlled by the master microcontroller 70 described in further detail later in this section.
  • the microcontroller 70 is carried within the multiswitch housing, as illustrated with reference to FIG. 4, but it is to be understood that the microcontroller may be external without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
  • fixed gain and RF slope equalization components 72 compensate for higher frequency attenuation due to cable losses.
  • a coupler 74 is provided for coupling the cable TN. line 76 with the satellite feed 78 so that a single feed, the single coax 18 to each triplexer, can be used for connecting to the appropriate receiver 20.
  • Variable gain 80 is provided at the output for adjusting the signal level for the satellite as well as terrestrial signals.
  • the telephony signal is diplexed 82 with the RF signal for transmission over the common and single coax 18 to the triplexer 28. Once the signal leaves the multiswitch 26, it is carried by the coax to the triplexer 28.
  • the triplexer 28 functions to split the satellite portion of the frequency band and the cable portion of the frequency band as well as the telephony portion of the band that is being transported across the coaxial cable 18.
  • a microcontroller 84 that provides a control signal used between the triplexer and the master microcontroller 70 of the multiswitch 26 to control the RF and telephony switching between a triplexer and a multiswitch and a triplexer multiswitch triplexer path.
  • the triplexer 28 provides a filter for separating the satellite portion of the band from the 950 to 1450 MHz to the receiver satellite input from the coax 18 and also splits out the cable TN. portion of the band, which when including the upstream, goes from 5 MHz to 860 MHz. The other portion of the band is coupled through two resistors and passes the telephony from 300 Hz to 3400 Hz, and the controller signal of approximately 57 kilohertz out.
  • One RJ-11 connector 88 on the triplexer 28 is connected to the SLIC device 52 that provides an interface for generating a ringing signal and connects directly to a satellite receiver 20.
  • the second RJ-11 connector 90 connects to the DAA device 54 that detects a ring signal and is optionally connected to the outside telephone line 54 to the central office.
  • the SLIC device 52 generally has three control lines 92 that control the state of operation and a detect line 94.
  • the control lines 92 are generally referred to as C1 , C2, and C3.
  • the detect line 94 is used when the satellite receiver essentially picks up the line to make a telephone call, at which point the signal on the detect line of the SCIC goes low.
  • the three control lines 92 on the SLIC device 52 can place the SLIC device in ringing mode, active mode, on hook transmission (OHT) mode, for passing the CID information, and standby mode.
  • the DAA device 36 has three control lines 96 to take the DAA off-hook, to allow the DAA to pass caller ID information, and for the ring detect. Both the DAA and the SLIC devices have audio in 98 and audio out 99 lines.
  • the system 10 of the present invention permits a merging of all three desired signals, including the satellite signal, the off-air antenna or cable television, and the telephony signal. Further, these signals can be distributed to multiple locations so that the satellite receivers 20 can work independently of one another. As a result, an installer can simply connect a satellite signal, an off-air antenna, and a telephone signal, all at one easy location in a single multiswitch 26. Bt way of further example, and with reference to FIGS.
  • the installer also has the option of connecting the telephony signal at the triplexer
  • the system of the present invention permits a merging of all three desired signals, including a satellite signal, off-air antenna or cable television, and a telephone signal. Further, these signals can be distributed to multiple locations so that the satellite receivers can work independently of one another. As a result, an installer can simply connect a satellite signal, an off-air antenna, and a telephone signal, all at one easy location in a single multiswitch device.
  • the installer also has the option of connecting the telephone signal at the triplexer instead for providing distribution of dial tone to other triplexers and receivers through the multiswitch in situations where a telephone signal is not present at the multiswitch location.
  • the installer connects the existing cabling to the outputs of the multiswitch device and delivers all three signals over one coax to each receiver location.
  • This triplexer separates out the multiplexed signals so that the installer can connect them to their respective connections on the receiver. This is an easy solution for the installer or the homeowner.
  • a single system that can merge all three signals and distribute them to any location in the home using the single existing cabling and each receiver can act independently of each other. There is a savings in time and the installer does not have multiple devices to connect 28h instead for providing distribution of dial tone to other triplexers and receivers through the multiswitch 26 in situations where a telephone signal is not present at the multiswitch location.
  • the installer connects the existing cabling to the outputs of the multiswitch 26 and delivers all three signals over the one coax 18 to each receiver location.
  • the triplexer 28h separates out the multiplexed signals so that the installer can connect them to their respective connections on the receiver. This is an easy solution for the installer or the homeowner.
  • a single system that can merge all three signals and distribute them to any location in the home using the single existing cabling and each receiver can act independently of each other.
  • a call comes in, it comes into a DAA device within the system.
  • the call comes into the DAA, it comes in as a ringing signal. That ringing signal on the DAA device has to be duplicated on all of the SLIC devices on the system.
  • the audio from that DAA device has to be patched into all of the audios on the SLIC devices within the system so that the caller ID information can be passed from the DAA device through the SLIC devices to all the satellite receivers.
  • a second ring comes in again, it comes into the DAA device, but has to be duplicated to all the SLIC devices and so on and so on until the call eventually stops.
  • the system actually has to find the active line connected to one of the DAA devices in the system. It senses that by looking for a DC voltage on any one of the DAA ports which indicates an active line.
  • the SLIC device detect control line goes low to signify that event.
  • the microprocessors 70, 84 automatically patch the audio in and audio out from the SLIC device to the audio in and audio out of the particular DAA device that has a DC voltage on it and then takes the DAA device into the off mode which allows the satellite receiver to get a dial tone. Once the satellite receiver gets the dial tone it proceeds with dialing out.
  • a baseband communication system 100 includes the controllers 70, 84 for controlling the telephony signal 22.
  • the baseband communication system 100 has bidirectional audio and bidirectional digital communication signals transmitted over the single conductor 19 that is the center conductor of the coax cable 18 that runs from the multiswitch 26 to the triplexer 28.
  • the audio signaling 102 is bidirectional in that it is going in both directions at the same time over the coax 18.
  • the digital signaling 104 has bidirectional capability but since in this device the master microcontroller /processor 70 in the multiswitch 26 poles the triplexers 28, the digital communication ends up being a half duplex. Operation of the system 10 is controlled through this hybrid device 100.
  • the audio in signal 102 is biased up 103 on a DC level and then the digital in signal 104 is either set to a 0 or 5 volts.
  • the digital signal either multiplies 105 the audio by a plus one or a minus one and then it is delivered to the center conductor 19 of the coax cable 18 after going through a 600 ohm resistor 106, 107.
  • Part of the hybrid device 100 includes a substractor 108 that operates to subtract the local outgoing signal so that only the received signal is detected at the output of the substractor.
  • the substractor 108 operates with a comparator 110 to recover a returned digital signal 112 and includes an absolute value circuit 114 to recover a returned audio signal 116.
  • hybrid device 100 is further detailed with reference to FIG. 6 where a working implementation includes two hybrid devices 100, 101.
  • One hybrid on each side of the coax cable 18 which allows simultaneous transmission of two audio signals bidirectional and two digital signals of bidirectional to be recovered at both ends without interference.
  • Traditional communication methods use either time domain multiplexing, or frequency domain multiplexing to enable multiple signals to share a single medium.
  • the technique of the present invention herein described employs a voltage multiplexing in which two, or more, baseband signals, that occupy the same frequency spectrum, can be simultaneously transmitted and independently received.
  • Audio_1_IN and DigitaMJN originate on the left side and are received on the right as Audio_1_OUT and Digital_1_OUT.
  • Audio_2_IN and Digital_2_IN are being transmitted from the opposite direction and are being detected at Audio_2_OUT and Digital_2_OUT.
  • the Audio_1_IN (Pt. A) is raised to a dc level (in this example) of +2.5 volts (Pt. B).
  • the highs and lows of the DigitaMJN waveform determined if the analog voltage is inverted at Pt. C.
  • a high causes the offset analog voltage to remain non-inverted while a low causes the offset analog voltage to invert (Pt. C).
  • the combined signal at Pt. C is received at the far end (Pt. K) without interference with the Audio_2JN and Digital_2_IN signals that are coming from the far end.
  • This simultaneous bidirectional communication is possible because the receiving amplifier at each end samples and subtracts out the signal from its own transmitter. Therefore at Pt. K, the only signal that exists is the signal present at Pt. C. Because the signal at Pt.
  • the Audio_1_IN can be a previously encoded mixture of digital and analog, in which a second level of encoding and decoding would allow two baseband digital signals to be transmitted along with the baseband audio and all three recovered without interference. Multiple levels of encoding and decoding could be used to transmit baseband analog and several baseband digital signals, limited only by the system signal-to-noise performance of real devices.
  • the triplexer detects the thirteen or eighteen volt signals and determines whether or not the 22 kilohertz signal is present and relays that information to the master microcontroller in the multiswitch.
  • microcontroller communication provides the telephony information transfer between the multiswitch and the receiver via the triplexer rather than passing the telephony audio voltage signal over the coax.
  • the SLIC Subscriber Line Interface Circuit
  • a SLIC interface can generate a ring signal but cannot detect a ring signal.
  • the SLIC is the interface your telephone sees at the phone company.
  • the SLIC has audio in and audio out lines and has a DET digital output that goes LOW when the satellite receiver (or a telephone) goes off-hook to dial out.
  • the SLIC has three digital control inputs that are used to set the SLIC in Standby, Ringing, Active, or Caller ID Transmission (OHT) mode depending on circumstances.
  • the DAA Data Access Arrangement
  • the DAA is the device in your home that typically makes the connection of the telephone to the telephone company switch.
  • the DAA has audio in, and audio out lines, has a ring output line that pulses when a ring signal arrives, and has customer identification (CID) information input control line that is forced low to pass Caller ID information.
  • the DAA further has an "on hook" (OH) input control line that is forced low to answer the incoming phone call.
  • the hybrid device has a digital input, digital output, analog input, and analog output, and can multiplex bidirectional baseband analog and digital signals onto a single center conductor of the coax cable joining the triplexer and the multiswitch.
  • the analog is 300-3400 Hz.
  • the digital can be any frequency from almost dc to over 100 KHz. 56 Kbaud (28 KHz.) is used in the embodiments herein described by way of example. Voltage division multiplexing is used to keep the analog and digital from interfering with each other.
  • the RF signals range from 5 MHz to 1450 MHz and thus is sufficiently removed from the frequency range of both the telephony analog and digital signals so as to avoid interference.
  • Voltage division multiplexing permits telephony information to be added to the multiswitch inexpensively.
  • the digital transmission in the system includes a burst of data lasting a short period of time. This burst of data generally only occurs every tenth of a second and can interfere with the analog information for 400 microseconds.
  • the analog signal is transmitted baseband (bidirectional).
  • the digital which comes along every tenth of a second, is transmitted baseband, for its duration of 400 microseconds.
  • the digital data is actually used to up-convert the analog out of the way to a spread spectrum frequency until the duration of the digital burst is passed.
  • the analog signal is completely recovered with non-linear processing (the absolute value circuit) so that there is no lose in the analog signal during that time.
  • a switch matrix in the multiswitch allows any analog input/output combination from any hybrid to be connected to any other analog input/output to other hybrid(s).
  • the switch matrix in the triplexer allows the analog input/output from either the DAA of that triplexer or the SLIC of that triplexer to be routed to the hybrid within that triplexer for transmission over the coax cable to the corresponding hybrid in the multiswitch.
  • the multiswitch can then reroute the analog connection via another hybrid to either the SLIC or the DAA in any other triplexer, or to the DAA within the multiswitch, as may be the case.
  • FIG. 7 An alternative embodiment to the hybrid device 100 of FIG. 5 is illustrated with reference to FIG. 7 and employs an encoding of both the audio and digital on the same center conductor of the coax cable. Square waves used by the microcontrollers to talk to each other are combined with digital pulses to encode the square wave into a 32 kilohertz carrier and summed that into the audio signal.
  • a small audio transformer 118 is employed, as illustrated with reference to FIG. 7A.
  • the transformer 118 allows for a coupling of the audio and the digital signals, but also allows the uninhibited passing of the 18 volts and the 22 kilohertz that are needed for control signals for the multiswitch.
  • Case 1 Incoming call (Recall that the SLIC connects to satellite receivers, or telephones; the DAA connects to the phone company.) A 2 second ring signal comes into a DAA somewhere in the system. That 2 second ring signal is regenerated by every SLIC in the system. Immediately after the first ring (which last 2 seconds) the DAA is placed in CID mode. All the SLIC devices are placed in OHT mode for 4 seconds, and the switch matrix sets up a parallel path between the DAA to all the SLIC devices in the system. This passes the incoming caller ID signal to all the satellite receivers (or telephones) in the system. The second ring signal is detected by the DAA and regenerated by all the SLIC devices in the system.
  • the SLIC devices are put in standby mode between all subsequent rings.
  • the third ring signal is detected by the DAA and regenerated by all the SLIC devices in the system, and so on. If at any point, a satellite receiver (telephone) were to answer to call, the detect line on the corresponding SLIC would go low, and the OH line of the corresponding DAA would be pulled low by the system microcontroller, and the switch matrix would set up an analog path between that SLIC and that DAA.
  • the SLIC DET line goes high, the system knows that the call is terminated and pulls the OH line high on the appropriate DAA and the switch matrix disconnects the analog path.

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Abstract

Système (10) permettant de commuter des signaux multiples de diffusion provenant d'un satellite (14) et d'un câble (16) afin de les transmettre par l'intermédiaire d'un seul câble coaxial (18) à des récepteurs de télévision (20) tout en gérant l'utilisation de ces signaux de diffusion au moyen de l'insertion d'un signal téléphonique (22) et du passage de ce signal téléphonique (22) et d'un signal radiofréquence (24) sur le câble coaxial (18) entre un multicommutateur (26) et un triplexeur (28) opérant avec le récepteur (20). Une interface téléphonique (30) fonctionne avec le multicommutateur (26) par l'intermédiaire d'un dispositif (36) (DAA) permettant l'accès à des données et servant à sortir des signaux téléphoniques (22) vers le multicommutateur (26). Le triplexeur (28) comporte un circuit d'interface de ligne d'abonné (SLIC) servant à transmettre des informations téléphoniques au récepteur (20). Le multicommutateur (26) et l'interface téléphonique (30) acheminent des informations téléphoniques au récepteur (40).
PCT/US2002/004356 2001-02-14 2002-02-14 Systeme de commutation entre un signal satellite et un signal de television et procede d'insertion d'un signal telephonique WO2002065780A1 (fr)

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004038965A1 (fr) * 2002-10-23 2004-05-06 Thomson Licensing Sa Dispositif de distribution de signaux radio et systeme de reception incorporant ledit dispositif
EP1558035A1 (fr) * 2004-01-20 2005-07-27 STMicroelectronics S.A. Procédé et système de distribution dans une installation de réception satellitaire
US7239853B2 (en) 2002-12-06 2007-07-03 Tdk Corporation Antenna switching circuit

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US5883677A (en) * 1995-03-13 1999-03-16 Panasonic Technologies Inc. Method and apparatus for managing multiple outside video service providers
US5886691A (en) * 1996-07-24 1999-03-23 Sony Corporation Display control method for display having buttons representing selectable voting items in which only marks assigned to selected items continue to be displayed upon selection
US5905940A (en) * 1997-02-04 1999-05-18 Arvisais; Georges J. Video communication method

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5883677A (en) * 1995-03-13 1999-03-16 Panasonic Technologies Inc. Method and apparatus for managing multiple outside video service providers
US5886691A (en) * 1996-07-24 1999-03-23 Sony Corporation Display control method for display having buttons representing selectable voting items in which only marks assigned to selected items continue to be displayed upon selection
US5905940A (en) * 1997-02-04 1999-05-18 Arvisais; Georges J. Video communication method

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004038965A1 (fr) * 2002-10-23 2004-05-06 Thomson Licensing Sa Dispositif de distribution de signaux radio et systeme de reception incorporant ledit dispositif
KR100984838B1 (ko) 2002-10-23 2010-10-04 톰슨 라이센싱 무선 신호 분배 디바이스 및 이 디바이스를 포함하는 수신 시스템
US8739227B2 (en) 2002-10-23 2014-05-27 Thomson Licensing Radio signal distrubution device and reception system therefor
US7239853B2 (en) 2002-12-06 2007-07-03 Tdk Corporation Antenna switching circuit
EP1558035A1 (fr) * 2004-01-20 2005-07-27 STMicroelectronics S.A. Procédé et système de distribution dans une installation de réception satellitaire
US7577401B2 (en) 2004-01-20 2009-08-18 Stmicroelectronics Sa Method and system for distribution in a satellite reception installation

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