Entertainment and computer coaxial network and method of distributing signals therethrough
First Claim
1. The method of exchanging unmodulated digital signals between digital signal apparatus, including computers, over a single conductor coaxial cable simultaneously with broadband transmission of RF modulated video signals between video signal apparatus over the same cable, the video apparatus including one or more video signal sources and one or more video signal receivers, the coaxial cable having a cable characteristic impedance, the method comprising:
- establishing a plurality of signal frequency channels, including an RF video signal channel and a PC digital signal channel, each frequency channel having a different frequency range;
connecting the signal input and output (I/O) ports of each digital signal apparatus to a first terminal of a digital signal frequency filter, a second terminal of which is connected to the coaxial cable, said digital signal frequency filter having a frequency passband which is substantially equal to the frequency range of said PC digital signal channel, said digital signal frequency filter providing a substantially equal filter characteristic impedance to unmodulated digital signals exchanged bi-directionally, at a signal bit speed, between said first terminal and said second terminal; and
connecting each RF modulated video signal apparatus to the cable through an RF video signal frequency filter having a frequency passband which is substantially equal to the frequency range of said RF video signal channel, said RF video signal frequency filter providing a substantially equal filter characteristic impedance to RF modulated video signals propagating bi-directionally therethrough between the RF modulated video signal apparatus and the cable.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for distributing radio frequency (RF) modulated broadcast television signals from a broadcast signal source to networked appliances connected to the source through a plurality of single conductor coaxial cables, simultaneously with distributing unmodulated digital signals and RF modulated video signals exchanged between the networked appliances over the same network coaxial cables.
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Citations
60 Claims
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1. The method of exchanging unmodulated digital signals between digital signal apparatus, including computers, over a single conductor coaxial cable simultaneously with broadband transmission of RF modulated video signals between video signal apparatus over the same cable, the video apparatus including one or more video signal sources and one or more video signal receivers, the coaxial cable having a cable characteristic impedance, the method comprising:
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establishing a plurality of signal frequency channels, including an RF video signal channel and a PC digital signal channel, each frequency channel having a different frequency range;
connecting the signal input and output (I/O) ports of each digital signal apparatus to a first terminal of a digital signal frequency filter, a second terminal of which is connected to the coaxial cable, said digital signal frequency filter having a frequency passband which is substantially equal to the frequency range of said PC digital signal channel, said digital signal frequency filter providing a substantially equal filter characteristic impedance to unmodulated digital signals exchanged bi-directionally, at a signal bit speed, between said first terminal and said second terminal; and
connecting each RF modulated video signal apparatus to the cable through an RF video signal frequency filter having a frequency passband which is substantially equal to the frequency range of said RF video signal channel, said RF video signal frequency filter providing a substantially equal filter characteristic impedance to RF modulated video signals propagating bi-directionally therethrough between the RF modulated video signal apparatus and the cable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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12. The method of exchanging unmodulated digital signals between digital signal apparatus over a single conductor coaxial cable simultaneously with broadband transmission of RF modulated video signals between video signal apparatus over the same cable, the video apparatus including one or more video signal sources and one or more video signal receivers, the coaxial cable having a cable characteristic impedance, the method comprising:
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establishing a plurality of signal frequency channels, including a PC digital signal channel having a frequency range substantially from zero hertz to 2.5 megahertz and an RF video signal channel having a frequency range substantially at five megahertz and above;
connecting the signal input and output (I/O) ports of each digital signal apparatus through an impedance matching network to a first terminal of a digital signal frequency filter, a second terminal of which is connected to the coaxial cable, said digital signal frequency filter having a frequency passband which is substantially equal to the frequency range of said PC digital signal channel to provide for bi-directional exchange of unmodulated digital signals between the coaxial cable and the I/O ports of the digital signal apparatus, said impedance matching network providing a terminating impedance value at said first terminal which approximates the cable characteristic impedance provided by the coaxial cable to said second terminal, to provide said bi-directional exchange of unmodulated digital signals at a minimum signal bit speed of substantially 1.0 Mbps; and
connecting each RF modulated video signal apparatus to the cable through an RF video signal frequency filter having a frequency passband which is substantially equal to the frequency range of said RF video signal channel, said RF video signal frequency filter providing a substantially equal filter characteristic impedance to RF modulated video signals propagating bi-directionally therethrough between the RF modulated video signal apparatus and the cable.
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13. Apparatus for exchanging unmodulated digital signals between digital signal apparatus, including computers, over a single conductor coaxial cable simultaneously with broadband transmission of RF modulated video signals between video signal apparatus over the same cable, the video apparatus including one or more video signal sources and one or more video signal receivers, the coaxial cable having a cable characteristic impedance, the apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of digital signal frequency filters, one each associated with each digital signal apparatus, each said digital signal frequency filter having a first terminal adapted for signal connection to the signal input and output (I/O) ports of the associated digital signal apparatus and having a second terminal adapted for signal connection to the coaxial cable, each said digital signal frequency filter having a frequency passband suitable to pass the unmodulated digital signals therethrough, bi-directionally between the digital signal apparatus and the coaxial cable, at a selected signal bit speed and at a substantially equal, bi-directional filter characteristic impedance; and
a plurality of RF video signal frequency filters, one each associated with each RF modulated video signal apparatus, each said RF video signal frequency filter having a first terminal adapted for signal connection to the signal I/O ports of the associated RF modulated video signal apparatus and having a second terminal adapted for signal connection to the coaxial cable, said RF video signal frequency filters having a frequency passband suitable to pass the RF modulated video signals therethrough, bi-directionally between the video signal apparatus and the coaxial cable. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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24. Apparatus for exchanging unmodulated digital signals between digital signal apparatus over a single conductor coaxial cable simultaneously with broadband transmission of RF modulated video signals between video signal apparatus over the same cable, the video apparatus including one or more video signal sources and one or more video signal receivers, the coaxial cable having a cable characteristic impedance, the apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of digital signal frequency filters, one each associated with each digital signal apparatus, each said digital signal frequency filter having a first terminal adapted for signal connection through a impedance matching network to the signal input and output (I/O) ports of the associated digital signal apparatus and having a second terminal adapted for signal connection to the coaxial cable, each said digital signal frequency filter having a frequency passband substantially from zero hertz to 2.5 megahertz so as to pass the unmodulated digital signals bi-directionally therethrough, between said first and second terminals;
a plurality of impedance matching networks, one each inserted between the signal I/O ports of an associated digital signal apparatus and said first terminal of an associated one of said digital signal frequency filters, said impedance matching network providing a terminating impedance value at said first terminal of said associated digital signal frequency filter which approximates the cable characteristic impedance provided to said second terminal of said filter, to provide a substantially balanced filter characteristic impedance to unmodulated digital signals exchanged bi-directionally through said digital signal frequency filter at a minimum signal bit speed of substantially 1.0 Mbps; and
a plurality of RF video signal frequency filters, one each associated with each RF modulated video signal apparatus, each said RF video signal frequency filter having a first terminal adapted for signal connection to the signal I/O ports of the associated RF modulated video signal apparatus and having a second terminal adapted for signal connection to the coaxial cable, said RF video signal frequency filters having a frequency passband beginning substantially at five megahertz and increasing to an upper frequency limit suitable to pass the RF modulated video signals bi-directionally therethrough, between the video signal apparatus and the coaxial cable.
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25. The method for distributing radio frequency (RF) modulated broadcast television signals from a broadcast signal source to networked appliances connected to the source through a plurality of single conductor coaxial cables, and simultaneously therewith distributing signals exchanged between the networked appliances over the same coaxial cables, the exchanged signals including RF modulated video signals from RF modulated video signal appliances and unmodulated digital from digital signal appliances, the coaxial cable having a cable characteristic impedance, the method comprising:
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installing multi-drop signal distribution apparatus having a source input for receiving the RF modulated broadcast television signals from the broadcast source and having a plurality of output signal ports for receiving the RF modulated video signals and unmodulated digital signals from each of the plurality of coaxial cables;
coupling the RF broadcast signals within said signal distribution apparatus, from said source input to each said output port;
coupling the RF modulated video signals and the unmodulated digital signals received at each said output port to each other output port;
without port-to-port signal isolation; and
connecting each appliance to its associated coaxial cable through an associated one of a plurality of signal frequency filters, including a digital signal frequency filter having a frequency passband suitable to pass therethrough the unmodulated digital signals at a selected signal bit speed, and including an RF modulated video signal filter having a frequency passband suitable to pass therethrough the RF modulated broadcast television signals and the RF modulated video signals, each said filter being connected at a first terminal thereof to the associated appliance and connected at a second terminal thereof to the assocated coaxial cable, each said providing a substantially equal filter characteristic impedance to passband signals propagationg bi-directionally therethrough between the associated appliance and the coaxial cable.
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37. The method for distributing radio frequency (RF) modulated broadcast television signals from a broadcast signal source to networked appliances connected to the source through a plurality of single conductor coaxial cables, while simultaneously distributing signals exchanged between the networked appliances over the same coaxial cables, the exchanged signals including RF modulated video signals from RF modulated video signal appliances and unmodulated digital from digital signal appliances, the coaxial cable having a cable characteristic impedance, the method comprising:
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installing multi-drop signal distribution apparatus having a source input for receiving the RF modulated broadcast television signals from the broadcast source and having a plurality of output signal ports, each output signal port receiving the RF modulated video signals and unmodulated digital signals from an associated one of the plurality of coaxial cables;
coupling the RF broadcast signals within said signal distribution apparatus, from said source input to each said output port;
coupling the RF modulated video signals and the unmodulated digital signals received at each said output port to each other output port;
without port-to-port signal isolation;
connecting each appliance to its associated coaxial cable through one of a plurality of signal frequency filters, each said filter being connected at a first terminal thereof to the associated appliance and connected at a second terminal thereof to the assocated coaxial cable, said plurality of signal filters including digital signal frequency filters having a frequency passband substantially from zero hertz to 2.5 Megahertz, suitable to pass therethrough unmodulated digital signals between a digital signal appliance and the coaxial, said plurality of signal filters further including RF modulated video signal filters having a frequency passband greater than five megahertz, suitable to pass therethrough the RF modulated broadcast television signals and the RF modulated video signals between an RF modulated video signal appliance and the coaxial cable, each said providing a substantially equal filter characteristic impedance to passband signals propagationg bi-directionally therethrough between the associated appliance and the coaxial cable; and
inserting an impedance matching network between the signal input and output (I/O) ports of each digital signal appliance and said first terminal of said associated digital signal frequency filter, said impedance matching network providing a terminating impedance value at said first terminal which approximates the cable characteristic impedance provided to said second terminal, thereby providing said bi-directional exchange of unmodulated digital signals at a minimum signal bit speed of substantially with minimum digital signal interference of the RF modulated video signals.
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38. Apparatus for distributing radio frequency (RF) modulated broadcast television signals from a broadcast signal source to networked appliances connected to the source through a plurality of single conductor coaxial cables and, concurrently and alternately therewith, distributing signals exchanged between the networked appliances over the same coaxial cables, the exchanged signals including RF modulated video signals from RF modulated video signal appliances and unmodulated digital from digital signal appliances, the coaxial cable having a cable characteristic impedance, the apparatus comprising:
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multi-drop signal distribution apparatus, having a source input adapted for receiving the RF modulated broadcast television signals from the broadcast source and having a plurality of output signal ports, each adapted for receiving the RF modulated video signals and unmodulated digital signals from an associated one of the plurality of coaxial cables, said signal distribution apparatus coupling the RF broadcast television signals from said source input to each said output port and coupling the RF modulated video signals and the unmodulated digital signals received at each said output port to each other output port;
a plurality of digital signal frequency filters, each adapted for connection at a first terminal thereof to the signal input and output (I/O) of a related one of the digital signal appliances and adapted at a second terminal thereof for connection to the networked appliance associated coaxial cable, each said digital signal frequency filter having a frequency passband suitable to pass unmodulated digital signals therethrough at a selected signal bit speed between the digital signal appliance and the coaxial cable; and
a plurality of RF modulated video signal frequency filters, each adapted for connection at a first terminal thereof to the signal (I/O) of a related one of the RF modulated video signal appliances and adapted at a second terminal thereof for connection to the networked appliance associated coaxial cable, each said RF modulated video signal filter having a frequency passband suitable to pass the RF modulated broadcast television signals and the RF modulated video signals bi-directionally therethrough between the associated appliance and the coaxial cable.
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49. Apparatus, for distributing radio frequency (RF) modulated broadcast television signals from a broadcast signal source to networked appliances distributed in selected locations and connected to the source through associated ones of a plurality of single conductor coaxial cables, and for also distributing, concurrently and alternately therewith in response to infrared (IR) command signals received from IR signal sources controlled by an operator, signals exchanged between the networked appliances over the same coaxial cables, the exchanged signals including RF modulated video signals from RF modulated video signal appliances, unmodulated digital from digital signal appliances, and the received IR command signals, the different type appliances and the source of IR command signals each having different operating signal frequency ranges, the coaxial cable having a cable characteristic impedance, the apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of IR transceivers, at least one located in line-of-sight proximity to the networked appliances in each selected area, each said IR transceiver responsive to IR command signals received through the air from IR signal sources in the area for providing an equivalent electrical command signal thereof, and each transmitting IR command signals through the air to appliances in the area in response to equivalent electrical command signals received thereby;
a plurality interface apparatus, one each associated with one or more appliances and IR transceivers within a selected area, said interface apparatus having a digital signal frequency filter, an electrical command signal frequency filter, and an RF modulated video signal frequency filter, each having a different bandpass frequency which encompass the different operating signal frequency ranges of the unmodulated digital signals, the electrical command signals, and the RF modulated television signals and video signals, respectively;
said digital signal frequency filter being interconnected at first and second terminals thereof between the signal input and output (I/O) ports of a digital signal appliance and the coaxial cable, said electrical command signal frequency filter being interconnected at first and second terminals thereof between an IR transceiver and the coaxial cable, and said RF modulated video signal frequency filter being interconnected at first and second terminals thereof between the signal I/O ports of an RF modulated video signal appliance and the coaxial cable, wherein each said frequency filter bi-directionally couples operating signals within their respective bandpass frequencies between the associated appliance and the coaxial cable; and
a signal distribution unit, having a source input for receiving the RF modulated broadcast television signals, and having a plurality of output signal ports for receiving the unmodulated digital signals, the electrical command signals, and the RF modulated video signals provided through an associated one of the coaxial cables from each of said interface apparatus, said signal distribution unit coupling the RF broadcast television signals from said source input to each said output port and coupling the unmodulated digital signals, the electrical command signals, and the RF modulated video signals received at each said output port to each other said output port.
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Specification