REFLECTOR APPARATUS FOR VIDEO HOME NETWORKS

• US 20110061081A1
• Filed: 05/02/2008
• Published: 03/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing LLC (The Woodbridge Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Sarapin, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US12/736,687
• Publication Number:
  US 20110061081A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/82
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/3042 in modulators, frequency-changers, transmitters or power amplifiers transmission power control in bidirectional transmission systems H04W52/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/102 Circuits therefor, e.g. noise reducers, equalisers, amplifiers H04N7/108 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/104 Switchers or splitters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

A reflector apparatus improves signal quality within video home networks. According to an exemplary embodiment, the reflector apparatus includes a first terminal (A) for receiving a broadcast signal from a signal source, and a second terminal (B) for outputting the broadcast signal to a plurality of external devices coupled to the reflector apparatus via a signal splitter. The reflector apparatus further includes circuitry for receiving a network signal from a first one of the plurality of external devices and controlling a gain of said network signal responsive to a control signal from a second one of the plurality of external devices to thereby generate a reflected network signal. The reflected network signal is output to the second one of said plurality of external devices.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a terminal (B) for providing a program signal and a modified signal to a first device and a second device and for receiving a first signal from said first device and a second signal from said second device; and

a processor for controlling a characteristic of said first signal in response to said second signal to produce said modified signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said processor controls a reflector and wherein said modified signal is a reflected image of said first signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the magnitude of the modified signal is controlled in response to said second signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said reflector further comprises a directional coupler and a variable gain amplifier.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a oscillator and a signal multiplier operative to adjust the frequency of said modified signal.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said program signal, first signal and modified signal comprise video or audio content.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said characteristic of said first signal is amplitude.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second signal indicates a magnitude of said first signal at said second device.

9. A method, comprising:

providing a program signal to first device and second device via a terminal (B);

receiving a first signal from the first device and a second signal from the second device via the terminal (B);

controlling a characteristic of the first signal responsive to the second signal to produce a modified signal; and

transmitting the modified signal to the first device and the second device via the terminal (B).

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said controlling step comprises controlling the magnitude of a reflected image of said first signal.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the magnitude of the modified signal is controlled in response to said second signal.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said controlling step comprises adjusting the frequency of said modified signal.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein said program signal, first signal and modified signal comprise video or audio content.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein said characteristic of said first signal is amplitude.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein said second signal indicates a magnitude of said first signal at said second device.

16. An apparatus, comprising:

a means for coupling (B) a program signal and a modified signal to a first device and a second device

a means for receiving (B) a first signal from said first device and a second signal from said second device; and

a means for controlling a characteristic of said first signal in response to said second signal to produce said modified signal.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a means for reflecting a signal operative to generate said modified signal by reflecting a portion of said first signal.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the magnitude of the modified signal is controlled in response to said second signal.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said means for reflecting a signal comprises a directional coupler and a variable gain amplifier.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a oscillator and a signal multiplier operative to adjust the frequency of said modified signal.