CATV addressable converter with multi-purpose, bi-directional serial digital data port
First Claim
1. An addressable television signal converter for use with a television signal distribution system remotely controlled by an addressing computer, said converter comprising television signal processing means for selectively processing television signals received from the distribution system for subsequent processing by a television receiver;
- RF input port means for receiving modulated RF command signals coded by said addressing computer;
bi-directional digital data port means for selectively receiving and transmitting digital command signals from an external device;
control means coupled to said RF input and data port means responsive to at least one of said RF or digital command signals for coordinating the exchange of data between said converter and said external device through said data port means and for selectively enabling said television signal processing means; and
demodulating means associated with said RF input port means for demodulating said RF command signals and generating demodulated command signals similarly formatted as said digital command signals, said control means including decoding means for decoding command signals received from either one of said RF input or data port means, wherein the converter is connectable to the external device at least for installing or testing the converter, said control means being programmed to interact with the external device and the television distribution system through said data port means to effect installation or testing functions on the converter.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A CATV addressable converter is provided with a multi-purpose bi-directional data port for transmitting and/or receiving serial digital data. A micro-computer provided within the converter is programmed to make the converter responsive to RF commands transmitted over a television distribution system by an addressing computer or to the digital command signals received from an external device through the data port. The micro-computer coordinates the exchange of data between the converter and the external device to implement several converter functions. The data port provides a means by which an external device can read or alter data stored in the converter memory. This facilitates testing during and after manufacture as well as converter installation and address assignment procedures. The converter port can also be used to establish a communication link between two or more converters. The resulting hard-wire link between the converters prevents a form of piracy prevalent in the CATV industry.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. An addressable television signal converter for use with a television signal distribution system remotely controlled by an addressing computer, said converter comprising television signal processing means for selectively processing television signals received from the distribution system for subsequent processing by a television receiver;
- RF input port means for receiving modulated RF command signals coded by said addressing computer;
bi-directional digital data port means for selectively receiving and transmitting digital command signals from an external device;
control means coupled to said RF input and data port means responsive to at least one of said RF or digital command signals for coordinating the exchange of data between said converter and said external device through said data port means and for selectively enabling said television signal processing means; and
demodulating means associated with said RF input port means for demodulating said RF command signals and generating demodulated command signals similarly formatted as said digital command signals, said control means including decoding means for decoding command signals received from either one of said RF input or data port means, wherein the converter is connectable to the external device at least for installing or testing the converter, said control means being programmed to interact with the external device and the television distribution system through said data port means to effect installation or testing functions on the converter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- RF input port means for receiving modulated RF command signals coded by said addressing computer;
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10. An addressable television signal converter for use with a television signal distribution system remotely controlled by an addressing computer, said converter comprising television signal processing means for selectively processing television signals received from the distribution system for subsequent processing by a television receiver;
- RF input port means for receiving modulated RF command signals coded by said addressing computer;
bi-directional digital data port means for selectively receiving and transmitting digital command signals from an external device;
control means coupled to said RF input and data port means responsive to at least one of said RF or digital command signals for coordinating the exchange of data between said converter and said external device through said data port means and for selectively enabling said television signal processing means; and
demodulating means associated with said RF input port means for demodulating said RF command signals and generating demodulated command signals similarly formatted as said digital command signals, said control means including decoding means for decoding command signals received from either one of said RF input or data port means, said control means comprising a micro-computer programmed to decode said command signals, said micro-computer having a decoding input, and further comprising switching means for selectively switching said command signals appearing at said port means to said decoding input, said switching means comprising gate means connected to said demodulator means and to said data port means, said gate means being an AND gate having two inputs one of which is connected to said demodulator means and the other of which is connected to said data port means, said demodulator means selectively providing a high input to said AND gate in the absence of RF signals to permit reception of digital data command signals and said control means selectively providing a high input to said AND gate in the presence of RF signals to permit reception of RF command signals at said decoding input, said micro-computer being selectively programmed to control the converter to function as a master or slave converter and has an input connected to said data port means. - View Dependent Claims (11)
- RF input port means for receiving modulated RF command signals coded by said addressing computer;
Specification