Switchable signal source module for use with cable television converter
First Claim
1. A television system comprising a switchable signal source module and a cable television converter, said cable television converter comprising:
- an input/output terminal for receiving a television input signal and outputting a relay control signal;
means for generating sadi relay control signal and transmitting said relay control signal to said input/output terminal; and
television signal output terminal means for outputting a converted television channel signal; and
said signal source module comprising;
first input terminal means for receiving a first input signal from a first cable television signal source;
second input terminal means for receving a second input signal from a second television signal source;
an input/output terminal;
relay means, having first and second television signal input ports coupled respectively to said first and second input terminal means, having a television signal output port coupled to said input/output terminal of said module, and having a relay control input port coupled to said input/output terminal of said mouule, for selectively coupling said first input terminal means or said second input terminal means to said input/output terminal of said module based on said relay control signal; and
whereinsaid signal source module is mounted to said cable television converter with said input/output terminal of said module being electrically coupled to said input/output terminal of said cable television converter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Remotely switchable signal source modules are mounted to a cable television converter to enable a viewer to select between alternate television signal sources. Power for the module is provided via the converter'"'"'s RF input terminal, which mates with a corresponding terminal on the module. An RF bypass module enables the viewer to utilize the features of a cable ready television when connected to a cable television network. Simultaneous viewing and recording of different channels can also be accommodated. An input A/B switch module enables the viewer to select between alternate cable system inputs. An output A/B switch module provides compliance with FCC requirements permitting viewing of off-the-air channels not carried on a cable system.
126 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A television system comprising a switchable signal source module and a cable television converter, said cable television converter comprising:
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an input/output terminal for receiving a television input signal and outputting a relay control signal; means for generating sadi relay control signal and transmitting said relay control signal to said input/output terminal; and television signal output terminal means for outputting a converted television channel signal; and
said signal source module comprising;first input terminal means for receiving a first input signal from a first cable television signal source; second input terminal means for receving a second input signal from a second television signal source; an input/output terminal; relay means, having first and second television signal input ports coupled respectively to said first and second input terminal means, having a television signal output port coupled to said input/output terminal of said module, and having a relay control input port coupled to said input/output terminal of said mouule, for selectively coupling said first input terminal means or said second input terminal means to said input/output terminal of said module based on said relay control signal; and
whereinsaid signal source module is mounted to said cable television converter with said input/output terminal of said module being electrically coupled to said input/output terminal of said cable television converter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A television system comprising a switchable signal source module and a cable television converter, said cable television converter comprising:
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an input/output terminal for receiving a cable television input signal and outputting a relay control signal; means for generating said relay control signal and transmitting said relay control signal to said input/output terminal; and a television signal output terminal for outputting a converted television channel signal; and
said signal source module comprising;first input terminal means for receiving an input cable television signal; second input terminal means, coupled to said television signal output terminal of said converter, for receiving said cable television input signal after conversion; output terminal means for coupling to a video appliance; an input/output terminal coupled to said first input terminal means of said module, said signal source module being mounted to said cable television converter with said input/output terminal of said module being electrically coupled to said input/output terminal of said converter; and relay means, having first and second televison signal input ports coupled respectively to said first and second input terminal means of said module, a television signal output port coupled to said output terminal means of said module, and a relay control input port coupled to said input/output terminal of said module, for selectively coupling said first input terminal means or said second input terminal means to said output terminal means based on said relay control signal. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A television system comprising a switchable signal source module and a cable televison converter, said cable television converter comprising:
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an input/output terminal for receiving a cable television input signal and outputting a relay control signal; means for generating said relay control signal and transmitting said relay control signal to said input/output terminal; and television signal output terminal means for outputting a converted television channel; and
said signal source module comprising;first input terminal means for receiving an input signal from a cable television source; second input terminal means for receiving a television signal from a second source; third input terminal means, coupled to said television signal output terminal means of said converter, for receiving said cable television signal after conversion; output terminal means for outputting a television channel signal to a video appliance; an input/output terminal coupled to said first input terminal means of said module, said signal source module being mounted to said cable television converter with said input/output terminal of said module electrically coupled to said input/output terminal of said converter; and relay means, having first and second television signal input ports coupled respectively to said second and third input terminal means of said module, having a television signal output port coupled to said output terminal means of said module, and having a relay control input port coupled to said input/output terminal of said module, for selectively coupling said second input terminal means or said third input terminal means of said module to said output terminal means of said module based on said relay control signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification