Video transmission and control system utilizing internal telephone lines

• US 5,010,399 A
• Filed: 07/14/1989
• Issued: 04/23/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CAIS, INCORPORATED, United Access Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Inline Connection Corporation
• Inventors: Goodman, David D., Domnitz, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Ng, Jin F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chan, Wing F.
• Application Number:
  US07/379,751
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 379/53, 379/54, 379/64, 379/65, 379/90, 379/102, 379/104, 379/105, 379/96-98, 358/85, 358/194.1, 455/602, 455/603, 455/606, 455/617
• US Class Current: 348/14.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/81 combined with telephone network over which the broadcast is continuously available
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/062 using different frequency bands for speech and other data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/104 Switchers or splitters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/108 the cable being constituted by a pair of wires
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A video transmission system for facilitating transmission of video and control signals, particularly infrared remote control signals, between different locations in a residence using existing telephone wiring. Simultaneous transmission of signals of both types over active telephone lines is possible without interference with telephone communications. Transmission succeeds without requiring special treatment of the video signals beyond RF conversion, despite signal attenuation inherent in transmission over the telephone line media. Two or more video sources may be tied into the system, and selected as desired. Remote control signals generated in one room may be utilized without requiring a clear line of sight between the remote control device and the receiver.

Claims

1. A communication system that includes an electronic switching device that provides an interface to a telephone system, a first port ordinarily used for connection of telephone equipment and an apparatus located in a first area, said apparatus supplying a first video signal, a second port ordinarily used for connection of telephone equipment and a television receiver located in a second area, the communication system further including a first two-wire conductive path connecting said first port to said switching device, and a second two-wire conductive path connecting said second port to said switching device, the communication system further including:

(a) a first electronic device located in said first area including;

receiving means connected to said first apparatus, for receiving said first video signal.

signal processing means for providing a second video signal, said second video signal having a higher energy level than said first video signal and substantially the same information content as said first video signal, and

first transmitting means, connected to said first one of said ports, for transmitting said second video signal onto the network, said first transmitting means comprising first filtering means for presenting a high impedance to signals whose energy is concentrated at frequencies below the highest frequency used for communication by ordinary telephone devices, while allowing said second video signal to transmit substantially unaltered;

(b) a second electronic device located in said second area including;

recovering means, connected to said second one of said ports, for recovering said second video signal from the network, said recovering means comprising second filtering means for presenting a high impedance to signals whose energy is concentrated at frequencies below the highest frequency used for communication by ordinary telephone devices, while allowing said second video signal to transmit substantially unaltered; and

second transmitting means, connected to said television receiver, for transmitting said video signals to said television receiver,

(c) a connecting device (52) interposed along said first 2-wire conductive path, including;

a first low-pass filter for allowing signals at frequencies used by ordinary telephone devices to transmit along said first path unaltered while blocking signals transmitted at frequencies at which the energy of said second video signal is concentrated,

said connecting device also being interposed along said second 2-wire conductive path, and including a second low-pass filter for allowing signals at frequencies used by ordinary telephone devices to transmit along said path unaltered while blocking signals transmitted at frequencies at which the energy of said second video signal is concentrated,

said connecting device further including a third conductive path connecting said first conductive path and said second conductive path, and including a high pass filter for blocking passage of signals concentrated at frequencies used by ordinary telephone devices, and enabling electrical energy of said second video signal to pass substantially unaltered, for allowing transmission of said second video signal from said first port to said second port, while maintaining the separation of telephone communications signals between said switching device and each of said first port and said second port.

2. A communications system that includes a network of wiring, a plurality of ports ordinarily used for connection of telephone equipment to said network, and an interface to a telephone system, said ports being located in different areas, said network comprising a plurality of 2-wire conductive paths connecting said ports to said interface, the communications system including a first one of said ports and a first electronic device (1) located in a first area, and a second one of said ports and a second electronic device (15) located in a second area, the system further including an apparatus (2) located in said first area, said apparatus responding to infrared light signals received from an infrared light transmitter for determining operational modes of said apparatus, said apparatus being out of range of said light transmitter when said light transmitter is located in the second area, wherein:

(a) said second electronic device (15) further includes;

first converting means for converting infrared light radiation to a first series of electrical impulses,

first representing means for representing said first series of electrical impulses as a second series of electrical impulses, information content of said second series being substantially the same as the information content of said first series, substantially all of the energy of said second series being concentrated at frequencies above the highest frequency used for communication by ordinary telephone devices, wherein said first representing means includes;

means for creating a weighted average signal, said weighted average signal being a weighted average of the energy level of said first series of electrical impulses over a preceding time period of predetermined length,

means for creating a first bi-level signal, said first bi-level signal assuming a high state when the energy level of said first series of electrical impulses exceeds said weighted average signal, said first bi-level signal otherwise assuming a low state,

means for suppressing noise by creating a second bi-level signal, said second bi-level signal assuming a high state whenever the energy level of said first series of electrical impulses exceeds said weighted average by a fixed factor at any time over a preceding time period of fixed length, said second bi-level signal otherwise assuming a low state, and

means for providing an RF carrier only when both said first bi-level signal and said second bi-level signal are at the higher of their two said levels;

said second electronic device (15) further including first transmitting means, connected to said second one of said ports, for transmitting said second series of electrical impulses onto the network, said first transmitting means comprising first filtering means for presenting a high impedance to signals whose energy is concentrated at frequencies below the highest frequency used for communication by ordinary telephone devices, while allowing said second series of electrical impulses to transmit substantially unchanged, and wherein

(b) said first electronic device (1) further includes;

first recovering means, connected to said first one of said ports, for recovering said second series of electrical impulses from the network wiring, said first recovering means comprising second filtering means for presenting a high impedance to signals whose energy is concentrated at frequencies below the highest frequency used for communication by ordinary telephone devices, while allowing said second series of electrical impulses to transmit substantially unchanged,

second representing means for representing said second series of electrical impulses as a third series of electrical impulses, information content of said third series being substantially the same as the information content of said second series, and

second converting means for converting said third series of electrical impulses to infrared light radiation, said second converting means creating a light pattern with substantially the same characteristics as the light pattern created by the infrared light radiation in the second area.

3. A communication system that includes a network of wiring, a plurality of ports ordinarily used for connection of telephone equipment to said network, and an interface to a telephone system, said ports being located in different areas, said network comprising a plurality of 2-wire conductive paths connecting said ports to said interface, the communications system including a first one of said ports and a first electronic device (1) located in a first area, and a second one of said ports and a second electronic device (15) located in a second area, the system further including an apparatus (2) located in said first area, said apparatus responding to infrared light signals received from an infrared light transmitter for determining operational modes of said apparatus, said apparatus being out of range of said light transmitter when said light transmitter is located in the second area, wherein:

(a) said second electronic device (15) further includes;

first converting means for converting infrared light radiation to a first series of electrical impulses,

first representing means for representing said first series of electrical impulses as a second series of electrical impulses, information content of said second series being substantially the same as the information content of said first series, substantially all of the energy of said second series being concentrated at frequencies above the highest frequency used for communication by ordinary telephone devices,

first transmitting means, connected to said second one of said ports, for transmitting said second series of electrical impulses onto the network, said first transmitting means comprising first filtering means for presenting a high impedance to signals whose energy is concentrated at frequencies below the highest frequency used for communication by ordinary telephone devices, while allowing said second series of electrical impulses to transmit substantially unchanged,

(b) said first electronic device (1) further includes;

first recovering means, connected to said first one of said ports, for recovering said second series of electrical impulses from the network wiring, said first recovering means comprising second filtering means for presenting a high impedance to signals whose energy is concentrated at frequencies below the highest frequency used for communication by ordinary telephone devices, while allowing said second series of electrical impulses to transmit substantially unchanged,

second representing means for representing said second series of electrical impulses as a third series of electrical impulses, information content of said third series being substantially the same as the information content of said second series, and

second converting means for converting said third series of electrical impulses to infrared light radiation, said second converting means creating a light pattern with substantially the same characteristics as the light pattern created by the infrared light radiation in the second area,

said communications system further comprising a television receiver located in said second area, wherein said apparatus (2) in said first area includes means for supplying a first video signal and wherein;

(i) said first electronic device (1) in said first area further includes;

receiving means, connected to said apparatus (2), for receiving said first video signal, and

signal processing means for providing a second video signal, said second video signal having a higher energy level than said first video signal and substantially the same information content as said first video signal, and

second transmitting means, connected to said first one of said ports, for transmitting said second video signal onto the network, said second transmitting means comprising third filtering means for presenting a high impedance to signals whose energy is concentrated at frequencies below the highest frequency used for communication by ordinary telephone devices, while allowing said second video signal to transmit substantially unaltered; and

wherein

(ii) the electronic device (15) located in the second area further includes;

second recovering means, connected to said second one of said ports, for recovering said second video signal from the network, said second recovering means comprising fourth filtering means for presenting a high impedance to signals whose energy is concentrated by ordinary telephone devices, while allowing said second video signal to transmit substantially unaltered, and

third transmitting means, connected to said television receiver, for transmitting one of

(1) said second video signal or

(2) an alternative video signal having substantially the same information content as said second video signal to said television receiver.

4. A system as defined in claim 3 wherein said first electronic device (1) further includes means for blocking the energy of said second video signal from transmission to said second representing means.

5. A system as defined in claim 3, wherein:

substantially all of the energy of said first video signal is concentrated at frequencies between 54 Mhz and 72 Mhz,

said signal processing means comprises amplification means for amplifying said first video signal, so as to provide said second video signal,

the degree of amplification of said amplification means is variable and manually adjustable, and

said second transmitting means includes a 2-conductor cord, the conductors of said cord including one of,

(1) systematic twists about each other, and

(2) metallic shielding

for reducing RF radiation emanating from said cord.

6. A communication system as defined in claim 3 wherein:

substantially all of the energy of said first video signal is concentrated at frequencies below 6 Mhz,

said first electronic device (1) further includes a switch with at least first and second settings,

said signal processing means included in said first electronic device (1) comprises RF conversion means for translating said first video signal to provide a translated signal whose energy is concentrated at higher frequencies, and amplification means for amplifying said translated signal to provide said second video signal, said RF conversion means responding to the setting of said switch to determine the frequencies at which the energy of said second video signal is concentrated, substantially all of the energy of said second video signal being concentrated at frequencies between 76 Mhz and 82 Mhz when said switch is at said first setting, and being concentrated at frequencies between 82 Mhz and 88 Mhz when said switch is at said second setting.

7. A system as defined in claim 3 wherein:

said signal processing means included in said first electronic device (1) comprises first RF conversion means for converting said first video signal to a signal with a higher energy level whose energy is concentrated at frequencies below 54 Mhz so as to provide said second video signal,

said second electronic device (15) includes second RF conversion means for converting signals within an input band to signals whose energy is concentrated at frequencies above 54 Mhz so as to provide a third video signal, said input band covering the frequencies of said second video signal, said third video signal having substantially the same information content as said second video signal,

said third transmitting means connected to said television receiver comprises means for transmitting said third video signal to said television receiver.

8. A system as defined in claim 7 wherein:

said second electronic device (15) further includes adjusting means with at least first and second settings, and

said second RF conversion means responds to the setting of said adjusting means to determine the frequencies at which the energy of said third video signal is concentrated, substantially all of the energy of said third video signal being concentrated within a first output band when said adjusting means is at said first setting, and within a second output band when at said second setting, a width of said first and the width of said second output bands being 6 Mhz, said first output band being adjacent to and below said second output band.

9. A system as defined in claim 7 wherein:

said second RF conversion means comprises means for simultaneously providing both a supplemental video signal and said third video signal, substantially all of the energy of said supplemental video signal falling within a 6 Mhz supplemental band, substantially all of the energy of said third video signal being confined within a 6 Mhz band below and adjacent to said supplemental band, said supplemental video signal having substantially the same information content as said third video signal, and

said third transmitting means connected to said television receiver comprises means for simultaneously transmitting both said third video signal and said supplemental video signal to said television receiver.

10. A system as defined in claim 7 wherein:

substantially all of the energy of said first video signal supplied by said apparatus (2) is concentrated within an initial band above 54 Mhz, the width of said initial band being at least 12 Mhz.

said first RF conversion means comprises means comprises means for converting substantially all signals within said initial band to signals at a higher energy level whose energy is concentrated within an intermediate band below 54 Mhz, so as to provide said second video signal within said intermediate band, said intermediate band being equal in width to said initial band,

said second RF conversion means comprises means for converting substantially all signals within said intermediate band to signals whose energy is concentrated within said initial band, so as to provide said third video signal within said initial band,

said initial band being composed of all of the frequencies between one of;

(1) 60 Mhz and 72 Mhz, and

(2) 54 Mhz and 72 Mhz.

11. A system as defined in claim 7 wherein:

substantially all of the energy of said first video signal is concentrated at frequencies below 6 Mhz, and

said first electronic device (1) further includes a switch with at least first and second settings, and

said first RF conversion means responds to the setting of said switch to determine the frequencies at which the energy of said second video signal is concentrated, substantially all of the energy of said second video signal being concentrated within a first 6 Mhz intermediate band when said switch is at said first setting, and within a second 6 Mhz intermediate band when said switch is at said second setting said first intermediate band being adjacent to and below said second intermediate band, and

said second RF conversion means comprises means for converting substantially all signals within a third intermediate band to signals whose energy is concentrated within an output band above 54 Mhz, so as to provide said third video signal within said output band, said third intermediate band consisting of all frequencies within said first and said second intermediate bands, the width of said output band being equal to the width of said third intermediate band.

12. A system as defined in claim 7 wherein:

said first RF conversion means comprises means for simultaneously providing both a first supplemental video signal and said second video signal, substantially all of the energy of said first supplemental video signal being concentrated within a 6 Mhz supplemental band, substantially all of the energy of said second video signal being concentrated in a 6 Mhz band above and adjacent to said supplemental band, said supplemental video signal having substantially the same information content as said second video signal,

said second transmitting means further comprises means for simultaneously transmitting both said first supplemental video signal and said second video signal onto the network,

said second RF conversion means comprises means for converting substantially all signals within an intermediate band to signals within an output band 54 Mhz, so as to provide said third video signal and a second supplemental video signal within said output band, said intermediate band consisting of the frequencies within said first supplemental band and within the 6 Mhz immediately above, said second supplemental video signal having substantially the same information content as said first supplemental video signal, and

said third transmitting means connected to said television receiver comprises means for simultaneously transmitting both said third video signal and said supplemental video signal to said television receiver.

13. A communications system that includes a network of wiring, a plurality of ports ordinarily used for connection of telephone equipment to said network, and an interface to a telephone system, said ports being located in different areas, said network comprising a plurality of 2-wire conductive paths connecting said ports to said interface, the communications system including a first one of said ports and an apparatus (2) located in a first area, said apparatus (2) supplying a first video signal, and a second one of said ports and a television receiver located in a second area, the communications system further comprising:

(a) a first electronic device (1) located in said first area including;

receiving means, connected to said apparatus (2), for receiving said first video signal;

first RF conversion means for converting said first video signal to a signal whose energy is concentrated at different frequencies, so as to provide a second video signal, substantially all of the energy of said second signal being concentrated at frequencies below 54 Mhz, information content of said second video signal being substantially the same as information content of said first video signal;

amplification means for amplifying said second video signal; and

first transmitting means, connected to said first one of said ports, for transmitting said second video signal onto the network, said first transmitting means comprising first filtering means for presenting a high impedance to signals whose energy is concentrated at frequencies below the highest frequency used for communication by ordinary telephone devices, while allowing said second video signal to transmit substantially unaltered;

(b) a second electronic device (15) located in said second area including;

recovering means, connected to said second of said ports, for recovering said second video signal from said network, said recovering means including second filtering means for presenting a high impedance to signals whose energy is concentrated at frequencies below the highest frequency used for communication by ordinary telephone devices, while allowing said second video signal to transmit substantially unaltered;

second RF conversion means for converting said second video signal to a signal whose energy is concentrated at higher frequencies, so as to provide third video signal, substantially all of the energy of said third video signal being concentrated at frequencies above 54 Mhz, the information content of said third video signal being substantially the same as the information content of said second video signal; and

second transmitting means, connected to said television receiver, for transmitting said third video signal to said television receiver.

14. A system as defined in claim 13 wherein:

said second electronic device (15) further includes adjusting means with at least first and second settings, and

said second RF conversion means responds to the setting of said adjusting means to determine the frequencies at which the energy of said third video signal is concentrated, concentrating substantially all of the energy of said third video signal within a first 6 Mhz output band when said adjusting means is at said first setting, and within a second 6 Mhz output band when at said second setting, said first output band being adjacent to and below said second output band.

15. A system as defined in claim 13 wherein:

said second RF conversion means comprises means for simultaneously providing both a supplemental video signal and said third video signal, substantially all of the energy of said supplemental video signal falling within a 6 Mhz supplemental band, substantially all of the energy of said third video signal being concentrated within a 6 Mhz band below and adjacent to said supplemental band, said supplemental video signal having substantially the same information content as said third video signal, and

said second transmitting means connected to said television receiver comprises means for simultaneously transmitting both said third video signal and said supplemental video signal to said television receiver.

16. A system as defined in claim 13 wherein:

substantially all of the energy of said first video signal supplied by said apparatus (2) is concentrated within an initial band above 54 Mhz, the width of said initial band being at least 12 Mhz,

said first RF conversion means comprises means for converting substantially all signals within said initial band to signals whose energy is concentrated within an intermediate band below 54 Mhz, so as to provide said second video signal within said intermediate band, said intermediate band being equal in width to said initial band,

said second RF conversion means comprises means for converting substantially all signals within said intermediate band to signals whose energy is concentrated within said initial band, so as to provide said third video signal within said initial band,

said initial band being composed of all of the frequencies between one of;

(1) 60 Mhz and 72 Mhz, and

(2) 54 Mhz and 72 Mhz.

17. A system as defined in claim 13 wherein:

substantially all of the energy of said first video signal is concentrated at frequencies below 6 Mhz,

said first electronic device (1) further includes a switch with at least first and second settings,

said first RF conversion means responds to the setting of said switch to determine the frequencies at which the energy of said second video signal is concentrated, concentrating substantially all of the energy of said second video signal at frequencies within a first 6 Mhz intermediate band when said switch is at said first setting, and within a second 6 Mhz intermediate band when said switch is at said second setting, said first intermediate band being adjacent to and below said second intermediate band, and

said second RF conversion means comprises means for converting substantially all signals within a third intermediate band to signals whose energy is concentrated within an output band above 54 Mhz, so as to provide said third video signal within said output band, said third intermediate band consisting of all frequencies within said first and said second intermediate bands, the width of said output band being equal to the width of said third intermediate band.

18. A system as defined in claim 13 wherein:

said first RF conversion means comprises means for simultaneously providing both a first supplemental video signal and said second video signal, substantially all of the energy of said first supplemental video signal being concentrated within a 6 Mhz supplemental band, substantially all of the energy of said second video signal being concentrated in a 6 Mhz band above and adjacent to said supplemental band, said first supplemental video signal having substantially the same information content as said second video signal,

said first transmitting means further comprises means for simultaneously transmitting both said first supplemental video signal and said second video signal onto the network,

said second RF conversion means comprises means for converting substantially all signals within an intermediate band to signals within an output band above 54 Mhz, so as to provide said third video signal and a second supplemental video signal within said output band, said intermediate band consisting of the frequencies of said first supplemental band and the 6 Mhz immediately above, said second supplemental video signal having substantially the same information content as said first supplemental video signal.

19. A system as defined in claim 13 wherein:

said first RF conversion means comprises means for providing a supplemental video signal in addition to said second video signal so as to provide an alternative in the event that broadcast energy interferes with said second video signal, substantially all of the energy of said supplemental video signal being concentrated within a 6 Mhz supplemental band different from the band of said second video signal, said supplemental video signal having substantially the same information content as said second video signal,

said second RF conversion means further comprises means for converting substantially all signals within said supplemental band to signals above 54 Mhz, so as to provide a second supplemental video signal, the energy of said second supplemental signal being concentrated within one of two adjacent 6 Mhz channels above 54 Mhz. said second supplemental video signal having substantially the same information content as said first supplemental video signal.

20. A system as defined in claim 13 wherein:

said second electronic device (15) further includes special filtering means for filtering one of,

(1) said second video signal, and

(2) said third video signal, said special filtering means attenuating signal energy at one of;

(1) frequencies between 4 Mhz and 4.5 Mhz above the picture carrier, and

(2) frequencies within the 1.25 Mhz band immediately below the picture carrier,

so as to reduce bandwidth, and so reduce a likelihood of interference from broadcast signals.

21. A communications system that includes a network of wiring, a plurality of ports ordinarily used for connection of telephone equipment to said network, and an interface to a telephone system, said ports being located in different areas, said network comprising a plurality of 2-wire conductive paths connecting said ports to said interface, the communications system including a first one of said ports and an electronic device (1) located in a first area, and a second one of said ports and a television receiver (30) located in a second area, the system further including an apparatus (2) located in said first area, said apparatus (2) supplying a first video signal and responding to infrared light signals received from a first infrared light transmitter for determining the operational mode of said apparatus, said apparatus being out of range of said light transmitter when said transmitter is located in said second area, wherein:

(a) said electronic device (1) located in said first area includes;

receiving means connected to said apparatus (2) for receiving said first video signal;

signal processing means for providing a second video signal, said second video signal having a higher energy level than said first video signal and substantially the same information content as said first video signal; and

first transmitting means, connected to said first one of said ports, for transmitting said second video signal onto the network, said first transmitting means comprising first filtering means for presenting a high impedance to signals whose energy is concentrated at frequencies below the highest frequency used for communication by ordinary telephone devices, while allowing said second video signal to transmit substantially unaltered;

(b) said television receiver (30) located in said second area includes;

first recovering means, connected to said second one of said ports, for recovering said second video signal from the network, said first recovering means comprising second filtering means for presenting a high impedance to signals whose energy is concentrated at frequencies below the highest frequency used for communication by ordinary telephone devices, while allowing said second video signal to transmit substantially unaltered;

first converting means for converting infrared light radiation to a first series of electrical impulses;

first representing means for representing said first series of electrical impulses as a second series of electrical impulses, information content of said second series being substantially the same as the information content of said first series, substantially all of the energy of said second series being concentrated at frequencies above the highest frequency used for communication by ordinary telephone devices; and

second transmitting means, connected to said second one of said ports, for transmitting said second series onto the network, said second transmitting means comprising third filtering means for presenting a high impedance to signals whose energy is concentrated at frequencies below the highest frequency used for communication by ordinary telephone devices, while allowing said second series to transmit substantially unaltered;

(c) said electronic device (1) located in said first area further includes;

second recovering means, connected to said first one of said ports, for recovering said second series of electrical impulses from the network wiring, said second recovering means comprising fourth filtering means for presenting a high impedance to signals whose energy is concentrated at frequencies below the highest frequency used for communication by ordinary telephone devices, while allowing said second series to transmit substantially unaltered;

second representing means for representing said second series of electrical impulses as a third series of electrical impulses, information content of said third series being substantially the same as the information content of said second series, and

second converting means for converting said third series of electrical impulses to infrared light radiation, said second converting means creating a light pattern with substantially the same characteristics as the light pattern created by the infrared light radiation in the second area.

22. A communications system as set forth in claim 21, wherein:

said electronic device (1) further includes means for blocking the energy of said second video signal from transmission to said second presenting means.

23. A communications system as set forth in claim 21, further including:

a second infrared light transmitter that includes means to control the parameters of said television receiver and one of;

(1) means for issuing light patterns, other than those that control the parameters of said television receiver (30), for determining the parameters of other devices; and

(2) means for reissuing the light patterns of other infrared transmitters designed to control other devices, after reception of those patterns in a cooperative learning process with said other infrared transmitters.

24. A communications system as set forth in claim 21. wherein:

said signal processing means included in said electronic device (1) comprises first RF conversion means for converting said first video signal to a signal with a higher energy level whose energy is concentrated at frequencies below 54 Mhz, so as to provide said second video signal.

25. A communications system as set forth in claim 24, wherein:

said television receiver (30) further includes special filtering means for filtering said second video signal, said special filtering means attenuating signal energy at one of;

(1) frequencies between 4 Mhz and 4.5 Mhz above the picture carrier, and

(2) frequencies within the 1.25 Mhz band immediately below the picture carrier,

so as to reduce bandwidth, and so reduce a likelihood of interference from broadcast signals.

26. A communications system as set forth in claim 24, further comprising processing means for processing said second video signal to produce a third video signal, and wherein;

said television receiver (30) further includes special filtering means for filtering said third video signal, said special filtering means attenuating signal energy at one of;

(1) frequencies between 4 Mhz and 4.5 Mhz above the picture carrier, and

(2) frequencies within the 1.25 Mhz band immediately below the picture carrier,

so as to reduce bandwidth, and so reduce a likelihood of interference from broadcast signals.

27. A communication system as set forth in claim 24, wherein:

said first RF conversion means further comprises means for providing a supplemental video signal for the purposes of offering an alternative in the event that broadcast interference disrupts reception of said second video signal by said television transceiver (30), substantially all of the energy of said supplemental video signal being concentrated within a 6 Mhz wide supplemental band, said supplemental band covering different frequencies than the frequencies of said second video signal, said supplemental video signal having substantially the same information content as said second video signal, and

said first transmitting means further comprises means for transmitting said supplemental video signal onto the network.

28. A communications system as set forth in claim 24. wherein:

said television receiver (30) further includes second RF conversion means for converting said second video signal to a signal whose energy is concentrated at different frequencies, so as to provide a third video signal, and tuning means for tuning to signals above 54 Mhz, said tuning means being separate and distinct from said second RF conversion means, said third video signal having the same information content as said second video signal, substantially all the energy of said third video signal being concentrated at one of;

(a) frequencies above 54 Mhz, and

(b) frequencies below 6 Mhz.

29. A communications system that includes a network of wiring, a plurality of ports ordinarily used for connection of telephone equipment to said network, and an interface to a telephone system, said ports being located in different areas, said network comprising a plurality of 2-wire conductive paths connecting said ports to said interface, the communications system further including a first one of said ports and a first apparatus located in a first area, said first apparatus providing a first video signal, a second one of said ports and a second apparatus located in a second area, said second apparatus providing a second video signal, the energy of said first video signal concentrated at substantially the same frequencies as the energy of said second video signal, and a third one of said ports and a television receiver located in a third area, said communications system further comprising:

(a) a first electronic device located in said first area including;

means, connected to said first apparatus, for receiving said first video signal;

first signal processing means including a first amplifier for providing a third video signal, said third video signal having a higher energy level than said first video signal and substantially the same information content as said first video signal;

first transmitting means, connected to said first one of said ports, for transmitting said third video signal onto the network, said first transmitting means comprising first filtering means for presenting a high impedance to signals whose energy is concentrated at frequencies below the highest frequency used for communication by ordinary telephone devices, while allowing said third video signal to transmit substantially unaltered,

(b) a second electronic device located in said second area including;

means, connected to said second apparatus, for receiving said second video signal;

second signal processing means including a second amplifier for providing a fourth video signal, said fourth video signal having a higher energy level than said second video signal and substantially the same information content as said second video signal; and

second transmitting means, connected to said second one of said ports, for transmitting said fourth video signal onto the network, said second transmitting means comprising second filtering means for presenting a high impedance to signals whose energy is concentrated at frequencies below the highest frequency used for communication by ordinary telephone devices, while allowing said fourth video signal to transmit substantially unaltered;

(c) a third electronic device located in said third area including;

recovering means, connected to said third one of said ports, for recovering said third and fourth video signals from the network, said recovering means comprising third filtering means for presenting a high impedance to signals whose energy is concentrated at frequencies below the highest frequency used for communication by ordinary telephone devices, while allowing said third and said fourth video signals to transmit substantially unaltered;

third transmitting means, connected to said television receiver, for transmitting said third and fourth video signals to said television receiver;

and wherein at least one of said first electronic device and said second electronic device further includes one of;

(1) filter means having at least first and second operational settings, for blocking transmission of electrical energy concentrated within a particular frequency band to the network when at said first operational setting, and permitting transmission of electrical energy concentrated within said particular frequency band to the network when at a second operational setting, said filter means further including means for detecting DTMF (dual tone multi-frequency) signals, said filter means adopting one of said first and second operational settings in accordance with detection of special sequences of DTMF signals and

(2) switching means including first and second operational modes, said means preventing the supply of power to the amplifier included in the electronic device that includes said switching means when at a first operational mode, and permitting the supply of power to the amplifier included in the electronic device that includes said switching means when at a second operational mode. said switching means further including means for detecting signals transmitted across standard electrical power wiring and adopting said first or said second operational mode in accordance with information contained in said signals transmitted across said power wiring.

30. A communications system that includes a network of wiring, a plurality of ports ordinarily used for connection of telephone equipment to said network, and an interface to a telephone system, said ports being located in different areas, said network comprising a plurality of 2-wire conductive paths connecting said ports to said interface, the communications system further including a first one of said ports and a first apparatus located in a first area, said first apparatus supplying a first video signal, and a second one of said ports and a television receiver located in a second area, said communications system further including:

(a) a first electronic device located in said first area and including;

receiving means, connected to said first apparatus, for receiving said first video signal,

signal processing means for providing a second video signal, said second video signal having a higher energy level than said first video signal and substantially the same information content as said first video signal, and

first transmitting means, connected to said first one of said ports, for transmitting said second video signal onto the network, said first transmitting means comprising first filtering means for presenting a high impedance to signals whose energy is concentrated at frequencies below the highest frequency used for communication by ordinary telephone devices, while allowing said second video signal to transmit substantially unaltered;

(b) a second electronic device located in said second area and including;

recovering means, connected to said second one of said ports, for recovering said second video signal from the network, said recovering means comprising second filtering means for presenting a high impedance to signals whose energy is concentrated at frequencies below the highest frequency used for communication by ordinary telephone devices, while allowing said second video signal to transmit substantially unaltered; and

second transmitting means, connected to said television receiver, for transmitting said second video signal to said television receiver;

(c) wherein at least one of said first and second electronic devices further includes;

a supplemental port for connecting ordinary telephone equipment, and a path for transmission of electrical energy, said path connecting between said supplemental port and one of said first and second ports, said path including filter means for allowing energy concentrated at frequencies used by ordinary telephone devices to pass substantially unaltered while attenuating energy at frequencies wherein the energy of said second video signal is concentrated, said filter means diverting energy of said second video signal away from said telephone equipment.