Video signal distribution system

• US 6,177,963 B1
• Filed: 12/01/1997
• Issued: 01/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Linear LLC (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Multiplex Technology, Inc. (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Crosby, John B., Foye, Richard T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yenke, Brian P.
• Application Number:
  US08/982,207
• Time in Patent Office: 1,149 Days
• Field of Search: 348/8, 348/10, 348/6.1, 348/3.1, 348/6, 348/553, 348/552, 348/724, 348/725, 348/707, 348/706, 455/6.3, 455/6.2, 455/3.2, 330/99-100
• US Class Current: 348/706
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7755 the recorder being connected to, or coupled with, the antenna of the television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution

Abstract

A video signal distribution system comprises an interface device and video signal input means for receiving TV signals on broadcast channels connected to the interface device. A plurality of video appliances and a plurality of TV sets may be connected to the interface device such that the television sets are arranged to be remote from the plurality of video appliances. A person using the system has a remote control device that may be actuated to emit signals for selecting channels for viewing and to control the video appliances. Each of the television sets includes a repeater arranged to receive the control signals from the remote control device and form corresponding electrical control signals. The interface device receives the electrical control signals corresponding to a selected TV set and directs electrical control signals to a selected one of the plurality of video appliances to provide video signals to the television sets.

Claims

1. A video signal distribution system including a video amplifier circuit having an input terminal connected to a video signal source and an output connected to a signal combiner that is arranged to receive signals from a video appliance, the signal combiner being arranged to provide signals input thereto to a television set, comprising:

a first transistor circuit arranged to receive video signals from the video signal source, the first transistor circuit including a first transistor circuit connected in a common emitter configuration with its base connected to an input terminal of the video amplifier circuit and arranged to provide a predetermined forward gain in signals input thereto such that signals output from the video amplifier circuit have amplitudes suitable for input to the television set;

a second transistor circuit including a second transistor arranged in a common base configuration and having its emitter connected to the collector of the first transistor, the second transistor being arranged to provide a predetermined reverse loss to prevent transmission of RF signals from the video amplifier output to its input; and

a third transistor circuit connected to the second transistor circuit and including a third transistor arranged in a common collector configuration to provide an impedance transformation such that the video amplifier has a predetermined output impedance at the emitter of the third transistor.

2. The video amplifier circuit of claim 1, further including a resistive-inductive network connected to the second transistor to compensate for the parasitic capacitance effects.

3. A video signal distribution system for providing video signals from a broadcast source and a video appliance to a TV set, comprising:

a modulator arranged for connection to the video appliance;

a signal combiner arranged to receive signals output from the modulator; and

an RF amplifier having an input terminal connected to receive VHF/UHF TV signals from the broadcast source and having an output connected to the signal combiner, the RF amplifier having a reverse isolation sufficient to eliminate the need for a transfer switch to prevent transmission of RF signals from the signal combiner from reaching the RF amplifier, the RF amplifier comprising;

a first transistor arranged in a common emitter configuration with its base connected to the input terminal and arranged to provide a predetermined forward gain in signals input thereto and output to the signal combiner;

a second transistor arranged in a common base configuration and having its emitter connected to the collector of the first transistor, the second transistor being arranged to provide a predetermined reverse loss to prevent transmission of RF signals from the RF amplifier output to its input; and

a third transistor arranged in a common collector configuration connected to the second transistor and arranged to provide an impedance transformation such that the RF amplifier has a predetermined output impedance.

4. The video signal distribution system of claim 3, further including a signal splitter connected to the signal combiner to receive video signals therefrom and divide them between a plurality of video output terminals.

5. The video signal distribution system of claim 3, further including a resistive-inductive network connected to the second transistor to compensate for parasitic capacitance effects.