Signal distribution system

• US 6,381,745 B1
• Filed: 05/21/1998
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avaya Technology Corporation Miami Lakes FLA US
• Original Assignee: Avaya Technology Corporation Miami Lakes FLA US
• Inventors: Paul, Lawrence Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): Faile, Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, NGOC K
• Application Number:
  US09/082,652
• Time in Patent Office: 1,440 Days
• Field of Search: 725/69, 725/68, 725/71, 725/63, 725/78, 725/80, 725/82, 725/85, 455/3.2, 455/3.1, 455/6.2, 455/6.3
• US Class Current: 725/69
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/20 Adaptations for transmission via a GHz frequency band, e.g. via satellite

Abstract

A system for distributing signals, in which a distribution module is coupled to each of a plurality of outlets by respective first and second cables. Each of the first and second cables is sufficient to carry both a first-type signal and a second-type signal between an outlet and the distribution module, the second-type signal comprising one of left-handed and right-handed polarized type signals. The first cable carries a combined first-type signal and one of a left-handed and right-handed polarized signal from the distribution module to the outlet. The second cable carries the other of the left-handed and right-handed polarized signal from the distribution module to the outlet and carries a local first-type signal from the outlet to the distribution module. The combined first-type signal is provided by the distribution module by combining the local first-type signal with a master first-type signal.

Claims

1. A system for distributing signals, comprising:

(a) a plurality of outlets; and

(b) a distribution module coupled to each outlet by respective first and second cables, wherein each of the first and second cables is sufficient to carry both a first-type signal and a second-type signal between an outlet and the distribution module, the first-type signal comprising one of a local first-type signal and a master first-type signal, the second-type signal comprising one of left-handed and right-handed polarized type signals, wherein;

the first cable carries a combined first-type signal and one of a left-handed and right-handed polarized signal from the distribution module to the outlet;

the second cable carries the other of the left-handed and right-handed polarized signal from the distribution module to the outlet and carries a local first-type signal from the outlet to the distribution module; and

the combined first-type signal is provided by the distribution module by combining the local first-type signal with a master first-type signal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first-type signal is a cable TV (CATV) signal and the second-type signal is one of a left-handed and right-handed polarized digital broadcast satellite (DBS) signal.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein:

the local CATV signal comprises at least one channel of audio/video (A/V) data and is generated by a local CATV signal source coupled to the outlet; and

the master CATV signal comprises a plurality of channels of A/V data.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one channel is a channel unused by the plurality of channels.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each outlet is located at one of a plurality of locations at a site.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the site is a building and each outlet is a wall outlet in a room of the building.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second cables are RG6 coaxial cables and each respective first and second cable pair are combined with a conmmon jacket to form a combined cable.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the distribution module transmits to the outlet the combined first-type signal and the left-handed polarized signal via the first cable; and

the distribution module transmits to the outlet the right-handed polarized signal via the second cable.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the distribution module is further coupled to each outlet by a respective telephone line.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the distribution module comprises:

a diplexer for receiving and combining the combined first-type signal and the left-handed polarized signal to transmit the combined first-type signal and the left-handed polarized signal to the outlet via the first cable;

a second diplexer for receiving the right-handed polarized signal from a polarized signal source and for receiving the local first-type signal from the outlet via the second cable; and

a combiner for receiving the local first-type signal from the outlet via the second cable and the second diplexer, for receiving the master first-type signal from a master first-type signal source, and for combining said signals to provide the combined first-type signal.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein each outlet is coupleable to an adaptor unit, the adaptor unit comprising:

(i) a first diplexer for receiving the local first-type signal from a local first-type signal source, for receiving the right-handed polarized signal from the distribution module via the second cable, for transmitting the local first-type signal to the distribution module via the second cable, and for transmitting the right-handed polarized signal to a video switch;

(ii) a second diplexer for receiving the combined first-type signal and the left-handed polarized signal from the distribution module via the first cable, for transmitting the combined first-type signal to a first out terminal of the adaptor unit, and for transmitting the left-handed polarized signal to the video switch; and

(iii) the video switch for receiving the right-handed and left-handed polarized signals and for combining said polarized signals to provide an output signal to a second out terminal of the adaptor unit.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising an adaptor unit coupled to each outlet.

13. An apparatus for distributing signals, comprising:

(a) means for coupling the apparatus to each of a plurality of outlets via respective first and second cables for each outlet, wherein each of the first and second cables is sufficient to carry both a first-type signal and a second-type signal between an outlet and the apparatus, the first-type signal comprising one of a local first-type signal and a master first-type signal, the second-type signal comprising one of left-handed and right-handed polarized type signals;

(b) means for transmitting to the outlet a combined first-type signal and one of a left-handed and right-handed polarized signal via the first cable;

(c) means for transmitting to the outlet the other of the left-handed and right-handed polarized signal and for receiving from the outlet a local first-type signal via the second cable; and

(d) means for combining the local first-type signal with a master first-type signal to provide the combined first-type signal.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first-type signal is a cable TV (CATV) signal and the second-type signal is one of a left-handed and right-handed polarized digital broadcast satellite (DBS) signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein:

the local CATV signal comprises at least one channel of audio/video (A/V) data and is generated by a local CATV signal source coupled to the outlet; and

the master CATV signal comprises a plurality of channels of A/V data.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one channel is a channel unused by the plurality of channels.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein:

the apparatus transmits to the outlet the combined first-type signal and the left-handed polarized signal via the first cable; and

the apparatus transmits to the outlet the right-handed polarized signal via the second cable.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein:

means (a) comprises a network of combiner/splitters;

means (b) comprises a diplexer for receiving and combining the combined first-type signal and the left-handed polarized signal;

means (c) comprises a second diplexer for receiving the right-handed polarized from a polarized signal source and for receiving the local first-type signal from the outlet; and

means (d) comprises a combiner for receiving the local first-type signal from the outlet and the master first-type signal from a master first-type signal source and for combining said signals to provide the combined first-type signal.

19. A method for distributing signals, comprising:

(a) coupling a distribution module to each of a plurality of outlets via respective first and second cables for each outlet, wherein each of the first and second cables is sufficient to carry both a first-type signal and a second-type signal between an outlet and the distribution module, the first-type signal comprising one of a local first-type signal and a master first-type signal, the second-type signal comprising one of left-handed and right-handed polarized type signals;

(b) transmitting a combined first-type signal and one of a left-handed and right-handed polarized signal from the distribution module to the outlet via the first cable;

(c) transmitting the other of the left-handed and right-handed polarized signal from the distribution module to the outlet and receiving with the distribution module a local first-type signal from the outlet via the second cable; and

(d) combining the local first-type signal with a master first-type signal to provide the combined first-type signal.

20. A system for distributing signals, comprising:

(a) a plurality of outlets; and

(b) a distribution module coupled to each outlet by respective first and second cables, wherein each of the first and second cables is sufficient to carry both a first-type signal and a second-type signal between an outlet and the distribution module, the first-type signal comprising one of a local first-type signal and a master first-type signal, the second-type signal comprising one of left-handed and right-handed polarized type signals, the distribution module comprising;

(1) means for transmitting to the outlet a combined first-type signal and one of a left-handed and right-handed polarized signal via the first cable;

(2) means for transmitting to the outlet the other of the left-handed and right-handed polarized signal and for receiving from the outlet a local first-type signal via the second cable; and

(3) means for combining the local first-type signal with a master first-type signal to provide the combined first-type signal.