Network for distributing multimedia signals over a primary signal distribution path

• US 6,427,237 B1
• Filed: 09/15/1998
• Issued: 07/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avaya Technology Corporation Miami Lakes FLA US
• Original Assignee: Avaya Technology Corporation Miami Lakes FLA US
• Inventors: Bark, Boris A., Aranguren, William L., Strakovsky, Leonid
• Primary Examiner(s): Kostak, Victor R.
• Application Number:
  US09/153,655
• Time in Patent Office: 1,414 Days
• Field of Search: 455/5.1, 455/5.2, 455/6.3, 455/4.1, 455/4.2, 348/6, 348/12, 348/10, 348/11, 725/106, 725/126
• US Class Current: 725/106
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/38 for signals in two different frequency ranges transmitted in opposite directions over the same transmission path
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/79 using downlink of the CATV systems, e.g. audio broadcast via CATV network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• 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: H04N 7/10 Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable H04N7/12 takes precedence

Abstract

A signal distribution network in which signals are distributed via a primary signal distribution path. Television signals are transmitted in a first frequency band, telephone signals are transmitted in a second frequency band, and data signals are transmitted in a third frequency band. Bidirectional terminal adapters are connected to each endpoint of the primary signal distribution path. The terminal adapters connect to end user devices which receive signals from the primary signal distribution path. In addition, the terminal adapters connect to signal sources which provide the signals to be distributed via the primary signal distribution path. In one embodiment, television signals received from a CATV television network are received by a television distribution module. The television distribution module has one or more tuner/converters each of which tune to a desired channel, modulate the desired channel onto at least one predetermined distribution channel, and provide the signal to the primary signal distribution path via the predetermined distribution channel. The total bandwidth of the primary signal distribution path can be substantially lower than the total bandwidth of the communication links providing the sources of signals entering the network. As such, the primary signal distribution path may be implemented utilizing a single pair of wires.

Claims

1. A communication network for distributing a plurality of electrical signals within a building structure, the network comprising:

one primary signal distribution path substantially housed within said building structure;

a plurality of terminal adapters connected to said primary signal distribution path such that any of said plurality of electrical signals on said primary signal distribution path are available to each of said terminal adapters;

a television signal distribution module connected to a terminal adapter for transmitting television signals over said primary signal distribution path in a first frequency band; and

a terminal adapter connected to the public telephone network for transmitting and receiving telephone signals over said primary signal distribution path in a second frequency band;

wherein every endpoint of said primary signal distribution path is connected to a terminal adapter.

2. The communication network of claim 1 wherein each terminal adapter further comprises at least one output port, and an impedance termination is provided for each unused output port among the plurality of terminal adapters.

3. The communication network of claim 1 wherein said terminal adapters communicate signals bidirectionally.

4. The communication network of claim 1 wherein said television signal distribution module further comprises:

a first input port for receiving signals modulated on a first plurality of channels including channels outside of said first frequency band;

a plurality of tuner/converters connected to said input port for receiving said signals, for tuning to a selected one of said plurality of channels, and for converting said signals on said selected channel to at least one predetermined channel within said first frequency band; and

at least one output port connected to a terminal adapter for transmitting signals via said at least one predetermined channel.

5. The communication network of claim 1 wherein said terminal adapters further comprise:

a first filter for filtering signals outside of said first frequency band;

a second filter for filtering signals outside of said second frequency band;

a first port connected to said first and second filters;

a second port connected to said first filter; and

a third port connected to said second filter.

6. The communication network of claim 5 wherein:

said first filter is a band pass filter; and

said second filter is a low pass filter.

7. The communication network of claim 5 wherein:

said first filter is a high pass filter; and

said second filter is a low pass filter.

8. The communication network of claim 1 further comprising:

a second signal distribution module connected to a terminal adapter for transmitting signals over said primary signal distribution path in a third frequency band.

9. The communication network of claim 8 wherein said terminal adapters further comprise:

a first filter for filtering signals outside of said first frequency band;

a second filter for filtering signals outside of said second frequency band;

a third filter for filtering signals outside of said third frequency band;

a first port connected to said first, second and third filters;

a second port connected to said first filter;

a third port connected to said second filter; and

a fourth port connected to said third filter.

10. The communication network of claim 8 wherein said terminal adapters further comprise:

a first filter for filtering signals outside of said first frequency band;

a second filter for filtering signals outside of said second frequency band;

a plurality of bandpass filters for passing signals within frequency bands which are within said third frequency band;

a first port connected to said first filter, said second filter, and said plurality of bandpass filters;

a second port connected to said first filter;

a third port connected to said second filter; and

a plurality of ports each connected to one of said plurality of bandpass filters.

11. The communication network of claim 8 wherein:

said first frequency band carries television signals in the range of 54 MHz to 88 MHz;

said second frequency band carries telephone signals in the range of 0 kHz to 3 kHz.; and

said third frequency band carries data signals in the range of 3 kHz to 54 MHz.

12. The communication network of claim 1 wherein said terminal adapters are connected to said primary signal distribution path in a daisy chain configuration.

13. The communication network of claim 1, wherein said terminal adapters are connected to said primary signal distribution path in a free form configuration.

14. The communication network of claim 1 wherein:

said first frequency band carries television signals in the range of 54 MHz to 88 MHz; and

said second frequency band carries telephone signals in the range of 0 kHz to 3 kHz.

15. The communication network of claim 1 wherein said primary signal distribution path comprises a single pair of wires.

16. The communication network of claim 1 wherein said terminal adapters are connected to end user devices and are configured to receive signals from said end user devices for distribution via said primary signal distribution path.

17. The communication network of claim 1 wherein the bandwidth of said primary signal distribution path is substantially lower than the total bandwidth of the communication links providing signals to the communication network.

18. A communication network for distributing a plurality of electrical signals within a building structure, the network comprising:

one primary signal distribution path substantially housed within said building structure;

a plurality of terminal adapters connected to every endpoint of said primary signal distribution path such that any of said plurality of electrical signals on said primary signal distribution path are available to each of said terminal adapters;

a first signal distribution module connected to a first one of the plurality of terminal adapters for transmitting television signals over said primary signal distribution path in a first frequency band of 54 MHz to 88 MHz; and

a second one of the plurality of terminal adapters connected to the public telephone network for transmitting and receiving telephone signals over said primary signal distribution path in a second frequency band of 0 kHz to 3 kHz.

19. The communication network of claim 18 wherein said television signal distribution module further comprises:

a first input port for receiving signals modulated on a first plurality of channels including channels outside of said first frequency band;

a plurality of tuner/converters connected to said input port for receiving said signals, for tuning to a selected one of said plurality of channels, and for converting said signals on said selected channel to at least one predetermined channel within said first frequency band; and

at least one output port connected to a terminal adapter for transmitting signals via said at least one predetermined channel.

20. A communication network for distributing a plurality of electrical signals within a building structure, the network comprising:

a primary signal distribution path substantially housed within said building structure;

a plurality of bidirectional terminal adapters connected to said primary signal distribution path such that any of said plurality of electrical signals on said primary signal distribution path are available to each of said terminal adapters;

said bidirectional terminal adapters further comprising;

a first signal path allowing bidirectional communication of signals in a first frequency band;

a second signal path allowing bidirectional communication of signals in a second frequency band;

a third signal path allowing bidirectional communication of signals in a third frequency band;

a first port connected to said first signal path and configured to connect to a first type of end user device;

a second port connected to said second signal path and configured to connect to a second type of end user device;

a third port connected to said third signal path and configured to connect to a third type of end user device; and

a fourth port connected to said first, second and third signal paths;

wherein said first type of end user device is a television, said second type of end user device is a telephone, and said third type of end user device is a computer.

21. The communication network of claim 20 wherein:

said first frequency band carries television signals in the range of 54 MHz to 88 MHz;

said second frequency band carries telephone signals in the range of 0 kHz to 3 kHz.; and

said third frequency band carries data signals in the range of 3 kHz to 54 MHz.

22. A communication network for distributing a plurality of electrical signals within a building structure, the network comprising:

a primary signal distribution path substantially housed within said building structure;

a plurality of bidirectional terminal adapters connected to said primary signal distribution path such that any of said plurality of electrical signals on said primary signal distribution path are available to each of said terminal adapters;

said bidirectional terminal adapters further comprising;

a first signal path allowing bidirectional communication of signals in a first frequency band;

a second signal path allowing bidirectional communication of signals in a second frequency band;

a first port connected to said first signal path and configured to connect to a first type of end user device;

a second port connected to said second signal path and configured to connect to a second type of end user device; and

a third port connected to said first and second signal paths and to said primary signal distribution path;

wherein;

said first frequency band carries television signals in the range of 54 MHz to 88 MHz; and

said second frequency band carries telephone signals in the range of 0 kHz to 3 kHz.