Interface system for computing apparatus and communications stations
First Claim
1. A system for providing an interface between a central computing apparatus providing output signals and at least one communications station providing input signals on a two-way signal path, the system comprising:
- a splitter-reflector preventing the output signals from the computing apparatus and the input signals from the communications station from passing to a signal distribution system and for coupling signals having a third frequency band from the signal distribution system onto the signal path;
a first component positioned in the signal path adjacent the central computing apparatus for converting output signals from the central computing apparatus to signals having a first frequency band;
a second component positioned in the signal path adjacent the communications station for modifying the converted output signals from the central computing apparatus to a frequency detectable by the communications station;
a third component positioned in the signal path adjacent the communications station for converting the input signals from the communications station to signals having a second frequency band; and
a fourth component positioned in the signal path adjacent the central computing apparatus for modifying the converted input signals from the communications station to a frequency recognizable by the central computing apparatus.
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Abstract
A system for permitting an interface between a centralized in-home computing apparatus and a plurality of remotely situated in-home communications stations is provided. The system includes a two-way signal path for facilitating communication between the centralized computing apparatus and the communications stations, and a connection to an external signal distribution system such as a cable television (CATV) system. A frequency sensitive splitter/reflector is employed for reflecting input signals generated from the communications stations, and output signals, generated from the computing apparatus, along the signal path. The splitter/reflector blocks signals from the communications stations and the computing apparatus from moving onto the CATV system while allowing signals from the CATV system to move through the splitter/reflector, onto the signal path to the communications stations and computing apparatus. The system may also include means for communication between the computing apparatus and an external data network. Additionally, any application made available to the computing apparatus, whether through the CATV system or the external data network, can be accessed by each of the remote communications stations.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A system for providing an interface between a central computing apparatus providing output signals and at least one communications station providing input signals on a two-way signal path, the system comprising:
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a splitter-reflector preventing the output signals from the computing apparatus and the input signals from the communications station from passing to a signal distribution system and for coupling signals having a third frequency band from the signal distribution system onto the signal path;
a first component positioned in the signal path adjacent the central computing apparatus for converting output signals from the central computing apparatus to signals having a first frequency band;
a second component positioned in the signal path adjacent the communications station for modifying the converted output signals from the central computing apparatus to a frequency detectable by the communications station;
a third component positioned in the signal path adjacent the communications station for converting the input signals from the communications station to signals having a second frequency band; and
a fourth component positioned in the signal path adjacent the central computing apparatus for modifying the converted input signals from the communications station to a frequency recognizable by the central computing apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for providing multimedia computing and entertainment between a central computing apparatus providing output signals and at least one communications station providing input signals, the system comprising:
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a two-way signal path for facilitating communication between the communications station and the central computing apparatus;
a splitter-reflector;
a first component positioned in the signal path adjacent the central computing apparatus for converting output signals from the central computing apparatus to signals having a frequency band f2;
a second component positioned in the signal path adjacent the communications station for modifying the converted output signals from the central computing apparatus to a frequency detectable by the communications station;
a third component positioned in the signal path adjacent the communications station for converting the input signals from the communications station to signals having a frequency band f3;
a fourth component positioned in the signal path adjacent the central computing apparatus for modifying the converted input signals from the communications station to a frequency recognizable by the central computing apparatus; and
wherein the splitter-reflector prevents signals from frequency bands f2 and f3 from being passed off of the two-way signal path while allowing signals having frequency band f1 to be transmitted onto and off of the two-way signal path;
wherein f2≠
f1, and f3≠
f1.- View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for providing an interface between a central computing apparatus and at least one communications station, the system comprising the steps of:
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providing a two-way signal path between the central computing apparatus and the communications station;
reflecting the input signals from the communications station along the signal path so as to direct the input signals to the central computing apparatus;
directing signals from a signal distribution service onto the two-way signal path; and
converting the input signals from the communications station into a format compatible with the central computing apparatus for processing wherein the input signals are prevented from being transferred off of the two-way signal path to the signal distribution service. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
converting output signals from the central computing apparatus into a format compatible for detection by the communications station;
reflecting the output signals along the signal path so as to direct the output signals to the communications station;
modifying the output signals to a format compatible with the communications station for display.
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30. A method as set forth in claim 29 further comprising the steps of:
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modulating input signals from the communications station to a first frequency band prior to the step of reflecting the input signals;
demodulating the input signals from the communications station, after the step of reflecting the input signals, to a frequency band compatible for processing by the central computing apparatus;
modulating the output signals from the central computing apparatus to a second frequency band prior to the step of reflecting the output signals; and
demodulating the output signals from the central computing apparatus, after the step of reflecting the output signals, to a frequency detectable by the communications station.
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31. A method as set forth in claim 28 further comprising the steps of:
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providing means for communication between the computing apparatus and a data network;
converting the signals from the data network into output signals with a format compatible for detection by the communication station;
mixing the signals from the data network with information generated from the computing apparatus into the output signals;
reflecting the output signals along the signal path so as to direct the output signals to the communications station; and
modify the output signals to a format compatible with the communications station for display.
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32. A method as set forth in claim 31 further comprising the steps of:
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modulating input signals from the communications station to a first frequency band prior to the step of reflecting the input signals;
demodulating the input signals from the communications station, after the step of reflecting the input signals, to a frequency band compatible for processing by the central computing apparatus;
modulating the output signals from the central computing apparatus to a second frequency band prior to the step of reflecting the output signals; and
demodulating the output signals from the central computing apparatus, after the step of reflecting the output signals, to a frequency detectable by the communications station.
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33. A system for providing an interface between a central computing apparatus providing output signals and at least one communications station providing input signals, the system comprising:
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a two-way signal path for facilitating communication between the communications station and the central computing apparatus;
a splitter-reflector preventing the output signals from the computing apparatus and the input signals from communications station from passing off of the two-way signal path to a signal distribution system and for coupling signals having a frequency band f1 from the signal distribution system onto the signal path;
a first component positioned in the signal path adjacent the central computing apparatus for converting output signals from the central computing apparatus to signals having a frequency band f2;
a second component positioned in the signal path adjacent the communications station for modifying the converted output signals from the central computing apparatus to a frequency detectable by the communications station;
a third component positioned in the signal path adjacent the communications station for converting the input signals from the communications station to signals having a frequency band f3; and
a fourth component positioned in the signal path adjacent the central computing apparatus for modifying the converted input signals from the communications station to a frequency recognizable by the central computing apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A frequency selective device for use with a centralized computing system having a central computing apparatus and at least one communications station, the device comprising:
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an input port connected to a cable from a cable television distribution system;
a plurality of output ports connected to a signal pathway between the computing apparatus and the communications station;
a first filter situated between the input and output ports (i) to allow a signal below a certain frequency band to pass between the ports through the first filter, and (ii) to prevent a signal above said certain frequency band from passing through the first filter;
a second filter disposed between the first filter and the output port to prevent transmission of a signal below said certain frequency band along the signal pathway between the computing apparatus and the communications station;
a signal splitter for dividing signal from the first filter into a plurality of signals; and
means for partitioning the plurality of signals toward the output ports and toward the second filter. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification