Electronic device for cable broadcasting system

• US 6,640,338 B1
• Filed: 01/26/2000
• Issued: 10/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Masprodenkoh Kabushikikaisha.
• Original Assignee: Masprodenkoh Kabushikikaisha.
• Inventors: Shibata, Eiji
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ma, Johnny
• Application Number:
  US09/491,554
• Time in Patent Office: 1,371 Days
• Field of Search: 725/127, 725/149, 725/105, 725/107, 725/119, 348/192
• US Class Current: 725/149
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0757 by exceeding a time limit, i.e. time-out, e.g. watchdogs
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/02 Arrangements for relaying broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/12 Arrangements for observation, testing or troubleshooting
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/76 Wired systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/79 using downlink of the CATV systems, e.g. audio broadcast via CATV network

Abstract

An electronic device for distributing broadcast signals in a cable broadcasting system includes a receiving circuit receiving broadcas signals including command signals and a microcomputer for controlling the electronic device according to the command signals. A watchdog timer counts an output s op period and compares with abnormality determining times. An output stop period is reset by a microcomputer pulse signal generated at constant intervals and representing normal operation of the microcomputer and an input stop period is reset by a periodic command pulse representing normal operation of the input from the receiving circuit to the microcomputer. The timer generates a microcomputer eset signal when a stop period exceeds an abnormality determining time.

Claims

1. An electronic device for a cable broadcasting system for processing transmission signals passing through a transmission line and provided on the transmission line from a center equipment to a terminal device, comprising:

a receiving circuit connected from the transmission line for receiving broadcast signals including command signals,

a control circuit including a microcomputer for setting and controlling an operating mode of the electronic device, including distribution of the broadcast signals to recipients according to command signals,

the microcomputer including a

microcomputer timer counting an input stop period and generating a periodic pulse signal, the periodic pulse signal indicating normal operation of the microcomputer and cessation of the periodic pulse signal indicating a malfunction of the microcomputer, and

determining a command signal interval between receiving command signals from the receiving circuit, the microcomputer terminating operation microcomputer when a command signal is not received within the predetermined command signal interval, thereby terminating generating of the periodic pulse signal generated by the microcomputer, and

a watchdog timer counting an output stop period and generating a microcomputer reset signal to the microcomputer when a pulse signal is not received within an output stop period abnormality time, wherein

the output stop period count is reset to a beginning of the output stop period upon each occurrence of the pulse signal generated by the microcomputer, and

the generation of the pulse signal within the input stop period represents normal operation of the input from the receiving circuit to the microcomputer and the generation of the pulse signal within the output stop period abnormality time indicates normal operation of the microcomputer.

2. An electronic device for a cable broadcasting system according to claim 1, wherein

the microcomputer extracts only the command signals to the electronic device itself and counts an input stop period of the command signals as an input stop period of the command signals from the receiving circuit, and when the counted input stop period gets to a predetermined time, the microcomputer stops outputting a pulse signal to the watchdog timer.

3. An electronic device for a cable broadcasting system according to claim 1, wherein

when a command signal received by the receiving circuit is a change command to the electronic device itself out of all the electronic devices for changing the predetermined time, the microcomputer changes the predetermined time in response to the change command.

4. An electronic device for a cable broadcasting system according to claim 1, wherein

the electronic device is a tap device provided with

a directional coupler for branching a part of transmission signals passing through the transmission line and outputting the branched transmission signals from a tap output terminal to a terminal device,

a change-over device provided in a signal pass transmitting transmission signals branched by the directional coupler to the tap output terminal, for changing over the condition of on or off of the signal pass and

an operation circuit for operating the change-over device to change over the condition of on or off of the signal pass, and

the microcomputer operates the change-over device via the operation circuit to set the condition of on or off of the signal pass, when a command signal received by the receiving circuit is a command to the tap device for changing over the signal pass.