Broadcast method and system

• US 8,823,878 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2011
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Level 3 Communications LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Level 3 Communications LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Keener, David J., Jones, John S., Ward, Peter L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Trang U
• Application Number:
  US13/220,320
• Publication Number:
  US 20110310251A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,100 Days
• Field of Search: 348/723, 348/724, 348/275, 348/726, 348/731, 348/180, 348/192, 348/21, 348553-555, 348/558, 348705-706, 348/552, 348/564, 348/569, 725 32- 36, 725/131, 725/133, 725/140, 725/141, 725/151, 725/153
• US Class Current: 348/723
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/15 Active relay systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/04 Studio equipment; Interconnection of studios
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/07 characterised by processes or methods for the generation

Abstract

A method and system for airing broadcast signals is disclosed. Preferably, the system includes a production truck interface panel receiving a broadcast signal. A transmission relay circuit relays the signal from the interface panel to a broadcast network, and preferably including a broadcast signal detection circuit, and a signal processing circuit. The detection circuit determines a signal type of the broadcast signal, and the signal processing circuit processes the determined signal type. The system preferably further includes an operations control station displaying the determined type of broadcast signal. The method for airing broadcast signals over the broadcast network preferably includes the steps of providing the broadcast signal to the transmission relay circuit, detecting the broadcast signal type with the broadcast signal sensing and discerning circuit; and reconfiguring the signal processing circuit when the configuration of the signal processing circuit does not support transmission of the determined broadcast signal type.

Claims

1. A broadcast signal detection device comprising:

a multi-layer printed circuit board;

an isolation/buffer amplifier and terminator communicating with the multi-layer printed circuit board, the isolation/buffer amplifier and terminator appearing as a terminated device to a broadcast signal provided to the isolation/buffer amplifier; and

a signal detection circuit comprising a first signal detector communicating with the isolation/buffer amplifier and attached to the multi-layer printed circuit board for detecting and reporting a type of broadcast signal provided to the isolation/buffer amplifier and selected from a group consisting of (ASI digital video signals, and SDI and HD-SDI digital video transport signals), the first signal detector further providing an ASI status line, a SDI status line, and a HD-SDI status line for reporting the type of signal detected when a signal is detected by the first signal detector;

a second signal detector communicating with the isolation/buffer amplifier and attached to the multi-layer printed circuit board for detecting a NTSC analog video signal as the type of broadcast signal provided to the isolation/buffer amplifier, the second signal detector further providing a NTSC status line for reporting the type of signal detected when a signal is detected by the second signal detector; and

a logic circuit attached to the multi-layer printed circuit board and communicating with each the NTSC, ASI, SDI, and HD-SDI status lines, and providing a NTSC output line.

2. The broadcast signal detection device of claim 1, further comprising a third signal detection circuit communicating with the isolation/buffer amplifier and attached to the multi-layer printed circuit board for detecting a DS-3 digital video transport signal as the type of broadcast signal provided to the isolation/buffer amplifier, the third signal detector further providing a DS-3 status line when a signal is detected by the third signal detector.

3. The broadcast signal detection device of claim 2, wherein the logic circuit is communicating with the DS-3 status line;

and further comprising;

a first LED attached to the multi-layer printed circuit board and communicating with the NTSC output line, the NTSC output line illuminating the LED when a signal is present on the NTSC status line and not present on the DC-3, ASI, SDI, and HD-SDI status lines.

4. The broadcast signal detection device of claim 3, further comprising:

a DS-3 output line provided by the logic circuit further; and

a second LED attached to the multi-layer printed circuit board and communicating with the DS-3 output line, the DS-3 output line illuminating the LED when a signal is present on the DS-3 status line and not present on the NTSC, ASI, SDI, and HD-SDI status lines.

5. The broadcast signal detection device of claim 3, further comprising:

an ASI output line provided by the logic circuit further; and

a third LED attached to the multi-layer printed circuit board and communicating with the ASI output line, the ASI output line illuminating the LED when a signal is present on the ASI status line and not present on the NTSC, DS-3, SDI, and HD-SDI status lines.

6. The broadcast signal detection device of claim 3, further comprising:

a SDI output line provided by the logic circuit further; and

a fourth LED attached to the multi-layer printed circuit board and communicating with the SDI output line, the ASI output line illuminating the LED when a signal is present on the SDI status line and not present on the NTSC, DS-3, ASI, and HD-SDI status lines.

7. The broadcast signal detection device of claim 3, further comprising:

a HD-SDI output line provided by the logic circuit further; and

a fifth LED attached to the multi-layer printed circuit board and communicating with the HD-SDI output line, the HD-SDI output line illuminating the LED when a signal is present on the HD-SDI status line and not present on the NTSC, DS-3, ASI, and SDI status lines.

8. The broadcast signal detection device of claim 3, further comprising:

a no signal output line provided by the logic circuit further; and

a sixth LED attached to the multi-layer printed circuit board and communicating with the no signal output line, the no output line illuminating the LED when no signal is present on any of the NTSC, DS-3, ASI, SDI, and HD-SDI status lines, and when a signal is present on more than one of the NTSC, DS-3, ASI, SDI, and HD-SDI status lines.

9. The broadcast signal detection device of claim 3, further comprising:

a plurality of LEDS attached to the multi-layer printed circuit board; and

a battery communicating with the multi-layer printed circuit board and powering the isolation/buffer amplifier, the first, second, and third signal detection circuits, the logic circuit, and each of the plurality of LEDS.

10. The broadcast signal detection device of claim 9, further comprising an encasement enclosing the battery, the isolation/buffer amplifier, the first, second, and third signal detection circuits, and the logic circuit, while allowing the plurality of LEDS to be visible to a user of the device.