EP0512604A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for interconnection of domestic video appliances
Assignee: D2B Systems Co Ltd
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Filing: 1992-04-24
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-04-24
Abstract
Abstract A system of domestic video apparatuses (10,12,14 etc.) are interconnected by video cables (64,66,68) and also by a serial data bus (D2B,16) having distributed control intelligence (20,22). Within each apparatus, signal generator and/or detector functions are defined, which can be activated and controlled via the bus (16) to identify automatically video cable connections (64,66,68) between various plugs (26-1,2,3, 52-1,2,3, etc.) of the apparatuses (10,12,14). The functions can be implemented without additional conductors for cable detection signals, and with little or no additional hardware cost.
Inventors
- 👤 Harm Jan Welmer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:55
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/06; H04B1/16; H04B1/20; H04B1/205; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
293 words
A system comprising a plurality of apparatuses for processing user information signals, each apparatus having an interface for the communication of control messages via a serial data channel and being independently addressable via said data channel, the apparatuses including: - at least one first apparatus having at least one output connector for a given class of user information signal; and - at least one second apparatus having at least one input connector for the given class of user information signal, the input connector being connectable via a cable to the output connector of the first apparatus; the system including cable detection means for determining automatically which first apparatus, if any, is connected to the or each input connector of the second apparatus, characterized in that the cable detection means comprises: - means addressable via data channel as a control subdevice for generating a sequence of control messages for controlling said automatic determination, said sequence including first, second and third types of messages; - signal generator means within each first apparatus for (i) in response to a message of the first type interrupting the supply of user information signals of the given class to the output connector(s) of the first apparatus, (ii) in response to a subsequent message of the second type selectively enabling the supply of such signals to just one output connector of the first apparatus, and (iii) in response to a message of the third type re-enabling the supply of such signals to the output connector(s) of the first apparatus to allow normal operation thereof; and - detection means connectable to the or each said input connector of the second apparatus for indicating to the control subdevice whether a user-information signal of the given class is being received at that connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the first apparatus has a plurality of output connectors and wherein the control subdevice is arranged to generate a sequence of messages of the second type, so as to cause the supply of signals sequentially to each output connector in turn.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
79 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each output connector of the or each first apparatus is assigned a plug number unique among the connectors of that apparatus and wherein the or each message of the second type comprises an instruction causing the signal generator means to supply a signal to one output connector specified in the message by means of its plug number, while blocking supply of signals to the other output connectors of the apparatus.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
21 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the given class of user information signal is a composite video signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
A signal processing apparatus having an interface for communication of control messages via a serial data channel and at least one output connector for a given class of user information signal, the apparatus being independently addressable via the data channel, characterized in that the apparatus is suitable for use as the first apparatus within a system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, and in particular in that it includes means having the technical features of the signal generator means in accordance with such claim(s).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
An apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 having a plurality of output connectors for signals of the given class, wherein the means having the technical features of the signal generator means comprises a source of signals of the given class, switching means interposed between the signal source and each of the said output connectors, and means for controlling the switching means in response to messages of the first, second and third types.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A signal processing apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 or 6 further including means addressable as and having the technical features of the control subdevice of the system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
106 words
A signal processing apparatus having an interface for communication of control messages via a serial data channel and at least one input connector for receiving a given class of user information signal, the apparatus being independently addressable via the data channel, characterized in that the apparatus is suitable for use as the second apparatus in a system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, and in particular in that it includes detection means connectableto the or each such input connector for indicating to the control subdevice of the system whether a user information signal of the given class is being received at that connector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
An apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 having a plurality of input connectors for signals of the given class, wherein the detection means includes a detector having an input for a signal of the given class, switching means interposed between the input of the detector and the input connectors of the apparatus and control means for controlling the switching means so as to connect the detector input sequentially to each input connector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 or 9 further including means addressable as and having the technical features of the control subdevice of the system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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