Discrete cable television distribution system

Claim 2

A control unit for a communication system having a central station and a remote station connected by a communication path, said central station having a multiple state switching mechanism associated with said remote station for selectively connecting said communication path to a plurality of communication channels in response to control signals transmitted from said remote station, said control unit comprising: a chaNnel selector mechanism including a housing having a rotatable drive wheel, said drive wheel carrying a camming surface including a plurality of spaced peripheral cam segments; electrical circuit means including a switch having a follower adapted to engage said cam segments as said wheel is rotated; detenting means carried in said housing and cooperable with said wheel to define a plurality of discrete rotational steps for said wheel, said follower being operable to control said circuit means to provide control signals to the central station in response to stepping of said wheel; a channel selection display means; means on said drive wheel for advancing said display means a predetermined distance for each of said steps; a second electrical circuit means, and means cooperating with said display means for operating said second electrical circuit means to provide a control signal to the central station in response to advancement of said display means a multiple of said predetermined distance.

Claim 3

A control unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said display means comprises a continuous loop of flexible material bearing spaced indicia identifying a sequence of program channels, said predetermined distance corresponding to the spacing between adjacent indicia, and said multiple of said predetermined distance corresponding to the length of said loop; said loop including a notch in one edge thereof, said actuating means for said second electrical circuit means including a switch actuating element engageable in said notch.

Claim 4

A control unit as defined in claim 1 including a manually rotatable knob; drive means connected to said knob for rotating said drive wheel in one direction, and for disengaging said knob from said drive wheel when said knob is rotated in the opposite direction.

Claim 5

A control unit as defined in claim 3 wherein said drive means comprises an element pivotally depending from said knob, said drive wheel including surfaces for engaging with one end of said element when said knob is rotated in said one direction, said element being pivotable away from said surfaces when said knob is rotated in the opposite direction.

Claim 6

A control unit as defined in claim 4 wherein said surfaces include portions of circumferentially spaced raised ribs extending generally from the central axis of said wheel, said surfaces of said ribs lying generally coincident with radii of said wheel.

Claim 7

A control unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said detenting means includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial projections carried by said wheel and defining recesses therebetween, a lever pivotally carried by said housing and having an element selectively engageable in said recesses to detent said wheel in predetermined circumferential positions, and means for biasing said lever in a direction to maintain said element in a wheel detenting position.

Claim 8

A control unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said display means comprises a continuous loop of flexible material bearing a plurality of spaced indicia identifying a sequence of channels, said loop including a plurality of openings spaced therealong, said drive wheel including sprocket teeth for engaging in said openings and driving said display loop.

Claim 9

A control unit as defined in claim 7 wherein the number of cam segments and steps for said drive wheel is less than the number of indicia carried by said display loop.

Claim 10

A control unit according to claim 1 wherein each channel is defined by a predetermined frequency band; and further inlcuding electrical circuit means for converting said frequency band to another frequency band, said drive wheel carrying a second camming surface including a plurality of spaced peripheral cam segments, a follower adapted to engage said second cam segments as said wheel is rotated and operable to actuate said latter electrical circuit means to convert from on frequency band to another in response to stepping of said wheel.

Claim 11

A control unit according to claim 1 wherein each channel is defiNed by one of two possible frequency bands and further including electrical circuit means for converting each of said first and second bands to a third band, said drive wheel carrying a second camming surface including a plurality of spaced peripheral cam segments, a follower to engage said second cam segments as said wheel is rotated and operable to actuate said electrical circuit to convert either said first or said second frequency band to said third frequency band in accordance with the position of said wheel.

Claim 12

A control unit as defined in claim 10 wherein said second cam segments are separated by a predetermined spacing such that said follower engages with successive ones of said second cam segments for every second discrete step.

Claim 13

A control unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said display means comprises a continuous loop of flexible material bearing spaced indicia identifying a sequence of program channels, a display window in said housing, and means for supporting said loop principally at its edges for movement in said housing to display said indicia through said display window.

Claim 14

A control unit for a multi-channel communication system comprising a central station and a remote station connected by a communication path, said central station having multistate switching means for selectively connecting said communication path to a plurality of communication channels under control of said remote station, said control unit being located at said remote station and comprising a channel selector mechanism; means cooperating with said channel selector mechanism for defining fixed steps through which said mechanism may be advanced; means for generating a first signal for predetermined ones of said fixed steps; a channel selection display mechanism; means cooperating with said selector mechanism to advance said display mechanism a predetermined distance for each of said fixed steps; means to generate a second signal when said display mechanism has advanced by a multiple of said predetermined distance; means adapted to provide said first and second signals on said communication path; said central station switching means being responsive to said first signal to connect a different channel to the same communication path as that on which said first and second signals are provided, and responsive to said second signal to return said switching means to a rest state with a predetermined channel connected to said communication path, each channel being defined by a predetermined frequencey band; and further including means for converting said frequency band to another frequency band, said means comprising a local oscillator, a mixer, means for coupling said communication channel to the input of said mixer, and means for coupling the output of said mixer to a utilization device.

Claim 15

A control unit for a multi-channel communication system comprising a central station and a remote station connected by a communication path, said central station having multistate switching means for selectively connecting said communication path to a plurality of communication channels under control of said remote station, said control unit being located at said remote station and comprising a channel selector mechanism; means cooperating with said channel selector mechanism for defining fixed steps through which said mechanism may be advanced; means for generating a first signal for predetermined ones of said fixed steps; a channel selection display mechanism; means cooperating with said selector mechanism to advance said display mechanism a predetermined distance for each of said fixed steps; means to generate a second signal when said display mechanism has advanced by a multiple of said predetermined distance; means adapted to provide said first and second signals on said communication path; said central station switching means being responsive to said first signal to connect a different channel to the same communication path as that on which said first and second signals are provided, and responsive to said second signal to return said switching means to a rest state with a predetermined channel connected to said communication path, each channel being defined by a predetermined frequencey band; and further including means for converting said frequency band to another frequency band, said means comprising a local oscillator, a mixer, means for coupling said communication channel to the input of said mixer, and means for coupling the output of said mixer to a utilization device.

Claim 16

A control unit as defined in claim 13 wherein said oscillator includes means for generating at least two distinct frequencies; and further including means cooperating with said channel selector mechanism for actuating said oscillator to generate one of said frequencies for each of said fixed steps.

Claim 17

A control unit for a multi-channel communication system comprising a central station and a remote station connected by a communication path, said central station having mutli-state switching means for selectively connecting said communication path to a plurality of communication channels under control of said remote station, said control unit being located at said remote station and comprising: a channel selector mechanism; means cooperating with said channel selector mechanism for defining fixed steps through which said mechanism may be advanced; means for generating a first signal for every other one of said fixed steps; a channel selection display mechanism; means cooperating with said selector mechanism to advance said display mechanism a predetermined distance for each of said fixed steps; means to generate a second signal when said display mechanism has advanced by a multiple of said predetermined distance; means adapted to provide said first and second signals on said communication path; said central station switching means being responsive to said first signal to connect a different channel to said communication path, and responsive to said second signal to return said switching means to a rest state with a predetermined channel connected to said communication path.

Claim 18

A control unit for a multi-channel communication system comprising a central station and a remote station connected by a communication path, said central station having mutli-state switching means for selectively connecting said communication path to a plurality of communication channels under control of said remote station, said control unit being located at said remote station and comprising: a channel selector mechanism; means cooperating with said channel selector mechanism for defining fixed steps through which said mechanism may be advanced; means for generating a first signal for every other one of said fixed steps; a channel selection display mechanism; means cooperating with said selector mechanism to advance said display mechanism a predetermined distance for each of said fixed steps; means to generate a second signal when said display mechanism has advanced by a multiple of said predetermined distance; means adapted to provide said first and second signals on said communication path; said central station switching means being responsive to said first signal to connect a different channel to said communication path, and responsive to said second signal to return said switching means to a rest state with a predetermined channel connected to said communication path.

Claim 19

A control unit for a multi-channel communication system comprising a central station and a remote station connected by a communication path, said central station having multi-state switching means for selectively connecting said communication path to a plurality of communication channels under control of said remote station, said control unit being located at said remote station and comprising: a channel selector mechanism; means cooperating with said channel selector mechanism for defining fixed steps through which said mechanism may be advanced; means for generating a first signal for predetermined ones of said fixed steps; a channel selection display mechanism; means cooperating with said selector mechanism to advance said display mechanism a predetermined distance for each of said fixed steps; means to generate a second signal when said display mechanism has advanced by a multiple of said predetermined distance; means adapted to provide said first and second signals on said communication path; said central station switching means being responsive to said first signal to connect a different channel to said communication path, and responsive to said second signal to return said switching means to a rest state with a predetermined channel connected to said communication path; said means for generating said first signal comprising means to generate a first electrical pulse having a first duration, and said means to generate said second signal comprising means to generate a second pulse, the duration of which substantially exceeds that of said first pulse.

Claim 20

A control unit for a multi-channel communication system comprising a central station and a remote station connected by a communication path, said central station having multi-state switching means for selectively connecting said communication path to a plurality of communication channels under control of said remote station, said control unit being located at said remote station and comprising: a channel selector mechanism; means cooperating with said channel selector mechanism for defining fixed steps through which said mechanism may be advanced; means for generating a first signal for predetermined ones of said fixed steps; a channel selection display mechanism; means cooperating with said selector mechanism to advance said display mechanism a predetermined distance for each of said fixed steps; means to generate a second signal when said display mechanism has advanced by a multiple of said predetermined distance; means adapted to provide said first and second signals on said communication path; said central station switching means being responsive to said first signal to connect a different channel to said communication path, and responsive to said second signal to return said switching means to a rest state with a predetermined channel connected to said communication path; said means for generating said first signal comprising means to generate a first electrical pulse having a first duration, and said means to generate said second signal comprising means to generate a second pulse, the duration of which substantially exceeds that of said first pulse.

Claim 21

A control unit for a multi-channel communication system comprising a central station and a remote station connected by a communication path, said central station having mutli-state switching means for selectively connecting said communication path to a plurality of communication channels under control of said remote station, said control unit being located at said remote station and comprising: a channel selector mechanism; means cooperating with said channel selector mechanism for defining fixed steps through which said mechanism may be advanced; means for generating a first signal for predetermined ones of said fixed steps; a channel selection display mechanism; means cooperating with said selector mechanism to advance said display mechanism a predetermined distance for each of said fixed steps; means to generate a second signal when said display mechanism has advanced by a multiple of said predetermined distance; means adapted to provide said first and second signals on said communication path; said central station switching means being responsive to said first signal to connect a different channel to said communication path, and responsive to said second signal to return said switching means to a rest state with a predetermined channel connected to said communication path, each channel being defined by a predetermined frequency band; means for converting said frequency band to another frequency band, said means comprising a local oscillator, a mixer, means for coupling said communication channel to the input of said mixer, and means for coupling the output of said mixer to a utilization device; said oscillator including means for generating at least two distinct frequencies; and means cooperating with said channel selector mechanism for actuating said oscillator to generate one of said frequencies for each of said fixed steps; said oscillator generating one of two different frequencies for alternate ones of said fixed steps, and said first signal being generated for alternate steps of said channel selector mechanism.

Claim 22

A control unit for a multi-channel communication system comprising a central station and a remote station connected by a communication path, said central station having mutli-state switching means for selectively connecting said communication path to a plurality of communication channels under control of said remote station, said control unit being located at said remote station and comprising: a channel selector mechanism; means cooperating with said channel selector mechanism for defining fixed steps through which said mechanism may be advanced; means for generating a first signal for predetermined ones of said fixed steps; a channel selection display mechanism; means cooperating with said selector mechanism to advance said display mechanism a predetermined distance for each of said fixed steps; means to generate a second signal when said display mechanism has advanced by a multiple of said predetermined distance; means adapted to provide said first and second signals on said communication path; said central station switching means being responsive to said first signal to connect a different channel to said communication path, and responsive to said second signal to return said switching means to a rest state with a predetermined channel connected to said communication path, each channel being defined by a predetermined frequency band; means for converting said frequency band to another frequency band, said means comprising a local oscillator, a mixer, means for coupling said communication channel to the input of said mixer, and means for coupling the output of said mixer to a utilization device; said oscillator including means for generating at least two distinct frequencies; and means cooperating with said channel selector mechanism for actuating said oscillator to generate one of said frequencies for each of said fixed steps; said oscillator generating one of two different frequencies for alternate ones of said fixed steps, and said first signal being generated for alternate steps of said channel selector mechanism.

Claim 23

A control unit as defined in claim 17 further including means for actuating said oscillator to generate one of two frequencies for alternate ones of said fixed steps, and wherein said first signal is generated for each step of said selector mechanism.

Claim 24

A control unit for a multi-channel communication system comprising a central station and a remote station connected by a communication path, said central station having multi-state switching means for selectively connecting said communication path to a plurality of communication channels under control of said remote station, said control unit being located at said remote station and comprising: a channel selector mechanism; means cooperating with said channel selector mechanism for defining fixed steps through which said mechanism may be advanced; means for generating a first signal for predetermined ones of said fixed steps; a channel selection display mechanism; means cooperating with said selector mechanism to advance said display mechanism a predetermined distance for each of said fixed steps; means to generate a second signal when said display mechanism has advanced by a multiple of said predetermined distance; means adapted to provide said first and second signals on said communication path; said central station switching means being responsive to said first signal to connect a different channel to said communication path, and responsive to said second signal to return said switching means to a rest state with a predetermined channel connected to said communication path; said channel display mechanism comprising a continuous loop having a plurality of spaced indicia identifying each available channel; said channel selector mechanism comprising a rotatable wheel having a first portion for engaging with and driving said siaplay loop, and a second portion comprising a plurality of spaced cam segments, and means for defining the extent of rotation of said wheel corresponding to said fixed steps of said selector mechanism; said first signal generating means including means cooperable with said cam segments to generate said first signal in response to rotation of said wheel from one step to a next step.

Claim 25

A control unit for a multi-channel communication system comprising a central station and a remote station connected by a communication path, said central station having multi-state switching means for selectively connecting said communication path to a plurality of communication channels under control of said remote station, said control unit being located at said remote station and comprising: a channel selector mechanism; means cooperating with said channel selector mechanism for defining fixed steps through which said mechanism may be advanced; means for generating a first signal for predetermined ones of said fixed steps; a channel selection display mechanism; means cooperating with said selector mechanism to advance said display mechanism a predetermined distance for each of said fixed steps; means to generate a second signal when said display mechanism has advanced by a multiple of said predetermined distance; means adapted to provide said first and second signals on said communication path; said central station switching means being responsive to said first signal to connect a different channel to said communication path, and responsive to said second signal to return said switching means to a rest state with a predetermined channel connected to said communication path; said channel display mechanism comprising a continuous loop having a plurality of spaced indicia identifying each available channel; said channel selector mechanism comprising a rotatable wheel having a first portion for engaging with and driving said siaplay loop, and a second portion comprising a plurality of spaced cam segments, and means for defining the extent of rotation of said wheel corresponding to said fixed steps of said selector mechanism; said first signal generating means including means cooperable with said cam segments to generate said first signal in response to rotation of said wheel from one step to a next step.

Claim 26

A control unit as defined in claim 19 wherein the number of fixed steps of said channel selector mechanism is less than the number of indicia on said display loop.

Claim 27

A control unit for a multi-channel communication system comprising a central station and a remote station connected by a communication path, said central station having multistate switching means for selectively connecting said communication path to a plurality of communication channels under control of said remote station, said control unit being located at said remote station and comprising: a channel selector mechanism; means cooperating with said channel selector mechanism for defining fixed steps through which said mechanism may be advanced; a first switch operated by said channel selector mechanism for predetermined ones of said fixed steps; a channel selection display mechanism; means cooperating with said selector mechanism to advance said display mechanism a predetermined distance for each of said fixed steps; a second switch operative when said display mechanism has advanced by a multiple of said predetermined distance; control circuit means for generating a first signal upon operation of said first switch and a second signal upon operation of said second switch, means adapted to provide said first and second signals on said communication path; said central station switching means being responsive to said first signal to connect a different channel to said communication path, and responsive to said second signal to return said switching means to a rest state with a predetermined channel connected to said communication path; said control circuit means including means responsive to operation of said first switch to generate a pulse as said first signal, and means responsive to operation of said second switch to generate a pulse as said second signal, the duration of said second pulse substantially exceeding that of said first pulse.

Claim 28

A control unit for a multi-channel communication system comprising a central station and a remote station connected by a communication path, said central station having multistate switching means for selectively connecting said communication path to a plurality of communication channels under control of said remote station, said control unit being located at said remote station and comprising: a channel selector mechanism; means cooperating with said channel selector mechanism for defining fixed steps through which said mechanism may be advanced; a first switch operated by said channel selector mechanism for predetermined ones of said fixed steps; a channel selection display mechanism; means cooperating with said selector mechanism to advance said display mechanism a predetermined distance for each of said fixed steps; a second switch operative when said display mechanism has advanced by a multiple of said predetermined distance; control circuit means for generating a first signal upon operation of said first switch and a second signal upon operation of said second switch, means adapted to provide said first and second signals on said communication path; said central station switching means being responsive to said first signal to connect a different channel to said communication path, and responsive to said second signal to return said switching means to a rest state with a predetermined channel connected to said communication path; said control circuit means including means responsive to operation of said first switch to generate a pulse as said first signal, and means responsive to operation of said second switch to generate a pulse as said second signal, the duration of said second pulse substantially exceeding that of said first pulse.

Claim 29

A control unit for a multi-channel communication system comprising a central station and a remote station connected by a DC communication path, said central station having mutli-state switching means for selectively connecting said communication path to a plurality of communication channels under control of said remote station, said control unit being located at said remote station and comprising: a channel selector mechanism; means cooperating with said channel selector mechanism for defining fixed steps through which said mechanism may be advanced; a first switch operated by said channel selector mechanism for predetermined ones of said fixed steps; a channel selection display mechanism; means cooperating with said selector mechanism to advance said display mechanism a predetermined distance for each of said fixed steps; a second switch operative when said display mechanism has advanced by a multiple of said predetermined distance; control circuit means for generating a first signal upon operation of said first switch and a second signal upon operation of said second switch, means adapted to provide said first and second signals on said communication path; said central station switching means being responsive to said first signal to connect a different channel to said communication path, and responsive to said second signal to return said switching means to a rest state with a predetermined channel connected to said communication path; said central station providing DC operating power on said communication path for portions of said remote station; said first switching means being coupled in said DC communication path, said first switch normally being conditioned to permit current flow, and operative to open said path momentarily under control of said channel selector mechanism; and said control circuit means including current control means connected to said path, said control means normally being conditioned to permit current flow and operative to open said path and to maintain the same in open condition for a predetermined period after operation of said second switch, said predetermined period substantially exceeding the duration of the momentary open circuit condition produced by the said first switch.

Claim 30

A control unit for a multi-channel communication system comprising a central station and a remote station connected by a DC communication path, said central station having mutli-state switching means for selectively connecting said communication path to a plurality of communication channels under control of said remote station, said control unit being located at said remote station and comprising: a channel selector mechanism; means cooperating with said channel selector mechanism for defining fixed steps through which said mechanism may be advanced; a first switch operated by said channel selector mechanism for predetermined ones of said fixed steps; a channel selection display mechanism; means cooperating with said selector mechanism to advance said display mechanism a predetermined distance for each of said fixed steps; a second switch operative when said display mechanism has advanced by a multiple of said predetermined distance; control circuit means for generating a first signal upon operation of said first switch and a second signal upon operation of said second switch, means adapted to provide said first and second signals on said communication path; said central station switching means being responsive to said first signal to connect a different channel to said communication path, and responsive to said second signal to return said switching means to a rest state with a predetermined channel connected to said communication path; said central station providing DC operating power on said communication path for portions of said remote station; said first switching means being coupled in said DC communication path, said first switch normally being conditioned to permit current flow, and operative to open said path momentarily under control of said channel selector mechanism; and said control circuit means including current control means connected to said path, said control means normally being conditioned to permit current flow and operative to open said path and to maintain the same in open condition for a predetermined period after operation of said second switch, said predetermined period substantially exceeding the duration of the momentary open circuit condition produced by the said first switch.

Claim 31

A control unit as defined in claim 22 wherein said control circuit includes timing means, operative to open said path through said current control device in response to closure of said second switch, and to maintain said path open for said predetermined period after said second switch has reopened.

Claim 32

A control unit as defined in claim 23 wherein said current control means comprises a transistor having its collector-emitter path connected in said DC communication path; and wherein said timing means includes a second transistor for controlling the base bias of said first transistor, and an RC charging circuit for controlling the base bias of said second transistor, said second switch being coupled to said charging circuit to discharge said capacitor upon closure of said second switch.