US6286142B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for communicating video signals to a plurality of television sets
Assignee: Alcatel Lucent Holdings Inc
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Filing: 1996-02-23
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Granted: 2001-09-04
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Expires: 2016-02-23
Abstract
Abstract A video communications system ( 10 ) includes a communications controller ( 30 ) that interfaces with a broadband/narrowband network ( 40 ) to distribute video signals to a plurality of remote sites ( 104 ) in a multi-site location ( 102 ). Each remote site ( 104 ) includes a channel selector and signaling unit ( 50 ) and at least one television set ( 100 ). A user enters user input information into a remote selector ( 70 ) for processing by the channel selector and signaling unit ( 50 ). The channel selector and signaling unit ( 50 ) sends the user input information to the communication controller ( 30 ) over a video signal distribution network ( 90 ) at an upstream frequency selected at a user selectable setting ( 52 ). The communication controller ( 30 ) responds by modulating the desired video information onto a downstream frequency for transmission to the television set ( 100 ) on the video signal distribution network ( 90 ). Each remote site ( 104 ) has a separate upstream frequency and downstream frequency to allow for independent control of each television set ( 100 ).
Inventors
- 👤 David Ehreth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:08
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17345; H04N7/17354; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17318
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
285 words
A multiple site video distribution system for a single subscriber location, comprising: a set top communications controller operable to receive video information from a telecommunications network over a drop cable, the set top communications controller operable to transmit selected video signals from the video information received over the drop cable on a single feeder line; a first channel selector and signaling unit associated with a first television set and operable to send user input information over a first upstream frequency of the single feeder line to the set top communications controller, the user information including a request to receive a first video signal, the set top communications controller operable to select the first video signal from the video information and modulate the first video signal onto a first downstream frequency of the single feeder line, the set top communications controller operable to send the first video signal to the first channel selector and signaling unit and the first television set over the single feeder line at the first downstream frequency; a second channel selector and signaling unit associated with a second television set and operable to send user input information over a second upstream frequency of the single feeder line to the set top communications controller, the user information including a request to receive a second video signal, the set top communications controller operable to select the second video signal from the video information and modulate the second video signal onto a second downstream frequency of the single feeder line, the set top communications controller operable to send the second video signal to the second channel selector and signaling unit and the second television set over the single feeder line at the second downstream frequency.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
285 words
A multiple site video distribution system for a single subscriber location, comprising: a set top communications controller operable to receive video information from a telecommunications network over a drop cable, the set top communications controller operable to transmit selected video signals from the video information received over the drop cable on a single feeder line; a first channel selector and signaling unit associated with a first television set and operable to send user input information over a first upstream frequency of the single feeder line to the set top communications controller, the user information including a request to receive a first video signal, the set top communications controller operable to select the first video signal from the video information and modulate the first video signal onto a first downstream frequency of the single feeder line, the set top communications controller operable to send the first video signal to the first channel selector and signaling unit and the first television set over the single feeder line at the first downstream frequency; a second channel selector and signaling unit associated with a second television set and operable to send user input information over a second upstream frequency of the single feeder line to the set top communications controller, the user information including a request to receive a second video signal, the set top communications controller operable to select the second video signal from the video information and modulate the second video signal onto a second downstream frequency of the single feeder line, the set top communications controller operable to send the second video signal to the second channel selector and signaling unit and the second television set over the single feeder line at the second downstream frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The video distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second channel selector and signaling units have a user selectable setting to adjust a value of the first and second upstream frequencies respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The video distribution system of claim 1 , wherein user input information is received by the first and second channel selector and signaling units by infrared remote transmission means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The video distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the set top communication controller determines a value of the first and second downstream frequencies according to a value of the first and second upstream frequencies respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The video distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the set top communication controller sends a request to receive the first video signal to the telecommunications network in response to the first video signal not being present in the video information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The video distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the single feeder line is a coaxial cable connection.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-09-03 | 2005-03-05 | 2005-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-09-03 | 2009-03-05 | 2009-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-09-03 | 2013-03-05 | 2013-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |