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OwnerJulian Basil Fisk, Kaushik Kotak +4inventors
InventorsJulian Basil Fisk, Kaushik Kotak, Adam Jarvis Garstone, Ian Laurence Jamieson, Terry Alan Austin, Colin Donald Plimmer
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A system for distributing television/video signals to different locations comprises a server capable of providing digital television/video signals for a plurality of programmes, a plurality of receivers each at a respective one of said locations, and a network connecting the server to the receivers, each receiver being operable to select a required one of the programmes and to communicate the selection to the server, the server being responsive to such a selection to transmit the digital television/video signal for the selected programme over the network addressed to the receiver that selected that programme, and each receiver being responsive to the digital television/video signal that is addressed to that receiver so that point-to-point communication is established from the server to that receiver.
A system for distributing television/video/radio/audio signals to different locations, the system comprising a server capable of providing digital television/video/radio/audio signals for a plurality of programmes, a plurality of receivers each at a respective one of said locations, and a network connecting the server to the receivers, each receiver being operable to select a required one of the programmes and to communicate the selection to the server, the server being responsive to such a selection to transmit the digital television/video/radio/audio signal for the selected programme over the network addressed to the receiver that selected that programme, and each receiver being responsive to the digital television/video/radio/audio signal that is addressed to that receiver so that point-to-point communication is established from the server to that receiver.
A system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising means for receiving analogue television or radio signals or for generating analogue video or audio signals and means for converting the analogue signals to digital signals and supplying the digital signals to the server, wherein each receiver includes means for converting the digital signals to analogue signals for supply to a picture/sound reproduction means.
A system for distributing television/video/radio/audio signals to different locations, the system comprising means for receiving analogue television or radio signals or for generating analogue video or audio signals, means for converting the analogue signals to digital signals and supplying the digital signals to a server, a plurality of receivers each at a respective one of said locations, and a network connecting the server to the receivers, each receiver including means for converting the digital signals to analogue signals for supply to a picture/sound reproduction means.
A system for distributing television/video/radio/audio signals to different locations, the system comprising a reception and production centre for receiving analogue television or radio signals or for generating analogue video or audio signals, a processor for converting the analogue signals to digital signals and supplying the digital signals to a server, a plurality of receivers each at a respective one of said locations, and a network connecting the server to the receivers, each receiver including a digital to analogue converter for converting the digital signals to analogue signals for supply to an output device.
A system for distributing television/video/radio/audio signals to different locations, substantially as described particularly with reference to, or as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 18 to 21 of the drawings.
A system for distributing television/video/radio/audio signals to different locations, substantially as described particularly with reference to, or as illustrated in FIG. 4, FIGS. 5 to 7, or FIGS. 10 and 11 of the drawings.
A networked system comprising a server and a plurality of devices at different locations connected to the server by a network, at least part of the network being provided by a conductor for carrying a plurality of signals between the server and the devices, the signals being multiplexed on the conductor each on a preset channel allocated according to the device so that each device has a respective preset one of the channels.
A networked system comprising a server and a plurality of devices at different locations connected to the server by a network, at least part of the network being provided by coaxial cable having at least one branch which is divided at a node into at least two sub-branches in a path direction extending away from the server, and a two-way amplifier being provided at the node to amplify/maintain the signal level of signals passing from the sub-branches to the branch in addition to the signal level of signals travelling from the branch to the sub-branches, the system being operable to transmit a signal from at least one of the devices to the server generally at the same time as a signal is transmitted from the server to the devices.
A networked system comprising a server and a plurality of devices at different locations connected to the server by a network, at least part of the network being provided by coaxial cable having at least one branch which is divided at a node into at least two sub-branches in a path direction extending away from the server, and a two-way amplifier being provided at the node to amplify/maintain the signal level of signals passing from the sub-branches to the branch in addition to the signal level of signals travelling from the branch to the sub-branches, the system being arranged to transmit the signals from the server to the devices on different channels allocated according to the device, and to transmit signals from each device to the server on the same channel as is used for transmission from the server to that device.
A networked system comprising a server and a plurality of devices connected to the server by a network, the network including, adjacent each device, a releasable connector having a first connector part connected to the respective device and a second connector part connected to the remainder of the network, each device having a respective device address, each second connector part having a respective connector address, the server storing the device addresses and, for each device address a corresponding connector address, and each device being operable to:
A networked system comprising a server and a plurality of devices connected to the server by a network, the network including, adjacent each device, a releasable connector having a first connector part connected to the respective device and a second connector part connected to the remainder of the network, each device having a respective connector address, the system comprising means for storing the device addresses and, for each device address, a corresponding connector address, and means for comparing, for a given device address, whether the stored corresponding connector address matches the connector address of the second connector part adjacent the device, the system being arranged to perform different processes depending on the result of the comparison.
A networked system comprising a server and a plurality of devices connected to the server by a network, the network including, adjacent each device, a releasable connector having a first connector part connected to the respective device and a second connector part connected to the remainder of the network, each device having a respective connector address, the system comprising means for storing the device addresses and, for each device address, a corresponding connector address, and means for comparing, for a given second connector part, whether the stored corresponding device address matches the device address of the device adjacent the second connector part, the system being arranged to perform different processes depending on the result of the comparison.
A networked system comprising a server and a plurality of devices connected to the server by a network, the network including, adjacent each device, a releasable connector having a first connector part connected to the respective device and a second connector part connected to the remainder of the network, each device having a respective connector address, the system comprising a memory for storing the device addresses and, for each device address, a corresponding connector address, and a processor for comparing, for a given device address, whether the stored corresponding connector address matches the connector address of the second connector part adjacent the device, the system being arranged to perform different processes depending on the result of the comparison.
A networked system comprising a server and a plurality of devices connected to the server by a network, the network including, adjacent each device, a releasable connector having a first connector part connected to the respective device and a second connector part connected to the remainder of the network, each device having a respective connector address, the system comprising a memory for storing the device addresses and, for each device address, a corresponding connector address, and a processor for comparing, for a given second connector part, whether the stored corresponding device address matches the device address of the device adjacent the second connector part, the system being arranged to perform different processes depending on the result of the comparison.
A networked system substantially as described particularly with reference to, or as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7 of the drawings.
A receiver for use in a system for distributing television/video signals to different locations, the system comprising a server capable of providing digital television/video signals for a plurality of programmes, the receiver comprising means for enabling connection to the server by means of a network, means for selecting a required one of the programmes, and means for communicating the selection to the server, the receiver being responsive to a digital television/video signal that is transmitted by the server over the network and addressed to that receiver so that point-to-point communication is established from the server to that receiver.
A receiver for use in a system for distributing television/video signals to different locations, the system comprising a server capable of providing digital television/video signals for a plurality of programmes, the receiver comprising a connection to the server via a network, a selector for selecting a required one of the programmes, and a transmitter for communicating the selection to the server, the receiver being responsive to a digital television/video signal that is transmitted by the server over the network and addressed to that receiver so that point-to-point communication is established from the server to that receiver.
A receiver substantially as described particularly with reference to, or as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 of the drawings.
A method of installing a system for distributing television/video/radio/audio signals for premises having an existing arrangement of telephone cable for a telephone system of the premises, substantially as described particularly with reference to, or as illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11 of the drawings.
A method of installing a system for distributing television/video/radio/audio signals in premises having an existing arrangement of coaxial cable for distributing analogue television signals in or to the premises, substantially as described particularly with reference to, or as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5 to 7 of the drawings.
A method of distributing television/video/radio/audio signals to different locations, comprising:
A method of distributing television/video/radio/audio signals to different locations, the method comprising providing a server capable of providing digital television/video/radio/audio signals for a plurality of programmes, providing a plurality of receivers each at a respective one of said locations, providing a network connecting the server to the receivers, each receiver selecting a required one of the programmes and communicating the selection to the server, the server responding to such a selection and transmitting the digital television/video/radio/audio signal for the selected programme over the network addressed to the receiver that selected that programme, and each receiver responding to the digital television/video/radio/audio signal that is addressed to that receiver so that point-to-point communication is established from the server to that receiver.
A method of operation of a networked system comprising a server and a plurality of devices at different locations connected to the server by a network, at least part of the network being provided by a conductor for carrying a plurality of signals between the server and the devices, the method including multiplexing the signals on the conductor each on a preset channel allocated according to the device so that each device has a respective preset one of the channels.
A method of operation of a networked system comprising a server and a plurality of devices at different locations connected to the server by a network, at least part of the network being provided by coaxial cable having at least one branch which is divided at a node into at least two sub-branches in a path direction extending away from the server, and a two-way amplifier being provided at the node to amplify/maintain the signal level of signals passing from the sub-branches to the branch in addition to the signal level of signals travelling from the branch to the sub-branches, the method comprising transmitting a signal from at least one of the devices to the server generally at the same time as transmitting a signal from the server to the devices.
A method of operation of a networked system comprising a server and a plurality of devices at different locations connected to the server by a network, at least part of the network being provided by coaxial cable having at least one branch which is divided at a node into at least two sub-branches in a path direction extending away from the server, and a two-way amplifier being provided at the node to amplify/maintain the signal level of signals passing from the sub-branches to the branch in addition to the signal level of signals travelling from the branch to the sub-branches, the method comprising transmitting the signals from the server to the devices on different channels allocated according to the device, and transmitting signals from each device to the server on the same channel as is used for transmission from the server to that device.
A method of operation of a networked system substantially as described particularly with reference to, or as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7 of the drawings.
A control system for a television set, comprising a first circuit on at least one first circuit board for receiving a digital video signal from a network and for decoding the digital video signal to produce a decoded video signal for supply to a standard video interface of the television set, the first circuit also being operable to receive control instructions from the network and/or from a user interface and to generate a generic control signal therefrom, the control system further comprising a second circuit provided on at least one second circuit board that is specific to the type of the television set, the second circuit being operable to receive the generic control signal from the first circuit and to convert the generic control signal into a specific control signal for supply to a control interface of the television set so as to control the television set in accordance with the control instructions.
A control system for a television set, substantially as described particularly with reference to, or as illustrated in FIGS. 13, 14 or 15 of the drawings.
A combination of a first circuit on at least one first circuit board and a second circuit on at least one second circuit board for controlling a television set, the first circuit having means for receiving a digital video signal from a network and to for decoding the digital video signal to produce a decoded video signal for supply to a standard video interface of the television set, the first circuit further comprising means for receiving control instructions from the network and/or from a user interface and for generating a generic control signal therefrom, the second circuit having means for receiving the generic control signal from the first circuit and for converting the generic control signal into a specific control signal having a different format than the generic control signal, for supply to a control interface of a television set so as to control the television set in accordance with the control instructions.
A combination of a first circuit on at least one first circuit board and a second circuit on at least one second circuit board for controlling a television set, the first circuit having a first receiver for receiving a digital video signal from a network and for decoding the digital video signal to produce a decoded video signal for supply to a standard video interface of the television set, the first circuit further comprising a processor for receiving control instructions from the network and/or from a user interface and for generating a generic control signal therefrom, the second circuit having a second receiver for receiving the generic control signal from the first circuit and for converting the generic control signal into a specific control signal having a different format than the generic control signal, for supply to a control interface of a television set so as to control the television set in accordance with the control instructions.
A range of circuit boards for controlling a television set, each circuit board of the range comprising means for connection to a generic circuit board, each circuit board of the range comprising means for receiving a generic control signal, based on control instructions received from a network and/or from a user interface, from the generic circuit board, and means for converting the generic control signal into a specific control signal having a different format than the generic control signal, and means for supplying the specific control signals to a control interface of the television set so as to control the television set in accordance with the control instructions.
A range of circuit boards for controlling a television set, each circuit board of the range comprising a connection to a generic circuit board, each circuit board of the range comprising a receiver for receiving a generic control signal, based on control instructions received from a network and/or from a user interface, from the generic circuit board, and a processor for converting the generic control signal into a specific control signal having a different format than the generic control signal, and for supplying the specific control signals to a control interface of the television set so as to control the television set in accordance with the control instructions.
A range of circuit boards, substantially as described particularly with reference to, or as illustrated in FIGS. 13, 14, 15A or 15B of the drawings.
A method of configuring a control system for a television set, substantially as described particularly with reference to, or as illustrated in FIGS. 13, 14, 15A, or 15B of the drawings.
A method of operation of a device in a networked system comprising a server and a plurality of such devices connected to the server by a network, the network including, adjacent each device, a releasable connector having a first connector part connected to the respective device and a second connector part connected to the remainder of the network, each device having a respective device address, each second connector part having a respective connector address, and the server storing the device addresses and, for each device address a corresponding connector address, the method comprising (a) the device supplying its device address to the server and requesting the corresponding connector address, (b) the device receiving the corresponding connector address from the server, (c) the device requesting the connector address from the respective connector, (d) the device receiving the connector address from the connector, (e) the device comparing the connector addresses received from the server and the connector, and (f) the device performing different processes in dependence upon whether or not the compared addresses match.
A method of operation of a networked system comprising a server and a plurality of devices connected to the server by a network, the network including, adjacent each device, a releasable connector having a first connector part connected to the respective device and a second connector part connected to the remainder of the network, each device having a respective connector address, the method comprising (a) storing pairs of addresses, wherein each pair comprises a device address and a corresponding connector address, (b) comparing, for a given device address, whether the stored corresponding connector address matches the connector address of the second connector part adjacent the device, and (c) performing different processes depending on the result of the comparison.
A method of operation of a networked system comprising a server and a plurality of devices connected to the server by a network, the network including, adjacent each device, a releasable connector having a first connector part connected to the respective device and a second connector part connected to the remainder of the network, each device having a respective device address, the method comprising (a) storing pairs of addresses, wherein each pair comprises a device address and a corresponding connector address, (b) comparing, for a given second connector part, whether the stored corresponding device address matches the device address of the device adjacent the second connector part, and (c) performing different processes depending on the result of the comparison.
A device for use in a networked system comprising a server and a plurality of such devices connectable to the server by a network via respective connectors, the device having a respective device address, the device comprising (a) means for supplying its device address to the server and requesting a corresponding connector address stored in the server, (b) means for receiving the corresponding connector address from the server, (c) means for requesting the connector address from a connector for the device, (d) means for receiving the connector address from the respective connector, (e) means for comparing the connector addresses received from the server and the connector, and (f) means for performing different processes in dependence upon whether or not the compared addresses match.
A device for use in a networked system comprising a server and a plurality of such devices connectable to the server by a network via respective connectors, the device having a respective device address, the device comprising (a) an transmitter for supplying its device address to the server and requesting a corresponding connector address stored in the server, (b) a receiver for receiving the corresponding connector address from the server, (c) an output device for requesting the connector address from a connector for the device, (d) an input device for receiving the connector address from the respective connector, (e) a comparator for comparing the connector addresses received from the server and the connector, and (f) a processor for performing different processes in dependence upon whether or not the compared addresses match
A method of operation of a device in networked system substantially as described, particularly with reference to, or as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17.
A combination of a first circuit on at least one first circuit board and a second circuit on at least one second circuit board substantially as described, particularly with reference to, or as illustrated in FIGS. 13, 14, 15A, and 15B.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.