WO2001082617A1 - Embedded wireless telephone/data extension for use with a set top box - Google Patents

Embedded wireless telephone/data extension for use with a set top box

Info

Publication number
WO2001082617A1
WO2001082617A1 PCT/US2001/012436 US0112436W WO0182617A1 WO 2001082617 A1 WO2001082617 A1 WO 2001082617A1 US 0112436 W US0112436 W US 0112436W WO 0182617 A1 WO0182617 A1 WO 0182617A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
top box
set top
switch
power line
embedded
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/012436
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
David Bartholomew
Scott R. Bullock
Alan Stettler
Original Assignee
Phonex Broadband Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Phonex Broadband Corporation filed Critical Phonex Broadband Corporation
Priority to AU2001253578A priority Critical patent/AU2001253578A1/en
Publication of WO2001082617A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001082617A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/426—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/61—Network physical structure; Signal processing
    • H04N21/6156—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the upstream path of the transmission network
    • H04N21/6181—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the upstream path of the transmission network involving transmission via a mobile phone network
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/61—Network physical structure; Signal processing
    • H04N21/6156—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the upstream path of the transmission network
    • H04N21/6187—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the upstream path of the transmission network involving transmission via a telephone network, e.g. POTS
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/44—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H04N7/17309—Transmission or handling of upstream communications
    • H04N7/17318—Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the transmission of communication wireless signals over an AC power line or RF over the air using a set top box. More particularly, this invention relates a means for switching from an internal modem within the set top box to a wireless telephone extension unit, which is embedded within the set top box.
  • Description of the Related Art A variety of methods of communication between set top boxes and central offices have been proposed. Typically, these methods and/or systems make use of a dedicated telephone line to provide a communication channel.
  • This invention provides a wireless telephone extension embedded within the set top box, thereby avoiding the necessity of a dedicated telephone line, and the means for switching between the wireless telephone extension and the modem typically included within the set top box for connecting directly through standard telephone wiring.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,671,267 describes an interactive communication system that includes a portable unit of a cordless telephone for providing wireless telephone communications and integrating telephone functions and control of remotely operated devices, such as television sets, video cassette recorders and cable converters.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,745,850 describes a communications device that can selectively impersonate another communications device by arranging the impersonating device to take over and/or use the same network identification number normally associated with the impersonated device.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,822,324 describes a system for digital video broadcast communication using a wireless telephone network that is combined with a broadband digital transmission through a broadcast network.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,864,757 describes an apparatus and method for locking and unlocking mobile telecommunications handsets or other devices.
  • a still further object of this invention is to provide a method and system for selecting between an internal modem and a wireless telephone extension for a set top box that provides an automatic switching means.
  • FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a second preferred embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description of the Invention
  • This invention is a telephone voice/data switch for use in a Set Top Box (STB) to permit a user to select between an internal STB modem used with a standard telephone line, and an embedded wireless, power line, telephone/data extension.
  • Figure 1 shows a detailed block diagram of a first, or manual, preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • the Set Top Box (STB) 100 is provided is connected to the AC power line 101.
  • a power supply 102 Within the STB 100, connected to the AC power line 101 is a power supply 102.
  • the power supply 102 both provides power to the STB 100 circuitry and provides the signal communication channel.
  • the DC power 1 10 is provided to an embedded standard modem 103.
  • the power line signal is also connected 111 from the power supply 102 to an embedded extension unit 107, providing both DC power 111 and an AC power line voice/data signal I l i a.
  • the preferred embedded standard modem 103 is connected, through an isolation circuit 104, to a digital to analog (DAA) interface 105.
  • a switch 106 is connected to both to an RJ-1 1 phone connector 108 and the embedded extension 107, thereby providing a selection between the tip and ring signals 115a,b originating from the RJ- 1 1 phone connector 108 and with the tip and ring signals 1 13a,b originating from the embedded extension unit 107.
  • the tip and ring outputs 112a,b of the switch are connected to the DAA 105 and thereby to the embedded standard modem 103.
  • the switch 106 of this invention is activated by a manual push button or slide switch, or other equivalent switch device.
  • This embodiment of the invention permits a user to choose to switch 106 between RJ-1 1 hard-wired plug 108 and the embedded extension unit 107. If a user chooses to use a standard telephone (hard wired) connection for the STB 100, the user plugs in a standard telephone wire in the RJ-1 1 and then changes the switch 106 setting to enable the telephone line interface 1 14a,b and disable the embedded extension circuit 107 and the AC power line channel.
  • the mechanical switch is set to the RJ-11 receive mode, simply by inserting an RJ-11 plug into the RJ-11 jack 108.
  • FIG. 2 shows a detailed block diagram of a second, or automatic, preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • the Set Top Box (STB) 200 provided is connected to the AC power line 201.
  • the AC power line 201 Within the STB 200, connected to the AC power line 201 is a power supply 202.
  • the power supply 202 both provides power to the STB 200 circuitry and provides the signal communication channel.
  • the DC power 211 is provided to an embedded set top box modem 203.
  • the power line signal is also connected 212 from the power supply 202 to an embedded extension unit 204, providing both DC power 212 and an AC power line voice/data signal 212a.
  • the preferred embedded standard modem 203 is connected to the output of an electronic switch 205.
  • the electronic switch 205 is connected to both to an RJ-1 1 phone connector 213 and the embedded extension 204, thereby providing a selection between the tip and ring signals 208a,b originating from the RJ-1 1 phone connector 213 and with the tip and ring signals 210a,b originating from the embedded extension unit 204.
  • the tip and ring outputs 209a,b of the switch are connected to the set top box modem 203.
  • the switch 205 of this embodiment has internal electronics 206, alternatively mechanical switching may be substituted, which senses a closure caused by the insertion of an RJ- 1 1 plug into the RJ- 1 1 j ack 213.
  • This embodiment of the invention permits a user to choose to switch 205 between the hard wired standard RJ- 1 1 telephone connection 213 and the embedded extension unit 204. If a user chooses to use a standard telephone (hard wired) connection for the STB 200, the user plugs in a standard telephone wire in the RJ-11, the switch circuit 206 detects the insertion of the RJ- 11 plug and automatically switches the connection between the set top box modem 203 and the RJ-11 hard wired connection

Abstract

A device (106) providing the means for switching between an external hard wired telephone source (108) and a wireless AC power line for communication between a set top box and a central office. This invention provides both an AC power line extension unit and a switch embedded within the set top box (100), thereby providing enhanced set top box flexibility without requiring additional communications equipment.

Description

EMBEDDED WIRELESS TELEPHONE / DATA EXTENSION
FOR USE WITH A SET TOP BOX
Background of the Invention Field of the Invention. This invention relates to the transmission of communication wireless signals over an AC power line or RF over the air using a set top box. More particularly, this invention relates a means for switching from an internal modem within the set top box to a wireless telephone extension unit, which is embedded within the set top box. Description of the Related Art. A variety of methods of communication between set top boxes and central offices have been proposed. Typically, these methods and/or systems make use of a dedicated telephone line to provide a communication channel. This invention provides a wireless telephone extension embedded within the set top box, thereby avoiding the necessity of a dedicated telephone line, and the means for switching between the wireless telephone extension and the modem typically included within the set top box for connecting directly through standard telephone wiring. Thereby providing a set top box - embedded wireless telephone extension with the flexibility to function either with the standard modem connection or through the wireless telephone extension. For general background material the reader is directed to the following U.S. patents each of which is incorporated in its entirety for the material contained therein. U.S. Patent No. 5,608,778 describes an arrangement to provide credit to customers via cellular telephones.
U.S. Patent No. 5,671,267 describes an interactive communication system that includes a portable unit of a cordless telephone for providing wireless telephone communications and integrating telephone functions and control of remotely operated devices, such as television sets, video cassette recorders and cable converters. U.S. Patent No. 5,745,850 describes a communications device that can selectively impersonate another communications device by arranging the impersonating device to take over and/or use the same network identification number normally associated with the impersonated device.
U.S. Patent No. 5,822,324 describes a system for digital video broadcast communication using a wireless telephone network that is combined with a broadband digital transmission through a broadcast network.
U.S. Patent No. 5,864,757 describes an apparatus and method for locking and unlocking mobile telecommunications handsets or other devices.
Summary of the Invention It is desirable to provide a means of switching between an internal modem and a wireless telephone / data extension within a set top box system. In particular, it is desirable to provide a means for permitting a user to choose between the standard hard wired telephone connection or a wireless telephone extension unit, each of which is typically embedded into the set top box system. Therefore, it is the general object of this invention to provide a means for selecting between an internal modem and a wireless telephone extension for a set top box.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a method and system for selecting between an internal modem and a wireless telephone extension for a set top box that provides a manual switching means.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a method and system for selecting between an internal modem and a wireless telephone extension for a set top box that provides an automatic switching means. These and other objects of this invention are achieved by the method and system described herein and which are readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of these materials.
Brief Description of the Drawings In order to show the manner that the above recited and other advantages and objects of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated in the appended drawings, is described as follows. The reader should understand that the drawings depict only several preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not to be considered as limiting in scope. A brief description of the drawings is as follows: Figure 1 is a detailed block diagram of a first preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 is a detailed block diagram of a second preferred embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description of the Invention
This invention is a telephone voice/data switch for use in a Set Top Box (STB) to permit a user to select between an internal STB modem used with a standard telephone line, and an embedded wireless, power line, telephone/data extension. Figure 1 shows a detailed block diagram of a first, or manual, preferred embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the Set Top Box (STB) 100 is provided is connected to the AC power line 101. Within the STB 100, connected to the AC power line 101 is a power supply 102. The power supply 102 both provides power to the STB 100 circuitry and provides the signal communication channel. The DC power 1 10 is provided to an embedded standard modem 103. The power line signal is also connected 111 from the power supply 102 to an embedded extension unit 107, providing both DC power 111 and an AC power line voice/data signal I l i a. The preferred embedded standard modem 103 is connected, through an isolation circuit 104, to a digital to analog (DAA) interface 105. A switch 106 is connected to both to an RJ-1 1 phone connector 108 and the embedded extension 107, thereby providing a selection between the tip and ring signals 115a,b originating from the RJ- 1 1 phone connector 108 and with the tip and ring signals 1 13a,b originating from the embedded extension unit 107. The tip and ring outputs 112a,b of the switch are connected to the DAA 105 and thereby to the embedded standard modem 103. The switch 106 of this invention is activated by a manual push button or slide switch, or other equivalent switch device. This embodiment of the invention permits a user to choose to switch 106 between RJ-1 1 hard-wired plug 108 and the embedded extension unit 107. If a user chooses to use a standard telephone (hard wired) connection for the STB 100, the user plugs in a standard telephone wire in the RJ-1 1 and then changes the switch 106 setting to enable the telephone line interface 1 14a,b and disable the embedded extension circuit 107 and the AC power line channel. In an alternative embodiment, the mechanical switch is set to the RJ-11 receive mode, simply by inserting an RJ-11 plug into the RJ-11 jack 108.
Figure 2 shows a detailed block diagram of a second, or automatic, preferred embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the Set Top Box (STB) 200 provided is connected to the AC power line 201. Within the STB 200, connected to the AC power line 201 is a power supply 202. The power supply 202 both provides power to the STB 200 circuitry and provides the signal communication channel. The DC power 211 is provided to an embedded set top box modem 203. The power line signal is also connected 212 from the power supply 202 to an embedded extension unit 204, providing both DC power 212 and an AC power line voice/data signal 212a. The preferred embedded standard modem 203 is connected to the output of an electronic switch 205. The electronic switch 205 is connected to both to an RJ-1 1 phone connector 213 and the embedded extension 204, thereby providing a selection between the tip and ring signals 208a,b originating from the RJ-1 1 phone connector 213 and with the tip and ring signals 210a,b originating from the embedded extension unit 204. The tip and ring outputs 209a,b of the switch are connected to the set top box modem 203. The switch 205 of this embodiment has internal electronics 206, alternatively mechanical switching may be substituted, which senses a closure caused by the insertion of an RJ- 1 1 plug into the RJ- 1 1 j ack 213. This embodiment of the invention permits a user to choose to switch 205 between the hard wired standard RJ- 1 1 telephone connection 213 and the embedded extension unit 204. If a user chooses to use a standard telephone (hard wired) connection for the STB 200, the user plugs in a standard telephone wire in the RJ-11, the switch circuit 206 detects the insertion of the RJ- 11 plug and automatically switches the connection between the set top box modem 203 and the RJ-11 hard wired connection
The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not as restrictive. Although the embodiments shown here use particular components the invention is not limited thereto. The scope of this invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, which is provided to describe the best mode of the invention envisioned by the inventors. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced as being within their scope.

Claims

ClaimsWe claim:
1. A system for switching within a set top box, comprising: (A) a power line connection; (B) a power supply connected to said power line connection;
(C) a power line extension unit embedded within a set top box, and wherein said power line extension unit is electrically connected to said power supply;
(D) a set top box modem; (E) a standard telephone jack; and
(F) a switch electrically connected to said standard telephone jack, said embedded power line extension unit, and said set top box modem.
2. A system for switching within a set top box, as recited in claim 1 , wherein said switch is a mechanical switch activated by a user pressing a button.
3. A system for switching within a set top box, as recited in claim 1 , wherein said switch is a mechanical switch activated by a user sliding a switch device.
4. A system for switching within a set top box, as recited in claim 1 , wherein said switch is a mechanical switch activated by the insertion of a standard phone plug into said standard telephone jack.
5. A system for switching within a set top box, as recited in claim 1 , wherein said switch is an electronic switch activated the closing of a circuit within an electronic circuit.
PCT/US2001/012436 2000-04-19 2001-04-17 Embedded wireless telephone/data extension for use with a set top box WO2001082617A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001253578A AU2001253578A1 (en) 2000-04-19 2001-04-17 Embedded wireless telephone/data extension for use with a set top box

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US55233400A 2000-04-19 2000-04-19
US09/552,334 2000-04-19

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001082617A1 true WO2001082617A1 (en) 2001-11-01

Family

ID=24204898

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2001/012436 WO2001082617A1 (en) 2000-04-19 2001-04-17 Embedded wireless telephone/data extension for use with a set top box

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2001253578A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2001082617A1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5251324A (en) * 1990-03-20 1993-10-05 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Method and apparatus for generating and collecting viewing statistics for remote terminals in a cable television system
US5929849A (en) * 1996-05-02 1999-07-27 Phoenix Technologies, Ltd. Integration of dynamic universal resource locators with television presentations
US5978381A (en) * 1997-06-06 1999-11-02 Webtv Networks, Inc. Transmitting high bandwidth network content on a low bandwidth communications channel during off peak hours

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5251324A (en) * 1990-03-20 1993-10-05 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Method and apparatus for generating and collecting viewing statistics for remote terminals in a cable television system
US5929849A (en) * 1996-05-02 1999-07-27 Phoenix Technologies, Ltd. Integration of dynamic universal resource locators with television presentations
US5978381A (en) * 1997-06-06 1999-11-02 Webtv Networks, Inc. Transmitting high bandwidth network content on a low bandwidth communications channel during off peak hours

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2001253578A1 (en) 2001-11-07

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