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`Page 1 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 10, 2011
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 10, 2011
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`US 7,941,822 B2
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`BROADBAND UNIFORM
`DISTRIBUTION (BUD)
`UNIT
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`Page 3of19
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`Page 3 of 19
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`May 10, 2011
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`May 10, 2011
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`US 7,941,822 B2
`
`1
`INTELLIGENT DEVICE SYSTEM AND
`METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTION OF DIGITAL
`SIGNALS ON A WIDEBAND SIGNAL
`DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
`
`This application is a divisional of application Ser. No.
`09/749,258, filed on Dec. 27, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,346,
`918, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by
`reference.
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`Not applicable.
`
`STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY
`SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
`
`Not Applicable.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`degraded as the digital video is sent simultaneously to an
`increasingly greater number of receivers.
`Furthermore, digital IP data has historically been trans-
`ferred using digital data networks, ie. has been transferred in
`a digitized format over a network capable of transporting a
`purely digitized format. However, analog carrier networks,
`using twisted pair wiring, for example Category 5 Cable or
`better, have the capability to transport digital video, IP voice/
`data/video, as well as analog video, efiiciently and co st effec-
`tively. This capability is not presently used due to the lack of
`a method to get such signals onto and off of such a carrier
`network.
`
`It would be desirable to transport the digitized data on an
`analog carrier, such as over the existing Category 5 or better
`» cable, in a format that would allow for greater amounts of data
`to be carried at one time, such as by modulated RF. In addi-
`tion, it may be desirable in the future to use media other than
`Category 5 or better cabling to wire buildings. Altemative
`wiring media, or wireless media, could allow the network to
`overcome bandwidth problems by providing significantly
`improved data transfer speeds and increased bandwidth. Such
`altemative media could allow the network to overcome the
`
`25
`
`45
`
`55
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention is directed generally to a method and
`system for signal distribution and, more particularly, to an
`intelligent device system and method for distribution of digi-
`tal signals onto, and off of, a wideband signal distribution
`system.
`2. Description of the Background
`The workplace currently has telephone and data networks
`that allow forboth verbal communication and the exchange of
`information via words, pictures, and numbers. However,
`bringing the communication media of television and video
`into the networked environment has presented new difficul-
`ties. In particular, digital TV/video applications clog data
`networks, even with the use of available compression tech-
`niques, such as MPEG2. Analog RF distribution may require
`special cables and infrastructure, or more complex technolo-
`gies.
`However, using a wideband signal distribution system,
`such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,340, TV and
`video, both digital and analog, can now move between loca-
`tions in a building or campus just as easily, andusing the same
`infrastructure, as voice and data. In fact, TV, video, PBX, IP,
`and other data types can be moved over the same types of
`wires, including some unused wires, that already exist in most
`networked environments. For example, telephone and com-
`puter networks in most buildings are wired to meet a single,
`internationally accepted wiring standard using, such as Cat-
`egory 5 orbettertwistedpairwiring. Residential buildings are
`often wired to similar standards. In typical applications using
`analog video over standard wiring systems, the analog video
`arrives uncompressed, and the user sees it o11 a W PC or
`monitor in enhanced quality. This method of live-feed video
`transfer allows for the removal of space consuming files and
`applications currently stored on a network.
`However, using solely uncompressed analog transfer of
`information does not fully solve the need to download to
`individual users large quantities of digitized images (video,
`film, animation, simulations, etc.), and to thereby allow those
`digital images to be displayed with the enhanced quality such
`digital images can offer. At times, critical needs for digital
`video, such as analyzing or editing images, arise that cannot
`be handled by purely analog signal transfer. Additionally,
`where digital video information is sent over a baseband LAN,
`i.e. Ethemet, the performance of the system is often severely
`
`aforementioned problems in transferring data and video over
`networks in a digitized format. However, such altemative
`wiring media will also require the complete rewiring ofmany
`networks on, perhaps, a building environment level, as all
`Category 5 or better cable will need to be replaced with the
`new media, in order to provide the enhanced capabilities of
`the alternative media system to all users.
`Therefore, the need exists for a network of intelligent
`devices that enables digital video, IP voice/data/video, to be
`modulated and demodulated onto and off of, preferably, a
`Wideband signal distribution system or component equiva-
`lent, such as an analog carrier system. Such an intelligent
`device network would facilitate the use of, for example, the
`existing global EIA/TIA 568 standardwiring infrastructure in
`a particular enviromnent, such as an olfice building, to sig-
`nificantly increase the information throughput. Additionally,
`such an intelligent device network would eliminate the need
`to rewire a building or add expensive optoelectronic equip-
`ment to increase throughput on the existing infrastructure.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed to a signal distribution
`system, including at least one intelligent device system, for
`putting digital signals onto, and taking digital signals offof, a
`Wideband signal distribution system. A Wideband signal dis-
`tribution system typically includes a distribution unit having
`a plurality of inputs and outputs, and a series of cables, such
`as twisted pair cable, running between a plurality of outlets
`and the inputs and outputs of the distribution unit.
`An intelligent device system may be, for example, a local
`RF receiver/"baseband out intelligent device system. The local
`RF receiver/baseband out intelligent device system includes
`at least one addressable device having at least one input and at
`least one output, a BUD that receives a signal, which signal
`includes at least a digital signal portion, from the output of an
`intelligent device, and the intelligent device that receives,
`from the BUD, a modulated RF signal carrying at least a
`digital signal portion thereon. The intelligent device splits the
`IP signal portion from a non-IP signal portion, and removes
`the modulated RF carrier from the digital signal portion
`before sending the digital signal portion to the input ofat least
`one ofthe addressable devices, and sending the non-IP signal
`portion to a standard outlet. The intelligent device may
`include at least one DSP that controls the demodulation and
`
`Page11of19
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`

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`US 7,941,822 B2
`
`3
`filtering. Additionally, the local RF receiver/baseband out
`intelligent device may include wireless capability.
`An intelligent device system may also be, for example, an
`intelligent device system for remote sending. The intelligent
`device system for remote sending preferably includes at least
`one incoming signal generator, wherein an incoming signal
`generated includes at least a IP signal portion, a BUD that
`receives the incoming signal at least one input port, and that
`includes at least one output port, and a remote send intelligent
`device that generates a modulated RF signal carrying the IP
`signal portion thereon. The remote send intelligent device
`may include an RF channel detector that detects the RF chan-
`nels in use and a DSP that receives the RF channel in use
`information from the RF channel detector, and that receives
`traffic data from a traffic sensor. The DSP uses the RF chan-
`nel-in-use information to select the RF carrier, and, if desired,
`the RF carrier channel width, and, if desired, the RF guard-
`ba11d widtl1, for the incoming signal, and uses the trafiic data
`to select at least one of at least one modulator to condition
`
`-
`
`each incoming signal. Additionally, the remote send intelli-
`gent device may include wireless capability.
`An intclligcnt dcvicc systcm may also be, for cxamplc, an
`intelligent device system for local sending and receiving. The
`intelligent device system for local sending and receiving pref-
`erably includes at least one addressable device having at least
`one input and at least one output, wherein at least one of the
`addressable devices generates an incoming signal, wherein
`the incoming signal includes at least a IP signal portion, an
`intelligent device that generates modulated RF signal carry-
`ing the IP signal portion thereon, and a BUD that receives the
`modulated RF signal. The intelligent device receives a modu-
`lated RF signal carrying, at least, the digital signal portion
`thereon from the BUD, and splits the IP signal portion fror11 a
`11on-IP signal portion. The intelligent device then removes the
`RF carrier from the IP signal portion and sends the IP signal
`portion to the input of at least one of the addressable devices,
`and sends the non-IP signal portion to a standard outlet. The
`intelligent device for local sending and receiving may addi-
`tionally include wireless capability.
`The present invention is also directed to several methods
`for transmitting digital information on a RF carrier through a
`wideband signal distribution network. The first method
`includes providing at least one addressable device having at
`least one input and at least one output, sending a signal to a
`BUD from the output of said at least one addressable device,
`which signal includes at least a IP signal portion, receiving
`from the BUD at an intelligent device, a modulated RF signal
`carrying the, at least, digital signal portion thereon, splitting
`and filtering by the intelligent device of the IP signal portion
`from a non-IP signal portion, removing, by the intelligent
`device, the RF carrier from the IP signal portion, sending, by
`the intelligent device, oftl1e IP signal portion to the input of at
`least one addressable device, and sending, by the intelligent
`device, of the non-IP signal portion to a standard outlet. A
`wireless capability may also be included.
`The present invention is also directed to a second method
`for transmitting digital information on an RF carrier through
`a wideband signal distribution network. The method includes
`providing at least one addressable device having at least one
`input and at least one output, generating, by at least one of 60
`said addressable devices, of an incoming signal, wherein the
`incoming signal includes at least an IP signal portion, gener-
`ating a RF modulated RF signal carrying the IP signal portion
`thereon, receiving, at a BUD,
`the modulated RF signal,
`receiving, at an intelligent device, of a modulated RF signal
`carrying the at least one digital signal portion thereon from
`the BUD, splitting and filtering, by the intelligent device, of
`
`4
`the IP signal portion from a non-IP signal portion, removing,
`by the intelligent device, of the RF carrier from the IP signal
`portion, sending, by the intelligent device, of the IP signal
`portion to the input of at least one addressable device, and
`sending, by the intelligent device, ofthe non-IP signal portion
`to a standard outlet.
`
`The present invention is also directed to a third method for
`transmitting digital information on an RF carrier through a
`wideband signal distribution network. The method includes
`generating of an incoming signal, wherein the incoming sig-
`nal includes at least an IP signal portion, and generating a
`modulated RF signal carrying the IP signal portion thereon.
`The present invention solves problems experienced in the
`prior art, because the present invention provides a network of
`intclligcnt dcviccs than cnablc digital vidco, IP voicc/data/
`video to be modulated and demodulated onto and off of,
`preferably, a wideband signal distribution system, such as an
`analog carrier system, and further allows the splitting off of
`any analog signal. Further, the intelligent device network
`facilitates the use of, for example, the existing EIA/TIA 568
`standard wiring infrastructure in particular environments,
`such as oflice buildings, to significantly increase the informa-
`tion throughput, and eliminates the need to rewire a building
`or add expensive optoelectronic equipment
`to increase
`throughput on the existing infrastructure. These and other
`advantages will be apparent to those skilled ir1 the art from the
`detailed description hereinbelow.
`
`BRI *F D*SCRIPlION OF TH* S *VERAI
`V EWS OF THE DRAWING
`
`For the present invention to be clearly understood and
`readily practiced, the present invention will be described in
`conjunction with the following figures, wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a wideband signal
`distribution system used in a display environment;
`FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a wideband distri-
`bution system configuration;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a local RF receiver/’
`baseband out intelligent device system for use in sending
`baseband information to a wideband signal distribution sys-
`tem and receiving digital and non-digital infonnation from
`the wideband signal distribution system;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a typical BUD unit;
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an intclligcnt dcvicc
`system for the remote sending of digital infonnation using RF
`modulation;
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an intelligent device
`system for use in local sending of digital information and
`receiving of digital and non-digital information using RF
`modulation;
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an intelligent device
`system including wireless capability; and
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a send and receive
`intelligent device system including wireless transmission.
`FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a remote send intel-
`li gent digital system including wireless capability.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is to be unders ood that the figures and descriptions ofthe
`present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements
`that are relevant or a clear understanding of the present
`invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many
`other elements found in a typical data distribution system.
`Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other
`elements are desirable and/or required in order to implement
`
`Page12of19
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`

`
`US 7,941,822 B2
`
`5
`the present invention. However, because such elements are
`well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a
`better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of
`such elements is not provided herein.
`Digital transmission systems, including digital networks
`such as direct broadcast satellite, cellular telephone, personal
`communications service, wireless cable, cellular wireless
`cable, paging and wireless local loop, often employ analog
`waveforms, such as RF carrier waveforms, as a physical-layer
`transport mechanism for the baseband, i.e. the information
`carrying, waveform, as is known in the art. In such an
`instance, the baseband waveform is super-imposed on a
`higher-energy waveform to thereby allow for travelling of the
`baseband information over greater distances than would oth-
`erwise be possible with the baseband information alone.
`Historically, cable TV, broadcast TV, analog cellular, ana-
`log paging and AM/FM radio, for example, have comprised
`analog signals that traveled 011 modulated RF carriers, which
`modulated signals have comprised, for example, signals in
`the frequency range of 5 MHz to several GHz. Additionally,
`traditional local analog signals have been carried on twisted-
`pair wires in simple bascband form, without a modulated
`carrier.
`
`Traditional baseband and multiplexed analog signals are
`examples of analog transmission fomrats. In the case of tra-
`ditional baseband or multiplexed analog communication,
`analog signals are sent over analog transmission channels, as
`is <nown in the art. Digital carriers, such as T-1 lines, are
`examples of digital transmission charmels for digital base-
`band signals. Digital baseband signals are comprised of digi-
`tized bitstreams, which bitstreams may be formed by a sam-
`pli 1g, such as by PCM, of, for example, a voice signal, as is
`known in the art. In the case of digital transmission of base-
`band signals, digital signals are generally sent over digital
`tra ‘1SII11SS1OI1 chamrels. However, both analog and digital sig-
`nals can be sent using modulation carriers, such as in digital
`PCS and cellular telephone, DBS (direct broadcast satellite),
`wi*eless cable and cellular wireless cable, or hybrid fiber
`coax, for example.
`’CM is an example of binary coding, a simple coding
`method to form a baseband digital signal in which one bit,
`tra ismitted in one second, requires one Hertz of bandwidth.
`More complex coding methods, known as “multilevel cod-
`ing”, such as quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) or
`vestigial sideband (VSB), are capable of greater bandwidth
`efiiciency than PCM. However, the more complex the coding
`technique, the higher the requirements for signal-to-noise
`ratio ofthe transmission charmel, and, consequently, compli-
`cated techniques such as QAM could not historically be car-
`ried directly by available analog transmission techniques,
`such as category 5 or higher 568 wiring systems, without
`exceeding the FCC emission limits and therefore resulting ir1
`degradation ofthe data. Wideband signal distribution systems
`have addressed he transmission of analog data, on a carrier
`within a specified frequency range, using a standard wiring
`system such as EIA/TIA 568, with minimal signal degrada-
`tion, but have not addressed the transmission ofdigital data on
`a carrier on those media.
`Following coding, a signal may be modulated, as discussed
`hereinabove, before it is transmitted. Any single modulation
`carrier, at any set frequency, can have 360 different phases,
`each offset by one degree. Digital modulation systems, such
`as quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), take advantage
`of this to insert digital data at defined points as the RF carrier
`moves through a single oscillation cycle. Digital information
`can be sent on an RF analog carrier using the present inven-
`tion.
`
`,
`
`6
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a wideband signa
`distribution system 10 used in a display environment 20. The
`distribution system 10 distributes signals within a specifiec
`frequency range, such as 5 MHz in excess of 1 GHz. The
`system ofFIG. 1 can be utilized for distributing any widebanc
`signals, which wideband signals may be any digital or analog
`signal, or any RF carrier signal between 5 MHz to in excess 0
`1 GHz, for example. The typical display environment 20 for
`the wideband signal distribution network includes a display
`22 and a source of signals 24, such as a VCR or cable or digita
`cable TV, which source may be remotely located.
`A twisted pair wire cable 32 is connected to input anc
`output ports of a BUD 38 situated in, for example, wiring
`closet 40, and carries thereon the output to the monitor 22 anc
`the input from the source 24. The BUD is discussed further
`hereinbelow with respect to FIG. 3. As used herein, “BUD” is
`defined as any type of unit or components for the distributio
`of wideband signals. The BUD 38 is connected to additiona
`display environments 20:; via the twisted pair wire cables 42,
`44 and is cascaded to another distribution unit 46 in a seconc
`wiring closet 48 by either coaxial cables or fiber optic cables
`50 conncctcd to the distribution unit 38 through impedance
`matching devices 51. It will be understood that twisted pair
`wire cable could be utilized depending upon the distance
`between the wiring closets 40, 48. Further, the BUD 38 may
`be cascaded to the distribution units 52, 54 within the same
`wiring closet 40.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a local RF receiver/baseband out intelli-
`
`gent device system 200 for use in receiving digital and analog
`information on an RF carrier, which carrier may be, for
`example, between 5 MHz to in excess of 1 GHz, from a
`wideband signal distribution system, and for use in sending
`baseband digital information to a wideband signal distribu-
`tion system 10, such as the wideband distribution system of
`FIG. 1. The local RF receiver/baseband out intelligent device
`system 200 includes at least one addressable device 202, and
`an intelligent device 204 that includes input 206 and output
`208 baluns, and, if necessary, at least one digital combiner
`212, an RF splitter 214, at least two RF band pass filters 216,
`218, at least one demodulator 220, a tone detect RF level
`control circuit 226, a DSP 230, an RF Channel detector 239
`and a standard outlet 232. which, as defined herein, includes,
`but is not limited to, a standard RF television/computer outlet.
`Each intelligent device system 200, 400, 500, 600, 700 and
`800 ofthe present invention, in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 offers
`the advantage that a high amount of throughput can be
`achieved in the transmission of digital and’or analog infor-
`mation on an RF, for example, 5 MHz to in excess of 1 GHz,
`carrier.
`
`The wideband signal distribution system 10 may allow for
`distribution of, for example, 29 charmels, wherein each chan-
`nel is 6 MHz in width, and it is known that such cha1111els car1
`handle analog video signals. However, where digital infor-
`mation can be transmitted over the RF channel, each 6 MHz
`channel can handle, depending on the modulation technique
`used, in excess of 40 megabits per second of digital informa-
`tion. and new modulation techniques may increase this infor-
`mation to, and in excess of, 100 megabits per second. This 40
`megabits per second transmission allows for the transmission
`rate in excess of one gigabit/sec of digital information to be
`carried on the sum of the 29 RF charmels in the wideband
`
`signal distribution system 10. Using advanced modulation
`techniques will allow the wideband signal distribution system
`10 to be expanded up to 60, or more, charmels, thereby further
`increasing throughput data rate.
`The wideband signal distribution system 10 frmctions as a
`passive infrastructure to distribute wideband signals modu-
`
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`Page 13 of 19
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`

`
`US 7,941,822 B2
`
`7
`lated onto RF carriers within a specified frequency band
`among a plurality of outlets 20, which outlets may be to
`and/or from outlets, such as the plurality ofintelligent devices
`204, 404, 504, 604, 704 and 804 as used in the intelligent
`device systems 200, 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800 ofFIGS. 2, 4,
`5, 6, 7 and 8. As used herein, wideband is defined as a signal
`or signal sets having an analog or digital characteristic that
`canbe distributed on a carrier of5 MHz to in excess of 1 GHz,
`for example. A wideband signal distribution system 10, as
`shown in FIG. 1A, preferably includes at least one broadband
`uniform distribution (BUD) unit 38, at least one modulator
`and charmelizer (MAC) 39, at least one breakout box (BOB)
`41, wiring, such as twisted pair or fiber, and coaxial cable, in
`order to effectuate connections. Although the wideband sig-
`nal distribution system 10 is the preferred transport system for
`the present invention, the embodiment presented herein is
`exemplary, and the manner ofuse of an equivalent component
`system will be apparent to those skilled iii the art and is within
`the scope of the present invention.
`A typical BUD unit 38 is illustrated in FIG. 3. Each BUD
`unit 38, 46, 52, 54, such as those shown in FIG. 1, preferably
`has cight input ports and cight output ports. If there are only
`eight outlets in the system, then a single distributon unit 38
`can accommodate all the outlets. However, for more than
`eight outlets, at least one more distribution unit cascaded to a
`distribution unit 38 is required. In this situation, the distribu-
`tion unit 38 is considered to be a “master” unit and the addi-
`tional distribution unit is considered to be a “slave” unit, as
`discussed further hereinbelow. An attribute ofthe distribution
`
`units is that the units are preferably identical and automati-
`cally configure themselves to operate either in the master
`mode or in the slave mode.
`The distribution unit 38, utilizing twisted pair wire cable,
`includes eight input ports 62-1, 62-2, 62-3, 62-4, 62-5, 62-6,
`62-7, 62-8 and eight outputports 64-1, 64-2, 64-3, 64-4, 64-5,
`64-6, 64-7, 64-8. Each of the ports 62, 64 is adapted for
`connection to the two wires ofa respective twisted pair 66, 68.
`Additionally, FIG. 3 illustrates the master/slave switch as
`having three parts 90, 92, 94, with all ofthe switch parts being
`shown in the “slave” position. The default state ofthe master/’
`slave switch is to its master position, so that the amplifier
`output 80 is coupled through the switch part 90 a transmission
`path 95 including the equalizer 96, which connects the ampli-
`fier output 80 to the splitter input 82, through the switchparts
`90, 94. At the same time, the switch part 92 couples the output
`ofthe oscillator circuit 98 to the transmission path 95 through
`the directional coupler 100. Thus, when the distribution unit
`38 is operated in the master mode, the signals appearing at the
`input ports 62 are combined, looped back, combined with an
`oscillator signal, and transmitted out all ofthe output ports 64.
`Each BUD 38 preferably includes cascade in 102 and cas-
`cade out ports, and gain and equalization cor1trol 112 to
`provide proper gain or attenuation of signals within the sys-
`tem. Additionally, the BUD preferably includes a combiner
`72 for applying signals appearing at all of the input ports to
`the transmission path, and a splitter 84 for applying signals
`appearing at the transmission path to all of the output ports.
`When the BUD is switched to “master state”, it couples the
`transmission path to the combiner 72 and the splitter 84.
`When the BUD 38 is switched to “slave state”, it couples the
`combiner 72 to the signal outlet instead of to the transmission
`path and couples the splitter 84 to the signal inlet instead ofto
`the transmission path.
`“Master state” and “slave state” switching may be done
`automatically through the use of a tone system. When a sec-
`ondary BUD 38 is added to a system, it preferably senses a
`tone produced by the “master“ BUD and automatically
`
`8
`switches to “slave state”. In a preferred embodiment, the
`BUDs 38 are substantially identical and automatically con-
`figure themselves to operate when connected to the system.
`At least one BUD unit is connected to the intelligent device
`204 of the intelligent device system 200 of FIG. 2, and each
`BUD unit 38 of the present invention also includes wiring to
`at least two pin pairs, such as pins 3,4 and 7,8, to thereby
`mirror the pins to and from the addressable device 202 of FIG.
`2.
`
`Returning now to FIG. 2, the local RF receiver/baseband
`out intelligent device system 200 includes an addressable
`device 202, preferably includes at least two twisted pair of
`cables 240, or coaxial cables, for example, which cabling 240
`is shown as connected to pins 3,4 and pins 7,8, for example,
`, and which cabling 240 passes to and from the addressable
`device 202 to the intelligent device 204 of the intelligent
`device system 200. The addressable device 202 may be, for
`example, a11 Ethernet card, or a NIC card, ir1 a computer, or
`may be a display device that displays digital information,
`such as a digital television. The addressable device 202 pref-
`erably has an address, such as an IP address, assigned thereto,
`to allow communications directed to that particular address to
`be delivered thereto.
`
`In a preferred embodiment, the twisted cable pair 240 from
`the addressable device 202 is preferably passed within the
`intelligent device 204 to at least one balun 206, which balun
`206 performs impedance matching, such as to match a bal-
`anced twisted pair system 240 to a single ended system. The
`balun 206 may be any device known to those skilled in the art
`used to perform impedance matching in RF applications. The
`two pair oftwisted pair cable may be, for example, unshielded
`twisted pair cable, or may be devices known in the art capable
`ofreplacing twisted pair cable, such as optical fiber or coaxial
`cable.
`
`The intelligent device 204 receives the modulated RF sig-
`nal, which may include IP and non-IP signal portions thereon,
`via the RF system input. The intelligent device also receives
`at least one incoming digital signal, such as a digital IP signal,
`from pins 3,4 ofthe addressable device. The RF system input
`may be, for example, connected to the at least one BUD 38, on
`pins 7,8, as mentioned hereinabove, after the BUD 38 has
`received the incoming digital signal from pins 3,4.
`The modulated RF signal, including at least one digital
`signal, is, upon receipt at the intelligent device from the BUD
`238, preferably split into an IP portion ofthe incoming signal,
`and into a non-IP portion ofthe signal. The signal entering the
`intelligent device is preferably split by at least one RF splitter
`214, and is then differentiated according to the information
`frequency on the incoming carrier. For example, the non-IP
`portion, digital or analog, ofthe signal may be passed through
`a first band pass filter 216 that passes only the band ofthe RF
`carrier that includes the no11-IP portion, and is preferably then
`fed to a standard RF television,’computer outlet 232. Only
`pre-selected RF channels, as discussed hereinabove, are
`allowed to pass to this standard outlet 232.
`These non-II’ RF channel signals may pass through a tone
`detector with an RF level control circuit 226, in order to insure
`that a high quality picture signal is received at the television,
`momtor, or PC. The tone detector with RF level control circuit
`226 conditions the output RF signal
`to the standard RF
`TV/computer outlet 232 so as to not be over or under the
`sp