RU2458473C1 - System for controlling transmission of analogue television signal over cable television networks - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: information technology.

SUBSTANCE: system has a subscriber tap-off or a subscriber coupler having a function for receiving an analogue cable television signal and transmitting said signal to the subscriber receiver, and at least one actuating unit consisting of a set of switched pairs of 'input' and 'output' RF tap-offs, installed between the subscriber tap-off or subscriber coupler and subscriber receivers and configured for electronic connection/disconnection of subscriber receivers. The actuating unit(s) lies in one building and are connected to a common control unit. The control unit is connected through a local area network or through the Internet to a personal computer-based control computer configured to perform a function for transmitting the control signal to the control unit.

EFFECT: simple access system, restricting access of subscribers to analogue television signals over cable television networks or broadcast community reception networks while maintaining remote control and monitoring.

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Description

The invention relates to systems for broadcast television broadcasting, as well as to systems for transmitting information on cable and other communication lines and networks using means of controlling the access of subscribers to the transmitted information. The invention relates to the field of radio engineering and can be used in a cable television system (KTV) to provide control and monitoring of subscriber’s access to special (paid) TV channels and national channels.

Around the end of the 70s, the idea of pay television came up. Initially, cable companies began to implement this idea: in case of non-payment of services, they simply either physically disabled the cable outlet from the non-payer, or applied a system of frequency filters. A frequency filter was applied to the subscriber tap, introducing significant attenuation at the frequencies of those channels that the subscriber did not pay. In both cases, the defaulter TV did not receive a signal of sufficient magnitude to display the “picture” on the TV screen. It is easy to see that such a system is applicable only to small networks (it is difficult for large networks to control unauthorized connections of subscribers to the cable) and does not at all solve the problem of unauthorized reception by a central broadcaster of a “source” channel signal from a satellite or from the ether by cable networks themselves.

A device for receiving signals transmitted via standard and special channels of cable television (Collie D.K., Hancock K.I. Overview of cable television systems. TIIER, v.73, No. 5, May, 1985, pp.196-214, and US patent No. 4638356, 358/118, publ. 20.01.87).

For example, a device is known for connecting to an antenna input of televisions receiving TV channels of frequency ranges I, III, IV, V. At the input of a device connected to a cable television line, a switch is installed that provides direct connection of lines to the TV or connecting them to antenna input of the equipment through a frequency converter.

A direct line connection to the TV is used when receiving standard TV channels. In the case of receiving special TV channels at frequencies located between the frequencies of the indicated ranges, frequency conversion is applied, transferring the spectrum of the received special TV signals to the required frequency range, free from interference (DE application No. 3533943, publ. 17.04.87).

A device is known in which some TV programs are transmitted in a secret form. Classification is carried out by introducing into the spectrum of the main signal an interfering signal with a changing frequency (US patent No. 4737990, publ. 12.04.88). To modulate the carrier frequency, a step-shaped signal is used, the number of steps being equal to the number of frequency channels, and the interval between steps corresponding to the frequency interval between channels. When the TV-radio signal of any channel is classified, the interfering signal is mixed only at those moments when its frequency falls into the bandwidth of this channel. On the receiving side of the subscriber is the corresponding receiving device for decoding and extracting the information signal.

There is also known a device for transmitting special TV programs via KTV network with additional interference to subscribers equipped with a device for its elimination (US patent No. 4748667, Н03Н 7/00, 380/7, publ. 31.05.88). The interference is transmitted by a carrier frequency modulated by sinusoidal oscillations, which differs little from the carrier frequency of image signals. It is taken into account that the envelope of the spectrum of modulated horizontal sync pulses can be represented as a series of petals symmetrical with respect to the carrier frequency of the image signals, which allows us to accept the carrier noise frequency slightly different from the frequency at which the envelope of one of these petals becomes zero.

The subscriber is eliminated by a circuit connected to the input of the receiver with the properties of a notch containing one or more elements with a SAW.

The closest in technical essence to the claimed device is the selected as a prototype device for connecting a subscriber to TV channels in the KTV network (US patent No. 4651204, H03H 7/00, H04N 7/167, publ. 05.31.1988).

In the specified device, it is possible to block individual TV channels for each subscriber of the system. Blocking is achieved by mixing the interference signals generated by the local generator, which is structurally located in the subscriber junction box. The jamming signal mixing device contains a serially connected broadband amplifier connected to the system main line coupler, a 1st mixer, a bandpass filter, an intermediate frequency amplifier (IF), an adjustable attenuator, an amplitude modulator, a 2nd mixer, a high frequency amplifier, a switch. At the reference inputs of the 1st and 2nd mixers a heterodyne signal is supplied with a step change in frequency. Discrete values of the frequencies of the local oscillator signal corresponds to the frequencies of the blocked TV channels. After the first mixer, the TV signal on the inverter is exposed using a deep AM amplitude modulator, the modulating signal being a harmonic signal with a frequency of 100-500 kHz. Then, after the inverse frequency conversion, the interfering signal obtained in this way is mixed through the managed switch into the TV signal received by the subscriber.

The device selected as a prototype has an increased complexity of the circuitry and technical solution, the need to use blocks that provide high-quality processing of an informational television signal (amplifiers, mixers, switch, etc.). In addition, he does not have a return channel from the subscriber to the station, which makes it impossible to determine the subscriber’s attempt to connect to the protected channel. In addition, the reverse channel creates certain amenities for the subscriber to request the required information. This leads to insufficient reliability of the subscriber’s access to the TV channel.

The present invention is aimed at achieving a technical result, which consists in simplifying the access / restriction system of subscribers to television analog signals via cable television networks or networks for collective reception of television programs while maintaining remote control and monitoring (on / off) by means of RF taps of executive units included to the subscriber line of the television signal transmission system.

The specified technical result is achieved by the fact that the control system for transmitting a television analog signal over cable television networks, comprising a subscriber tap or subscriber cable TV network coupler, designed to receive a television analog signal of cable television and transmitting (conditional) to its subscriber receiver via a cable subscriber line or network of collective reception of television programs, the system is equipped with at least one executive unit, consisting of a set of commutators pairs of RF “input” and “output” taps and installed between the subscriber tap or the subscriber coupler and the receivers of the subscriber / s and configured to electronically connect / disconnect the receivers or receivers of the subscribers to the television signal from the specified tap or tap, the specified executive unit or executive units are located within the same building, are connected to a common control unit, which is configured to form commands for controlling RF taps and remote feeding power supply to executive units, a control unit via a local area network and within a building or via the Internet or a local area network within a city is connected to a control computer based on a personal computer configured to implement the function of transmitting a control signal to a control unit to disable the corresponding RF tap on a subscriber’s associated with this control unit with a zero balance of this subscriber in the billing system of the telecom operator.

In addition, the proposed system is equipped with a switch connected via a local network or via the Internet with a control computer based on a personal computer and made with inputs for connecting the control inputs of more than one control unit.

These signs are significant and interconnected with the formation of a stable set of essential features sufficient to obtain the desired technical result.

The present invention is illustrated by a specific example of execution, which, however, is not the only possible, but clearly demonstrates the possibility of achieving the desired technical result.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a control system for transmitting a television analog signal over cable television networks.

In the framework of the present invention, there is considered a system for controlling the transmission of a television analog signal to a consumer over cable television networks and networks for collective reception of television programs (SKPT) with the possibility of its control and monitoring (on / off) by means of commands for RF taps of executive units (IS) included in the subscriber TV signal transmission line. To form control commands, a control computer based on a personal computer is used, connected to an Ethernet network, which combines all the control blocks of this system. A control computer must be connected to the same Ethernet network, moreover, the connection can be made both through the local computer network of the communication services operator within the settlement (city) and by connecting via the global Internet (in this case, remote control of system parts can be implemented located in different settlements, from a single remote control computer).

The purpose of this system is remote disconnection / connection of subscribers of analog and digital cable television and networks of collective reception of television programs.

The control system for transmitting a television analog signal over cable television networks comprises a subscriber branch 1 or a subscriber coupler 2 of a cable TV network designed to receive a television analog signal of cable television and transmit (conditional) to its receiver 3 subscribers by means of a cable subscriber line or a network for collective reception of television programs . The system is also equipped with at least one executive unit 4, consisting of a set of switched pairs of RF taps 5 “input” and “output”, installed between the subscriber tap or the subscriber coupler and the receivers of the subscriber / s and configured to electronically connect / disconnect the receiver or receivers of subscribers to the television signal from the specified branch or coupler. Actuator unit 4 or actuator units are located within the same building, are connected to a common control unit, which is configured to form commands for controlling RF taps and remotely supply power to the actuator units.

In a system of one structure 9 (for example, a residential building) with the number of subscriber receivers greater than the number of switched RF taps in the used executive unit, a control unit 10 is installed, installed in communication between a personal computer 7 and a number of executive units 4, with which block 10 connected via lines 11 for transmitting control signals.

The control unit for local computing and within the building or via the Internet 6 or a local area network within the city is connected to a control computer based on a personal computer 7, configured to implement the function of transmitting a control signal to the control unit 10 to disable the corresponding RF tap on the connected with this control executive unit (to disconnect the corresponding receiver of the subscriber) at zero balance of this subscriber in billing company 8 (in the system of the telecom operator )

If there is more than one control unit in the system, then it is possible to use a switch connected via a local network or via the Internet with a control computer on the basis of a personal computer and made with outputs for connecting the control inputs of more than one control unit.

In this system, the terms used are understood as follows:

- An executive unit (IS) is an electronic device consisting of a set of mechanically or electronically switched RF taps (4-32 taps) installed between a subscriber tap or a KTV tap, and serving to directly connect / disconnect a required subscriber by a UB command. Executive units of the system with the number of switched taps from 4 to 16 are installed in anti-vandal cabinets in the entrances where the subscriber TV signal taps are located. They do not require a power supply. The subscriber line is connected through the executive unit to the tap of the subscriber coupler.

- The subscriber coupler receives a cable television signal and transmits it further to the subscriber via an information security device through a cable subscription line.

- The control unit (UB), which in execution is a switch for monitoring connected information security (up to 16 information security); issuing commands to enable / disable the necessary RF taps on a specific IS; Ethernet communication with the management server. The control unit of the system is set 1 for each house. The installation location is the main cabinet with active TV equipment and SPD equipment. Requires a power connection. The total power consumption is not more than 12 W. A system IB from 1 to 8 is connected to it via a twisted pair cable. The control unit of the system (the only one in the house) requires an Ethernet connection to the provider's data network (switch port) or it can be optional connected to the Internet by a third-party operator or via a GPRS modem. Thus, the system can be used both with its own data network and with the use of third-party communication channels.

- Server monitoring and system management - monitoring of UB and information security. The system management software is installed on the PC, which, through the network of the Operator or a third-party Provider, issues control commands to the Control units of the system and collects information about the status of the Control modules. Management software has the simplest interface for managing subscriber bends; a standard command-line format is also provided for management from the Operator’s existing billing systems.

The present system operates according to the following working algorithm. A control computer based on a personal computer programmatically generates a set of address control signals. Upon receipt of a signal from the billing system that corresponds to the presence of the appropriate balance on the subscriber’s network, the control computer sends a control signal to the corresponding control unit, in which an address signal is supplied to the executive unit. In the executive unit, when such a signal arrives, the RF channel opens, through which the subscriber’s receiver is connected to the coupler or branch tap.

Upon receipt of a signal from the billing system corresponding to the absence of the appropriate balance on the subscriber’s network, the control computer sends a control signal to the corresponding control unit, in which an address signal is supplied to the executive unit. In the executive unit, when such a signal arrives, the RF channel opens and the connection of the subscriber’s receiver to the coupler or subscriber is disconnected.

This system monitors subscribers (their connection / disconnection) to the KTV and SKPT signals. The system includes devices for the implementation of these actions. In addition, the system is able not only to turn off the television signal on the subscriber line, it can switch the source of the incoming TV signal to the RT-output of the executive unit directly (simple shutdown / turn on), but also to pass the input signal through the built-in filters of the TV signal (thus a partial limitation of the number of TV programs received by a subscriber is implemented).

Distinctive features of this system are:

- The presence of the devices described above directly at the location of the building connected to the KTV network, which exempts the provider from renting additional space for the location of this equipment, IS is not required to connect to power networks.

- Monitoring subscribers remotely, the possibility of both full and partial restriction of subscriber access to TV programs. Parts of the system within the building are managed remotely via the Internet or a local network of a communication service provider.

- Relative low cost and ease of manufacturing equipment due to the well-known and affordable components.

- The ability to dock the TBM management program with any software that maintains billing records of the provider's subscribers.

In other words, the proposed control system for transmitting a television analog signal over cable television networks is a connecting (intermediate) link between a subscriber (a consumer of KTV services) and a provider (a company providing KTV services), a device that is capable of transmitting (turning on / off) a signal to to another subscriber via Ethernet (remotely, remotely) or to give a limited number of TV programs.

Claims (2)

1. A control system for transmitting a television analog signal over cable television networks, comprising a subscriber tap or a subscriber coupler designed to receive a television analog signal of cable television and transmit it to a subscriber receiver via a cable subscriber line or a network for collective reception of television programs, characterized in that it is equipped at least one executive unit, consisting of a set of switched pairs of RF taps "input" and "output", installed between entrant tap or subscriber coupler and receivers of the subscriber / s, and made with the possibility of electronic connection / disconnection of the receiver or receivers of subscribers to the television signal from the specified tap or coupler, while the specified Executive unit or Executive units are located within the same building, connected to the General manager a unit that is configured to generate commands for controlling RF taps and remote supply of power to the executive units, the control unit by lock A computer network within the building, or via the Internet, or a local area network within the city is connected to a control computer based on a personal computer, configured to implement the function of transmitting a control signal to a control unit to disable the corresponding RF tap on the associated executive block at zero balance of this subscriber in the billing system of the telecom operator. 2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that it is equipped with a switch connected via a local network or via the Internet with a control computer based on a personal computer and made with outputs for connecting the control inputs of more than one control unit.