GB2430324A - Improvements to video distribution devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A video distribution device 2 that can distribute both composite and RGB video signals from a video source 11 to several display devices 3, 4, 5, 6, that is equipped with a microphone 7 input such that said microphone can be used to make announcements or similar using the loudspeakers attached to the display devices, that can automatically attenuate the incoming audio during announcements, that can also have one or more audio outputs 8 to allow both the incoming audio and any announcements to feed an alternative playout device such as a public address system 9 or an induction loop system for the hard of hearing 10, and that can be equipped with a signal detector so devices not designed for automatic signaling can be used with conventional televisions, and that could be fitted with an S-video input and an internal S-video to composite video combiner 12 to enable use with S-video sources like personal computers 14.

Description

Improvements to video distribution devices

Description

This invention relates to a device intended to allow multiple televisions or other displays to be used with a single source of video.

In the preferred embodiment the device 2 could be fitted with a connector for attaching an external microphone 7. Using the switch fitted to most microphones the device can be controlled In an alternative embodiment the microphone could be mounted internally.

A video distribution device 2, possibly but not necessarily equipped with SCART connectors, intended for connecting multiple televisions 3, 4, 5, 6 or other visual display devices to a single video source 11 that can be connected to a microphone 7 such that any audio signal received by the microphone can be distributed to some or all of the displays.

The device should be able by some means to discern whether the microphone is intended to be active or not, potentially by detecting the impedance, commonly but not exclusively 6000hms for an active microphone, and whether it has been disabled by means of a switch or similar applying a low impedance in parallel with the microphone component itself, or breaking the circuit creating a high impedance, and so make the circuitry active and distribute the audio signal received by the microphone to some or all of the displays only when the microphone shows the correct impedance.

In one embodiment, when a microphone attached to it becomes active, the device can attenuate the level of input audio signals being passed to the output connectors so that the audio signal from the microphone can be more clearly heard by anyone listening to a television attached to one of the outputs. Alternatively the input audio could be removed completely.

In the preferred embodiment the device should have two modes of operation, selected by a switch 15, such that for example in one mode it could attenuate the input audio by maybe 3 or 6dB when the microphone becomes active, and in the other it could attenuate it by 10 or 20 dB. This first mode would allow the device to be used for singalong', and the second for important announcements.

In the preferred embodiment the device could usefully be equipped with additional output connectors; such as phono connectors 8 or 3.5mm jack sockets; such that the audio output in addition to feeding any televisions attached to the output, can also be passed to one or more alternative playout devices, such as a hi-fi amplifier 9 or induction loop system for the hard of hearing 10.

In an alternative embodiment the device could be equipped with a switching circuit able to connect not only the audio from the input connector but also if the input is not active to connect any audio signal incoming from a device connected to some or all of the output connectors In the preferred embodiment the device may have a video detecting circuit, such that when a video signal is detected even in the absence of a more conventional signal the device will be able to become active, and which on detection of a video signal can be able to generate a conventional signaling signal to control any other devices connected to its output connectors, and that can in addition decide to ignore a conventional voltage switching signal at that input if no video signal is present Improvements to video distribution devices In one embodiment the device may also have an S-video connector 12 and be equipped with a circuit to combine the separate chrominance and luminance signals into a composite video signal for distribution to multiple conventional televisions from such devices as personal computers 14.

In the preferred embodiment the device should be equipped with circuitry able to reduce its power consumption considerably when no input signal is received.

In one possible embodiment the device substantially could be designed such that all or part of its circuitry can be powered from a power supply output connection available on a piece of external equipment connected to it, maybe by means of a plug-through adaptor that can be attached to a specific signal outlet such as but not limited to the RF2' outlet on a digital satellite receiver, or the LNB' input of any satellite receiver, or the Blaster' connection on a digital cable tv receiver, or a USB connector available on any digital TV receiver or personal computer.

Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of this invention.

Claims (27)

1. Improvements to video distribution devices Claims A video distribution

   device intended for connecting multiple televisions or other visual display devices to a single video source
2. 2 A device substantially as in claim I that can be connected to a microphone such that any audio signal received by the microphone can be distributed to some or all of the displays.
3. 3 A device substantially as in claim 2 that can discern by some means whether the microphone is intended to be active or not, and that can distribute the audio signal received by the microphone to some or all of the displays only when the microphone is intended to be active,
4. 4 A device substantially as in claim 3 that can decide whether the microphone is active by detecting the impedance, commonly but not exclusively 6000hms for an active microphone, and whether it has been disabled by means of a switch or similar applying a low impedance in parallel with the microphone component itself, and so make the circuitry active and distribute the audio signal received by the microphone to some or all of the displays only when the microphone shows the correct impedance.
5. A device substantially as in claim 3 that can decide whether the microphone is active by detecting the impedance, commonly but not exclusively 6000hms for an active microphone, and whether it has been disabled by means of a switch or similar breaking the circuit and so creating a high impedance, and so make the circuitry active and distribute the audio signal received by the microphone to some or all of the displays only when the microphone shows the correct impedance.
6. 6 A device substantially as in claim 3 that can decide whether the microphone is active by detecting the presence of an audio signal by means of an audio signal detector, and on the detection of a signal above a certain threshold can make the circuitry active and distribute the audio signal received by the microphone to some or all of the displays only when the microphone shows the correct impedance.
7. 7 A device substantially as in claims 4 or 5 that, when a microphone attached to it becomes active, can attenuate the level of input audio signals being passed to the output connectors so that the audio signal from the microphone can be more clearly heard by anyone listening to a television attached to one of the outputs.
8. 8 A device substantially as in claims 4 or 5 that, when a microphone attached to it becomes active, can attenuate the level of input audio signals being passed to the output connectors by an amount that can be adjusted by some means such as but not limited to a potentiometer so that the audio signal from the microphone can be more clearly heard by anyone listening to a television attached to one of the outputs.
9. 9 A device substantially as in claims 4 or 5 that, when a microphone attached to it becomes active, can disconnect the input audio signals being passed to the output connectors so that the audio signal from the microphone can be more clearly heard by anyone listening to a television attached to one of the outputs.
10. A device substantially as in claims 6. 7. or 8 that can have two or more modes of operation, selected by a switch or similar means, such that for example in one mode it could operate as described in claim 6, and in another mode it could operate as described in claim 7, in another mode it could operate as described in claim 8, or potentially it could have two or more modes of operation such as described in claim 6 with differing levels of attenuation.
11. 11 A device substantially as in any or all of the above claims equipped a connector for an external microphone that is able to ensure by means of internal contacts or similar method that when no external microphone is attached the input audio will not be attenuated or disconnected. 1+

    Improvements to video distribution devices
12. 12 A device substantially as in any or all of the above claims which has one or more microphones mounted internally.
13. 13 A device substantially as in any or all of the above claims equipped with additional output connectors; such as but not limited to phono connectors or 3.5mm jack sockets; such that the audio output in addition to feeding any televisions attached to the output, can also be passed to one or more alternative playout devices, such as but not limited to a hifi amplifier or induction loop system for the hard of hearing.
14. 14 A device substantially as in any or all of the above claims equipped with additional output connectors such that the audio output can be passed to one or more alternative playout devices; that is equipped with a switching circuit able to connect not only the audio from the input connector but also if the input is not active to connect any audio signal incoming from a device connected to one of its output connectors.
15. A device substantially as in any or all of the above claims that is equipped with a switching circuit able to connect not only the audio and video signals from the input connector but also if the input is not active to connect the audio and video signals incoming from a device connected to one of its output connectors to all of the output connectors.
16. 16 A device substantially as in any or all of the above claims in which the input connector may connect internally to a video detecting circuit, such that when a video signal is detected even in the absence of a more conventional signal the device will be able to become active, and which on detection of a video signal can be able to generate a conventional signaling signal to control any other devices connected to its output connectors
17. 17 A device substantially as in any or all of the above claims in which the input connector may connect internally to a video detecting circuit, such that when a video signal is detected even in the absence of a more conventional signal the device will be able to become active, and which on detection of a video signal can be able to generate a conventional signaling signal to control any other devices connected to its output connectors, and that can in addition decide to ignore a conventional voltage switching signal at that input if no video signal is present.
18. 18 A device substantially as in any or all of the above claims in which the input connector or set of connectors may also connect internally to an S-video connector and be equipped with a circuit to combine the separate chrominance and luminance signals into a composite video signal.
19. 19 A device substantially as in claim I wherein the output signal in addition to feeding one output connector or set of connectors for use by the main television, may also be connected to the output connections of one or more of the input connectors or sets of connectors.
20. A device substantially as in claim 1 wherein the output signal in addition to feeding one output connector or set of connectors for use by the main television, may also be connected to the output connections of one or more of the input connectors or sets of connectors; that is equipped with a switching circuit able to connect not only the audio output but also if no input is active to connect the audio incoming from a device connected to its output connector.
21. 21 A device substantially as in claim I equipped with additional output connectors such that the audio output can be passed to one or more alternative playout devices; that is equipped with a switching circuit able to connect not only the audio output but also if no input is active to connect the audio incoming from a device connected to its output connector.
22. 22 A device substantially as in any or all of the above claims equipped with circuitry able to reduce its power consumption considerably when no input signal is received.
23. 23 A device substantially as in any or all of the above claims so designed that all or part of its circuitry can be powered from a power supply output connection available on a piece of external equipment connected to it, such as but not limited to a digital television receiver.

    Improvements to video distribution devices
24. 24 A device substantially as in claim 23 where the means of acquiring the external power supply is by means of a plug-through adaptor that can be attached to a specific signal outlet such as but not limited to the RF2' outlet on a digital satellite receiver, or the LNB' input of any satellite receiver, or the Blaster' connection on a digital cable tv receiver, or a USB connector available on any digital TV receiver or personal computer.
25. A device substantially as in any or all of the above claims that is able to power the majority of its circuitry from one power source of whatever type, and that can also draw power from a different source if necessary during periods of high current demand or if it needs to deal with a signal of a higher voltage than is available from the main source.
26. 26 A device substantially as in any or all of the above claims that can indicate the status of its incoming signal by means of visible indicators of some kind.
27. 27 A device substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.