Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
W0 93/13630 2 1 0 3 7 3 J Pcr/us92/l l l ,9
DISTRIE~U?ION SY8'rEM FOR COMMU.NI~C~TION 9ERVICE~:
This application is a continuation in part of
application Serial No. 07/720,301, filed June 25, 1991,
which is a divisional application of Serial No. 07/466,541,
filed January 17, l99o, now abandoned.
Backqround of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to
communication and energy management systems and in
particular to service entrance devices and wiring system for
a particular facility.
The electrical contractor is installing the
majority of telephone and video wiring in the home today.
With the exception of the electrical system, the remainder
of the residential wiring is unorganized. This creates
problems in installing, adding and changing products that
utilize and enhance the electrical, telephone and video
services in the home or workplace. Telephone wire is
installed in multi-drop configurations in the home today
which limits the capabilities of the telephone system.
Although coaxial cable installation in the home run "star"
configuration is recommended, homes are still occasionally
wired in a multi-drop method which greatly impairs the
capabilities of the video distribution system. In addition
to the in-house wiring issue there is a problem of not
having a common location for service entrances into the
home. Today, the various services, telephone and CATV enter
the house at various locations creating unsightly wiring to
be dispersed throughout the home along with several holes
being created in the walls in order to accommodate these
servlces.
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WO93/13630 21~ 3 7 9 5 PCT/US92/11119
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There is a great need in the art to provide a
method that provides consistency and corrects the above
problems by establishing some kind of wiring scheme that
would bring these wires into a common enclosure, thereby
centralizing the service entrance and the services'
distribution. Such an enclosure would provide a
distribution point for telephone, video and audio services
throughout the home or building via components such as, but
not limited to, splitters, amplifiers and telephone
connection blocks.
Summarv of the Invention
This invention provides one location for
telephone/audio and video distribution and service entrance
and a logical and organized method of distributing these
services throughout the home or building. This invention
includes an enclosure, 120V AC power outlets for devices
installed in the enclosure, telephone/audio distribution
equipment, video distribution equipment, gateway service
entrance hardware and other like communications systems.
It is an object of this invention to provide an
improved distribution system which provides consistency and
corrects problems facing the prior art, thereby establishing
-~ a wiring scheme and common enclosure which will help to
- 25 centralize a service entrance and services distribution.
It is also an object of this invention to provide
; a distribution system that will allow for the enhancement of
services to the home via additions to the distributlon
center at subsequent times.
- Brief Description of the Drawinqs
Figure l illustrates a distribution system
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W.093/1~30 21~ 3 7 9 ;~ PCT/US92/11119
designed according to the teachings of the present
invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a specific embodiment of a
distribution center that forms a component of the
distribution system;
Figure 3 illustrates the service entrance
enclosure with a communications component mounting plane and
a receptacle barrier;
Figure 4 illustrates one embodiment of the
enclosure with a pair of coaxial splitters and a telephone
connector block;
Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific
embodiment of the distribution center coordinating
communication services and devices for convenient access by
: 15 a user throughout a facility;
Figure 6 illustrates the basic configuration of
; the audio distribution system with internal circuits
depicted in block form;
Figure 7 is a circuit diagram illustrating a
: 20 preferred embodiment of a part of the wall plate interface
circuit for buffering and converting stereo signals from
single-ended to a balanced-signal;
Figure 8 is a circuit diagram illustrating a
: preferred embodiment of a stereo pre-amplification circuit
~ 25 for converting a stereo signal from a balanced to a single-
ended signal, a stereo equalization circuit for
compensating a stereo signal for reduced volume and
frequency response, and a threshold detection circuit for
detecting low volume levels;
Figure 9A is a circuit diagram illustrating a
: preferred embodiment of a station line interface circuit,
`: page signal pre-amplification circuit, feedback control
. circuit and page signal equalization circuit for a paging
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W093/13630 PCT/US92111119
21~3795 ~4_ ~ `
system and a doorbell generator circuit for a doorbell
system;
Figure 9B is a circuit diagram illustrating in
further detail the integrated circuits of the doorbell
circuit board of Figure ~A; and
Figure lO is a circuit diagram illustrating in
further detail the station line interface circuit of Figure
9A and a preferred embodiment of an output pre-
amplification circuit and power amplification circuit.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
For a better understanding of the present
invention together with other and further advantages, and
capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following
disclosure and appended claims in connection with the above-
described drawings.
As defined herein, the terms "home" and "facility"
are used interchangeably to include residences, office
buildings, office sections of industrial facilities,
commercial facilities and the like. In the descrîptions of
the invention that follow, specific references will be made
to the home. Those skilled in the art of installing
electrical and communication services, however, can apply
these teachings to other locations such as offices or the
like. The terms "enclosure" and "housing" also are used
interchangeably.
In general, the present invention provides for a
system and apparatus for locating telephone/audio and video
distribution and the service entrance and for a logical and
organized method of distributing these services throughout
the home or building. The present system also provides a
means for future upgrades to products such as advanced
video, telephone, intercom, and overall load management.
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W093J13630 PCT/US92/l11l9
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The gateway capability provides a platform for integration
and/or modulation of signals and services on the various
mediums covered in this concept. Applications that can be
applied are in energy management and information services
area. Finally, there is described a process by which the
distribution system can be reconfigured to meet the
customer's needs depending on the upgrades desired in home
or building.
Referring now to Figure 1, there is illustrated a
lo block diagram of an example of a distribution system for a
home or building. In particular, the distribution sy~tem lo
includes a distribution center 12 having distribution center
terminations 14, telecommunication and video services 16
which may also include cable TV. Further illustrated is
electrical service 17 coming into the distribution center
which is coupled to the electrical load center 18 via one of
the circuit breakers in the load center. The load center 18
also has circuit interrupting and energy management devices
20. ~he wire and cable is then distributed from the
distribution center to different parts of the home or
building and at wall (service) terminations such as wall
termination 22. At these wall termination, items such as
telephones or television sets may be connected directly.
; The distribution center also includes application-
specific products 24 which may co~sist of sub-systems for
video, telephone/intercom, gateway systems or security.
These systems may then be distributed through the existing
wiring scheme. There may also be application-specific
products 26 which are outside of the distribution center,
bu~ which serve as part of the distribution system, which
are coupled to wall terminations 22 and are then coupled to
equipment or appliances 28, such as televisions or VCRs or
lighting systems (see Figure 1). The different application-
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W093/13630 ~ i~ 3~ 95 PC~/US92/111t9
specific products or sub-systems provide additional
functionality for video, telephone, intercom, audio and
electrical energy control hy working with the homeowner's
standard televisions, VCRs, telephones, stereos and other
major appliances (such as a hot water heater). By
controlling the delivery of the services to these
appliances, the application-specific products tASPs) can
increase and enhance the value of the service to the
homeowner.
The distribution system l0 is a stand-alone
product and does not require any of the ASPs in order to
function. At its lowest level of functionality, the
distribution system will provide the following
functionality: dual A/B manual switching of video sources;
four-line telephone capability manually reconfigurable to
extensions; proper grounding for all signals; transient
protection for services; and ease of access to services.
One example of a distribution center with more
features is illustrated in Figure 2. In Figure 2, the
distribution center illustrated provides, in addition to the
; basic components, a telephone termination 32 that provides
for four incoming telephone or audio lines and distributes
all incoming lines to each of a possible 16 extensions. In
addition, video termination 34 provides for two separate
video circuits (dual A/B manual switched source). For
instance "A" will provide input from up to three baseband
sources (VCR, security camera, etc.) and one modulated
source (CATV, satellite, antenna, etc.) with the help of
modulator 36 and an output of up to eight connections.
Circuit "B" will provide distribution for internal sources
(VCR, security camera) and output to up to eight
connections. A video amplifier 38 will be supplied for each
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circuit if needed. Circuit A and B video wall terminations
are illustrated as 40.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the wire and cable
in the distribution system are designed to deliver the
services to the wall terminations. Wall terminations
provide an interface for the homeowner's appliances and
additional interface for components of the ASPs. The video
distribution cable is a dual coax A/B system using RG6 coax,
`: for example. The wall terminations are a dual feed through
wall plate using F-type connectors. The telephone services
usually delivered via an eight-conductor 24AWG cable and is
terminated by a dual RJll jack wall plate. The terminations
are duplex receptacles, wall switches and dedicated branch
circuit breakers.
Referring further to Figure 1, distribution center
terminations 14 serve as connection points for the wire and
cable of the distribution system. Quick and simple
terminations can be used, and these terminations will
facilitate easy installation and provide for troubleshooting
of the system. The distribution center terminations will
provide a plug and play interface connection for the ASPs
and will provide transient suppression between the
-~ distribution center and the services outside of the
distribution system. The suppression will reduce the -
; 25 effects of outside transients on the distribution center and
terminations 14 will protect the outside distribution system
from possible transients generated internal to the
~ distribution center. Terminations 14 will also aid in
-~ diagnosing internal versus external problems.
With respect to the circuit interrupting devices
20, such will provide connection of electrical power to
major appliances or systems requiring some kind of energy
management.
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W093/l3630 PCT/US92/tlll9
210379~ ~ ,
In ~igure 3, there is illustrated one embodiment
of the service entrance enclosure 50 that forms part of the
distribution system. The enclosure 50 is shown here without
a cover and in this particular instance is made from molded
plastic. The teachings of this invention may, however, be
applied to other enclosures of different materials or
configurations.
As is illustrated in Figure 3, enclosure 50 has a
back wall, a pair of opposing frontwardly extending endwalls
that are integral with the back wall and a first and second
opposing frontwardly extending side walls, the sidewalls of
which are integral with the back wall and endwalls and serve
to define enclosure 50. Enclosure 50 also has a back plane
or mounting plane 52 which fits within the enclosure and
provides a means for mounting all of the distribution center
components except for the electrical power section.
Mounting plane 52 may be molded into the enclosure or may
also be a plate made of steel or plastic to allow thread-
forming or thread-tapping screws (or any other sl~itable
method) to attach the components.
Enclosure 50 further includes a receptacle 54 -
which has a receptacle barrier 55 in order to isolate the
power from the co~munications within the enclosure. On the
opposite end of enclosure 50 there is illustrated a
plurality of detachable disk or knock-out 56 which is used
to provide an access for the service entrance electricity or
egress for the cables and wires distributed from the
enclosure. Additional knock out slots are provided in the
housing for access by coaxial cable, audio output cable,
multi-conductor cable, and doorbell wiring as well as
telephone cable. Finally, the enclosure includes a
plurality of clamps 58 integral with the enclosure 50 to
allow for ease of clamping of cables.
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WO93/13630 PCT/US92/lll19
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9 2 ~ 9 ~
For surface installation, mounting holes 57 are
provided in the back of the enclosure 50. For a flush
installation, the front mounting flanges 59 externally
located on the side walls of the housing are provided to
moun~ the housing to wall studs or other suitable supports.
Referring to Figure 4, there is illustrated
another version of enclosure 50 having some of the
communication components mounted therein. In particular, in
this embodiment, there is shown a pair of coaxial splitters
60 which are held to mounting plane 52 via bracket 61. In
addition, there is a telephone punch-down block 62 which is
also attached to mounting plane 52. Further, there is shown
a modulator 64 which is held in place by a pair of brackets
65 and a signal or video amplifier 66 which is also mounted
to plane 52. The signal amplifier 66 is coupled to one of
the coaxial splitters in order to enhance the signal
emanatin~ from that splitter.
Even thouyh a cover is not shown in Figures 3 or
; 4, a cover can be provided that has a door which will
provide for access to the components within the enclosure 50
while blocking off the receptacle area to prevent any
contact with the electrical portion while other portions of
the enclosure 50 are being serviced.
A preferred embodiment of the distribution center
10 is illustrated by the diagram in Figure 5 of a single,
- open-wiring network for coordinating communication services
; such as telephone, audio, and audio-visual throughout the
home. The distribution center lO consolidates at the
service entrance of the home all of the telephone, audio,
and audio-visual services. The distribution center lO is
preferably located adjacent to an electrical load housing
(as shown in Figure 1) to which it is also connected
electrically, but spaced a minimum of about six inches to
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W093/l3~0 PCr/US92ttll19
21037~ -lO- f
prevent electrical interference between them. The
distribution center lO ls also located in an environmentally
controlled area of the home. It is desirable to centrally
locate the distribution center lo in order to reduce cable
run lengths saving cable costs and also reducing the signal
loss created by long runs.
The distribution center 10 has two component
mounting planes 502 and 504 located within the interior of
enclosure 50. Mounting plane 502 is used to support
primarily video components and is positioned in the upper
section of the enclosure 50 by mating upper hooks ~not
shown~ located on the back wall of the enclosure 50 with
slots located through the video mounting plane 502.
Mounting plane 504 is used to support primarily audio
components and is mounted in the lower half of the enclosure
50 by mating the lower hooks (not shown) located on the back
wall of the enclosure 50 with the slots located through the
audio mounting plane 504. Mounting screws like 506 are used
in order to affix and electrically connect the mounting
planes together. The two mounting planes 502 and 504 are
physically separated and electrically insulated from the
power supply compartment 508 which is electrically connected
to 120 volt circuit (not show~).
A basic wiring network provides the framework for
multiple system functions including telephone, audio-visual
and audio ser~ices. The telephone wiring network consists
of eight-conductor wiring that distributes through the home
up to three incoming lines and a paging system. One of the
four pair of telephone wiring is used for a paging means.
The incoming telephone service lines are connected to top
terminals of telephone punch down blocks 510 and 512
supported by the mounting planes 502 and 504 located in the
distribution center lO. Distribution to various telephone
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WO93/l3630 PC~/US92J1l1l9
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sets like 514 throughout the home is accomplished by
connecting the set 514 to an appropriate output source like
telephone wall plate 516 which is wired to the telephone
punch down blocks 510, 512. A paging button 51S ls also
connected to the telephone wall plate 516 to activate the
paging means.
The video wiring network uses dual runs of coaxial
cable to receptacles like 520 and 522 located throughout the
home. Each receptacle has an A-side and B-side connection.
The CATV cable service (not shown) entering the home is
connected to the input side of the A-side amplifier 524.
Video signals from other auxiliary sources are connected to
the input side of a B-side amplifier 526. Auxiliary sources
include, but are not limited to, security cameras 528, a
video cassette recorder tVCR) 530, a laser disk, satellite
or off-air antenna (not shown). The video mounting plane ~ -
502 supports the A-side amplifier 524 and B-side amplifier ~ -
526 which are electrically connected to the power supply
~;- compartment 508.
The auxiliary sources like the VCR 530 are
connected to a wall receptacle 522 that all~w~ distribution
- of a video signal to the VCR 530 on the A-side cable. This
; allows recording a video signal received through sources
like the cable service. The 8-side cable of wall
25 receptacle 522 allows the VCR 530 to send its recorded video
signal to the B-side amplifier 526 in the distribution
center 10. Subsequently, the video signal from the VCR 530
is distributed through the B-side splitters 534 to the ~-
side cable of receptacles 520 throughout the home. A
television 536 is used with a A/B switch to alternate
viewing between the video signal from the cable service on
the A-side cable and a recorded signal from the VCR 530 on
the B-side cable.
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WO 93/13630 PCI/US92/1111
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2103 ~95 -12-
The audio wiring network coordinates signals from
several audio sources which include an entertainment source
like a stereo 538 or television 536, a paging system with a
telephone set 514 and paging button 518, and a doorbell
system 540. The audio wiring network includes audio wall
plates like 542 located throughout the home for receiving
the audio signal from entertainment sources like the stereo
538 or television 536. Preferably, each wall plate 542 has
a mute switch 544 to mute the audio signal from being
lo transmitted to the distribution center 12. The audio signal
from all sources is then directed to either stereo speaXers
546 or monoaural speakers 548 to distribute high quality
background music, foreground music, paging and doorbell
chime throughout the home. Preferably, each speaker has a
15 volume control like 550 and 552, respectively, which is
conveniently located nearby.
one embodiment of the audio wiring network is the
Audio Distribution Amplifier (ADA) system 600 which has a
control box 602 supported by the audio mounting plane 504 in
the lower section of the dlstribution center 10. Electrical
power to the ADA control box 602 is supplied by the power
supply compartment 508 or other AC power source.
The present invention contemplates coordinating a
plurality of audio entertainment sources, each with multiple
channels, a plurality of telephone sets and paging devices,
and multiple doorbell sources from various locations. The
output signals from these sources are directed into a
plurality of speaker zones. The three input sources
hereinafter described and illustrated include, but are not
limited to, a two channel or stereo audio source, a single
telephone handset and paging device, and three doorbell
locations with the corresponding output signals directed
into four speaker zones. It is within the skill of those
WO93/l3630 PCT~US92/11119
-13 2~037 9 a
familiar with the art of multiple channel input and output
to make the appropriate modificatio~ to increase the number
of input signal channels and sources and direct the output
signals as desired through as many channels and into as many
zones.
The basic configuration o~ the ADA system 600 with
internal circuits depicted in block form is illustrated in .
Figure 6. Generally, the ADA system 600 receives as input
; from at least four sources: multiple channel signals from
an audio entertainment source 604; substantially continuous
audio signals from a telephone handset 606; intermittently
generated control signals from a paging device 608 connected
with the telephone handset; and different intermittently
generated signals corresponding to a plurality of distinct
15 doorbell sources 610A, 610B or 610C. The ADA system 600
generates as output to speakers, located in a plurality of
: different zones 612A, 612~, 612C and 612D, any of the
,: .
following signals: multiple channel signals corresponding
to the multiple channel signals received from the audio
entertainment source 604; a voice paging message originating
from someone speaking into a telephone handset 606 after a
page command is initiated from the paging device 608; or
. .multi-tone doorbell signal identifying the specific doorbell
source 610A, 610B or 610C.
A transformer 614 is connected to an power supply
508 and provides +15 V, -15V and -24V AC power levels. A
conventional power supply/rectification circuit 616 may be
used to convert the AC power levels to complimentary power
levels for the circuitry described herein. Unless otherwise
. 30 indicated, power to all circuits, whether internal or remote
to the ADA system 600, is provided by the power supply
circuit 616 in the ADA system 600.
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The specific circuits of the ADA system 600 and
their functions are now detailed. The interface means
between the ADA system 600 and the output of the audio
er.tertainment source 604 includes a wall plate interface
s circuit 618 which receives the left and risht stereo
signals. ExamplPs of an audio entertainment source include
a commercially available stereo music system incorporating
an amplifier and radio receiver or the audio output of a
television or laser disk. The range of stereo output
signal levels and impedances for a conventional stereo
system is usually from about 0.1 V to 1.0 V (peak to peak)
and from about 10 kOhms to 100 kOhms, respectively.
A remote master gain control 620 in the wall plate
interface circuit 618 is preferably mounted on a printed
circuit board 622 and provides volume control. It is
desirable to locate the wall plate interface circuit 618 and
the gain control 620 near the audio entertainment source 604
so that the stereo signal may be distributed with minimal
degradation.
; 20 The wall plate interface circuit 618 also includes
a remote stereo defèat control switch 624 which disables the
stereo signals presented to the ADA system 600 when closed.
When the defeat control switch 624 is open, the left and
right signals from the audio entertainment source 604 are
transmitted to the ADA System 600 by means of signal cables
626. Preferably, each signal cable 626 consists of 22
A.W.G. conductors with a bell foil shield and drain wire
(not shown). In order to minimize signal loss, the signal
cable 626 lengths are between 20 and 200 feet.
- 30 Referring now to Figure 7, there is illustrated
one of two identical buffering circuits 700 used by the wall
-plate interface circuit 618 for converting and buffering
either the left or right stereo signals rrom a single-ended
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to a balanced signal. The buffering circuit 700 includes a
balanced determination resistor 702 for receiving the stereo
signal, and a conventionally arranged high and low feed
amplification circuit utilizing TL074-type operational
amplifiers 704 and 706. The high and low feed output
signals are carried by signal cables 626. The resistor and
capacitor values in buffering circuit 700 are 100 kOhms for
Rl, 100 Ohms for R2, 10 pico-farads for Cl and 100 micr~-
farads for C2. The potentiometer 708 is preferably a 49.9
kOhms component.
From the signal cables 626 of the wall plate
interface circuit 618 illustrated in Figure 6, the stereo
signal is received by a conventional stereo pre-
amplification circuit 628, a stereo equalization circuit 630
and a threshold detection circuit 632. The threshold
detection circuit 632 monitors the left and right stereo
signal feeds S34 for low level audio signals as will be
described below. In response to the left and right stereo
signal feeds 634 being absent or at a negligible level, the
threshold detection circuit 632 initiates a control signal
feed 636 which effectively instructs a selection/control
circuit 638 to block any noise at the output of the stereo
equalization circuit 630 from reaching the stereo speaker
feeds 640.
Figure 8 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the
stereo pre-amplification circuits 628, equalization circuits
630, and the threshold detection circuits 632 O The
illustrated stereo pre-amplification circuit 628 is one of
two identical circuits used to convert either the left or
right stereo signal from a balanced signal to a single-ended
signal. The stereo pre-amplification circuit 628 includes a
balanced termination resistor 802 and a conventionally
, arranged amplification circuit based upon a TL074-type
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WO 93/13630 PCr/US92/11119
2~03795 16~
operational amplifier 804. The resistor and capacitor
values in the stereo pre-amplification circuit 628 may be
calculated using lOo kOhms for Rl, lOO micro-farads for C2
and 47 pico-farads for C3.
Similarly, Figure 8 illustrates the equalization
circuit stage 630 is one of two identical circuits used to
compensate a respective left or right stereo signal for
reduced volume levels and frequency response roll-off caused
by the output speaker feed. The egualization circuit 630
includes treble and base equalization stages configured
around TL074-type operational amplifiers 806 and 808,
respectively. The resistor and capacitor values in the
stereo equalization circuit 630 of FIG. 7 are lO kOhms for
R4, 1 kOhms for R5, 22.6 kOhms for R6, 29.4 kOhms for R7,
18.2 kOhms for R8, lO pico-farad for Cl, 0.039 micro-farad
for C4, and O.OOl micro-farad for C5. The potentiometers
810 and 812 are preferably have a maximum value of lO kOhms.
The threshold detection circuit 632 monitors the
left and right stereo signal lines 634 for low level audio
signals. As described above with reference to Figure 6,
when the stereo signal levels are absent or their levels
~ become negligible, the DC control signal feed 636 goes high
`~ which instructs the selection/control circuit 638 to mute
the stereo speaker feed 640.
Referring to Figure 8, threshold detection circuit
632 includes two summation resistors 818 and 820 and a
; TL074-type operational amplifier 822 in a buffered voltage-
- follower configuration. From the amplifier 822, the
- buffered signal is AC coupled to a threshold-level
adjustment potentiometer 824 and a second stage which
provides amplification of the stereo signal using a Tl.074-
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WO93/13630 -l7- PCr/US9~/111l9
21~3795
type operational amplifier 826 with a gain of 100. A
; capacitor 828 connected between the output of amplifier 826
and negative input provides noise reduction for the speaker
feeds 640.
The flnal stages for the threshold detection
circuit 632 include a pair of TL074-type operational
amplifiers 830 and 832 arranged for signal rectification and
amplification. The first amplifier 830 provides
rectification using a pair of diodes 834 and 836, while the
second operational amplifier 832 amplifies the control
signal 636. A capacitor 838 provides additional naise
reduction. The resistor and capacitor values in the
threshold detection circuit 632 of Figure 8 preferably are
100 kOhms for R1, 10 kOhms for R4, 1 kOhm for R5, 10 pico-
farads for Cl, and 100 micro-farads for C2. The
potentiometer 824 has a top limit of 10 kOhms.
, A second input source to the ADA system 600 is a
i` paging means. As illustrated in Figure 6, a paging device
608 on the telephone handset 606 generates a monaural paging
signal. The paging signal is transmitted through a standard
two-wire telephone tip and ring connection 642 to the ADA
- system 600. The paging signal activates a conventional
AMS2406-type integrated circuit in the Station Line
Interface Circuit (SLIC) 644 which temporarily disconnects 25 the telephone handset 606 from external service and serves
as a power source to the telephone handset 606 during the
page.
Upon receiving the paging signal, the SLIC 644
also generates a page control signal through feed 646 to the
selection/control circuit 638. In response to the page
control signal, the selection/control circuit 638 mutes all
- other signals and unmutes the page signal feed 648. This
- allows the page message received by the SLIC 644 to be
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WQ ~3/13631) ~ PCI`/US92/11119
210 '~7 !~r') ~ ~`;
transmitted through the stereo speaker fees 640 of the ADA
sy~tem 600. The components of the selection/control circuit
638 are described in more detail below.
Preferably, a Square D Elan Paging Button Part No.
40603-120-01 is used as the paging device 608. Other
devices suitable for use in the present invention include
combinations of the telephone handset and paqing device like
the Two-Line Button With Hold Feature Phone made by Gemini
Electronics.
The page message may suffer significant signal
degradation if the telephone handset 606 is located near a
speaker. To prevent distortion, the page message is
transmitted to the selection/control circuit 638 through a
page signal pre-amplification circuit 650 and feedback
control circuit 652. To enhance the voice integrity the
page message is subsequently transmitted through an
equalization circuit 654.
Turning to Figure 9A, a preferred embodiment of
the circuits comprising the paging means including the SLIc
644, page signal pre-amplification circuit 650, feedback
control circuit 652, and page signal equalization 654 of
Figure 6 are illustrated in more detail. The SLIC 644
utilizes an AMS 2406-type integrated circuit 900 configured
- as shown. The SLIC 644 processes the audio signal received
through the tip and ring lines 642 by passing the signal
from its TX output 902 to the pre-amplification circuit 650.
The illustrated pre-amplification and feedback
control circuitry ~50-652 includes a buffer-type circuit
arrangement based around a TL074-type operational amplifier
904. The feedback control is accomplished using a
potentiometer 906 as a current limiting device. If the
audio signal begins oscillating, the current limiting
provided by the potentiometer 906 prevents the voltage input
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to the page si~nal eoualization circuit 654 fro~ climbing
excessively. The resistor and capacitor values in the pre-
amplification and feedbacX control circuits h50 and 652 may
be calculated using 100 ~Ohms for R5, 100 micro-farads for
c2, 47 pico-farads for c3, and 33 micro-fzrads for Cs.
The illustrated pa~e signal equalization circuit
654 is identical in operation configuration and comp~nent
values to the stereo signal equalization circuit 630.
Referring to the prior description of Figure 8 the detailed
description of the stereo signal equalization circuit 630
proceeding the page message output through feed 648.
A third input source to the ADA system 600 is a
means generating a location-specific, intermittent signal
such as a doorbell. Figure 9A further illustrates the
doorbell generator circuit 656 of Figure 6. In response to
the intermittent closure of any of three doorbell signal
sG-~-ces 610 A-C, a doorbell circuit board 980 generates the
do.m-bell control signal through feed 658 for use by the
se'lection/control circu~t 638, and the unique tone sequence
signal through feed 660 for broadcast and identification of
which of the three sources initiated the doorbell signal.
The unique tone sequence signal is passed through a tone
- sequence feed 910 to a capacitor 912 and a unity gain buffer
circuit 914. The main component of the unity gain buffer
circuit 914 is a TL074-type operational amplifier 916
operating in a manner similar to the page signal pre-
amplification and feedback control circuits 650 and 652
detailed by Figure 9A. The unique tone sequence signal
feeds through a potentiometer 918 for level adjustment
before continuing through feed 650.
Figure 9B illustrates a preferred embodiment of
the doorbell generator circuit board 980 which includes a
timer 920, three NC14017-type decade counters IC 922A, 922B
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W093/13630 PCT/US92/11119
~10379a -20- ~ ¦
and 922c a~d a MCl4046-type phase-locked-loop IC 924. The
timer 920 is imple~ented using a sss-type monostable
multivibrator IC whic~. oscillates at a relatively low
frequency of about one Hertz. The resultant oscillating
signal is provided to each of the three decade counters
922A-C as the clock input. Each doorbell switch 610A-C is
used as an enable input when it is closed. A signal
generated by the momentary closure of any of the three
doorbell switches 610A-C enables the respective decade
counter 922A-C to initiate the sequenclng of a counter
output, which is coupled through respective diodes 926A-C
and a voltage divider (resistor) network 928. As the
enabled decade counter 610A-C cycles, the voltage at the
output 930 of the voltage divider 928 changes temporarily to
a different DC level to control the input voltage of the
phase-locked-loop IC 924. The phase-locked loop IC 924 is
configured to operate as a voltage-controlled oscillator
(VC0). For each DC voltage level input, the phase-locked
loop IC 924 or VC0 outputs a signal of a distinct frequency.
The signal is amplified through a 2NllOl NPN-type transistor
932. The emitter of the transistor 932 is connected to the
tone sequence feed 9lO (Figure 9A).
The number of tones that the doorbell generator
circuit 656 produces in response to a doorbell signal from a
particular doorbell switch 610A-C depends on the
configuration of the corresponding decade counter 922A-C.
As configured in Figure 9B, an intermittent closure of
doorbell switch 610A (DBl), doorbell switch 610B tDB2), or
doorbell switch 610C (DB2) will result in a two-, four- or
two-tone output respectively. When pin 6 of the enabled-
decade counter 922A, 922B or 922C goes high, pin 13, which
is connected to pin 6 through a resistor 934, also goes
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W093/13630 210~7,~5 ~C~/U52/11119 1:
high, and the decade counter 922A, 922B or 922C is disabled.
Once disabled, the tone sequence signal is terminated.
Resistor and capacitor values in the doorbell
generator circuit 656 illustrated in Figures 9A-9B may be
implemented using lOO kOhms for Rl, lO Xohms for R4, l XOhms
for R5, ll kOhms for Rll, 680 Ohms for Rl2, 2.2 kOhms for
Rl3, lO pico-farads for Cl, lOO micro-farads for C7, O.Ol
micro~farads for C8, and 33 micro-farads for C9. Preferred
component values for the potentiometers R9 and Rl4 are lO
kOhms and 50 kOhms, respectively. Further information
concerning the operation of the components depicted herein,
is disclosed in lOl SOUND, LIGHT AND POWER IC PROJECTS by
Charles Shoemaker, TAB BOOKS inc. of Blue Ridge Summit
Pennsylvania which hereby is incorporated by reference.
The three input sources described above are
coupled to a plurality of speaker zones 612 A-D through the
signal selection/control circuit 638 as illustrated in
Figure 6. When more than one input services simultaneously
presents a signal to the signal selection/control circuit
638, the input source with the highest priority is coupled
to the speaker zones 612 A-D. The input sources priority -
` for the illustrated embodiment is from highest to lowest
paging means, door~ells means, entertainment audio means,
and mute. Once the signal selection control circuit 638
receives a signal from one or more input sources, the
appropriate signal is coupled to speaker feeds 640 through
conventional output pre-amplification circuits 662 and power
amplification circuits 664 to speakers in a plurality of
different zones 612A-D.
Referring now to ~igure lO, the signal
selection/control circuit 638 is illustrated in more detai~
and includes two 4053-type mutiplexers 1002 and 1004 and a
mute control circuit which includes a peak detector circuit
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W093/13630 ,~ PCT/US92/11119
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1006, amplifier 1008, comparator l0l0, and delay circuit
1012. If no stereo signals are present, the threshold
detection circuitry 632 will supply a signal through control
signal feed 636. The signal through control feed 636 is
processed by a peak detector circuit 1006 and buffered by a
TL074-type operational amplifier 1008. From the amplifier
1008 the control signal is compared to a voltage threshold
set at the positive input of a comparator l0l0 to determine
if the stereo signal is above this predetermined mute cut-
off level. A delay circuit 1012 provides approximately oneminute of delay to allow changes in audio selection without
the speaker feeds 640 being suddenly muted. Resistors Rl5
and Rl6 and capacitors Cl0, Cll and Cl2 may be implemented
using 220 kOhm, 3.3 megaOhm, 0.l micro-farad (Mylar), 0.l
micro-farad Monolithic), and 22 micro-farad (Tantalum)
values, respectively.
A mute control signal 1014 which is received by
the stereo defeat control switch 624 of Figure 6, is OR-tied
(through inverting buffers 1016) with the output of the
delay circuit 1012 so that either the output of the delay
circuit 1012 or the stereo defeat control switch 624 can
mute the speaker feeds 640.
Each identical left and right multiplexer 1002 and
1004 is controlled by the mute control signal l0l4, the
doorbell control signal feed 658 and the page control signal
646 by the respective A, B and C control inputs. As input,
each multiplexer 1002 and 1004 receives left or right
stereo signal feeds 634 at the Xl input, ground at the X0
input, the page signal 648 at the Z0 input and the doorbell
unique ~one sequence feed 660 at the Yl input. For priority
control, the Y0 input receives the X output and the Zl
input receives the Y output. The Z output is provided
through speaker feeds 640 to the pre-amplification circuit
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WO 93/13630 ~ 1 Q 3 7 9 ~) PC~/US92/tl1l9
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662. Any audio received from the multiplexers 1002, 1004 is
converted from a single-ended signal to a balanced signal
using the conventional output pre-amplification circuit 662
which are identical to the previously described as the
stereo pre-amplification circuit 628.
In accordance with this configuration, if the one-
minute delay ~ircuit 1012 lapses, or if the mute switch 624
is closed, the multiplexers 1002 and 1004 will choose input
Xo and effectively mute the speaker feeds 640. Otherwise,
the multiplexers 1002, 1004 will pass the stereo signals
throu~h to the X output, to the Y output and then to the Z
output of the multiplexers 1002, 1004.
If a doorbell control signal 658 is present, the
multiplexers 1002, 1004 will pass the doorbell unique tone
sequence 660 to the Y output and then to the Z output of
the multiplexers (provided the page control signal 646 is
not present). If a doorbell control signal 6S8 is not
- present, the multiplexers 1002, 1004 will pass the X output
to the Z output.
If a page control signal 646 is present, the
multiplexers 1002, 1004 will pass the page signal 648 to the
Z output of the multiplexers (regardless of the presence of
any other control signals). If a page control signal 646 is
not present, the multiplexers 1002, 1004 will pass the Y
output to the Z output.
The speaker feeds 640 continues through the output
pre-amplification circuit 662 to the power amplification
circuit 664 which includes four identical LM675-type power
amplifiers 1018 A-D. The gain of each amplifier 1018 A-D is
20. The resistor and capacitor values in the power
amplification circuit 664 are preferably as follows: 10
kOhms for R4, 1 kOhms for R5, 22 kOhms for R17, 1 Ohm (one
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WO 93/13630 PCr~US92t 1 1 t 19
21~3795 -24- 1
watt) for R18, 0.1 micro-farad for Cl~, and 500 pico-
farads for C13.
The output 1020 A-D from the power amplification
circuit 664 can be connected in a variety of configurations
to the speakers located in each of the zones A-D. Because
the outputs 1020 A-D are in balanced bridgeable output
configuration, the bridgeable left and right outputs can
accommodate left, right, and left plus right speaker hook-up
con~igurations. Referring back to Figures 5 and 6, the ADA
system 600 provides flexibility in connecting the speakers
to zones 612 A-D. There are two different speaker
` connections based on connecting a monaural or stereo
circuit. Each zone 612 A-D contains a left and right line
connection. Each line connection contains a positive and
negative terminal. Stereo speaker connections are made by
connecting the right speaker positive polarity wire to the
desired zone's right positive terminal and connecting the
right negative polarity wire to the same zone's right
negative terminal. The left speaker positive polarity wire
is connected to the same zone's left positive terminal while
the negative polarity wire is connected to the same zone's
left negative terminal. To form a connection for a monaural
speaker, the positive polarity wire is connected to a single
zone right positive terminal and the negative polarity wire
is connected to the same zone's left negative terminal.
Alternately, the positive polarity wire is connected to the
single zone left positive terminal and the negative
- polarity wire is connected to the same zone's right negative
terminal.
In the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the distribution center 12 is further connected
to an application center 554. The same type of electrical
distribution box which has been previously described for
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W093/1~3n PCT/US92tltl19
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housing the distribution center 12, is also used for the
application center 554. The application center 554 provides
space for the installation of additional service packages to
provide enhanced telephone, audio and video capabilities.
One such optional packages is closed
circuit television for external or internal monitoring of
the home or commercial facility. A coaxial connec~ion is
made between the distribution center 12 emanating from the
A-side amplifier 524 which has been ~plit and connected to
- 10 the application center 554 to the output of a modulator 556
and camera face plates 558. A two way splitter 560 is
provided and installed in the line running from the A-side
amplifier 524 to the A-side splitters 532 located in the
distribution center. Electrical power for the devices in
the application center 554 is supplied by a power strip 562.
The cameras 528 can provide close circuit pictures
and sound from monitoring such locations as outside doors,
pools, front and back yards, or driveways. The video output
from these cameras can be directed throughout the home along
the same distribution as pre~iously described for video
signals emanating from the distribution center 12. The
video output of the particular close circuit camera S28 is
accessed by adjusting to a predetermined setting of the CATV
channel of the television 536 located at any point along the
~ 25 video distribution network. The video signal received from
- the close circuit cameras 528 can then be recorded by the
VCR 530 through the A-side of the VCR wall plate 522 or can
be monitored on any television 536 which is connected to the
A-side of the television wall plates 520.
The remaining area of the application center 554
can be used for future home technologies which may require a
service entrance terminal or distribution through the home
through the VCR 522, television 520, or audio wall plates
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WO93/13630 PCT~US92/11119
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542. This gives tomorrow's technology access to today's
output distribution point throughout the home.
An example of a preferred wiring and cable
installation format includes the following: dual coax home
runs to each video wall termination, eight-conductor (four
pair) telephone wire home runs to each telephone termination
~24AWG), dedicated electrical circuits for all major
appliances (hot water, pool pump, range, etc.), and
dedicated circuits for outdoor perimeter lights.
Another element of the installation format is the
location of wall terminations. Family rooms, dens, living
rooms, have telephone and video wall terminations on
opposite walls, while bedrooms, dining rooms, etc. all have
video and telephone wall terminations in logical locations.
The wall terminations would include dual feed through wall
plate using F-connectors for video, dual RJ11 jack wall
plates, single wall-mount phone RJll jack wall plate,
standard duplex outlet for electricity and standard single
and multi-pole switches.
The installation format includes locating doors
that are accessible to visitors so that wire and cable may
- be run to provide for video cameras at such locations. This
is to provide the customer with the option for security
service at the door. However, this is not essential to the
format. All of the wire and cable can then be coupled to
` the distribution center 12 and service terminations in each
location of the home.
- The distribution network 10 delivers the
aforementioned features and capabilities through a house-
wide wiring system that consists of an organized
installation of standard wire and cable. The following is a
list of preferred wiring specifications although other
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WO 93/13fi30 2 ~ ~ 3 7 ~ ~ Pcr/us92/~ 9
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cable and/or wiring having comparable specifications is
suita~le.
The connection between the distribution center 12
and the audio wall plate 542 is a four twisted pair, 22
gauge, shielded cable like Belden 9305 or AHN-AUD822. The
connection made between the audio wall plate and the mute
switch, the connection between the distribution center 12 to
each telephone wall plate 516 location, and the connection
between the distribution center 12 to each doorbell button
540 is preferably an eight conductor, four twisted pair,
either 22 or 24 gauge solid copper cable. Commercially
available cables which are suitable include Anixter CMP-
00424-1/CMP-00422-1, Graybar IC-PVC four pair 22-24 AWG,
AHN-T~22 or AHN-TX24.
The pairs of cable connecting the distribution
center 12 to each video/coaxial wall plate 520 and to the
VC~ wall plate 522 is preferably an RG-6 coaxial cable such
as the type commercially available as Belden 9116 or 1189A,
~; AHN-RG6 or AHN-RG6QD. For each video/coaxial wall plate
520, the A-side cable of the pair delivers the CATV service
and B-side cable delivers the VCR signals, UHF/VHF and other
services to each outlet. ~or the ~CR wall plate 522, the
A-side cable of the pair delivers CATV service to the VCR
-~ for recording and the B-side cable takes the VCR output
signal and delivers it to the distribution center 12 for
amplification and distribution throughout the rest of the
wiring network.
The electrical connection between each volume
~t~ control 550, 552 and the respective speaker 542, 544 as well
as the electrical connection between the distribution center
-12 and the volume control 550, 552 which delivers stereo or
monaural music, paging, and doorbell chime to the individual
room or zone volume control is preferably a two or four
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W093/13630 PCT/USg2/11119
210379~ ~
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conductor, 18 gauge strand and copper cable. Suitable cable
of this type is manufactured or commercially available as
Belden 9740 or 9156, AHN-AUD218 or AHN-AUD418.
The AHN-RG6 (Type RH6/U) is an 18 AWG copper
coated steel center conductor, gas expanded polyethylene
dielectric, inner shield, laminated tape 100 percent shield,
outer shield 34 AWG bare Al, braid wire 60 percent shield,
PVC outer jacket, UL Listed which meets the NEC lO0 percent
sweep test. The selection of this type of coaxial cable is
made based upon the needs and requirements of the signals
delivered by the various services to the distribution system
10. Two other areas of interest are the frequency range of
the signal delivered and the length of the cable run.
While there have been shown and described what are
at present considered the preferred embodiments of the
invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art
that various changes and modifications may be made therein
without departing from the scope of the invention as defined
- by the appended claims.
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