FR2613163A1 - Switchbox for teleceiver - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a switchbox for teleceiver including television peripheral socket units each having at least one input and one output for video and/or audio signals, for plugging in a receiver, the teleceiver proper, an encrypted-transmission decoder and a video recorder. According to the invention, it comprises a set of inverters 6, 7, 8, 9 and a logic circuit 10 for controlling the said inverters, the said inverters and logic circuit making it possible, under the dependence of television signals, to interconnect, selectively, various television peripheral socket units. The invention applies to switchboxes for teleceiver.

Description

The present invention relates to a television switching box comprising scarting devices, each having a multiple input and a multiple output of video and / or audio signals, for the connection of a receiver, of the television itself, of an encrypted program decoder and a VCR.

If a television is provided with a scart socket, by applying a voltage to the terminal of the latter, called slow switching, you can view a video composite signal and hear "incoming" audio signals instead of internal signals (for example signals from a camera, VCR, or an encrypted decoded signal). The so-called fast switching terminal makes it possible to substitute, temporarily or continuously, red, green and blue signals for internal signals. Momentary switching corresponds, for example, to the superimposition on the image received of a message or a subtitle decoded, for example, by the ANTILOPE system (overlay). Continuous rapid switching corresponds to viewing, for example, an "ANTILOPE" page, an electronic game, or a microcomputer.

If you want to connect different peripherals to this socket, and in order to avoid changing the connections each time you use a different peripheral, it is known to use a manually operating switch box. This bootmaker must also be able to connect two or more peripherals together. For example, it may be possible to record an encrypted broadcast received by a separate receiver, or incorporated into a VCR, outside of the operating hours of the television, or while viewing another station. For this, the receiver must be combined with the decoder and the output of the latter with the input of the video recorder. This leads to tedious handling and the risk of errors.

The object of the invention is to avoid these drawbacks, and relates to a television switching box making it possible to carry out all of these operations automatically.

For this purpose, the television switching box comprising scarting devices, each having an input and an output of video and / or audio signals, for the connection of a receiver, of the television itself, of a decoder of encrypted transmission and of a video recorder, is remarkable, according to the invention, in that it comprises a set of inverters and a logic circuit for controlling said inverters, said inverters and logic circuit allowing, under the dependence of signals a) connect the output of the television socket to the input of the decoder socket, then operating in transparent mode, and the output of the decoder socket to the input of the VCR socket b) connect the output of the television socket at the input of the decoder socket, then operating in decoding mode, and the output of the decoder socket at a first input of the television socket; and, if necessary, connect the output of the decoder socket to the input of the video recorder socket c) connect the output of the receiver socket to the input of the decoder socket, operating in decoding mode, and the output of the decoder socket at the entrance to the VCR socket.

Advantageously, said inverters and logic circuit also make it possible to establish the connection between the output of the receiver socket and the input of the video recorder socket.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the switching bolier further comprises at least one auxiliary scarting device for connecting a microcomputer, a "ANTIOPE" type decoder, a camera or a second VCR, and said inverters and logic circuit make it possible to establish the link between a first output of the auxiliary socket and the first input of the television socket, and the output of the television socket is connected to the input of the auxiliary socket, and a second output of the auxiliary socket is connected directly to a second input of the television socket.

Advantageously, said inverters and logic circuit make it possible to establish the connection between the output of the receiver socket and the first input of the television socket, and said inverters and logic circuit can make it possible to establish the connection between the output of the video recorder socket and the first input from the TV socket.

More specifically, each inverter has first and second input pads capable of being selectively connected to a third output pad, the first pad of a first inverter being connected to the output of the receiver socket, its second pad at the first output of the auxiliary socket and its third pad at the first input of the television socket, the first pad of a second inverter being connected to the output of the television socket, its second pad at the outlet of the socket receiver and its third pad at the input of the decoder socket, the first pad of a third inverter being connected to the output of the receiver socket, its second pad at the output of the decoder socket and its third pad at the input from the VCR socket, and the first stud of a fourth inverter being connected to the output of the VCR socket, its second stud at the exit of the decoder socket and its third stud to the first input of the TV socket, and the link salt ective between the first and second pads, and the third pad of each inverter is controlled by said logic circuit.

The figures of the appended drawing will make it clear how the invention can be implemented. In these figures, identical references designate similar elements.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the switch box according to the invention.

Figures 2a to 2j illustrate the different possible connections between different devices.

Figure 3 is a logic circuit diagram used in the present invention.

In FIG. 1, there is shown schematically a switching box 1 for a television comprising devices 2,3,4,5 of scart sockets, each having an input and an output of video and / or audio signals, for connection, respectively , a receiver, the television itself, an encrypted program decoder and a VCR.

 The switch box 1 comprises a set of inverters 6,7,8 and 9, and a logic circuit 10 for controlling said inverters. An exemplary embodiment of the logic circuit 10 is shown in detail in FIG. 3, and will be described hereinafter at the same time as the operation of the switch box 1. The switch box 1 shown further comprises a scart socket auxiliary 11, for connecting a microcomputer, a "ANTIOPE" type decoder, a camera or a second VCR.

Each inverter 6, 7, 8 and 9 has first and second input pads capable of being connected, Oc selectively, to a third output pad. The first pad 6a of the first inverter 6 is connected, by the link 12, to the output of the receiver socket 2, its second pad 6b, by the link 13, to a first outlet of the auxiliary socket 11, and its third pad 6c , by the liaiso # n 14, to a first input of the television socket 3. The first stud 7a of the second inverter 7 is connected, by the link 15, to the output of the television socket 3, its second stud 7b, by the link 16, at the output of the receiver socket 2, and its third pad 7c, by the link 17, at the input of the decoder socket 4. The first pad 8a of the third inverter 8 is connected, by the link 18, to the output of the receiver socket 2, its second pad 8b, via the link 19, at the outlet of the decoder socket 4, and its third pad 8c, via the link 20, at the input of the video recorder socket 5. The first stud 9a of the fourth inverter 9 is connected, by link 21, to the output of the video recorder socket 5, its second stud 9b, by link 22, to the output from the decoder socket 4, and its third pad 9c, via the link 23, to the first input of the television socket 3.

The selective link between the first and second pads, and the third pad of the inverters 6, 7, 8 and 9 is controlled by the logic circuit 10 via the links 24, 25, 26 and 27, respectively. The position
ON / OFF of the inverters 6 and 9 is controlled via the links 24a and 27a (Figure 3).

In addition, the output of the television socket 3 is connected to the input of the auxiliary socket 11, by the link 28 and via an amplifier impedance adapter 29, while a second output of the auxiliary socket it is connected directly , via link 30, to a second input from the television socket 3.

The control of the inverters, in order to make the different connections necessary between the different scart devices, is obtained from information processed in the logic circuit.

For this purpose, in addition to the slow "television" switching voltage (link 31), there is 1) a control voltage supplied by the encrypted program decoder when the latter has recognized its code (link 32) 2) a "MUTE" control voltage (link 33) supplied by a circuit 34 which recognizes the presence of a standardized video-composite signal on the receiver input (link 35). This voltage is L (substantially equal to OV) in the absence of a signal and H (substantially equal to 12V) if a video-composite signal is applied 3) a control voltage known as "encrypted station identification" (link 36) supplied by a circuit 37 when an encrypted signal is applied to the input of the receiver socket (link 35). This voltage is H (approximately equal to 12V) for a normal station and L (approximately equal to OV) when an encrypted transmission is identified. In this case, an indicator light 38 lights up 4) a control voltage supplied by the video recorder when it is playing in playback (link 39). This voltage is L (substantially equal to OV) in recording and H (substantially equal to 12 V) in reading 5) a switching voltage (substantially equal to 12.) supplied by an auxiliary source (link 40), or manually by a switch 41 if the latter does not deliver this voltage 6) a fast switching signal supplied by the "ANTIOPE" type decoder, the electronic game or the microcomputer 7) a manual switching voltage (switch 42) to "force" the display of the signal at the input of the tuner socket during programming of the latter.

The switching voltages mentioned in points 5) and 6) having priority, the use of these functions is signaled by a flashing light 43 to avoid any error.

The different possible cases of connection between the different SCART socket devices will be described with reference to Figures 2a to 2j and to Figure 3.

It will be noted that, in FIGS. 2a to 2j, only the connections which actually intervene in the case under consideration have been shown.

The processing of the different control voltages can be carried out using logic integrated circuits. A discrete element solution is used, which uses a so-called diode logic (AND gate) and a so-called resistor and transistor logic for the OR gate with four inputs which delivers the slow switching signal intended for the television set.

In the case of FIG. 2a, it is desired to view a normal station and to save the same station.

The "MUTE" information is L; the diode 101 leads, the point 102 is L, which drives the inverter 8 in position L (connection between the second and third pads as defined above). The "encrypted broadcast" information is L, which means that the slow switching signal is at level L. The television is in the "internal" position. The outgoing signals from the television socket 3 are directed to the video recorder socket 5 via the decoder socket 4 which remains in "transparent" mode.

In the case of Figure 2b, we want to view and record an encrypted broadcast. This case is identical to the case of FIG. 2a, except that the decoder has recognized its code. The control voltage which it supplies ("encrypted station") saturates the transistors 103 and 10LI, the slow switching signal goes to level H and places the television in the audio-visual position. The signals coming from the television set (output from the socket member 3) pass through the decoder (socket 24), are decrypted and applied to the video recorder and to the television set.

 In the case of FIG. 2c, one wishes to view a "normal" station (not encrypted) and to record another "normal" station. The "MUTE" signal goes to level H (video-composite signal present at the receiver input), point 102 goes to level H and controls the inverter 8. The signal from the receiver is directed to the VCR input by the links 18 and 20, and the television works internally.

In the case of FIG. 2d, it is desired to view an encrypted program and to register a "normal" station. The conditions are the same as in the case of FIG. 2c, except that the decoder recognizes its code. The "encrypted station" signal goes to level H, saturates transistors 103 and 1024, the slow switching signal is at level H.

The television receives the decrypted signals, while the video recorder can record a "normal" emission received via the receiver and the connections 18 and 20.

In the case of Figure 2e, we want to view a "normal" station and record an encrypted broadcast. The receiver is tuned to the encrypted broadcast, the identification circuit goes to level L. The diodes 105 and 106 lead, the point 102 is at level L, which causes the inverter 8 to position L. The diode 106 cancels the "encrypted station" voltage towards the television set which then operates internally and can receive all the stations, including the encrypted but not decoded station . The signals from the receiver pass through the decoder and are applied to the video recorder via the links 16, 17, 19 and 20.

In the case of FIG. 2f, it is desired to view a station with overlaying of subtitles, and to record another station, possibly an encrypted station (the latter case being shown in broken lines).

The video recorder receives the signals from the receiver, either directly for normal transmission (the encrypted transmission identification signal is at level H) via the inverter 8 (point 102 is at level H), or via the decoder for a encrypted emission (the encrypted emission identification signal is at level L), the diode 105 leads, the point 102 is at level L, the inverters 7 and 8 are in position L.

The signals from the television are applied via the amplifier impedance adapter 29 to the auxiliary socket Il connected to a "ANTIOPE" type decoder.

In the case of transmission of a message or of subtitles, the corresponding signals are applied to the television set and the rapid switching ensures their superposition in the received image (link 30).

In the case of FIG. 2g, one wishes to view a page "ANTIOPE", an electronic game or a microcomputer, and to save a station, possibly encrypted. When the user requests an "ANTIOPE" page, the decoder supplies a control voltage which, on the one hand, saturates the transistors 103 and 104 and places the television set in audiovisual, and, on the other hand, cuts the inverter 9 and activates the inverter 6. The synchronization provided by the "ANTIOPE" decoder is then applied to the television, as well as of course the red, green and blue and fast switching signals.

In the case of an electronic game which does not deliver a slow switching voltage, a manual switch is provided.

In the case of FIG. 2h, the auxiliary socket 11 receives audio and video-composite signals (camera or video recorder). The slow switching signal places the inverter 6 in position L as before, the slow switching of the television is at level H: the signals are directed towards the television.

If the auxiliary source does not deliver a slow switching voltage, the manual switch 41 replaces it.

As before, the VCR can record a normal or encrypted broadcast.

In the case of programming the receiver illustrated in FIG. 2i, the switch 42 provided for this purpose applies a control voltage H which saturates the transistors 103 and 104 and, via the diode 107, blocks the inverter 9, activates l 'inverter 6 and places it in position H. The signals from the receiver are then applied directly to the television.

 In the case of FIG. 2j, the video recorder delivers a read control voltage which saturates the transistors 103 and 104, and places the inverter 9 in position H. The signals coming from the video recorder are then applied to the television set.

With further reference to FIG. 3, it will be noted that the references 108 and 109 designate "non-return" diodes, the reference 110 a depolarization diode, and the reference 111 an inverter.

Finally, it should be noted that, although only one inverter has been shown and described each time, each inverter in fact represents three inverters corresponding to the different multiple inputs and outputs.

Claims (5)

1 - Switching box for television comprising scarting devices, each having at least one input and one output of video and / or audio signals, for the connection of a receiver, of the television itself, of a digital decoder encrypted transmission and a video recorder, characterized in that it comprises a set of inverters (6,7,8,9) and a logic circuit (10) for controlling said inverters, said inverters and logic circuit allowing, under dependence on television signals, from a) connecting the output of the television socket (3) to the input of the decoder socket (4), then operating in transparent mode, and the output of the decoder socket (4) to the input of the video recorder socket (5) b) connect the output of the television socket (3) to the input of the decoder socket (24), then operating in decoding mode, and the output of the decoder socket (4) to a first input from the television socket (3); and, if necessary, connect the output of the decoder socket (4) to the input of the video recorder socket (5) c) connect the output of the receiver socket (2) to the input of the decoder socket (4) , operating in decoding mode, and the output of the decoder socket (4) at the input of the video recorder socket (5) 2 - Switching box according to claim 1, characterized in that said inverters (6,7,8 , 9) and logic circuit (10) also make it possible to establish the connection between the output of the receiver socket (2) and the input of the video recorder socket (5). 3 - Switching box according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises at least one auxiliary scart socket (11), for the connection of a microcomputer, of a type decoder "ANTILOPE", of a camera or a second video recorder, and in that said inverters (6,7,8,9) and- logic circuit (10) make it possible to establish the connection between a first output of the socket auxiliary (11) and the first input of the television socket (3), and in that the output of the television socket (3) is connected to the input of the auxiliary socket (11), and a second output of the socket auxiliary (11) is directly connected to a second input of the television socket (3). 4 - Switching box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, in addition, said inverters (6,7,8,9) and logic circuit (10) make it possible to establish the connection between the output from the receiver socket (2) and the first input from the TV socket (3). 5 - Switching box according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, in addition, said inverters (6,7,8,9) and logic circuit (10) make it possible to establish the connection between the output from the VCR socket (5) and the first input from the TV socket (3). 6 - Switching box according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that each inverter comprises first and second input pads capable of being connected, selectively, to a third output pad, the first stud (6a) of a first inverter (6) being connected to the output of the receiver socket (2), its second stud (6b) to the first outlet of the auxiliary socket (11) and its third stud (6c) to the first input of the television socket (3), the first stud (7a) of a second inverter (7) being connected to the output of the television socket (3), its second stud (7b) at the outlet of the socket receiver (2) and its third stud (7c) at the input of the decoder socket (4), the first stud (8a) of a third inverter (8) being connected to the output of the receiver socket (2), its second pad (8b) at the output of the decoder socket (4) and its third pad (8c) at the input of the video recorder socket (5), and the first pad (9a) of a fourth inverter (9) and ant connected to the output of the video recorder socket (5), its second pad (9b) to the output of the decoder socket (4) and its third pad (9c) to the first input of the television socket (3), and that the selective link between the first and second pads, and the third pad of each inverter (6,7,8,9) is controlled by said logic circuit (10).