Abstract

A data communications system provides for the transmission of television signals from a central station to a plurality of remote user stations and the transmission of security data from the user stations back to the central station. The downstream television signals and upstream security data are processed through a plurality of remote hub stations, each servicing several of the remote user terminal stations. The remote hub stations convert downstream television control data and programming signals for reception by the users serviced by that station. The remote hub station also receive security monitoring data transmitted from each user station and generate additional security data for the central station. In one embodiment, the remote hub processing station includes a plurality of converters, each transmitting downstream on a separate dedicated communication link to a remote user station. Each dedicated link also transmits security data upstream from the remote user station to the remote hub processing station. A logic unit at the remote hub station controls the operation of the converters and processes the upstream security data for transmission to the central station. In said embodiment, each user station includes a data separator unit connected to the dedicated communication link from the remote hub processing station for directing downstream television signals to the user's television receiver and directing upstream security data to the logic of the remote hub processing station. The security data is generated at each user station by a plurality of security monitoring devices each providing an alarm status signal to an arming control panel which generates the security data to be transmitted upstream. Another embodiment eliminates the converters at the remote hub processing station in favor of a plurality of splitters transmitting the television signals to the users. Transmission of the signals from the remote hub station to the user stations is carried out by using conventional RF, baseband or optic modulation techniques and may include conventional crosspoint switching techniques.

Other References

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• Gray et al., "A Multiservice System Using Fiber Optic Loops," NTG-Fachber, (Germany), vol. 73 (1980), pp. 119-124
• Clifford B. Schrock, "Proposal for a Hub Controlled Cable Television System Using Optical Fiber," IEEE Transactions on Cable Television, vol. CATV-4, No. 2, Apr. 1979, pp. 70-77