IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,009,753
Granted Patent B2
US 8,009,753 · App. 11/519,392 · Granted Aug 30, 2011

System and method for automatic compensation of video signals

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,009,753
App. No.
11/519,392
Granted
Aug 30, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for delivering signal, such as video signal, over signal carrier, such as twisted-pair cable. The system includes a video source connected to a terminal of the signal carrier and providing video signals thereto. An amplifier is coupled to a second terminal of the signal carrier at the receiving end. A source reference signal generator is connected to a first terminal of a second signal carrier. A second amplifier is connected to a second terminal of the second signal carrier at the receiving end. A comparator is connected to an output of the second amplifier and a receiver reference signal. An output of the comparator is provided to a gain control of the variable gain amplifier.

Claims (79)

1. A system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier having a first terminal and a second terminal, the system comprising:

a signal source coupled to a first terminal of the signal carrier;

a first amplifier coupled to a second terminal of the signal carrier;

a source reference signal generator coupled to a first terminal of a second signal carrier;

a second amplifier coupled to a second terminal of the second signal carrier; and

a comparator coupled to an output of the second amplifier and a receiver reference signal generator;

wherein an output of the comparator is an input to the first amplifier and the second amplifier, and the first and second amplifiers provide compensation control in response to the input.

2. The system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier of claim 1 , wherein the output of the second amplifier operates to assure that the difference between the output of the receiver reference signal generator and the output of the second amplifier is minimized.

3. The system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier of claim 1 , wherein the frequency of the output from the source reference signal generator is selected to measure losses inherent to the type of signal carrier.

4. The system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 1 , wherein the source reference signal generator generates a DC bias.

5. The system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 1 , wherein the signal is a video signal.

6. The system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 5 , further comprising an audio signal also coupled to the first terminal of the second signal carrier.

7. The system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 6 , wherein the source reference signal generator generates an AC signal having a reference frequency, and wherein the output of the comparator is also coupled to a compensation control of the second amplifier.

8. The system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 6 , wherein the source reference signal generator generates a DC bias.

9. The system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 7 , wherein the video signal is in component video format comprising of a plurality of component video signals, and the signal carrier comprises a plurality of twisted-pair cables, and the amplifier comprises a plurality of component amplifiers.

10. The system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 9 , wherein the signal carrier and the second signal carrier comprise Category 5 cables.

11. A system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier having first and second terminals, the system comprising:

a signal source coupled to a first terminal of the signal carrier;

a first amplifier coupled to the second terminal of the signal carrier;

a first source reference signal generator coupled to a first terminal of a second signal carrier;

a second source reference signal generator also coupled to the first terminal of the second signal carrier;

a second amplifier coupled to a second terminal of the second signal carrier;

a first comparator coupled to an output of the second amplifier and a receiver reference signal; and

a second comparator coupled to the output of the second amplifier and a second receiver reference signal;

wherein an output of the first comparator is an input to the first amplifier and the second amplifier, and the first and second amplifiers provide compensation control in response to the input, and wherein an output of the second comparator is coupled to a gain control of the first amplifier.

12. The system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier of claim 11 , wherein the output of the second amplifier operates to assure that the difference between the output of the receiver reference signal generator and the output of the second amplifier is minimized.

13. The system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier of claim 11 , wherein the frequency of the output from the first source reference signal generator is selected to measure losses inherent to the type of signal carrier.

14. The system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 11 , wherein the signal is a video signal.

15. The system for delivering a over a signal carrier according to claim 11 , further comprising an audio signal coupled to the first terminal of the second signal carrier.

16. The system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 15 , wherein the first source reference signal generator generates an AC signal having a reference frequency, and wherein the output of the first comparator is also coupled to a gain control of the second amplifier.

17. The system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 16 , wherein the second source reference signal generator generates a DC bias.

18. The system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 17 , wherein an audio signal output is also coupled to the first terminal of the signal carrier.

19. The system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 18 , wherein a video signal is in component video format comprising of a plurality of component video signals, and the signal carrier comprises a plurality of twisted-pair cables, each of the plurality of twisted-pair cables carrying a different component of the video signal, and the amplifier comprises a plurality of component amplifiers.

20. The system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 19 , wherein the signal carrier and the second signal carrier comprise Category 5 cables.

21. A method for delivering a signal over a signal carrier comprising the steps of:

(a) providing the signal to a first terminal of the signal carrier;

(b) receiving and amplifying a high frequency signal at a second terminal of the signal carrier;

(c) providing a source reference signal to a first terminal of a second signal carrier;

(d) receiving and amplifying the source reference signal at a second terminal of the second signal carrier;

(e) providing a receiver reference signal;

(f) comparing the amplified source reference signal and the receiver reference signal and generating a correction signal; and

(g) adjusting the compensation of the received high frequency signal in accordance with the correction signal.

22. The method for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 21 , wherein in the source reference signal is an AC signal having a reference frequency, and further comprising the step of adjusting the compensation of the received source reference signal in accordance with the correction signal.

23. The method for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 22 , wherein the step of adjusting the compensation of the received source reference signal and the step of adjusting the compensation of the received high frequency signal are substantially synchronous.

24. The method for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 21 , wherein the source reference signal is a DC bias.

25. The method for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 21 , wherein the signal is a video signal.

26. The method for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 21 , further comprising the step of providing an audio signal to the first terminal of the second signal carrier.

27. The method for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 26 , wherein in the source reference signal is an AC signal having a reference frequency, and further comprising the step of adjusting amplification of the received source reference signal in accordance with the correction signal.

28. The method for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 26 , wherein the source reference signal is a DC bias.

29. The method for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 28 , wherein a video signal is in component video format comprising of a plurality of component video signals, the signal carrier comprises a plurality of twisted-pair cables, each of the plurality of twisted-pair cables carrying a different component of the video signal.

30. The method for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 29 , wherein the signal carrier and the second signal carrier comprise Category 5 cables.

31. A method for delivering a signal over a signal carrier comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a high frequency signal to a first terminal of the signal carrier;

(b) receiving and amplifying the high frequency signal at a second terminal of the signal carrier;

(c) providing a first source reference signal to a first terminal of a second signal carrier;

(d) receiving and amplifying the first source reference signal at a second terminal of the second signal carrier;

(e) providing a second source reference signal at a first terminal of a second signal carrier;

(f) receiving and amplifying the second source reference signal at the second terminal of the second signal carrier;

(g) providing first and second receiver reference signals;

(h) comparing the amplified first source reference signal and the first receiver reference signal and generating a first correction signal;

(i) comparing the amplified second source reference signal and the second receiver reference signal and generating a second correction signal;

(j) adjusting a first compensation of the received high frequency signal in accordance with the first correction signal; and

(k) adjusting a second compensation of the received high frequency signal in accordance with the second correction signal.

32. The method for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 31 , wherein the signal is a video signal.

33. The method for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 32 , further comprising the step of providing an audio signal to the first terminal of the second signal carrier.

34. The method for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 33 , wherein in the first source reference signal is an AC signal having a reference frequency, and further comprising the step of adjusting the first compensation of the first received source reference signal in accordance with the first correction signal.

35. The method for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 34 , wherein the second source reference signal is a DC bias.

36. The method for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 35 , further comprising the step of providing an audio signal to the first terminal of the signal carrier.

37. The method for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 35 , wherein the video signal is in component video format comprising of a plurality of component video signals, the signal carrier comprises a plurality of twisted-pair cables, each of the plurality of twisted-pair cables carrying a different component of the video signal.

38. The method for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 37 , wherein the signal carrier and the second signal carrier comprise Category 5 cables.

39. A system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier having a transmitting terminal and a receiving terminal, comprising:

a signal source coupled to the transmitting terminal of the signal carrier;

an amplifier coupled to the receiving terminal of the signal carrier;

a source reference signal generator also coupled to the transmitting terminal of the signal carrier; and

a comparator coupled to an output of the amplifier and a receiver reference signal generator;

wherein an output of the comparator is coupled to a compensation control of the amplifier.

40. The system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 39 , wherein the source reference signal generator generates an AC reference signal having a reference frequency.

41. The system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 40 , wherein an other source reference signal generator generates a DC bias and couples to the transmitting terminal of the signal carrier.

42. The system for delivering a signal over a signal carrier according to claim 40 , wherein the comparator comprises a differential amplifier.

Assignments (12)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 17, 2021
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BROAN-NUTONE LLC; NORTEK AIR SOLUTIONS, LLC; NORTEK GLOBAL HVAC LLC; NORTEK, INC.; ADVANCED BRIDGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; ALLSTAR PRO, LLC; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GEFEN, INC.; GTO, INC.; HOMELOGIC LLC; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, INC.; JENSEN INDUSTRIES, INC.; LINEAR LLC; LITE TOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PANAMAX INC.; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT; XANTECH CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 056614/0709 →
NOTICE OF RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 11, 2017
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: NORTEK, INC.; BARCOM ASIA HOLDINGS, LLC; BARCOM CHINA HOLDINGS, LLC; BNSS LP, INC.; BNSS GP, INC.; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; BROAN-NUTONE STORAGE SOLUTIONS LP; CES GROUP, LLC (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO HUNTAIR, INC.); CES INTERNATIONAL LTD.; CORE BRANDS, LLC; ERGOTRON, INC.; GEFEN, LLC; GTO ACCESS SYSTEMS, LLC (F/K/A GATES THAT OPEN, LLC); HUNTAIR MIDDLE EAST HOLDINGS, INC.; LINEAR LLC; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; NORTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NORDYNE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NORDYNE LLC; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PACIFIC ZEPHYR RANGE HOOD, INC.; REZNOR LLC; TV ONE BROADCAST SALES CORPORATION; ZEPHYR VENTILATION, LLC
Reel/Frame 041346/0048 →
NOTICE OF RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 10, 2017
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: TEMTROL, INC.; WDS LLC; WEBCO, INC.; NORTEK, INC.; ADVANCED BRIDGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; ALLSTAR PRO, LLC; AUBREY MANUFACTURING, INC.; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; CES GROUP, INC.; CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GEFEN, INC.; GOVERNAIR CORPORATION; GTO, INC.; HC INSTALLATIONS, INC.; HOMELOGIC LLC; HUNTAIR, INC.; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, INC.; J.A.R. INDUSTRIES, INC.; JENSEN INDUSTRIES, INC.; LINEAR H.K. LLC; LINEAR LLC; LITETOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; MAMMOTH, INC.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; NORDYNE CHINA LLC; NORDYNE INC.; NORDYNE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NORTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NUTONE INC.; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PACIFIC ZEPHYR RANGE HOOD, INC.; PANAMAX INC.; RANGAIRE GP, INC.; RANGAIRE LP; RANGAIRE LP, INC.; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT, INC.; XANTECH CORPORATION; ZEPHYR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 041326/0071 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 10, 2017
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: NORTEK, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; BROAN-MEXICO HOLDINGS, INC.; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; BROAN-NUTONE STORAGE SOLUTIONS LP; CES GROUP, INC.; CES INTERNATIONAL LTD.; CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GATES THAT OPEN, LLC; GEFEN, LLC; GOVERNAIR CORPORATION; HC INSTALLATIONS, INC.; HUNTAIR, INC.; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, LLC; LINEAR LLC; LITE TOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; MAMMOTH-WEBCO, INC.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; NORDYNE LLC; NORDYNE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NORTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NUTONE LLC; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PACIFIC ZEPHYR RANGE HOOD, INC.; PANAMAX LLC; RANGAIRE GP, INC.; RANGAIRE LP, INC.; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT, LLC; TEMTROL, INC.; XANTECH LLC; ZEPHYR VENTILATION, LLC
Reel/Frame 041327/0089 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 13, 2014
From: LINEAR LLC; GTO ACCESS SYSTEMS, LLC (F/K/A GATES THAT OPEN, LLC); BROAN-NUTONE LLC; CORE BRANDS, LLC; ERGOTRON, INC.; CES GROUP, LLC (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO HUNTAIR, INC.); TV ONE BROADCAST SALES CORPORATION; NORDYNE LLC; CES GROUP, LLC; REZNOR LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032891/0753 →
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 14, 2013
From: AVC GROUP, LLC, THE
To: CORE BRANDS, LLC
Reel/Frame 029708/0262 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2011
From: XANTECH LLC
To: AVC GROUP, LLC, THE
Reel/Frame 025940/0264 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 8, 2010
From: NORTEK, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; BROAN-MEXICO HOLDINGS, INC.; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; BROAN-NUTONE STORAGE SOLUTIONS LP; CES GROUP, INC.; CES INTERNATIONAL LTD.; CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GATES THAT OPEN, LLC; GEFEN, LLC; GOVERNAIR CORPORATION; HC INSTALLATIONS, INC.; HUNTAIR, INC.; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, LLC; LINEAR LLC; LITE TOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; MAMMOTH-WEBCO, INC.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; NORDYNE LLC; NORDYNE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NORTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NUTONE LLC; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PACIFIC ZEPHYR RANGE HOOD INC.; PANAMAX LLC; RANGAIRE GP, INC.; RANGAIRE LP, INC.; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT, LLC; TEMTROL, INC.; XANTECH LLC; ZEPHYR VENTILATION, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 023750/0040 →
CONVERSION Recorded Dec 11, 2009
From: XANTECH CORPORATION
To: XANTECH LLC
Reel/Frame 023639/0867 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 31, 2008
From: NORTEK, INC.; ADVANCED BRIDGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; ALLSTAR PRO, LLC; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GEFEN, INC.; GTO, INC.; HOMELOGIC LLC; HUNTAIR, INC.; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, INC.; JENSEN INDUSTRIES, INC.; LINEAR LLC; LITE TOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; MAMMOTH, INC.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; NORDYNE INC.; NUTONE INC.; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PANAMAX INC.; RANGAIRE LP; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT, INC.; TEMTROL, INC.; WEBCO, INC.; XANTECH CORPORATION; ZEPHYR CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 021316/0764 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 29, 2008
From: NORTEK, INC.; ADVANCED BRIDGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; ALLSTAR PRO, LLC; AUBREY MANUFACTURING, INC.; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; CES GROUP, INC.; CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GEFEN, INC.; GOVERNAIR CORPORATION; GTO, INC.; HC INSTALLATIONS, INC.; HOMELOGIC LLC; HUNTAIR, INC.; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, INC.; J.A.R. INDUSTRIES, INC.; JENSEN INDUSTRIES, INC.; LINEAR H.K. LLC; LINEAR LLC; LITETOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; MAMMOTH, INC.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; NORDYNE CHINA LLC; NORDYNE INC.; NORDYNE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NORTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NUTONE INC.; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PACIFIC ZEPHYR RANGE HOOD, INC.; PANAMAX INC.; RANGAIRE GP, INC.; RANGAIRE LP; RANGAIRE LP, INC.; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SEAKERCRAFT, INC.; TEMTROL, INC.; WDS LLC; WEBCO, INC.; XANTECH CORPORATION; ZEPHYR CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 021301/0927 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 9, 2006
From: SMILEY, CHARLES R.
To: XANTECH CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 018570/0206 →