Multi-switch having a dynamic input assignment

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9912998-B2
Application number	US-201314403511-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 22, 2013
Priority date	May 25, 2012
Publication date	Mar 6, 2018
Grant date	Mar 6, 2018

Abstract

A multi-switch for distributing satellite signals of different levels includes: multiple inputs for connection to controllable sources for satellite signals of the different levels; multiple outputs for connection to receivers for the satellite signals; and a switching unit for connecting outputs to inputs, the switching unit receiving requests for levels via the inputs and assigning the inputs dynamically to outputs on which the same requests were output. The switching unit outputs the requests for levels in accordance with the sequence of their arrival on unused inputs in a corresponding sequence. The requests are dynamically switched at the inputs in accordance with the requests at the outputs and are not assigned according to a predetermined scheme.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device for distributing satellite signals that are received at a satellite antenna and that are parseable into a plurality of N different levels, the device comprising:
a switch;
a plurality of inputs that are each (1) assignable for providing all of the N different levels, but only for providing one of the N different levels at any one time and (2) connectable to the satellite antenna for obtaining the different levels of the satellite signals; and
a plurality of outputs to receivers for providing the levels of the satellite signals from the plurality of inputs to the receivers;
wherein:
a total number of the plurality of inputs that are simultaneously connectable to the satellite antenna for obtaining the levels of the satellite signals is less than N;
each of the plurality of inputs is assigned a respective priority level;
the device is configured to control the assignments of the inputs for the providing of respective ones of the N different levels and to control the switch to dynamically and variably connect respective ones of the plurality of outputs to respective ones of the inputs such that, in response to a request from a first one of the receivers for one of the N different levels at a time when none of the plurality of inputs is assigned for providing the requested level, of a subgroup of the plurality of inputs that includes those of the plurality of inputs that are not in use for providing any of the levels of the satellite signals to any of the outputs, whichever is, relative to all others of the subgroup, assigned a highest one of the priority levels is assigned to the requested level and is connected by the switch to one of the outputs, which is connected to the first receiver, for providing the requested level to the first receiver.

2. The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the switch is configured to reject a received request for a level if the request is, based on the priority levels, assigned for servicing by an input which is not, at a time of the request, able to receive the satellite signals and no further input presently available for connection to the source is present.

3. The device as recited in claim 2 , wherein the switch is configured to output an error signal via the output, via which the request was received.

4. The device as recited in claim 3 , further comprising:
a further input for connection to a further signal source in a frequency range independent of the satellite reception, wherein the switch is configured to make the independent frequency range available on all outputs.

5. The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein, responsive to a disconnection of a first one of the inputs from providing a first one of the levels to the outputs:
disconnecting a first one of the outputs from a second one of the inputs that is providing to the first output a second one of the levels and that assigned a lower priority than a priority assigned to the first input; and
connecting the first output to the first input to continue receiving the second level from the first input instead of the second input.

6. A method for distributing satellite signals that are received at a satellite antenna and that are parseable into a plurality of N different levels, the method being performed using a multi-switch, the multi-switch including (a) a plurality of inputs that are each (1) assignable for providing all of the N different levels, but only for providing one of the N different levels at any one time and (2) connectable to the satellite antenna for obtaining the different levels of the satellite signals and (b) a plurality of outputs to receivers for providing the levels of the satellite signals from the plurality of inputs to the receivers, wherein a total number of the plurality of inputs that are simultaneously connectable to the satellite antenna for obtaining the levels of the satellite signals is less than N and each of the plurality of inputs is assigned a respective priority level, the method comprising:
receiving, by a device and via a first of the plurality of outputs that is connected to a first one of the receivers, a request from the first receiver for one of the N different levels at a time when none of the plurality of inputs is assigned for providing the requested level; and
the device responding, to the request by:
of a subgroup of the plurality of inputs that includes those of the plurality of inputs that are not in use for providing any of the levels of the satellite signals to any of the outputs, selecting whichever one of the inputs of the subgroup that is, relative to all others of the subgroup, assigned a highest one of the priority levels;
assigning the selected input to the requested level and is connected by the switch to one of the outputs, which is connected to the first receiver; and
using the switch to connect the selected input to the first output to provide the requested level to the first output from the selected input.

7. A non-transitory, computer-readable data storage medium storing a computer program having program codes which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform a method for distributing satellite signals that are received at a satellite antenna and that are parseable into a plurality of N different levels, the method being performed using a multi-switch, the multi-switch including (a) a plurality of inputs that are each (1) assignable for providing all of the N different levels, but only for providing one of the N different levels at any one time and (2) connectable to the satellite antenna for obtaining the different levels of the satellite signals and (b) a plurality of outputs to receivers for providing the levels of the satellite signals from the plurality of inputs to the receivers, wherein a total number of the plurality of inputs that are simultaneously connectable to the satellite antenna for obtaining the levels of the satellite signals is less than N and each of the plurality of inputs is assigned a respective priority level, the method comprising:
receiving, via a first of the plurality of outputs that is connected to a first one of the receivers, a request from the first receiver for one of the N different levels at a time when none of the plurality of inputs is assigned for providing the requested level; and
responding, to the request by:
of a subgroup of the plurality of inputs that includes those of the plurality of inputs that are not in use for providing any of the levels of the satellite signals to any of the outputs, selecting whichever one of the inputs of the subgroup that is, relative to all others of the subgroup, assigned a highest one of the priority levels;
assigning the selected input to the requested level and is connected by the switch to one of the outputs, which is connected to the first receiver; and
using the switch to connect the selected input to the first output to provide the requested level to the first output from the selected input.

Assignees

• Bosch Gmbh Robert

Inventors

• Franke Michael

Classifications

• H04N21/43615

  Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals (home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805) · CPC title

• H04N21/6143 Primary

  involving transmission via a satellite · CPC title

• H04N21/4263

  involving specific tuning arrangements, e.g. two tuners · CPC title

• H04N7/106

  for domestic distribution · CPC title

• H04N7/20

  Adaptations for transmission via a GHz frequency band, e.g. via satellite · CPC title