DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATION SERVICES

Abstract: There is provided a distribution system (10) and a wiring format which will not only provide for a common enclosure (50) which will help to centralize the entrance of services to a facility, but will also organize the services throughout the facility. In particular, the invention includes an enclosure (50) that will house telephone/audio distribution equipment (32), video distribution equipment (34) and other systems which are desired by the facility owner.

Description: DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATION SERVICES 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, 1990, now abandoned. Background 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 services. 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 1 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. Smrnna-ry 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 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 distribution center at subsequent times. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure l illustrates a distribution system 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 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 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 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 syste 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 9A; and Figure 10 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 descriptions 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. 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 block diagram of an example of a distribution system for a home or building. In particular, the distribution system 10 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. The 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 consist 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, but 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- specific products or sub-systems provide additional functionality for video, telephone, intercom, audio and electrical energy control by 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 (ASPs) can increase and enhance the value of the service to the homeowner. The distribution system 10 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 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 RJ11 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 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. In Figure 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 suitable 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 communications 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. 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 " mount 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 emanating from that splitter. Even though 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 10 consolidates at the service entrance of the home all of the telephone, audio, and audio-visual services. The distribution center 10 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 prevent electrical interference between them. The distribution center 10 is also located in an environmentally controlled area of the home. It is desirable to centrally locate the distribution center 10 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 shown) . A basic wiring network provides the framework for multiple system functions including telephone, audio-visual and audio services. 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 10. Distribution to various telephone 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 518 is 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 (VCR) 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 allows 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 B-side cable of wall 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 B- 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. 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 transmitted to the distribution center 12. The audio signal from all sources is then directed to either stereo speakers 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 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 distribution 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 familiar with the art of multiple channel input and output to make the appropriate modification 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 of 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 doorbell sources 610A, 610B or 6IOC. The ADA system 600 generates as output to speakers, located in a plurality of different zones 612A, 612B, 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 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. 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 ' entertainment source 604 includes a wall plate interface circuit 618 which receives the left and right stereo signals. Examples 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. The wall plate interface circuit 618 also includes a remote stereo defeat 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. 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 from a single-ended 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 micro¬ 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 634 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. 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 operational amplifier 804. The resistor and capacitor values in the stereo pre-amplification circuit 628 may be calculated using 100 kOhms for Rl, 100 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 equalization 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 10 kOhms for R4, 1 kOhms for R5, 22.6 kOhms for R6, 29.4 kOhms for R7, 18.2 kOhms for R8, 10 pico-farad for Cl, 0.039 micro-farad for C4, and 0.001 micro-farad for C5. The potentiometers 810 and 812 are preferably have a maximum value of 10 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 TL074- 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 final 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 noise reduction. The resistor and capacitor values in the threshold detection circuit 632 of Figure 8 preferably are 100 kOhms for Rl, 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 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 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 transmitted through the stereo speaker fees 640 of the ADA system 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 paging 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 650-652 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 to the page signal equalization circuit 654 from climbing excessively. The resistor and capacitor values in the pre- amplification and feedback control circuits 650 and 652 may be calculated using 100 kOhms for R5, 100 micro-farads for C2, 47 pico-farads for C3, and 33 micro-farads for C9. The illustrated page signal equalization circuit 654 is identical in operation configuration and component 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 sources 610 A-C, a doorbell circuit board 980 generates the doorbell control signal through feed 658 for use by the selection/control circuit 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 MC14017-type decade counters IC 922A, 922B and 922C and a MC14046-type phase-locked-loop IC 924. The timer 920 is implemented using a 555-type monostable multivibrator IC which 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 sequencing 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 (VCO) . For each DC voltage level input, the phase-locked loop IC 924 or VCO outputs a signal of a distinct frequency. The signal is amplified through a 2N1101 NPN-type transistor 932. The emitter of the transistor 932 is connected to the tone sequence feed 910 (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 (DB1) , doorbell switch 610B (DB2) , 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 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 100 kOhms for Rl, 10 Kohms for R4, 1 kOhms for R5, 11 kOhms for Rll, 680 Ohms for R12, 2.2 kOhms for R13, 10 pico-farads for Cl, 100 micro-farads for C7, 0.01 micro-farads for C8, and 33 micro-farads for C9. Preferred component values for the potentiometers R9 and R14 are 10 kOhms and 50 kOhms, respectively. Further information concerning the operation of the components depicted herein, is disclosed in 101 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, doorbells 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 Figure 10, the signal selection/control circuit 638 is illustrated in more detail and includes two 4053-type utiplexers 1002 and 1004 and a mute control circuit which includes a peak detector circuit 1006, amplifier 1008, comparator 1010, 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 1010 to determine if the stereo signal is above this predetermined mute cut- off level. A delay circuit 1012 provides approximately one minute of delay to allow changes in audio selection without the speaker feeds 640 being suddenly muted. Resistors R15 and R16 and capacitors CIO, Cli and C12 may be implemented using 220 kOhm, 3.3 megaOhm, 0.1 micro-farad (Mylar), 0.1 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 1014, 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 XI input, ground at the X0 input, the page signal " 648 at the Z0 input and the doorbell unique tone 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 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 circuit 1012 lapses, or if the mute switch 624 is closed, the multiplexers 1002 and 1004 will choose input X0 and effectively mute the speaker feeds 640. Otherwise, the multiplexers 1002, 1004 will pass the stereo signals through 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 658 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 watt) for R18, 0.1 micro-farad for C14, and 500 pico¬ farads or C13. The output 1020 A-D from the power ampli ication 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 configurations. 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 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 connection is made between the distribution center 12 emanating from the A-side amplifier 524 which has been split and connected to 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 previously described for video signals emanating from the distribution center 12. The video output of the particular close circuit camera 528 is accessed by adjusting to a predetermined setting of the CATV channel of the television 536 located at any point along the 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 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 RJ11 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 cable and/or wiring having comparable specifications is suitable. 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-TX22 or AHN-TX24. The pairs of cable connecting the distribution center 12 to each video/coaxial wall plate 520 and to the VCR 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. For the VCR 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 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 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 100 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.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A distribution system for providing a user access to communication services at various locations within a facility, the system comprising; a housing located in the facility having terminations therein for services carrying communication signals from a source external to the facility the communication signal having an audio or video portion or both; means for providing access to the communication signals at a plurality of locations throughout the facility remote to the housing, the remote access means being electrically connected to the housing; means for controlling the externally generated communication signals entering the facility and directing the externally generated communication signals to the remote access means, the control means disposed in the housing; means for controlling the broadcast of the audio portion of the communication signals, the broadcast control means disposed in the housing; and means for controlling communication signals generated from a plurality of sources internal to the facility and directing the internally generated communication signals to the remote access means and the audio portion of the internally generated communication signals to the broadcast control means, the internal signal control means disposed in the housing. 2. The distribution system of claim 1 wherein the internal signal source plurality further includes an audio signal connector for receiving a substantially continuously generated audio signal, the audio signal connection being electrically connected with the remote access means for transmitting the audio signal to the broadcast control means. 3. The distribution system of claim 2 wherein the substantially continuous audio signal is generated by a member of the group consisting of a stereo receiver, television, laser disk or video recorder. 4. The distribution system of claim 1 wherein the internal signal source plurality further includes at least one doorbell circuit for generating an intermittent signal distinct to the location of each doorbell. 5. The distribution system of claim 1 wherein the internal signal source plurality further includes a audio¬ visual signal connection receiving a substantially continuously generated audio visual signal, the audio visual connection being electrically connected with the remote access means for transmitting the audio visual signal to the internal signal control means in the housing for distribution through the facility by the remote access means. 6. The distribution system of claim 5 wherein the substantially continuous audio visual signal is generated by a member of the group consisting of a laser disk or video recorder. 7. The distribution system of claim 1 wherein the internal signal source plurality further includes a video camera signal connection for receiving a substantially continuously generated audio visual signal, the video camera connection being electrically connected with the remote access means for transmitting the audio visual signal to the internal signal control means in the housing for distribution through the facility by the remote access means. 8. The distribution system of claim 1 wherein the internal signal source plurality further includes a paging circuit for generating an intermittent paging signal and subsequently a paging message, the paging circuit being electrically connected with the remote access means for transmitting the paging message to the broadcast control means. 9. The distribution system of claim 1 wherein the remote access means is a plurality of wall receptacles distributed throughout the facility. 10. The distribution system of claim 1 wherein the broadcast control means includes a selection/control circuit for determining the priority of broadcast for audio signals simultaneously inputted to the broadcast control means. 11. The distribution system of claim 1 wherein the externally generated communication signal is generated by a member of a group consisting of a cable service, a satellite disk, or an off-air antenna. 12. The distribution system of claim 1 wherein the means for controlling and directing the externally generated communication signals further comprises electrically connecting the incoming service with an amplifier and splitter to allow adequate output connections for all locations of the remote access means.

Inventors: DICKENS JAMES, FARINELLI ROBERT, ROSE SHELTON, STEVENSON BRUCE, UNSELD BILL R, DICKENS, JAMES, FARINELLI, ROBERT, ROSE, SHELTON, STEVENSON, BRUCE, UNSELD, BILL, R.
Applicants: SQUARE D CO, SQUARE D COMPANY
Application year: 1992
Main classification: H04Q1
IPC codes: H04B1, H04M11, H04N5