Abstract:
A cable modem module unit includes a tuner section configured to have an analog signal processing section for transmitting/receiving a high frequency signal, a digital signal processing section configured to perform digital processing on the signal input to and output from the tuner section, a shield case configured to hold the digital signal processing section and tuner section therein, and a terminal group configured to be connected at one end to the digital signal processing section and, at the other end, inserted into the shield case and extending outwardly to allow a digital signal to be input to, and output from, the digital signal processing section, the terminal group including a first terminal as part of the terminal group to allow a setting or checking to or for the digital signal processing section to be effected from outside the shield case.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-292971, filed Aug. 13, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a cable modem module unit providing an interface to a network using, for example, a CATV (Cable Television) line. Further, the present invention relates to an electronic unit having the above-mentioned cable modem module unit incorporated therein.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     As well known in the art, a cable modem unit has been developed as an interface for connecting an electronic unit, such as a user&#39;s PC (Personal Computer), to a network using, for example, a CATV line. This cable modem unit is currently manufactured as an individual unit separate from the electronic unit, that is, as an independent unit directly handleable by the user.  
         [0006]     Usually, the cable modem unit includes, on a back face, a RF (Radio Frequency) coaxial connector for connection to a CATV highway, an Ethernet connector, or jack, for connection to the PC and so on, a reset switch for resetting the unit back to an initial state, a power supply connector for receiving the power from a power supply, and so on.  
         [0007]     Further, the cable modem unit includes, on a front face, a display section made of an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a liquid crystal, etc., and configured to display the supplying state of power, a state of connection to a central TV station, a state of connection to the PC, and so on, and a power supply switch for connecting or disconnecting a power supply to or from the unit, and so on.  
         [0008]     The cable modem unit is currently held within a housing made of a synthetic resin and has its shape decided based on the circumstances under which it has to be installed, such as near the PC or be hung on the wall.  
         [0009]     With the current continued advance toward a higher integration and higher performance of circuit component parts, as well as an improvement of the mounting technique, a higher demand is also made for a much lower, more compact and lightweight cable modem unit. From the standpoint of its size, it has been possible to house such a cable modem unit within a predetermined electronic unit.  
         [0010]     Since, as set out above, the cable modem unit is constructed as an independent unit separate from any other electronic unit, various improvements are necessary in an attempt to incorporate it into a predetermined electronic unit. JPN PAT APPLN KOKAI PUBLICATION NO. 2002-16524 discloses a transmit/receive integral type high frequency unit including a receive-system block and transmit-system block in one housing. However, there is no description whatever about any structure where a housing with the reception-system block and transmit-system block formed thereon is built into a predetermined electronic unit.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cable modem module unit comprising: a tuner section configured to have an analog signal processing section for transmitting/receiving a high frequency signal; a digital signal processing section configured to perform digital processing on the signal input to and output from the tuner section; a shield case configured to hold the digital signal processing section and tuner section therein; and a terminal group configured to be connected at one end to the digital signal processing section and, at the other end, inserted into the shield case and extending outwardly to allow a digital signal to be input to, and output from, the digital signal processing section, the terminal group including a first terminal as part of the terminal group to allow a setting or checking to or for the digital signal processing section to be effected from outside the shield case.  
         [0012]     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic unit comprising: a cable modem module unit comprising a tuner section configured to have an analog signal processing section for transmitting/receiving a high frequency signal, a digital signal processing section configured to perform digital processing on a signal input to and output from the tuner section, a shield case configured to hold the digital signal processing section and tuner section therein, and a terminal group configured to be connected at one end to the digital signal processing section and, at the other end, inserted into the shield case and extending outwardly to allow a digital signal to be input to, and output from, the digital signal processing section, the terminal group including a first terminal as part of the terminal group to allow a setting and checking to and for the digital signal processing section to be effected from outside the digital signal processing section; and a power supply section configured to supply power to the cable modem module unit; the cable modem module unit is operated with the use of the power from the power supply section.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a view showing one embodiment of the present invention illustrated for explaining a schematic arrangement of a CATV broadcasting system;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a structure of a CATV terminal unit in the CATV broadcasting system;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram for explaining an outline of signal processing in the CATV terminal unit;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram shown for explaining a signal processing system of a cable modem module unit incorporated in the CATV terminal unit;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view shown for explaining a structure of the cable modem module unit;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a plan view shown for explaining an arrangement of respective circuit component parts in the cable modem module unit;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view shown for explaining another example of the mounting positions of a terminal group in the cable modem module unit;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view shown for explaining a further example of the mounting positions of a terminal group in the cable modem module unit;  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view shown for explaining a structure of a game machine with the cable modem module unit incorporated therein;  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram shown for explaining a signal processing system in the game machine;  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram shown for explaining a signal processing system of a cable modem module unit in another embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view shown for explaining a main structure of the game machine with the cable modem module unit incorporated therein. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     An explanation will be made in more detail below about one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1  shows a schematic arrangement of a CATV broadcasting system as will be explained in connection with this embodiment. In  FIG. 1 , reference numeral  11  shows a central CATV station.  
         [0026]     The central CATV station  11  is connected through a CATV cable  12  to a CATV terminal unit  14  which is installed at each subscriber&#39;s home  13 . Further, the central CATV station  11  is connected to various kinds of information networks  15  such as the Internet.  
         [0027]     The CATV terminal unit  14  has the function of performing channel selection processing on various kinds of programs distributed from the central CATV station  11 , performing demodulation processing, etc., on various kinds of information, such as video, audio and character information, from any channel-selected program. The various kinds of information, such as video, audio and character information, demodulated at the CATV terminal unit  14  are output to a TV receiver  16  for an audio-visual use on the user side.  
         [0028]     The CATV terminal unit  14  is connectable to the PC  17  and has a cable modem function of conducting data communication with various kinds of information networks  15  via the central CATV station  11 .  
         [0029]     The various kinds of information, such as video, audio, character and PC data, are distributed from the central CATV station  11  to the CATV terminal unit  14  with the use of a “down” signal of a high frequency of, for example, about 90 to 860 MHz. From the CATV terminal unit  14  to the central CATV station  11 , information is transmitted with the use of, for example, an “up” signal of a high frequency of, for example, about 5 to 65 MHz.  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a view diagrammatically showing a structure of the CATV terminal unit  14 . The CATV terminal unit  14  has a substantially box-like housing  18  and a main circuit board  19  is held within the housing  18  and has various kinds of circuit component parts.  
         [0031]     That is, on the main circuit board  19  are mainly provided a broadcasting signal demodulation section  20  for performing channel selection processing, demodulation processing, etc., on various kinds of programs distributed from the central CATV station  11 , a cable modem module unit  21  for conducting data communication with the various kinds of information networks  15  via the central CATV station  11 , and a power supply section  22  for receiving a commercial AC (Alternating Current) and supplying necessary power to the broadcasting signal demodulation section  20  and cable modem module unit  21 .  
         [0032]     On a front panel  23  of the housing  18  are provided, for example, a display section  24  for displaying a state of connection to a reception channel, central CATV station  11 , etc.; various kinds of operation elements  25  including a power supply switch; a display section  26  for displaying an ON or OFF state of a power supply section; a reception section  27  for receiving operation information from a remote controller not shown; and so on.  
         [0033]     On a rear panel  28  of the housing  18  are provided, for example, a RF coaxial connector  29  for connection to the above-mentioned CATV cable  12 ; video and audio output terminals  30  and  31  for allowing video and audio signals which are demodulated at the above-mentioned broadcasting signal demodulation section  20  to be output to an external TV receiver  16 , etc.; a connector  32  for the connection of information terminal (such as the PC  17 ) for access to various kinds of information networks  15  via the central CATV station  11 ; and AC line  33  for supplying commercial AC power to the above-mentioned power supply section; and so on.  
         [0034]      FIG. 3  shows an outline of signal processing at the above-mentioned CATV terminal unit  14 . That is, the RF coaxial connector  29  for the connection of the above-mentioned CATV cable  12  is connected to a distributor  34 . This distributor  34  has the function of connecting the CATV cable  12  to a tuner section  35  in the above-mentioned broadcasting signal demodulation section  20  and to the RF coaxial connector  36  in the above-mentioned cable modem module unit  21 .  
         [0035]     By doing so, various kinds of programs distributed from the central CATV station  11 , after being supplied to the tuner section  35  via the CATV cable  12 , RF coaxial connector  29  and distributor  34  and being channel selected, are demodulated into video and audio signals by means of a signal processing section  37  in the broadcasting signal demodulation section  20 .  
         [0036]     The video and audio signals which are demodulated at the broadcasting signal demodulation section  20  are output to an external TV receiver  16 , etc., for an audio-visual use on the user side.  
         [0037]     The access information from the PC  17  is sent to a corresponding information network  15  through a connector  32 , cable modem module unit  21 , RF coaxial connector  36 , distributor  34 , RF axial connector  29 , CATV cable  12  and central CATV station  11 .  
         [0038]     The response information from the information network  15  is received by the PC  17  through the central CATV station  11 , CATV cable  12 , RF coaxial connector  29 , distributor  34 , RF coaxial connector  36 , cable modem module unit  21  and connector  32 .  
         [0039]     That is, the above-mentioned cable modem module unit  21  has the function of, for example, controlling communication with the central CATV station  11 , generating an “up” signal which is sent to the central CATV station  11 , demodulating a “down” signal which is sent from the central CATV station  11 , and controlling data communication with any external device (in this case, PC  17 ) connected to the cable modem module unit  21 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 4  shows a signal processing system of the cable modem module unit  21 . This cable modem module unit  21  includes a tuner section  38  having an analog signal processing section for handling a high frequency signal transmitted to, and received from, the central CATV station  11  through the RF coaxial connector  36  and a digital signal processing section  39  for performing digital processing on a signal input to, and output from, the tuner section  38 .  
         [0041]     The digital signal processing section  39  includes an A/D (Analog/Digital) converter  40  for converting an analog “down” signal which has been output as a frequency converted signal in the tuner section  38  to a digital signal and a demodulation section  41  for demodulating the “down” signal of that digital signal to a data form, and the “down” signal of that data form is supplied to an MAC (Media Access Control) section  42 .  
         [0042]     A digital “up” signal generated in the MAC section  42  is converted by a D/A (Digital/Analog) converter  43  to an analog signal and sent via the tuner section  38  to the central CATV station  11 .  
         [0043]     Further, the MAC section  42  is connected to an external device (in this case, PC  17 ) connected via an Ethernet I/F (Interface) section  44  to the cable modem module unit  21  and has the function of communicating with the PC  17  with the use of data transmitted to, and received from, the central CATV station  11 .  
         [0044]     Further, the digital signal processing section  39  is such that, in order to generally control the operations of associated circuit component parts including the tuner section  38 , it includes a main controller  45  with a microcomputer, etc., incorporated therein and an IC (Integrated Circuit) memory  46 . The main controller  45  and IC memory  46  are connected to the MAC section  42 .  
         [0045]     A power supply section  22  is arranged outside the cable modem module unit  21  and supplies power to respective circuit component parts at the tuner section  38  and digital signal processing section  39  in the cable modem module unit  21 .  
         [0046]     To the above-mentioned main controller  45  is connected a console terminal  47 . To the console terminal  47  is connected a control device, such as the PC. The console terminal provides a communication terminal for allowing communication to be conducted between the control device and the microcomputer in the main controller  45 .  
         [0047]     In this way, the control device allows communication to be conducted with the microcomputer of the main controller  45  via the console terminal  47  and allows the settings of various kinds of states in the cable modem unit  21 , that is, the digital signal processing unit  39  as well as their checkings, etc., to be made.  
         [0048]      FIG. 5  shows a structure of the cable modem module unit  21 . In  FIG. 5 , reference numeral  48  shows a circuit board where the tuner section  38  and digital signal processing section  39  shown in  FIG. 4  are mounted.  
         [0049]     It is to be noted that, in  FIG. 5 , the IC memory  46  in the digital signal processing section  39  is seen in such a state as to be connected to the circuit board  48 .  
         [0050]     Of these, the tuner section  38  has its RF coaxial connector  36  installed on the tuner circuit board  49  and provides the analog signal processing section. With the RF coaxial connector  36  exposed, the tuner circuit board  49  is held in place in a shield case  50  made of a material, such as a metal, having such an effect as to shield any spurious radiation of an electromagnetic wave.  
         [0051]     The tuner section  38  is connected at one end to the tuner circuit board  49  and equipped at the other end with an analog signal inputting/outputting terminal group  51  externally extending through the shield case  50 . By connecting the other end side of the terminal group  51  to the circuit board  48 , the tuner section  38  is connected to the digital signal processing section  39  mounted on the printed circuit board  48 .  
         [0052]     The above-mentioned cable modem module unit  21  is so constructed that the surrounding area of the circuit board  48  with the tuner section  38  and digital signal processing section  39  mounted thereon is covered with a substantially hexahedral box-like shield case  52 , or a case similar thereto, having the function of shielding any external electromagnetic wave.  
         [0053]     This shield case  52  comprises a frame-like metal case  53  covering surrounding four faces of the circuit board  48 , a first cover  54  covering one opening of this tetrahedral metal case  53  and a second cover  55  covering the other opening of the metal case  53 .  
         [0054]     Here, the metal case  53  includes a terminal group  56  for electrical connection between the outside of the cable modem module unit  21  and the digital signal processing section  39  on the circuit board  48  and for supplying power from the outside of the cable modem module unit  21  to various kinds of respective circuits on the circuit board  48 .  
         [0055]     As the terminal group  56  use is made of those terminals, such as through-connection capacitors and so on, extending through the metal case  53  and directly solderable to any other external circuit board (in this case, the main circuit board  19 ) or those terminals connectable by connectors of a simpler structure. The terminal group  56  is connected at each one end to the circuit board  48  and, at the other end side, externally extends through the metal case  53  and is connected to, for example, the main circuit board  19 .  
         [0056]      FIG. 6  shows a surface side opposite to that surface side of the circuit board  48  where the tuner section  38  is mounted. On this surface side are mounted a semiconductor chip  57  having an IC-form of an A/D converter  40 , demodulation section  41 , MAC section  42 , D/A converter  43 , main controller section  45  and so on, as well as an IC form of an Ethernet I/F section  44 .  
         [0057]     Here, it is to be noted that as part of the terminal group  56  provided on the metal case  53  the console terminal  47  is included. Even with the circuit board  48  in a state held in the shield case  52 , the control device such as the PC is connected from the outside of the shield case  52  to the terminal corresponding to the console terminal  47  in the terminal group  56  and, by doing so, communication is conducted with the microcomputer of the main controller  45  so as to enable the settings of various kinds of states in the cable modem module unit  21  as well as their checkings to be made.  
         [0058]     Incidentally, the console terminal  47  is used only under a situation in which the settings of various kinds of states in the cable modem module unit  21  as well as their checkings, etc., are made with the cable modem module unit  21  incorporated therein at the time of manufacture of the cable modem module unit per se and at the time of manufacture of the CATV terminal unit  14 , that is, the console terminal  47  is intended not to be used normally on the user side.  
         [0059]     In this case, the console terminal  47  is exposed as part of the terminal group  56  to an outside of the cable modem module unit  21  and, since the cable modem module unit  21  per se is incorporated within the housing  18  of the CATV terminal unit  14 , the user is prevented from accessing the microcomputer of the main controller  45  through the console terminal  47 .  
         [0060]     Since the console terminal  47  is included as part of the terminal group  56 , even if the cable modem module unit  21  is incorporated into the CATV terminal unit  14 , access can be gained through the console terminal  47  to the microcomputer of the main controller  45  if the CATV terminal unit is pre-housed into the housing  18 .  
         [0061]     Even during the manufacturing process of the CATV terminal unit  14 , therefore, it is possible to effect the settings in the cable modem module unit  21 , their checkings, etc., and a resultant structure is suited to being incorporated into a predetermined electronic unit.  
         [0062]     Further, even if the CATV terminal unit  14  has been completed, any qualified service personnel and engineer can detach the housing  18  from the CATV terminal unit  14  at a time of servicing, repairing, maintenance, etc., and, by doing so, it is possible to readily effect the settings, checkings, etc., in the cable modem module unit  21 .  
         [0063]     It is to be noted that the terminal group  56  may be arranged over a whole side face of the metal case  53  as shown in  FIG. 5  or at a portion of a whole side face as shown in  FIG. 7  or  8 . Even in this case, the console terminal  47  is included as part of the terminal group  56 .  
         [0064]     Although in the embodiment above the CATV terminal unit  14  has been explained, by way of example, as an electronic unit with the cable modem module unit  21  incorporated therein, it can be applied as the electronic unit to, for example, a game machine, etc.  
         [0065]      FIG. 9  shows a schematic structure of a game machine  58 . This game machine  58  has a substantially box-like housing. Within the housing  59 , a main circuit board  60  is held with various kinds of circuit component parts formed thereon.  
         [0066]     On the main circuit board  60  are mounted, as main parts, a game data processing chip  61 , the abovementioned cable modem module unit  21 , and a power supply section  62  for receiving commercial AC power and supplying necessary power to the data processing chip  61  and cable modem module unit  21 .  
         [0067]     On a front panel  63  of the housing  59  are arranged a disk playback section  64  with a game software-stored disk installed for playback, a connector  66 , etc., for the connection of a game controller  65  operated by the user.  
         [0068]     On a back panel  67  of the housing  69  are arranged an RF coaxial connector  36  mounted on the cable modem module unit  21 , video and audio output terminals  69  and  70  for allowing the video and audio signals which are output from the data processing chip  61  to be delivered as outputs to an external TV receiver  68 , etc., and an AC line  71 , etc., for supplying commercial AC power to the power supply section  62 .  
         [0069]     In this game machine  58 , unlike the CATV terminal unit  14 , the RF coaxial connector  36  of the cable modem module unit  21  is projected from the back panel  67  and connected directly to the CATV cable  12 .  
         [0070]     The game machine  58  includes, for example, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) capable of storing a game software, version-up data, high score data, etc., downloadable from the central CATV station  11 , and a communication unit, etc., for securing/interrupting communication with any playing opponent in a competitive play type game entered in the central CATV station  11 .  
         [0071]      FIG. 10  shows a signal processing system of the above-mentioned game machine  58 . That is, a cable modem module unit  21  and disk playback section  64  are connected to a game data processing section  72  in the above-mentioned game data processing chip  61 . Further, the game controller  65  is connected through the connector  66  to the game data processing section  72  and a TV receiver  68  is connected through the video and audio output terminals  69  and  70  to the game data processing section  72 .  
         [0072]     The game data processing section  72  is driven based on a game program played-back at the disk playback section  64  and on a game software, etc., stored in the HDD after having been obtained via the cable modem module unit  21  from the central CATV station  11  and, by doing so, a game content corresponding to the operation of the game controller  65  is audio-visually played back on the TV receiver  68 .  
         [0073]     Further, the game data processing section  72  transmits various game information items which are formed therein to the central CATV station  11  via the cable modem module unit  21  and receives various kinds of game information items which are transmitted from the central CATV station  11  through the cable modem module unit  21  and, by doing so, a competitive play type game is enjoyed.  
         [0074]     Now, an explanation will be made below about another embodiment. In  FIG. 11 , the same reference numerals are employed to designate parts or elements corresponding to those shown in  FIG. 4 . To the abovementioned main controller  45  is connected a display control section  73 .  
         [0075]     Under the control of the main controller  45 , the display control section  73  generates a display control signal for displaying the setting states, operation states, etc., in a cable modem module unit  21 , for example, the states of linking to the central CATV station  11 , that is, the signal processing states on a circuit board  48  and delivers an output to a display terminal  74 .  
         [0076]     Here, the display terminal  74  is included as part of a terminal group  56  provided in the metal case  53  above. With the cable modem module unit  21  mounted, for example, on the main circuit board  60  of the game machine  58 , a display control signal generated in the display control section  73  can be derived out, through the signal terminal  74 , onto a circuit pattern on the main circuit board  60 .  
         [0077]      FIG. 12  is a view showing the game machine as seen from its back panel  67  side. That is, the cable modem module unit  21  is mounted on the main circuit board  60  held within the housing  59  such that a terminal group  56  is connected to the cable modem module unit  21 . In this case, an RF coaxial connector  36  of the cable modem module unit  21  is inserted through a back panel  67  and projected externally.  
         [0078]     Further, a display section  75  formed of, for example, an LED, etc., is mounted at the main circuit board  60 . This display section  75  is located in a position corresponding to a window  76  formed on the back panel  67 .  
         [0079]     The display section  75  is driven based on a display control signal derived out onto a circuit pattern on the main circuit board  60  from a display terminal  74  included in the terminal group  56  of the cable modem module unit  21  and displays the setting states, operation states, etc., in the cable modem module unit  21 .  
         [0080]     Since the display terminal  74  is included as part of the terminal group  56  and the display control signal for displaying the setting states, operation states, etc., of the cable modem module unit  21  can be derived out onto the circuit pattern on the main circuit board  60 , it is possible to drive the display terminal in a state to mount the display section  75  at any position on the main circuit board  60 .  
         [0081]     For this reason, the display section  75  can be mounted at any position on the housing  59  and this enhances the degree of freedom with which the display section  75  is properly located. As a result, this structure is so constructed as to be properly incorporated into an associated electronic unit.  
         [0082]     The present invention should not be restricted directly to the above-mentioned embodiment and various changes or modifications of its constituent elements can be made in any practical stage without departing from the essence of the present invention. Further, various inventions can be achieved by properly combining together a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, a few constituent elements may be eliminated from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment. Further, those constituent elements according to different embodiments may be properly combined together.