Network Component (e.g., Filter, Tap, Splitter, Amplifier, Repeater, Etc.) Patents (Class 725/127)
  • Patent number: 8589998
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that is capable of transmitting video signals and/or audio signals using the HDMI interface standard or the DisplayPort interface standard. A dual mode transmitter is disclosed that is configurable to transmit to a first sink device, configured in accordance with a HDMI display interface, in a HDMI mode of operation and/or a second sink device, configured in accordance with a DisplayPort display interface, in a DisplayPort mode of operation. The dual mode transmitter is configured to receive a biasing current from the first sink device in the HDMI mode of operation or to internally provide the biasing current in DisplayPort mode of operation by selecting impedances from selectable impedance networks. The dual mode transmitter is configured to transmit the video signals and/or audio signals by biasing one or more transistors using the biasing current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Hai Jie Wu, Yow Ching Cheng
  • Patent number: 8589997
    Abstract: A community access or cable television (CATV) entry adapter interfaces a CATV network to subscriber devices at a subscriber premises. The CATV entry adapter is remotely disabled or enabled through the CATV network to prevent or allow downstream CATV signals from reaching subscriber devices connected to the adapter. The CATV entry adapter is also adapted to function as a hub in a MoCA network independently of whether the CATV entry adapter is disabled or enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: PPC Broadband, Inc.
    Inventor: Chad Wells
  • Patent number: 8584192
    Abstract: An upstream bandwidth conditioning device is provided that can be inserted into a signal transmission line of a CATV system on a premise of a user. The device includes a tunable low pass filter, a tunable high pass filter connected in series with the tunable low pass filter, and at least one voltage control unit. The voltage control unit is configured to adjust each of the tunable low pass filter and the tunable high pass filter between at least a first intermediate frequency range having a first width and a second intermediate frequency range having a second width. The first width differs in size from the second width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: PPC Broadband, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Palinkas, Erdogan Alkan
  • Patent number: 8582578
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a local resource manager server that receives a request to distribute media content, and provides signaling information to a global resource manager server. The global resource manager server can determine a media configuration of a network element based on the signaling information and a media capability of a recipient media processor. The signaling information can be provided to the local resource manager server to enable an initiating media processor to present the media content at the recipient media processor over a virtual private network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Troy Meuninck
  • Patent number: 8582598
    Abstract: A network for carrying out control, sensing and data communications, composed of a plurality of nodes. Each node may be connected to a payload, which includes sensors, actuators and DTE's. The network is formed using a plurality of independent communication links, each based on electrically-conducting communication media composed of at least two conductors and interconnecting two nodes, in a point-to-point configuration. During network operation, nodes can be dynamically configured as either data-generating nodes, wherein data is generated and transmitted into the network, or as receiver/repeater/router nodes, wherein received data is repeated from a receiver port to all output ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Mosaid Technologies Incorporated
    Inventor: Yehuda Binder
  • Publication number: 20130291034
    Abstract: A method of mapping a network path in which a geographic path of cables of a network between a geographic location of a network component and a geographic location of a terminal network element is estimated electronically using Keyhole Markup Language (KML) data. A geographically accurate street map is populated with the geographic location of the network component, the geographic location of the terminal network element, and the estimated geographic path. The map is capable of being displayed with the use of geospatial software implementing KML encoding. A signal processing electronic device for populating a display of an interactive graphical user interface with network path mapping information and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the above referenced operations are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL INSTRUMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian M. Basile, David B. Bowler, David Dankulich, Mohammad Jalaluddin Riaz
  • Patent number: 8572644
    Abstract: A data transport device for transporting a data stream, the device including: a data stream processing unit for receiving an input data stream including a plurality of data items, performing processing in dependence on the content of the items and forming an output data stream including at least some of the data items; and a data item injection unit including a memory for storing a plurality of injection data items and associated with each injection data item an injection action, and an injection processor arranged to retrieve the injection action for each of the injection data items in turn and in dependence on the retrieved injection action to inject the associated injection data item into the output data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Limited
    Inventor: Steven Haydock
  • Publication number: 20130283333
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a first output terminal connected to a first control bus capable of bi-directionally transmitting a control signal; a second output terminal connected to a second control bus capable of bi-directionally transmitting the control signal, the first and second output terminals being configured to output baseband video and audio signals; and a controller configured to execute a separation output mode in which the video signal is output from the first terminal and the audio signal is output from the second terminal, to exclusively control valid and invalid states of the first and second buses, and in a case where a user instructs an execution of the separation output mode, to transmit a first control signal to a first device in a valid state of the first bus and transmit a second control signal to a second device in a valid state of the second bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Naoyuki SATO, Takayuki Niitsuma
  • Patent number: 8565105
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for Ethernet Switching, Conversion, and PHY optimization based on link length in Audio/Video Systems are provided. In this regard, the length of a link over which a first communication device communicates with a second communication device may be determined and Ethernet PHY's residing in the communication devices may be configured based on the determination. One or both of the communication devices may comprise an Ethernet switch operable to switch packetized audio and/or video content. The packetized audio and/or video may be switched between the configured Ethernet PHY and one or more other Ethernet PHYs. Audio and/or video data may be received via the one or more corresponding Ethernet PHYs, the received audio and/or video data may be reformatted to be compatible with an audio and/or video interface, and the reformatted audio and/or video data may be transmitted via the audio and/or video interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Wael William Diab, Scott Powell, Michael Johas Teener, Kevin Brown
  • Patent number: 8565614
    Abstract: A digital data transmission device is provided comprising optical waveguide architecture, a sideband generator, a modulation controller, an optical filter, a data mapping unit, and a phase controller. The optical waveguide architecture is configured to direct an optical signal through the sideband generator and the optical filter. The sideband generator comprises an electrooptic interferometer comprising first and second waveguide arms. The modulation controller is configured to generate an electrical drive signal to drive the sideband generator at a control voltage that is substantially larger than V? to generate optical frequency sidebands about a carrier frequency of the optical signal. The optical filter is configured to discriminate between the optical frequency sidebands and the optical carrier frequency such that optical sidebands of interest can be directed through the optical waveguide architecture as an optical millimeter wave signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventor: Richard W. Ridgway
  • Patent number: 8566896
    Abstract: An addressable optical network interface unit includes an optical input and a radio frequency output. The unit also includes an optical-to-electrical conversion circuit that converts optical signals received at the optical input into radio frequency signals, a directional coupler that is coupled to an output of the optical-to-electrical conversion circuit and a radio frequency receiver that is coupled to a first output of the directional coupler. The radio frequency receiver receives radio frequency signals input through the optical input. The unit also includes a controller that is coupled to the radio frequency receiver, and a filter circuit that is coupled to a second output of the directional coupler. The filter circuit includes multiple signal paths that filter out signals in different frequency ranges. Switches are provided that select one of the signal paths through the filter circuit. These switches are controlled in response to data contained in the radio frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Robert Ryan Riggsby, Neil Phillips, Mark Vogel
  • Publication number: 20130276050
    Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a resonance restricting material in communication with a bypass line of a cable television tap. The bypass line generates resonances at a defined frequency in response to RF parameters in the tap and the resonances increase insertion losses at the defined frequency and precludes bandwidth of the tap being increased above the defined frequency. The resonance restricting material may attenuate the resonances generated by the bypass line at the defined frequency (e.g., approximately 1.2 GHz) and reduce insertion losses at the defined frequency and enable the bandwidth of the tap to be increased (e.g., from 1.0 GHz to 1.8 GHz).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Rudolph J. Menna, Philip Miguelez
  • Patent number: 8561125
    Abstract: An in-home entertainment network conditioning device for use with a coaxial device in a CATV network includes an input node adapted to conduct CATV signals in a first and second frequency range, and in-home entertainment signals in a third frequency range that is different from the first frequency range and the second frequency range. The device includes a first signal path branched from the input node that includes a low-pass filter adapted to conduct the CATV signals and reject the in-home entertainment signals. A second signal path in parallel electrical communication with the first signal path includes a high-pass filter in series electrical connection with a signal conditioning circuit. The high-pass filter is adapted to conduct the in-home entertainment signals and reject the CATV signals. The signal conditioning circuit attenuates and equalizes the in-home entertainment signals when coupled to the coaxial device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: PPC Broadband, Inc.
    Inventors: Erdogan Alkan, Steven K. Shafer
  • Patent number: 8549577
    Abstract: Example frequency agile band-pass filtering methods disclosed herein include monitoring reception quality of a media broadcast signal received at a headend including a frequency agile band-pass filter to receive the media broadcast signal, sending a first set of commands to cause the frequency agile band-pass filter to tune to and attenuate a first channel included in the media broadcast signal, the first set of commands being sent in response to determining that the first channel is experiencing a degradation of reception quality determined to be caused by a first type of channel interference, and sending subsequent second set of commands over the communication network to the frequency agile band-pass filter to override attenuation processing invoked by the first set of commands in response to determining that the degradation of reception quality is caused by fading in addition to the first type of channel interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Brian Wilson, Frank Robert Coppa, Douglas Medina
  • Publication number: 20130227631
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a host computing device includes an internal display and also includes a connector to connect to an external display. A cable is provided to connect to the connector and to connect to the external display. The cable includes video processing capabilities. For example, the cable may include a memory configured to store a frame buffer. The frame buffer may store a frame of video data for further processing by the video processing device in the cable. The video processing device may manipulate the frame in a variety of ways, e.g. scaling, rotating, gamma correction, dither correction, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Anup K. Sharma, Scott P. Krueger, James M. Hollabaugh, Roberto G. Yepez, Mitchell D. Adler, Brijesh Tripathi, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Terry L. Tikalsky
  • Publication number: 20130227632
    Abstract: A cable television (CATV) entry adapter connects to a CATV network and serves as a hub in an In-Home Entertainment (IHE) network. IHE signals may be communicated between passive and active ports of an embodiment of the entry adapter through a pair of directional couplers which allow an IHE-enabled embedded multimedia terminal device (eMTA) at the passive port to communicate with multimedia devices of the IHE network connected to the active ports. An IHE frequency rejection filter is used in some embodiments to confine IHE signal to a single subscriber premise. In some embodiments a bidirectional IHE bandpass filter is used to enable IHE signals to pass between the passive and active ports of the CATV entry adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: PPC Broadband, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130227633
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a video processing device comprises a communication unit which communicates with other video processing devices via communication paths, a remote controller communication unit which receives operation signals corresponding to operations of a predetermined key of a remote controller, and a control unit which performs processing by selecting either a first control mode that controls operations of the video processing device by the operation signals from the remote controller unit or a second control mode that controls operations of other video processing devices by the operation signals from the remote controller communication unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
  • Publication number: 20130212636
    Abstract: The electronic device includes a display unit for displaying a frame, a frame information acquiring unit, and a digital media server electrically coupled to the frame information acquiring unit. The digital media server transmits a frame information acquiring command to the frame information acquiring unit for acquiring information associated with the frame that is currently displayed on the display unit and encodes the information thus acquired to generate a media data that is to be subsequently sent to a digital media renderer by the digital media server, and that, when decoded by the digital media renderer, generates a frame, which mirrors the frame currently displayed on the display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: WISTRON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Winstron Corporation
  • Patent number: 8509317
    Abstract: A method for detecting signals in a TMDS transmission system having a channel established between a receiver and a transmitter includes separating loadings of the receiver from the channel, providing a first reference current in a first differential line of the channel, providing a second reference current in a second differential line of the channel, computing a difference between the first reference current and a current provided by the transmitter via the first differential line to obtain a first current difference, computing a difference between the second reference current and a current provided by the transmitter via the second differential line to obtain a second current difference, and determining an operating state of the transmitter according to the first current difference and the second current difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: NOVATEK Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chiao-Wei Hsiao, Kuo-Chi Chen, Shyr-Chyau Luo
  • Patent number: 8510787
    Abstract: An access node (e.g., DSLAM) is described herein which can limit bandwidth usage in a transport network by incorporating an enhanced rapid TV channel changing functionality/enhanced BTV server in which TV channels from a multicast TV stream are dynamically selected based on past TV channel clicking statistics and then stored therein so there is a good chance that it can respond to a TV channel change request from a STB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Anshul Agrawal, Bill Krogfoss, Lev Sofman
  • Publication number: 20130205358
    Abstract: An electrical device having a wireless route function is provided. The electrical device comprises a signal processing module, a wireless route module and a wireless transceiver module electrically connected to the signal processing module and the wireless route module. The signal processing module is configured to generate a first signal. The wireless route module is configured to create a route mode. The wireless transceiver module is configured to build a plurality of first wireless connections with a plurality of first electrical products according to the route mode, and transmit the first signal to the first electrical products via the first wireless connections so that each of the first electrical products executes a first action in response to the first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Jiun-Jin Huang, Shu-Wei Chou, Chih-Ping Tsou
  • Patent number: 8495696
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for affordably distributing cable communication signals at greatly reduced power consumption levels with high signal quality with an active tap having gain stage characterized by low power (less than 1 Watt), low noise figure (less than 3 dB), high bandwidth (typically DC-2 GHz), and high gain (at least 15 dBmV).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: ARRIS Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Pavlic, Mark Fox, Victor Scott Shupe
  • Patent number: 8488966
    Abstract: An optical access network (OAN) system is provided. In the system, a remote radio unit (RRU) receives and sends a wireless signal and implement conversion between the wireless signal and a first frequency signal; an optical network device receives and sends the wireless signal, and implement conversion between the wireless signal and the first frequency signal and conversion between the first frequency signal and a fiber transmission signal; an optical distribution network (ODN) connected to the optical network device transmits the fiber transmission signal; an optical line terminal (OLT) device receives and sends the fiber transmission signal, and implements conversion between the fiber transmission signal and a second frequency signal, conversion between the second frequency signal and a base band signal, and conversion between the base band signal and a signal of another standard protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ruobin Zheng
  • Patent number: 8479248
    Abstract: A system for providing a power signal of a predetermined voltage to an input of a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) sink device is provided. The system includes an electronic device, generating HDMI signals transmitted on at least one differential signal line to another input of the HDMI sink device, and a startup circuit, providing the power signal of the predetermined voltage. The startup circuit includes a power harvesting circuit for obtaining an electrical power of a lower voltage, lower than the predetermined voltage, from at least one of the HDMI signals on the another input, and a voltage raiser circuit increasing the lower voltage to the predetermined voltage. A corresponding electronic cable containing the start-up circuit is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventors: John Martin Horan, David McGowan
  • Patent number: 8479247
    Abstract: A device may be used for conditioning an upstream bandwidth. The device can include a return path extending at least a portion of a distance between a supplier side connector and a user side connector, and a coupler connected within the return path, the coupler providing a secondary path. An offset or noise detection circuit is connected electrically downstream the coupler. A microprocessor is connected to the detection circuit. A variable signal level adjustment device is connected within the return path. The variable signal level adjustment device can be controlled by the microprocessor responsive to a detected offset level or noise floor in the return path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: PPC Broadband, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven K. Shafer
  • Publication number: 20130167188
    Abstract: The method for controlling interface according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: detecting the state of connection with one or more sink devices and one or more source devices which are connected to input and output ports of a multimedia interface module; identifying one or more operation modes available for the detected connection state; and transmitting device information of the one or more sink devices to the one or more source devices, the device information being selectively edited in accordance with a requested operation mode among the identified operation modes. Therefore, various operation modes such as Through, Convert, Switch, Mix, Distribute, Duplicate and Exchange can be chosen for effective operation, thereby enhancing the convenience of the user and increasing the performance of interface between the sink devices and source devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: HUMAX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Humax Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8474000
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing upstream bandwidth of a network including changing QoS settings, by a router, of a video device of a plurality of video devices in the network to a higher priority than other of the plurality of video devices. The plurality of video devices concurrently transmit video data. The computer-implemented method further includes estimating an overall upstream bandwidth by the higher priority video device and determining operating rates, by the router, for the plurality of video devices, such that said modem buffer is not backlogged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Patti, Wai-Tian Tan
  • Publication number: 20130133019
    Abstract: A network interface device including a signal splitter which conducts CATV signals through an active branch circuit, the active branch circuit including an active signal conditioner which modifies characteristics of active branch signals conducted through the active branch circuit, a sensor connected to sense normal, inoperative and abnormally operative conditions, the sensor removing a control signal indicative of inoperative and abnormal operating conditions, a selectable switch connected to the active branch circuit, the selectable switch communicating the CATV signals between the CATV network and the subscriber devices when in an activated position, and the selectable switch passing the signals to a signal reduction path when in a deactivated position, the selectable switch assuming the deactivated position in response to the de-assertion of the control signal, and a phase cancellation circuit connected to the signal reduction path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: JOHN MEZZALINGUA ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventor: John Mezzalingua Associates, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130125193
    Abstract: A community access or cable television (CATV) entry adapter interfaces a CATV network to subscriber devices at a subscriber premises. The CATV entry adapter is remotely disabled or enabled through the CATV network to prevent or allow downstream CATV signals from reaching subscriber devices connected to the adapter. The CATV entry adapter is also adapted to function as a hub in a MoCA network independently of whether the CATV entry adapter is disabled or enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: JOHN MEZZALINGUA ASSOCIATES, INC. D/B/A PPC
    Inventor: Chad Tyrone Wells
  • Patent number: 8434122
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for delivering audio and video data. In such a device, the audio/video data travel together and are compressed along with the signaling data for the delivery of these audio/video data. Under current compression standards, these data are being increasingly compressed. This maximum compression proportionally complexifies the encoding and decoding of audio/video data. The appearance of network cables comprising six twisted pairs of wires makes it possible to produce networks having higher speed capacities. The object of the invention is not to increase speeds by using additional twisted pairs but to simplify the data traveling through the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Sagem Communications SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Morard, Jean-Marc Nogier
  • Patent number: 8434115
    Abstract: An optical network terminal (ONT) is powered via a remote power supply. The remote power supply is connected to a standard customer premises electrical power outlet, providing a power source for power at a first format (e.g., 110 VAC). The remote power supply performs a power transformation to convert the power in the first power format to a second format (e.g., 48 VDC). This allows the powering of the ONT from farther distances, and thus allows for the easier installation of ONTs at customer premises which may not have optimally placed power outlets. A battery backup may also be used (either in parallel or serially), in order to provide availability of communications signals during a public power outage. When the battery backup used serially with the remote power supply, additional distance between the power outlet and the ONT may be accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Services Corp.
    Inventor: Stanley Jo Wynman
  • Patent number: 8432840
    Abstract: A full duplex radio bridge using two transceivers coupled to a first packet network, one for transmitting data toward another radio bridge coupled to a second packet network, and the other for receiving data transmitted from the first packet network toward said second packet network by a transceiver of the other radio bridge. Each radio bridge is coupled to its packet network through one network port whose transmit data path is coupled to one of the transceivers, and whose receive data path is coupled to receive data from the other transceiver. An inner loop and outer loop is used. Management packets are routed to the various transceivers using the inner loop and outer loop by routing and filtering functions. Payload packets are transmitted from one packet network to the other using only the outer loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventor: William George Pabst
  • Publication number: 20130104183
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a first communication unit that includes a first connector, a second communication unit that includes a second connector, and a control unit that controls not to set the second communication unit to one of a first mode and a second mode based on a predetermined device connected to the first connector, wherein the first mode is used for transmitting video data, and the second mode is different from the first mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Publication number: 20130104182
    Abstract: The present invention relates to delivery of non-image data frames via a high-speed digital pixel cable using a main pixel channel of the cable to carry non-image data frames and using a side channel of the cable to indicate that particular data frames sent on the main pixel channel are to be treated as non-image data instead of pixel data. The non-image data may, for instance be edge blending, warping or color balance data. Alternatively, it could be a firmware update. The high-speed digital pixel cable could be a DVI, HDMI or DisplayPort-compatible cable. The side channel could be a DDC, CEC or custom channel. Further aspects of the technology disclosed are described in the accompanying specification, claims and figures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: Jupiter Systems
    Inventors: Jingxi Zhang, Michael Meng
  • Patent number: 8427965
    Abstract: Even if high speed are available between the router and the multimedia unit through the IP line (up to 24 Mbits/sec), this is still the bottleneck in term of data transfer. Indeed in practice the vast majority of IP users have access speed between 2 to 5 Mbits/sec and the development of other services (telephony, videoconference, push VOD, game) are bandwidth consuming. It is now an object of the invention to propose a solution to reduce the data flow between the router and the multimedia unit over IP line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Nagravision S.A.
    Inventors: Holger Ippach, Corinne Le Buhan, Marc Uldry
  • Patent number: 8428051
    Abstract: A switchboard device and methods of operation of same are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention may provide a flexible means of interconnecting wideband and narrowband communications interfaces, where wideband communications interfaces may transfer low-band data and high-band data, and narrowband communication interfaces may transfer low-band data. Low-band data may be combined and sent to a narrowband communications interface or a wideband communications interface. High-band data may be combined and sent to a wideband communications interface. The low-band data may represent audio signals below a predetermined frequency, while the high-band data may represent audio signals above the predetermined frequency. The predetermined frequency may be, for example, approximately 4 kHz. The spectral mask of the low-band data may meet the spectral mask of G.712. Methods of operating embodiments of the present invention are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Wilf LeBlanc, Phil Houghton, Kenneth Cheung
  • Patent number: 8429695
    Abstract: A cable television (CATV) entry adapter connects to a CATV network and serves as a hub in a Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) network. MoCA signals are communicated between passive and active ports of the entry adapter through a pair of directional couplers which allow a MoCA-enabled embedded multimedia device (eMTA) at the passive port to communicate with multimedia devices of the MoCA network connected to the active ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: PPC Broadband, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory F. Halik, Chad T. Wells, John M. Egan, Jr., Charles F. Newby
  • Patent number: 8411565
    Abstract: A broadband local area data network uses coaxial cable wiring for interconnection of terminal devices. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with bit loading is used to overcome channel impairments and provide a path for terminal devices to transmit to and receive from other terminal devices. Probe messages are sent between devices to characterize the communication channel and determine optimum bit loading. The data network shares the cable spectrum with other services and uses frequency bands not used by other services. Adaptive power control can be used to maintain signal to noise ratio in a communication between terminal devices. Frequency coordination can be used to avoid interference between the LAN communications and other services transmitted on the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Entropic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton Monk, Brett Bernath, Itzhak Gurantz, Ladd El Wardani, Ron Porat
  • Publication number: 20130074119
    Abstract: A multimedia apparatus may obtain a first signal including a multimedia signal, and a second signal input by a user, and simultaneously output the first signal and the second signal together. Accordingly, multimedia contents meeting user-friendly environments may be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Myung Ryul Choi, Nag Eui Choi
  • Patent number: 8381250
    Abstract: One or more network devices receive, at a location outside a customer premises, a broadband signal from a base station of a wireless network and a satellite television signal from a satellite antenna. The one or more network devices combine, at the location outside the customer premises, the broadband signal with the satellite television signal in a single coaxial cable and send, via the single coaxial cable, the broadband signal and the satellite television signal to one or more devices inside the customer premises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Lee K. Tjio, Lalit Ratilal Kotecha, Kamlesh S. Kamdar, Aref H. Iskandar, Sergio Aguirre, Raafat Edward Kamel
  • Publication number: 20130042291
    Abstract: A source of video data may be coupled to a plurality of sinks using a wireless branch device with more than one connector. Numbers may be assigned to the connectors in a sequence depending on the wireless technology used by each connector. Examples of wireless technologies include DisplayPort, HDMI, and Wireless Gigabit Alliance. Sinks coupled to the branch device are interrogated to determine the number of connectors and each connector's wireless technology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventor: Srikanth Kambhatla
  • Publication number: 20130042292
    Abstract: A system for the distribution of over-the-air (OTA) television content for remote display includes an OTA antenna, a wireless antenna transceiver connected to the OTA antenna for receipt of OTA television signals via the OTA antenna, as set-top box receiver (STBR), and a television receiver connected to the set-top box receiver and adapted to receive video data therefrom. The wireless antenna transceiver includes a first wireless access point for transmission of television content signals, derived from the OTA television signals, via wireless link, and the STBR includes a second wireless access point for receipt of television content signals via wireless link. The STBR receives the television content signals directly from the wireless antenna transceiver or from an intermediate wireless router. The wireless router may also distribute the OTA content to other display devices. Power-line networking may alternatively be used instead of wireless links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: GREENWAVE SCIENTIFIC, INC.
    Inventors: Pater Marcus Buff, Robert Michael Barts
  • Patent number: 8370886
    Abstract: Provided is a device for use with a headend, a household and an amplifier. The headend is able to provide signals within a high-frequency band fH. The household is able to provide signals within a low-frequency band fL, and to provide signals within a super-high-frequency band fR, where fL<fH<fR. The device includes a splitter, a diplexer and a combiner. The splitter is arranged to receive the signals within the high-frequency band fH and to split the signals within the high-frequency band fH into a first signal portion within the high-frequency band fH and a second signal portion within the high-frequency band fH. The diplexer is operable to pass the second signal portion within the high-frequency band fH to the household, to pass the signals within the low-frequency band fL to the splitter and to pass the signals within the super-high-frequency band fR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: George S. Karpati, Robert L. Howald
  • Patent number: 8370890
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for frequency agile band-pass filtering of broadcast signals are disclosed. An example method to receive a broadcast signal for distribution to a plurality of reception sites disclosed herein comprises processing the broadcast signal with a frequency agile band-pass filter to receive the broadcast signal at a headend site for distribution to the plurality of reception sites, monitoring reception quality of the broadcast signal at an operating center separate from the headend site and included in the plurality of reception sites, and sending commands to the frequency agile band-pass filter from the operating center based on the monitored reception quality of the broadcast signal, the commands controlling at least a tuned operating frequency of and an attenuation provided by the frequency agile band-pass filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Brian Wilson, Douglas Medina, Frank Coppa
  • Patent number: 8356322
    Abstract: A cable television (CATV) entry adapter interfaces to a CATV network and serves as a hub in an in-home network for passively communicating multimedia content or information from the CATV network and between subscriber devices connected to the ports of the CATV entry adapter, using CATV signals in a CATV frequency band and network signals in a different in-home network band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad T. Wells, John M. Egan, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130014199
    Abstract: A system for providing a power signal of a predetermined voltage to an input of a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) sink device is provided. The system includes an electronic device, generating HDMI signals transmitted on at least one differential signal line to another input of the HDMI sink device, and a startup circuit, providing the power signal of the predetermined voltage. The startup circuit includes a power harvesting circuit for obtaining an electrical power of a lower voltage, lower than the predetermined voltage, from at least one of the HDMI signals on the another input, and a voltage raiser circuit increasing the lower voltage to the predetermined voltage. A corresponding electronic cable containing the start-up circuit is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: John Marin Horan, David Mc Gowan
  • Publication number: 20130014200
    Abstract: A method of generating a stream comprising synchronized interactive content is described. The method comprises the steps of: transmitting a first stream from a studio to a terminal or a terminal system of a first user and to a buffer; transmitting in response to the first stream a second stream to a mixer connected to the buffer, the second stream comprising content generated in reaction to the content of the first stream; providing the mixer with a temporal relation between the packets in the first and second stream; generating a first output stream comprising a substantially synchronized content by mixing packets in second stream with packets of the buffered first stream on the basis of the temporal relation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE KPN N.V.
    Inventors: Hans Maarten Stokking, Omar Aziz Niamut, Mattijs Oskar Van Deventer, Fabian Arthur Walraven, Victor Bastiaan Klos, John Gerard Beerends
  • Patent number: 8351792
    Abstract: A system and communication method for the system interconnecting the optical network with the radio communication network is provided. The solution mainly applies to an optical access network employing fiber for transmission and the radio communication network connected to the optical access network, wherein a base station of the radio communication network is connected to the optical access network and communicates to an entity in the optical access network to achieve interconnection between the optical network and the radio communication network. After the interconnection is established, a user equipment can enjoy communication services through the interconnected radio communication network and the optical network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ruobin Zheng
  • Publication number: 20120317607
    Abstract: A technique is disclosed for dynamically reconfiguring a digital video link based on previously determined link training parameters. Reusing the previously determined link training parameters enables a no link training (NLT) protocol for quickly configuring the digital video link without the need for repeating a link training process. A display device advertises NLT capabilities information to a GPU indicating it can retain link charactristics for one or more link configurations. The GPU uses the NLT capabilities information to determine whether the display device is able to quickly transition to a specific link configuration using the NLT protocol, or to switch between configurations. The NLT capability allows a link to be advantageously quiesced and restored quickly while the GPU is transitioning in and out of power-saving sleep states, or placing the link in a more power efficient configuration, or higher-bandwidth higher-performance configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: David WYATT, Lianghao Chen, David Matthew Stears
  • Publication number: 20120311654
    Abstract: A wireless media network enables bridged control of multiple media devices via multiple different transport media. The system enables input devices to control various output devices by mapping the input devices to the output devices. The system can map inputs to controls for output devices to enable a user to control various output devices via inputs initially provided to a different input device in a media device network. Input information can be stored and assigned to a certain input device. Input devices can multicast to various different output devices using a common signal configuration. Signals between an input device and an output device can be use a substitute signal configuration that is to enable implementation by the output device. Signals can be exchanged between over various transport media by encapsulating signals prior to transport, which can include encoding signals with additional security protocols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: James F. Dougherty, III, Yasantha N. Rajakarunanayake, Patrick Loo, Jian Zhang