Abstract: The problem of wasting IP addresses by statically assigning them to hosts is solved as follows: when a cable router or RF modem becomes active, it sends a message requesting a set of IP addresses from the head end, which dynamically assigns the set of IP addresses and sends a message comprising the set of IP addresses to the cable router or RF modem. The cable router or RF modem then responds to requests by the hosts for IP addresses by assigning them IP addresses from the set. Furthermore, the set of IP addresses is released when the session terminates with the cable router or RF modem.

Abstract: A display system for providing programmable on-screen displays for a subscriber terminal, includes a control processor and a display processor which generates such displays from stored display information and display attributes. The control processor executes display routines to configure the display processor and to load the display data into a display memory. The display routines, display attributes and display data are programmable and can be varied for optimal use of the display processor. In one implementation, such information can be modified by changing the programming in non-volatile memory of the subscriber terminal, either by switching ROM or Flash EPROM ICs or by a plug in module. Another implementation includes downloading the information with other executable code and data in the read/write portions of the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A communications system includes first and second fiber optic links, each including at least one fiber optic cable, and a coaxial distribution plant including coaxial distribution lines and a plurality of amplifiers. A first fiber optic node couples the first fiber optic link to the coaxial distribution plant and a second fiber optic node located proximate to one of the amplifiers of the coaxial distribution plant couples the second fiber optic link to the coaxial distribution plant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing command and control of remote systems using low earth orbit satellite communications is disclosed. According to the present invention, a programmable transceiver apparatus provides a two-way communications path between a remote user and a control center via a low earth orbit satellite at frequencies below 1 GHz. The transceiver apparatus includes a transceiver for communicating with the low earth orbit satellite; an antenna coupled to the transceiver; at least one interface communicating signals between at least one external device located at the remote user, wherein the transceiver apparatus is programmed to transmit data related to the external device to the satellite in response to a signal communicated to the transceiver via the low earth orbit satellite, an internal program of the transceiver or an alarm or exception signal generated by any of the external devices or the user.

Abstract: A cable television system provides conditional access to services. The cable television system includes a headend from which service "instances", or programs, are broadcast and a plurality of set top units for receiving the instances and selectively decrypting the instances for display to system subscribers. The service instances are encrypted using public and/or private keys provided by service providers or central authorization agents. Keys used by the set tops for selective decryption may also be public or private in nature, and such keys may be reassigned at different times to provide a cable television system in which piracy concerns are minimized.

Abstract: A holder (200) for holding an electronic component (100), which can be inserted into and removed from the holder (200), is formed to be both electrically and thermally insulative. The holder (200) is formed from an insulative body molded to form a cavity (205) into which the electronic component (100) can be inserted. The insulative body includes sidewalls (210) formed to partially enclose the electronic component (100) when it is inserted into the holder (200) and a bottom surface (250) formed perpendicularly with the sidewalls (210). The bottom surface (250) defines at least two apertures (225) through which terminals (110) of the electronic component (100) can extend.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved demodulator for locking onto and tracking a carrier. Harmonic frequencies are occasionally generated by demodulation circuitry. When this occurs, the harmonic frequencies can interfere with the demodulator's locking and tracking functions, especially if the harmonic frequencies are near a down converted carrier's frequency. A system and method are disclosed which provides an offset to a frequency synthesizer whose output frequency is used to down convert the carrier. The offset alters the frequency of the down converted carrier so as to shift it away from the interfering harmonics. In this regard, the demodulator is enabled to lock onto and track a carrier when previously not possible.

Abstract: A reconfigurable connectorization panel assembly for a circuit board housing rack or chassis, particularly suitable for use in cable television (CATV) headend equipment. Each circuit module for use in the rack has an associated rear panel assembly or "connectorization panel" that bolts onto the rear side of a chassis which supports the rack and a backplane. The connectorization panels extend plug-action connectors through openings in the rear panel of the chassis and in the backplane, and mate with corresponding connectors on the circuit modules. On the rear side, the connectorization panels provide appropriate drop side connectors required for input/output signal cabling. The connectorization panel adapts a particular slot in the chassis for a particular type of input/out cabling and connectors. The slot can be reconfigured for a different type of circuit module by affixing a different type of connectorization panel.

Abstract: A tap (125) for use in a cable television system (100) includes an incoming port (202) for receiving an incoming signal from a head end section (105) and at least first and second outgoing subscriber ports (225, 230) for transmitting outgoing signals to system subscribers. The first and second subscriber ports (225, 230) can be enabled or disabled, depending upon whether cable service is to be provided from a particular port. The tap (125) also includes light sources (250, 260) located on the body of the tap (125) to indicate statuses, i.e., enabled or disabled, of the subscriber ports (225, 230).

Abstract: A chassis (200) having cable management features includes a frame (210) for holding communication modules (105) that have cables (305) coupled to front surfaces thereof. The chassis also includes cable tunnels (225) formed beneath the frame (210). The cable tunnels (225) are each defined by sidewalls and upper and lower surfaces that form an aperture through the tunnel (225), and the module cables (305) from a particular module (105) can be routed through its associated cable tunnel (225) beneath the frame (210). The chassis (200) also includes cable guides (230), each defining an opening associated with a particular communication module (105), wherein cables (305) coupled to that communication module (105) can be routed through its associated cable tunnel (225) and then through its associated cable guide (230).

Abstract: The laser device of the present invention includes a high-power, fiber-coupled optical source (FIG. 1) having a broad area laser diode (10) with a high reflective coating at its rear facet (12), coupling optics (20), and an optical fiber (30) having fiber grating (32). The fiber grating (32) serves to reflect a portion of the optical beam back to the broad area laser diode (10), thereby stabilizing the wavelength of the optical beam. The fiber grating (32) and the rear facet (12) of the broad area laser diode (10) serve as nodes for an external resonator, thereby limiting the diffraction of the optical beam. The effects of wavelength fluctuation and beam diffraction are reduced together using minimal mechanical components.

Abstract: An electronic component (100) includes a body portion (105) for enclosing first and second electronic devices (415, 430). The component (100) has first and second leads (110, 115) extending therefrom for providing a connection to the first device (415) and third and fourth leads (125, 130) extending from the component (100) for providing a connection to the second device (430). The first device (415) can be a short circuit connection, a fuse, or a resistor, while the second device (430) can be a different device, such as an open circuit connection. When the first and second leads (110, 115) are inserted into a connector (205) of an external circuit (202), the first device (415) is electrically coupled to the circuit (202). When, alternatively, the third and fourth leads (125, 130) are inserted into the connector (205), the second device (430) is electrically coupled to the circuit (202).

Abstract: A connector (100) includes at least one electrical lead for electrically coupling a first device (100) to a second device (210), a base (110) through which the electrical lead (105) extends, and an upper portion (150) through which the electrical lead (105) also extends. A spring mechanism (135) mechanically couples the base (110) and the upper portion (150) and holds the base (110) away from the upper portion (150), and the upper portion (150) includes an upper guide (145) having a hole formed therein. When the connector (100) is in an open position (in which the connector (100) is electrically inactive), the electrical lead (105) does not extend through the hole in the upper guide (150). When the connector (100) is in a closed position (in which the connector (100) is electrically active), the electrical lead (105) extends through the hole in the upper guide (145).

Abstract: A cable television system provides conditional access to services. The cable television system includes a headend from which service "instances", or programs, are broadcast and a plurality of set top units for receiving the instances and selectively decrypting the instances for display to system subscribers. The service instances are encrypted using public and/or private keys provided by service providers or central authorization agents. Keys used by the set tops for selective decryption may also be public or private in nature, and such keys may be reassigned at different times to provide a cable television system in which piracy concerns are minimized.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit (400) includes an input port (402) for receiving a signal and a first balun (404) for splitting the signal into first and second signals. First and second amplifiers (406, 408) are coupled to outputs of the first balun (404) for respectively amplifying the outputs of the first balun (404) to generate first and second amplified signals. Second and third baluns (410, 412) are coupled, respectively, to outputs of the first and second amplifiers (406, 408) for splitting, respectively, each of the first and second amplified signals into in-phase and out-of-phase components.

Abstract: A bidirectional communications system is provided for sending signals along a cable in a forward path from a central location to a plurality of remote receiver locations and for sending return signals along the same cable in a reverse path from the remote receiver locations to the central location. The communications system includes a plurality of taps placed along the cable for splitting the signals to be sent to the remote receiver locations, and a radio frequency sensed switch placed at each of the plurality of taps for sensing the return signals so as to turn on the reverse path when the return signals are present and to turn off the reverse path when no return signals are present.

Abstract: A cable television system (100) includes a head end section (105) for generating a cable signal; a communication medium (110, 117), such as fiber optic cable and coaxial cable, coupled to the head end section (105) for routing the cable signal through the cable television system (100), and cable taps (200) coupled to the communication medium (110, 117) for receiving the cable signal and providing subscriber drops to subscribers of the cable television system (100). As the cable signal is routed through the system (100), the signal levels of the signal decrease, and higher frequencies are attenuated more rapidly than are lower frequencies of the signal. Therefore, taps (200) of the cable television system (100) include equalizer circuits (212) for attenuating lower frequencies of the cable signal to provide relatively flat signal levels at the subscriber drops.

Abstract: A terminal apparatus for use in a cable television system which provides a plurality of channels capable of being tuned for display at a television receiver is provided. The apparatus includes a memory for storing data for generating a plurality of predetermined character screens and for storing deauthorization data, a character generator for generating character screens from the stored character screen data at the television receiver, a deauthorization mechanism responsive to the deauthorization data in the memory for deauthoring selected ones of the plurality of channels, and a controller for controlling the memory and the character generator, and for composing at least one predetermined character screen for display at the television receiver in accordance with the deauthorization of a channel by the deauthorization mechanism.