Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a CATV node, a first device, and at least one micro distribution system. The CATV node transmits CATV RF signals to the first device, which converts the RF signals to optical signals. Each micro distribution system includes a micro node receiving the optical signals from the first device and converting the optical signals to RF signals. Each micro distribution system further includes at least two strings of taps independently coupled to the micro node and receiving the RF signals from the micro node. For each string of taps, the received RF signals are passed from the micro node along the taps, while a powering signal is passed along the taps.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a first device that receives, from a cable television (CATV) node, first downstream and upstream CATV RF signals and converts them to downstream and upstream optical signals. The first device distributes the downstream and upstream optical signals separately from each other by using different fiber optic cables or different wavelengths. The system further includes at least one micro distribution system, each comprising a micro node and at least one string of taps. The micro node receives the downstream and upstream optical signals from the first device and converts them to second downstream and upstream CATV RF signals. For each string of taps, the received second downstream and upstream CATV RF signals are passed from the micro node along the taps and blocked by a low pass filter (LPF), and the powering signal is passed along the taps and through the LPF.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a CATV node, a first device, and at least one micro distribution system. The CATV node transmits CATV RF signals to the first device, which converts the RF signals to optical signals. Each micro distribution system includes a micro node receiving the optical signals from the first device and converting the optical signals to RF signals. Each micro distribution system further includes at least two strings of taps independently coupled to the micro node and receiving the RF signals from the micro node. Each string of taps is terminated at an end by a low pass filter (LPF). For each string of taps, the received RF signals are passed from the micro node along the taps and blocked by the LPF, while a powering signal is passed along the taps and through the LPF.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a first device that receives, from a cable television (CATV) node, first downstream and upstream CATV RF signals and converts them to downstream and upstream optical signals. The first device distributes the downstream and upstream optical signals separately from each other by using different fiber optic cables or different wavelengths. The system further includes at least one micro distribution system, each comprising a micro node and at least one string of taps. The micro node receives the downstream and upstream optical signals from the first device and converts them to second downstream and upstream CATV RF signals. For each string of taps, the received second downstream and upstream CATV RF signals are passed from the micro node along the taps and blocked by a low pass filter (LPF), and the powering signal is passed along the taps and through the LPF.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a CATV node, a first device, and at least one micro distribution system. The CATV node transmits CATV RF signals to the first device, which converts the RF signals to optical signals. Each micro distribution system includes a micro node receiving the optical signals from the first device and converting the optical signals to RF signals. Each micro distribution system further includes at least two strings of taps independently coupled to the micro node and receiving the RF signals from the micro node. Each string of taps is terminated at an end by a low pass filter (LPF). For each string of taps, the received RF signals are passed from the micro node along the taps and blocked by the LPF, while a powering signal is passed along the taps and through the LPF.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a CATV node, a first device, and at least one micro distribution system. The CATV node transmits CATV RF signals to the first device, which converts the RF signals to optical signals. Each micro distribution system includes a micro node receiving the optical signals from the first device and converting the optical signals to RF signals. Each micro distribution system further includes at least two strings of taps independently coupled to the micro node and receiving the RF signals from the micro node. Each string of taps is terminated at an end by a low pass filter (LPF). For each string of taps, the received RF signals are passed from the micro node along the taps and blocked by the LPF, while a powering signal is passed along the taps and through the LPF.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a CATV node, a first device, and at least one micro distribution system. The CATV node transmits CATV RF signals to the first device, which converts the RF signals to optical signals. Each micro distribution system includes a micro node receiving the optical signals from the first device and converting the optical signals to RF signals. Each micro distribution system further includes at least two strings of taps independently coupled to the micro node and receiving the RF signals from the micro node. Each string of taps is terminated at an end by a low pass filter (LPF). For each string of taps, the received RF signals are passed from the micro node along the taps and blocked by the LPF, while a powering signal is passed along the taps and through the LPF.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a transporter configured to transport the apparatus based on received instructions, a detector configured to detect a predetermined condition, and a receiver configured to receive data from GPS receivers, which include one or more differential GPS receivers. A memory is configured to store, for each of different times, detection data from the detector indicative of whether the predetermined condition was detected, and location data from the receiver related to the data received from the GPS receivers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system is disclosed for providing fragrance to an artwork. The system includes a fragrance dispersion system configured to disperse a fragrance. The fragrance dispersion system is configured to be positioned adjacent to, within, or on an artwork.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an intelligent fishing system is provided to enable more accurate fishing in different water types and conditions. The system includes a fishing rod having a reel, the reel comprising at least a portion of a fiber optic cable, and a first device connected at or near a first end of the fiber optic cable, the first device having a controller and at least one camera. The system further includes a fiber optic receiver located at or near the fishing rod, the fiber optic receiver coupled to a second end the fiber optic cable and configured to receive optical signals from the first device through the fiber optic cable. Further, the system includes and a processor operably coupled to the fiber optic receiver and to a display.

Abstract: A videophone system providing high resolution video transmission between videophones utilizes compressed video signals and audio signals which may be transmitted through any communications network, with the system providing real time adaptive error recovery and synchronization between the audio and video signals to produce high quality video images and sound. The system is highly resilient, adapting in real time to changing conditions in a network or to network errors due to data corruption or loss that can be produced, for example, by noise or line losses, thereby substantially eliminating fitter, signal packet loss or delay, or other errors which produce signal degradation.

Abstract: System and method for providing personal videotelephony in which a plurality of videophones are connected to a communications network that is configured for transmitted video and audio communications. Each of the videophones typically includes a camera, display device, telephone keypad, speaker and microphone all of which are operatively connected. The videophones further include means for selectably receiving and transmitting signals over the communications network, which signals represent images and/or sound, and for selectably displaying the signals representing any received signals representing the images on the display screen, and for playing any received signals representing the sounds on said speaker. Means are also provided for selectably accessing a remote location, such as, but not limited to, another videophone, using information entered or selected by a user of the videophone, and to retrieve the signals representing the images and sounds being transmitted from the remote location.

Abstract: System and method for providing personal videotelephony in which a plurality of videophones are connected to a communications network that is configured for transmitted video and audio communications. Each of the videophones typically includes a camera, display device, telephone keypad, speaker and microphone all of which are operatively connected. The videophones further include means for selectably receiving and transmitting signals over the communications network, which signals represent images and/or sound, and for selectably displaying the signals representing any received signals representing the images on the display screen, and for playing any received signals representing the sounds on said speaker. Means are also provided for selectably accessing a remote location, such as, but not limited to, another videophone, using information entered or selected by a user of the videophone, and to retrieve the signals representing the images and sounds being transmitted from the remote location.

Abstract: A videophone system providing high resolution video transmission between videophones utilizes compressed video signals and audio signals which may be transmitted through any communications network, with the system providing real time adaptive error recovery and synchronization between the audio and video signals to produce high quality video images and sound. The system is highly resilient, adapting in real time to changing conditions in a network or to network errors due to data corruption or loss that can be produced, for example, by noise or line losses, thereby substantially eliminating fitter, signal packet loss or delay, or other errors which produce signal degradation.

Abstract: System and method for providing personal videotelephony in which a plurality of videophones are connected to a communications network that is configured for transmitted video and audio communications. Each of the videophones typically includes a camera, display device, telephone keypad, speaker and microphone all of which are operatively connected. The videophones further include means for selectably receiving and transmitting signals over the communications network, which signals represent images and/or sound, and for selectably displaying the signals representing any received signals representing the images on the display screen, and for playing any received signals representing the sounds on said speaker. Means are also provided for selectably accessing a remote location, such as, but not limited to, another videophone, using information entered or selected by a user of the videophone, and to retrieve the signals representing the images and sounds being transmitted from the remote location.

Abstract: An access system and method for providing interactive access to an information source through a television distribution system is disclosed. The distribution system includes a television distribution network, headend distribution equipment at the headend of the distribution network, and a plurality of terminals at terminal ends of the distribution network. An input device and an upstream transmitter are associated with one of the terminals to input a command for the information source and to transmit the inputted command on an upstream channel of the distribution network, respectively. A headend server, upstream receiver, and data encoder are associated with the headend distribution equipment. The headend server is interfaced to the information source. The upstream receiver is interfaced to the headend server to receive and forward the command to the headend server.

Abstract: An access system and method for providing interactive access to an information source through a television distribution system is disclosed. The distribution system includes a television distribution network, headend distribution equipment at the headend of the distribution network, and a plurality of terminals at terminal ends of the distribution network. An input device and an upstream transmitter are associated with one of the terminals to input a command for the information source and to transmit the inputted command on an upstream channel of the distribution network, respectively. A headend server, upstream receiver, and blank interval inserter are associated with the headend distribution equipment. The headend server is interfaced to the information source. The upstream receiver is interfaced to the headend server to receive and forward the command to the headend server.

Abstract: A dynamically-addressable communications system provides either a list or set of dynamic addresses to selected receivers for broadcasting information packets from a transmission source to the selected receivers. Each dynamic address provided in the set is associated with a particular information packet designated to be received by the particular selected receivers to which that dynamic address is provided. Additionally, each broadcasted information packet includes at least one dynamic address identical to the dynamic address provided to its associated selected receivers. Thus, the broadcasted information packet which includes such identical dynamic address may be received by its associated selected receivers, which then modify the dynamic address list.

Abstract: A method and provides for transmitting a time reference throughout a residence or other facility for use by appliances operating within the facility. A time reference is received from the headend of a cable television (CATV) system at the subscriber converter and is retransmitted to set the internal clock timers of residential appliances throughout the house. The time reference is received by the CATV converter, then encoded and modulated for transmission on the residential AC wiring system which also carries AC power to all of the appliances in the house. Individual appliances receive the encoded time reference from the AC power line, demodulate the received signal and use the received time reference to set its internal clock timer. In such manner, a residential appliance does not need to have its internal clock set by the consumer.

Abstract: A plurality of television signals are transmitted and selectively received on a single television channel allocation. Headend apparatus compresses a set of television signals, such as a main program signal and a plurality of different demographically targeted commercials. The plurality of compressed television signals are combined into a combined signal for transmission on a single television channel allocation. A receiver receiving the combined signal identifies characteristics of a television viewer, and selects a particular one of the compressed television signals from the received combined signal depending on the viewer characteristics. The retrieved signal is decompressed for use by a video appliance.