Abstract: A return path may include a modem pair that is coupled to existing electrical waveguides in a structure such as a house or office building. Specifically, a first modem of the modem pair may be coupled to a first end of a coaxial cable and to a video service terminal. A second modem of the modem pair may be coupled to a second end of the coaxial cable and a data interface. The first modem can modulate video control return packets onto an RF carrier that is propagated over the coaxial cable to the second modem. The video control return packets can be formatted as Ethernet type packets. The second modem can demodulate the RF carrier to extract the video control return packets and to forward these packets towards a data service hub.

Abstract: Unlike the conventional art which polices data at the entry points of a network, a transceiver node can police or monitor downstream bandwidths for quality of service at exit portions of an optical network. That is, the transceiver node can police downstream communication traffic near the outer edges of an optical network that are physically close to the subscribers of the optical network. In this way, a network provider can control the volume or content (or both) of downstream communications that are received by subscribers of the optical network. In addition to controlling the volume of communications that can be received by a subscriber, the transceiver node employs a plurality of priority assignment values for communication traffic. Some priority assignment values are part of a weighted random early discard algorithm that enables an output buffer to determine whether to drop data packets that are destined for a particular subscriber.

Abstract: A system and method establishes a secure communication channel over an optical network. More specifically, the system and method can generally include securing a communications channel to prevent unauthorized access such as eavesdropping or masquerading by employing 1) an encryption scheme derived from the non-linear filtering of shift registers, 2) a method for authenticating and exchanging parameters between two parties over an unsecured data channel for deriving a shared encryption key having a property of perfect forward secrecy, and 3) employing a unique format of the messages that can transport non-secret key exchange parameters over an unsecured data channel and secure communications over a data channel.

Abstract: A protocol for an optical network can control the time at which subscriber optical interfaces of an optical network are permitted to transmit data to a transceiver node. The protocol can prevent collisions of upstream transmissions between the subscriber optical interfaces of a particular subscriber group. With the protocol, a transceiver node close to the subscriber can allocate additional or reduced upstream bandwidth based upon the demand of one or more subscribers. That is, a transceiver node close to a subscriber can monitor (or police) and adjust a subscriber's upstream bandwidth on a subscription basis or on an as-needed basis. The protocol can account for aggregates of packets rather than individual packets. By performing calculation on aggregates of packets, the algorithm can execute less frequently which, in turn, permits its implementation in lower performance and lower cost devices, such as software executing in a general purpose microprocessor.

Abstract: A return path system includes inserting RF packets between regular upstream data packets, where the data packets are generated by communication devices such as a computer or internet telephone. The RF packets can be derived from analog RF signals that are produced by legacy video service terminals. In this way, the present invention can provide an RF return path for legacy terminals that shares a return path for regular data packets in an optical network architecture. The invention operates independently of a legacy upstream transmission timing scheme so that the legacy upstream transmission timing scheme can remain effective in preventing data collisions. In other embodiments, the present invention allows for less complex hardware for subscribers that are not taking data services. Further, an optical signal present line in combination with a driver may be employed in order to reduce the amount of hardware in a laser transceiver node.

Abstract: The present invention is generally drawn to optical network architecture that can include a multi-subscriber optical interface that can service a plurality of subscribers that are located in close proximity relative to one another. For example, the multi-subscriber optical interface can service multiple dwelling units such as an apartment complex that has many different subscribers to the optical network system. Further, the invention can also service subscribers over the same optical waveguide who may have different bandwidth needs, such as businesses, personal/home users and the like.

Abstract: This invention provides improved methods of protection required under the 1999 edition of the National Electric Code, section NEC 830 requirement that if a drop coaxial cable (usually supplying an individual residence) carries power above a certain voltage, it must include sufficient protection from electric shock for people who may come in contact with it. A drop coaxial cable would be carrying sufficient power for NEC 830 protection if it were supplying a cable telephone interface box or other AC powered network interface devices. In one embodiment, the invention utilizes the AC power signal from the drop cable to operate an AC power sensing circuit. The circuit utilizes an upper and lower current range to determine whether to activate a switch operative to interrupt the AC power in the drop cable. One variation of the invention utilizes an oscillator generated probe signal to determine if there is a valid circuit connection.

Abstract: An enclosure for facilitating and protecting splices or connections between communication transmission mediums can include a housing having a first port and a drop port. The first port can allow a distribution cable containing a transmission medium to enter the housing. The drop port can allow another transmission medium to enter the housing, and it can allow a transmission medium to be added or removed without disturbing existing transmission mediums or connections in the housing. A drop plug can be provided to seal the drop port. The enclosure can also include a cover plate having a gasket coupled to its perimeter and being removable with the cover plate. Strain relief for the transmission mediums entering the enclosure can also be provided. Two-stage strain relief and single-stage strain relief can be provided for the transmission mediums entering through the first port and the drop port, respectively.

Abstract: An optical fiber network can include an outdoor bandwidth transforming node that can be positioned in close proximity to the subscribers of an optical fiber network. The outdoor bandwidth transforming node does not require active cooling and heating devices that control the temperature surrounding the bandwidth transforming node. The bandwidth transforming node can adjust a subscriber's bandwidth on a subscription basis or on an as-needed basis. The bandwidth transforming node can also offer data bandwidth to the subscriber in preassigned increments. Additionally, the bandwidth transforming node lends itself to efficient upgrading that can be performed entirely on the network side. The bandwidth transforming node can also provide high speed symmetrical data transmission. Further, the bandwidth transforming node can increase upstream and downstream bandwidth and transmission speed by propagating data signals at different wavelengths.

Abstract: An optical fiber network can include an outdoor laser transceiver node that can be positioned in close proximity to the subscribers of an optical fiber network. The outdoor laser transceiver node does not require active cooling and heating devices that control the temperature surrounding the laser transceiver node. The laser transceiver node can adjust a subscriber's bandwidth on a subscription basis or on an as-needed basis. The laser transceiver node can also offer data bandwidth to the subscriber in preassigned increments. Additionally, the laser transceiver node lends itself to efficient upgrading that can be performed entirely on the network side. The laser transceiver node can also provide high speed symmetrical data transmission. Further, the laser transceiver node can utilize off the shelf hardware to generate optical signals such as Fabry-Perot (F-P) laser transmitters, distributed feed back lasers (DFB), or vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs).

Abstract: A method and device for inserting data onto one or more lines of one or more vertical blanking intervals of a television video signal, and in particular a television signal conforming to the NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) format.

Abstract: A cable television (CTV) system having an ad-insertion apparatus for automatically inserting commercial segments into program material under the control of cue tones transmitted by the program source. The system includes apparatus for normalizing the audio signal levels of the program and commercial materials so that the audio portion of the output signal being transmitted to subscribers will have a relatively uniform loudness. The same concept may be applied to video signals. Additionally, signals coming from several channels may be normalized with respect to each other using the same technique. One aspect involves normalization of the audio level of the commercial, based on measured levels of the program audio preceding the advertisement. In other variations, the program audio level is adjusted to match a preset audio level of an advertisement. In another aspect of the invention, the audio level adjustment is achieved by monitoring the deviation of an audio modulator.

Abstract: An on demand services feature for the provision of video, audio, and data services for a subscription system of the CTV type, or the like. The system comprises a headend coupled to a distribution network having a multiplicity of subscribers. Standard service signals forming scheduled program channels are coupled commonly with on demand service signals forming on demand program channels in a frequency division multiplexed system. The demand services are provided by a demand service processor having an input processor which stores programs for the demand services in a file server or other massive memory and a plurality of output processors which retrieve the programs on demand and convert them to the demand service signals for application to the distribution network. In the illustrated embodiment the input processor scrambles, digitizes and compresses real time or other stored analog programming for storage in the file server.

Abstract: Off-premises cable television pay per view apparatus is coupled between first and second diplexers of off-premises subscriber service providing equipment. The diplexers separate the transmission path between a headend and a subscriber into downstream or forward and upstream or reverse transmission paths. A radio frequency transmitter is coupled between a controller and the upstream diplexer which may actuate a selected one of a plurality of data channels in the notoriously noisy subsplit 5-30 megahertz transmission spectrum for reporting billable events. On-premises equipment is minimized to comprise only a unidirectional data transmitter. The data transmission is sent repetitively over a predetermined period of time before the data transmitter, comprising a microprocessor, turns itself off to conserve power.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for demodulating and remodulating a transmitted signal prior to presentation to a television receiver, the transmitted signal comprising a video signal, a first channel signal, and a second channel signal, wherein one of the two channel signals is selected, demodulated and remodulated with the video signal prior to presentation to the television receiver. The apparatus allows the viewer of a television receiver which accepts a single channel signal to select between one of two alternate channel signals associated with a video broadcast without the need to modify the television receiver. The apparatus is particularly well suited for television broadcasts using a dual carrier transmission format. A novel varactor diode tuning means is used in one embodiment for changing the center frequency of a frequency modulation demodulator. The disclosed apparatus also transparently allows stereo demodulation for television receivers which are capable of such stereo demodulation.

Abstract: An on demand services feature for the provision of video, audio, and data services for a subscription system of the CTV type, or the like. The system comprises a headend coupled to a distribution network having a multiplicity of subscribers. Standard service signals forming scheduled program channels are coupled commonly with on demand service signals forming on demand program channels in a frequency division multiplexed system. The demand services are provided by a demand service processor having an input processor which stores programs for the demand services in a file server or other massive memory and a plurality of output processors which retrieve the programs on demand and convert them to the demand service signals for application to the distribution network. In the illustrated embodiment the input processor scrambles, digitizes and compresses real time or other stored analog programming for storage in the file server.

Abstract: A circuit is supplied at the tap from a feeder which monitors certain signals coming from the single dwelling interdiction unit (SDI unit), and if the signals are interrupted, removes service from the premises. In order for service to be reinstituted to the subscriber DC power from the SDI unit must be received at the tap and the tap address must be communicated from memory in the SDI unit (where it had been previously stored upon installation by an installer) to the tap microprocessor. In accordance with an alternative embodiment in order for the service denial switch to remain closed, supplying signals to the SDI unit then to the home, the following must occur. Direct current power must be supplied from the SDI unit to the tap and data must be supplied from the SDI unit, in the form of pulses going from the normal powering level of, for example 12 volts, to 0 volts momentarily on a continual basis and not just at initialization as in the first embodiment.

Abstract: Television service denial apparatus comprises a microprocessor controller for controlling the generation of a control signal waveform. The control signal toggles a program denial device between first and second conditions. The program denial device, responsive to the control signal waveform, only periodically outputs a television signal spectrum to which a sophisticated television receiver be a device having only 20 dB of signal isolation. In one embodiment, the program denial device comprises a signal modulator for modulating an incoming television signal spectrum including one continuous wave carrier channel having no superimposed video. A character generator, responsive to the microprocessor, generates a control signal waveform for controlling the operation of the signal modulator.

Abstract: A television system having sync suppression scrambling and descrambling which includes in band and out of band signaling methods. The in band signaling method modulates the IF sound carrier of a premium video channel with timing and data pulses while the out of band signaling method modulates the previously modulated IF sound on a separate carrier onto a separate out of band data carrier. The in band signaling method uses a descrambler which tunes a channel before demodulating the timing and data pulses from the sound carrier while the out of band signaling method tunes a selected data carrier to demodulate the timing and data pulses. In both methods, the timing pulses are used to restore the levels of the synchronization pulses in the sync suppressed video signal, and thus descramble the signal, while the data pulses are used for addressable messaging to the descrambler including authorization.

Abstract: An off premises CATV system is disclosed. A headend transmits programming including pay-per-view programming and a cable distribution system distributes the programming. An off premises unit is coupled to the cable distribution system for supplying the programming to at least one subscriber. A subscriber terminal is coupled to the off premises unit over a communication link. The subscriber terminal including an input device for inputting subscriber-supplied signals indicative of a pay-per-view event to generate a message. A transmitter responsive to the subscriber-supplied signals transmits the message to the off premises unit over the communication link. The message is transmitted at a plurality of random times within a predetermined period of time.