Abstract: An access device for use with a cable television communications network and a network utilizing such a device. The network includes a cable head end in communication with a television source and a data source and a trunk feed cable. At least one access device is placed in communication with the trunk feed cable. The access device includes an upstream frequency translator, a communications modem, a television band pass filter, a non-television band pass filter, a downstream frequency and a microprocessor for allocating frequency slots for the subscriber, setting the upstream frequency translator. At least one drop cable is in communication with the access device and a subscriber cable modem. In operation, the subscriber sends a service request from the computer, the subscriber cable modem converts the service request signal from the computer and sends the converted signal through the drop cable to the access device.

Abstract: A cable television control apparatus includes a television channel access controller connected at a node of a cable television network between the network and at least one subscriber household. All available cable television channels, including premium channels, can be transmitted by the headend without scrambling. Each access controller receives channel selection signals, such as television tuner local oscillator signals, from within subscriber households. The controller detects the channel selection signal and identifies selected channels. A channel filtering system is tuned in accordance with the detected selection signal to pass only selected channels to subscribers while blocking all other channels.

Abstract: A cable television control apparatus includes a television channel access controller connected at a node of a cable television network between the network and at least one subscriber household. All available cable television channels, including premium channels, can be transmitted by the headend without scrambling. Each access controller receives channel selection signals, such as television tuner local oscillator signals, from within subscriber households. The controller detects the channel selection signal and identifies selected channels. A channel filtering system is tuned in accordance with the detected selection signal to pass only selected channels to subscribers while blocking all other channels.

Abstract: An article of headwear to protect eyes, ears, neck and shoulders of wearer from the sun's harmful rays during outdoor activities. This protective headwear consists of a semi-rigid visor portion, a kerchief portion and a ribbon portion. The visor is substantially crescent shaped, and the kerchief portion is substantially rectangular. The visor portion is attached to one of the short edges of the rectangular kerchief portion along its concave back edge. The ribbon portion is attached to the concave edge of the visor portion and to the said short edge of the rectangular kerchief portion. The ribbon is of sufficient length to allow the wearer to knot its ends behind ones head. The visor and kerchief portions are attached substantially in the middle region of said ribbon. The article, when dampened can provide evaporative cooling for the wearer in warm conditions, and when worn dry can retain warmth for the wearer in cold conditions.