Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for simultaneous reception of a plurality of digital RF channels. Specifically, N amplifier-filter circuits are configured to receive and separate a multichannel analog RF input signal into N analog signals, each including a different frequency band. N analog-to-digital converters are provided, each respectively coupled to one of the N amplifier-filter circuits and configured to receive an analog signal and generate a respective digital signal. A digital tuner is coupled to receive and demultiplex the N digital signals generated by the N analog-to-digital converters thereby recovering M digital RF channels. M demodulation circuits are provided for performing demodulation and forward-error-correction of the M digital RF channels (see FIG. 1). This combination of components permits substantially simultaneous reception of multiple digital cable channels within a single digital receiver circuit suitable for use with conventional cable delivery systems and at a reasonable cost.

Abstract: A system for inserting alert based information into broadcast programming over a program distribution network. A program distributor transmits broadcast programming over program distribution network via a network fabric. When program distributor receives alert based information, the program distributor converts the alert information from a first format to a second format compatible with the broadcast programming and the program distributor inserts the converted alert into a signal carrying the broadcast programming via the network fabric. A method is also disclosed for inserting alert based information into a broadcast programming transmitted over a program distribution network.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus for distributing a received modulated RF signal to a plurality of tuners including a diplexer device. The diplexer device includes a plurality of filter circuits adapted to direct respective portions of the received modulated RF the signal to respective tuner devices. In an illustrated embodiment, the tuner devices supply tuned signals to a picture in picture display device. Also disclosed is a method of receiving a modulated ready of frequency signal and routing portions of the received signal to respective tuner devices using filter devices in a diplexer or multiplexer configuration.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and/or method provides frequency response adjustment of an RF input filter of an RF tuner based on impedance of an antenna system that is providing reception of RF signals to the RF tuner. The frequency response adjustment is preferably accomplished dynamically and/or with respect to each frequency tuned. Particularly, the system, method and/or apparatus provides compensation at the RF tuner level for mistuning effects produced on the RF tuner by antenna system impedance presented at the antenna input that is other than a designed for impedance. Frequency response of an RF input filter for the RF tuner is electronically adjustable with an independent or semi-independent control voltage signal based on one or more measured parameters of a tuning frequency. Frequency response adjustment may include adjustment of a center frequency of the RF input filter bandpass frequency range and/or altering the bandpass frequency range of the RF input filter.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus for distributing a received modulated RF signal to a plurality of tuners including a diplexer device. The diplexer device includes a plurality of filter circuits adapted to direct respective portions of the received modulated RF the signal to respective tuner devices. In an illustrated embodiment, the tuner devices supply tuned signals to a picture in picture display device. Also disclosed is a method of receiving a modulated ready of frequency signal and routing portions of the received signal to respective tuner devices using filter devices in a diplexer or multiplexer configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a television signal receiver provides an emergency alert function, according to an exemplary embodiment, the television signal receiver includes a first tuner for tuning a first channel when the television signal receiver is in an on mode. A second tuner is provided for tuning a second channel when the television signal receiver is in the on mode and an off/standby mode. The second channel provides emergency alert signals capable of activating the emergency alert function.

Abstract: A signal processing arrangement has a signal source for providing a radio frequency (RF) signal, a signal output point, and first control means coupled between the signal source and the signal output point for controlling the selection of a low noise figure amplifier in response to the magnitude of an RF signal on a tuned channel frequency and the magnitude of an RF signal in the vicinity of said tuned channel frequency.

Abstract: A signal tuning system including a picture-in-picture (PIP) feature includes a first and a second tuner. The first and second tuners are adapted to tune to a first and a second channel of a received signal in response to a state of the received signal. A switching device coupled to the tuners switches the tuner carrying a primary channel to a primary display area. The switching device also switches the other tuner carrying the secondary channel to a PIP display in a PIP display area. One tuner is a higher performance tuner and the other a lower performance tuner. Therefore the more sensitive tuner is tuned to the weaker one of the two received channels.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and/or method provides frequency response adjustment of an RF input filter of an RF tuner based on impedance of an antenna system that is providing reception of RF signals to the RF tuner. The frequency response adjustment is preferably accomplished dynamically and/or with respect to each frequency tuned. Particularly, the system, method and/or apparatus provides compensation at the RF tuner level for mistuning effects produced on the RF tuner by antenna system impedance presented at the antenna input that is other than a designed for impedance. Frequency response of an RF input filter for the RF tuner is electronically adjustable with an independent or semi-independent control voltage signal based on one or more measured parameters of a tuning frequency. Frequency response adjustment may include adjustment of a center frequency of the RF input filter bandpass frequency range and/or altering the bandpass frequency range of the RF input filter.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and/or method provides frequency response adjustment of an RF input filter of an RF tuner based on impedance of an antenna system that is providing reception of RF signals to the RF tuner. The frequency response adjustment is preferably accomplished dynamically and/or with respect to each frequency tuned. Particularly, the system, method and/or apparatus provides compensation at the RF tuner level for mistuning effects produced on the RF tuner by antenna system impedance presented at the antenna input that is other than a designed for impedance. Frequency response of an RF input filter for the RF tuner is electronically adjustable with an independent or semi-independent control voltage signal based on one or more measured parameters of a tuning frequency. Frequency response adjustment may include adjustment of a center frequency of the RF input filter bandpass frequency range and/or altering the bandpass frequency range of the RF input filter.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for processing digital communication signals. An exemplary system comprises a first input adapted to receive a first digital communication signal, a second input adapted to receive a second digital communication signal, an upconverter adapted to generate a multichannel digital signal that incorporates data corresponding to the first digital signal at a first frequency and data corresponding to the second digital signal at a second frequency, and a digital-to-analog converter adapted to convert the multichannel digital signal to a multichannel analog signal.

Abstract: An apparatus is capable of distributing an input signal to multiple tuners within a dwelling unit using an architecture that is advantageous in terms of layout and expandability. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes an amplifier operative to receive an input signal having a plurality of channels, and to amplify the input signal to generate an amplified signal. A plurality of serially connected couplers is operative to couple the amplified signal to a plurality of tuners.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that processes a received signal. An exemplary embodiment of the system comprises a receiver circuit that is adapted to receive the received signal and separate an out-of-band data signal corresponding to an out-of-band frequency spectrum from the received signal, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter that converts the out-of-band data signal to a digitized out-of-band frequency spectrum signal, and a circuit that is adapted to identify data corresponding to an out-of-band data channel within the digitized out-of-band frequency spectrum signal.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a television signal receiver (20) provides an emergency alert function. According to an exemplary embodiment, the television signal receiver (20) includes a first tuner (23) for tuning a first channel when the television signal receiver (20) is in an on mode. A second tuner (25) is provided for tuning a second channel when the television signal receiver (20) is in the on mode and an off/standby mode. The second channel provides emergency alert signals capable of activating the emergency alert function.

Abstract: An apparatus provides an emergency alert function that interfaces different types of emergency alert systems. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a tuner for tuning an emergency alert signal indicating an emergency event, and a processor for determining an originator of the emergency alert signal. The processor processes the emergency alert signal according to a first scheme if the originator is a first originator, and processes the emergency alert signal according to a second scheme if the originator is not the first originator.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for processing communication signals. An exemplary method of processing a received orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) broadcast signal having a frequency spectrum comprises demodulating the OFDM broadcast signal over a subset of the frequency spectrum to create a first demodulated signal component corresponding to a first signal component the first signal component being representative of a lower resolution version of a second signal component and providing data corresponding to the first demodulated signal component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for simultaneous reception of a plurality of digital RF channels. Specifically, N amplifier-filter circuits are configured to receive and separate a multichannel analog RF input signal into N analog signals, each including a different frequency band. N analog-to-digital converters are provided, each respectively coupled to one of the N amplifier-filter circuits and configured to receive an analog signal and generate a respective digital signal. A digital tuner is coupled to receive and demultiplex the N digital signals generated by the N analog-to-digital converters thereby recovering M digital RF channels. M demodulation circuits are provided for performing demodulation and forward-error-correction of the M digital RF channels (see FIG. 1). This combination of components permits substantially simultaneous reception of multiple digital cable channels within a single digital receiver circuit suitable for use with conventional cable delivery systems and at a reasonable cost.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a television signal receiver, radio or other apparatus provides an emergency alert function with a priority override feature to ensure that users are informed of significant emergency events. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a signal receiving element operative to receive emergency alert signals providing an emergency message. A processor is operatively coupled to the signal receiving element and detects if a condition associated with the emergency message exists. The processor processes the emergency alert signals in accordance with user settings for the emergency alert function if the condition does not exist. The processor overrides the user settings and enables an alert output if the condition exists.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for actively signal splitting an RF signal. Specifically, the RF signal is frequency-separated to generate a first signal including a first set of frequencies and a second signal including a second set of frequencies. The first and second signals are independently amplified to generate first and second amplified signals, respectively. The first and second amplified signals are then combined to generate a recombined signal. The recombined signal is divided to generate first and second splitter output signals.

Abstract: A technique for performing channel detection in a device such as a television signal receiver is capable of quickly determining the analog and/or digital broadcast channels available in a given area. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for performing channel detection includes tuning a first frequency channel, determining whether a signal parameter associated with the first frequency channel exceeds a predetermined threshold, and enabling a first channel acquisition operation responsive to determining that the signal parameter exceeds the predetermined threshold.