Abstract: A cable access unit (CAU) (60) capable of monitoring power levels for a plurality of channels couples a television (80) and communication equipment (70) to an operations and maintenance center (OMC) (20). At some determined interval, the OMC (20) determines the need to measure the television signal at some particular subscriber's location and sends a message to the CAU (60). The CAU (60) determines if the communications equipment is in use. If not, the CAU receiver is tuned to the channel, and samples and digitizes the power level. The digitized power level is assembled into a message packet and transmitted to the OMC (20).

Abstract: The disclosure describes a moving receiver station capable of receiving broadcast entertainment signals from a first geostationary satellite associated with a first program provider, or from a second geostationary satellite associated with a second program provider. The receiver station is part of an aircraft and includes a tracking antenna and switching and control system that locks the tracking antenna on either the first or second satellite. The switching and control system receives position information, program attribute information and satellite coverage area information to determine when the aircraft is leaving one coverage area and entering another. The switching and control system switches the antenna to the second satellite when the aircraft enters the second coverage area, and limits the availability of received programming based on whether the aircraft is leaving the first coverage area or entering the second coverage area.

Abstract: A digital modulator and digital demodulator with quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) schemes, which are designed to modulate or demodulate RZ-coded baseband signals. The digital modulator comprises first to fourth roll-off filters and a first and second inverters connected to the second and fourth roll-off filters. It also comprises a parallel-to-serial converter to successively selects the outputs of the first roll-off filter, third roll-off filter, first inverter, and second inverter. A D/A converter converts the selected digital signal stream into an analog signal. The roll-off filters and inverters operate at a predetermined clock frequency, while the parallel-to-serial converter and the D/A converter work at a frequency four times the predetermined clock frequency. The digital demodulator reverses the above modulation process to reproduce the baseband signals.

Abstract: A peripheral device is provided for a personal computer enabling the PC to provide the functions of a set-top box for television reception. Communication of television and control signals between the television and PC can be provided over the cable wiring already provided in the subscriber premises. Alternatively, wireless communication can be provided between the television and the PC. The invention obviates the need for a set-top box and the associated expense thereof. The television operations take place in the multitasking environment of the PC, so that the PC can be concurrently used for other applications.

Abstract: A television viewer can easily navigate programs which are grouped according to a common service provider or other grouping criteria by depressing the "channel up" or "channel down" buttons on a hand-held remote control. Programming services which are provided via one or more transmission paths are integrated, thereby allowing a viewer to successively select the grouped channels regardless of the broadcast signal, transmission path, frequency spectrum, transport stream and/or PID in which the channel is carried. Data is provided with broadcast signals to indicate broadcast address information which corresponds to a primary channel and one or more secondary channels of a channel group. A viewer can successively view the channels of the group while bypassing intermediate non-group channels. Grouped channels can thus be designated by a common channel designator such as a channel number.

Abstract: A system for redistributing a broadband audio-visual-data signal to a multiplicity of receiver units within a multiple dwelling unit (MDU) includes a main receiving antenna that receives a broadband video/audio/data signal having a number of individual program multiplex signals therein and a transmodulator device that transmodulates the individual program multiplex signals associated with the broadband signal from a first modulation scheme to a second modulation scheme to reduce the bandwidth of the broadband signal. The transmodulated signals are broadcast over a cable network, along with terrestrial signals, to individual receiver units at the MDU. The receiver units demodulate the transmodulated and/or terrestrial signals and provide user-specified channels to television sets for display.

Abstract: Downstream digital telephony signals are transmitted over the 1310 nm transmission band of a silica optic fiber. Upstream digital telephony signals are transmitted over a "short wavelength" portion of the 1550 nm transmission band of the optic fiber, i.e. within a portion of the 1550 nm transmission band having wavelengths less than a predetermined threshold wavelength of 1550 nm. Simultaneously, downstream analog video signals are transmitted over a "long wavelength" portion of the 1550 nm transmission band of the optic fiber, i.e. within a portion of the 1550 nm transmission band having wavelengths exceeding the predetermined threshold wavelength of 1550 nm but still within an erbium-doped fiber amplifier gain profile. Thus, the upstream digital telephony signals are always transmitted at wavelengths shorter than the threshold wavelength and the downstream analog video signals are always transmitted at wavelengths longer than the threshold wavelength.

Abstract: A reception apparatus for receiving a broadcast signal which is transmitted from a transmitting side and which includes personalized information comprising data representing information about specific programs targeted for a specific viewer. The reception apparatus comprises: an extraction unit for extracting the data representing the information about the specific programs from the broadcast signal received; and a display unit for displaying the information about the specific programs on the basis of the data representing the information about the specific programs.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data to a plurality of receivers is provided wherein an identifier is assigned to each of the receivers that cannot be ascertained once assigned, a subset of receivers is selected to receive data, and an encrypted board identifier corresponding to each receiver of the subset is transmitted, wherein a receiver of the subset becomes enabled upon receipt of the encrypted board identifier and data is transmitted with an indication that the data is only for receivers that have been enabled.

Abstract: A method of forming a tap into an intermediate point on a continuous coaxial cable, and a coaxial cable tap housing suitable for forming such a tap. The tap housing includes a recess and an alignment element having a predetermined spatial relationship with the recess. The recess has an entry, an exit and a passage connecting the entry and exit. When the tap housing is fixed to a cable, the exit of the recess is closer to the outer conductor of the cable than the entry of the recess is to the outer conductor. The alignment element is used to position a cutting tool which is inserted through the entry of the recess to form an opening in the outer conductor and a cavity in the dielectric under the opening. A tap insert, which includes a coupler assembly, is mounted to the housing, and the coupler assembly is inserted through the entry of the recess and through the opening into the cavity formed in the cable. In specific embodiments, the recess and opening are elongated.

Abstract: A digital broadcast station is configured to turn around and add interactive programming to a television signal originally conveyed by a remote network. The remote network inserts trigger commands within the vertical blanking intervals (VBIs) of the television signal to control the loading and playing of the interactive program at the broadcast station. The protocol associated with the trigger commands allows commands to be repeated to thereby ensure that the interactive program is controlled correctly, even in the event that an original command was not received or was corrupted in the transmission. If a repeated trigger command is received by the broadcast station and the original command was not properly received, the interactive program source enters an error recovery state to determine the appropriate action for the interactive program source. For certain commands, such as continue, pause and stop, the interactive program source responds to the repeated command without further error compensation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing spectral control of intermodulation products in communications systems to reduce the distorting and interfering effects of system nonlinearities. The method provides a technique which controls the phases of video carriers in order to minimize second and third order intermodulation distortion products both in-band and out-of-band.

Abstract: A reduced cost, robust data communication scheme for very small aperture terminal satellite communication systems combines non-coherent frequency detection and trellis-coded, multi-frequency modulation. The data code width is associated with the size of a multiple frequency set and the selection of a given combination of frequencies for transmission during a respective baud. One portion the data is convolutionally encoded and points to an orthogonal signal set associated with frequencies of a partitioned multiple frequency set. Another portion of the data identifies the frequency combination within the group pointed to by the one portion. The combined portions encode a multi-frequency transmission waveform. At the receiver, the multi-frequency tone sequence is detected by non-coherent frequency detection. For each baud, matched filters output a most likely set of frequencies transmitted during that baud, as soft decisions to a Viterbi decoder.

Abstract: In a communications system, a headend is provided with redundancy circuitry for video receivers, decoders, and modulation circuitry. The devices in the headend are monitored for failure, and when they fail, the channel being processed by the failing device is rerouted through redundancy circuitry to avoid the interruption of service to subscribers.

Abstract: A management system and method for use with on-demand cable programming, wherein a customer telephones a cable supplier and requests that a particular video program be played. The management system uses a plurality of video sources, wherein each of the video sources is capable of playing the requested video program. A telephone switch system and routing table are used to route incoming customer requests directly to the interface in control of the video source serving the region from where the request originated. The volume of requests received from each customer region serviced by the cable supplier is evaluated. If the volume of customer requests surpasses a threshold level, then additional video sources are added to the cable network by the cable supplier.

Abstract: A combined IRD scrambler/modulator is provided in a headend. A service provider transmits a digital program signal in a digital data stream to a headend which distributes analog program signal to at least one subscriber. The headend receives an encoded digital program signal in the digital data stream from the service provider and decrypts the digital program signal therefrom. The digital program signal includes an audio and a video portion. The video portion of the signal is scrambled by a scrambler. The digital audio portion of the digital program signal and scrambled video portion of the digital program signal are converted to an analog program signal and transmitted to one or more subscribers.

Abstract: A system for capturing, storing and retrieving movies recorded in a video format and stored in a compressed digital format at a central distribution site is described. A plurality of remote distribution locations are connected through fiber optic connections to the central distribution site. The remote sites maybe of one of two types: a video retail store or a cable television (CATV) head end. In the case of a video retail store, VHS videotapes, other format videotapes or other video media may be manufactured on-demand in as little as three to five minutes for rental or sell-through. A totally automated manufacturing system is described in which the customers can preview and order movies for rental and sale from video kiosks. The selected movie is then either retrieved from local cache storage or downloaded from the central distribution site for manufacturing onto a blank or reused videotape.

Abstract: An audio/video distribution system for a multiple dwelling unit such as an apartment building provides programming which is selectable by a subscriber through the interactive use of on-screen menus. Programming and services are supplied from a headend over a distribution network to individual apartments. The distribution network includes an interdiction field unit associated with each of a group of apartments. The interdiction field unit normally interdicts those channels capable of carrying video on demand movies, interactive video games, and interactive services. When a subscriber wishes to order a movie, video game, or other service through interactive on-screen menus provided from the headend to the apartment, the headend instructs the interdiction field unit associated with the subscriber's apartment to de-interdict a channel. Selections made through a remote control to a subscriber terminal in the apartment are supplied to the headend over the distribution system.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying still video images related to video content in an interactive broadcast television system. The system and method of the present invention may also be used for simulating an Internet home page on an interactive television system. The present invention thus supports hyperlinked web-like navigational capabilities in an interactive television system. According to the method of the present invention, the video delivery system provides or broadcasts one or more audio/video channels each comprising video content and also provides or broadcasts at least one still image channel comprising a plurality of still video images, preferably MPEG-2 compressed still images. The user or viewer can select options displayed on the television screen to view desired information.

Abstract: A system of sending digital high definition television pictures and sound in a limited bandwidth using the principle of analyzing and sending changes in pictures and coded instructions rather than entire pictures. Delaying the presentation of the pictures slightly permits major picture changes and sound to be sent at a lower bit rate over a longer period of time. Non-changing areas of the pictures are sent to the receiver and remain on the screen until changes occur or refresh is desired. When TV cameras shift orientation, backgrounds of pictures or objects which do not change are shifted on the receiver with appropriate codes rather than repeating the entire picture. Fast changing portions of pictures are determined and sent more frequently than slower or non-changing ones. Sound information is acquired and compared to libraries of sound fragments.

Abstract: Carriers (51) in a cable telephony system (10) are prioritized (70) according to their usability. A local access manager (LAM) (27) creates a frequency list that ranks the carriers (51) based upon their frequency. When a cable fixed access unit (CFAU) (44) requests a traffic channel, the LAM (27) selects a traffic channel based on the channel's carrier usability. The LAM (27) also selects an alternative channel based on both the channel's carrier usability and the based on the number of carriers between the traffic channel and the alternate channel in the frequency list. When either the LAM (27) or the CFAU (44) determines the traffic channel is unacceptable during a call they transmit a "Switching to Alternate Channel" message. The CFAU (44) retunes to the alternate channel and transmits a "Re-Connect" request. The LAM (27) then transmits a new alternate channel and the call continues.

Abstract: Video on Demand allows, for example, a coded TV signal or film to be transmitted to a subscriber over a standard two-wire metallic telephone line. A similar apparatus for connecting unidirectional mobile data output to a destination via a standard metallic telephone line, the apparatus comprising a High Bandwidth Subscriber Link Transmitter Unit connected between the data source and a connection point on the telephone line and a High Bandwidth Subscriber Link Receiver Unit connected to a further connection point on the telephone line would enable a signal such as from a video camera to be input at or subscriber terminal and transmitted over a metallic telephone line.

Abstract: An isolation circuit is disclosed for isolating ground interference from a wideband transmission signal. The ground isolation circuit of the present invention is constructed using a pair of matched mixer circuits, each of which receives a carrier signal from the same oscillator circuit. The first mixer circuit also receives the baseband signal input after appropriate conditioning, and modulates the baseband signal onto the carrier signal. In the preferred embodiment, the carrier signal has a predetermined frequency which is at least two times the frequency of the baseband signal. The modulated signal (which preferably comprises an rf signal) is transmitted via an rf transmission line to the second mixer, which demodulates the rf signal to recover the baseband signal. Each port of the mixer circuits connects to an isolation transformer to insure isolation from ground interference.

Abstract: A device such as a pay TV decoder, a television receiver, a VCR or a remote control is automatically customized with information such as channel, frequency, and/or remote control codes that is stored in memory in a smart card. The smart card transmits the information to the device via a smart card reader. The information is transmitted to the device in response to the smart card being coupled to the smart card reader. Customization by smart card facilitates efficient production of devices such as pay TV decoders because all devices can be identical during manufacturing and customized easily after manufacturing. For example, a cable TV operator can customize each pay TV decoder with channel allocation information appropriate for the site of the decoder by using a smart card.

Abstract: A system for redistributing a television signal to a multiplicity of receiver units within a multiple dwelling unit (MDU) includes a main receiving antenna which receives a broadband television signal and a translation device that translates the broadband television signal into a different carrier frequency band. One or more broadcasting antennas, located at advantageous sites within the MDU, transmit the translated television signal along one or more walls of the MDU to be received by antennas associated with one or more individual receiver units. Each receiver unit demodulates the received television signal and provides a user-specified channel to a television set for display.

Abstract: A computer-based system and method for saving and restoring states in an interactive television system. The system presents interactive programs to a user; each program includes one or more states. When a user leaves a state in an interactive program by selecting a second state, the system saves state information sufficient to restore the first state. When the user elects to return to the first state, the system retrieves the state information and uses it to restore the first state; if the first state is not in the same interactive program as the second state, the system terminates the second state's interactive program and launches the first state's interactive program.

Abstract: A distributed computer system, as for transmitting and receiving executable multimedia applications, includes a source of a continuous data stream repetitively transfering data representing a distributed computing application and a client computer, receiving the data stream, for extracting the distributed computing application representative data from the data stream, and executing the extracted distributed computing application.

Abstract: A communication device includes a housing (102), the housing has an opening (107) for receipt of a card having information stored therein. A card reader element (308) is positioned in the housing to communicate information from the card (108) to circuitry in the housing. A low profile ejection mechanism (402) is positioned on the housing. The ejection mechanism includes a spring (614) extending outwardly from the body toward the card reader element to push the card against the card reader element.

Abstract: A massively parallel computer system employs hundreds or thousands of otherwise-idle microprocessors in set-top boxes distributed throughout a cable television system. Coupling between these processing nodes is effected by the cable television distribution network, which provides an asymmetrical transmission speed characteristic that is well suited for many parallel applications. The system is tolerant of interruptions due to preemption of set-top boxes for television viewing.

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 television (TV) transmission system is adapted to receive a plurality of TV signals and to transmit these TV signals at a plurality of channel frequencies using multi-bay antenna. The system includes a plurality of exciters, each exciter receiving a one of the TV signals and operative to combine the TV signal with a carrier signal at a respective one of the channel frequencies to produce a transmittable signal. Each exciter is coupled to a signal splitter which produces a plurality of split signals from the transmittable signal. A separate power amplifier is coupled to receive each split signal and passes an amplified signal to a power combiner which produces a single combined output signal. A plurality of such power combiners pass their respective output signals to a plurality of antenna elements arranged to radiate as a group.

Abstract: For an interactive communication system, a method and apparatus for processing requests for interactive applications. One embodiment of the invention initially receives a request to transmit a first presentation of a particular interactive application. This embodiment then determines if transmission of the first presentation would constrain resources of the interactive communication system. If the system's resources would be constrained, then this embodiment causes a second presentation of the particular interactive application to be transmitted. This second presentation expends less resources of the system than the first presentation.

Abstract: A method and system wherein a system gateway (18) determines, from closed loop power control information, a power density at an antenna (13a) of a user terminal 13. The gateway also maintains a record of a duration of time that the power density exceeds a specified threshold. The gateway determines if an averaged transmitted power density associated with the antenna of the user terminal will equal or exceed at least one of a predetermined threshold level, within a specified period of time, or an absolute threshold level. If the gateway determines that a threshold will probably be exceeded if the call connection is maintained, the gateway terminates the connection prior to a time that the user terminal averaged transmitted power density level equals or exceeds the predetermined or absolute threshold level. A tone or a visual indicator may be employed to warn the user that a current connection or call will be terminated. Provisions are made for allowing predetermined types of calls (e.g.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transmitting digital multi-media signals in asynchronous transfer mode over unshielded twisted pair wiring in a multi-point topology in an improved cost-effective manner. The multi-media digital signals originate from and are received by a plurality of receiving stations connected via twisted pair wiring.

Abstract: A video-on-demand system is comprised of a source station which transmits video signals of different channels on an optical transmission line to a number of subscriber terminals in accordance with subscriber requests. The source station includes a multiplexing unit which generates a frequency division multiplexed signal from the video signals in such a manner that vertical synchronizations of the video signals of different channels are in accordance with each other, and transmits the multiplexed signal to each subscriber terminal. Each subscriber terminal includes a transmitting unit which transmits a control signal indicative of a subscriber request to the source station at a frequency band different from frequency bands of the video signals of the frequency division multiplexed signal, the control signal being transmitted during a vertical blanking period of the video signals.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a memory management system employed in a settop terminal which utilizes memory available at the headend of a CATV system through a bidirectional CATV network to augment the memory resident within the settop terminal. The system includes a memory management unit that monitors the software application running on the settop terminal microprocessor, pre-fetches blocks of the program from the headend and stores these blocks in resident memory. The memory management unit manages the limited pool of settop terminal memory by dividing it into segments large enough to hold a single program block. Program blocks are fetched from the headend as needed by the microprocessor, and segments of memory containing program blocks not likely to be used are reused. The system provides sufficient read-ahead capability to ensure that the microprocessor has enough executable code to process at all times. The location of the memory is completely transparent to the microprocessor.

Abstract: An improved telephone test device and a method of the same for an optical cable television which are capable of easily testing a telephone function of an optical cable television system by connecting to the subscriber's line of the optical cable television system without using an additional switch system, which includes the steps of a first step for initializing a database, selecting a predetermined bus, Cept interface boards-10, and a hardware, executing a menu, and judging the inputted menu; a second step for performing an extended common control board assembly loop-back test routine when the extended common control board assembly is selected in the first step for testing the extended common control board assembly loop-back; a third step for performing Cept interface boards-10 loop-back test routine when the loop-back is selected in the first step for performing the Cept interface boards-10 loop-back; a fourth step for performing a common test routine when the common test is selected in the first step; a fi

Abstract: An image-data-system host computer outputs image data, the protocol of which is not disclosed. The image data outputted from the image-data-system host computer is transmitted via an image-data-system terminal and a video control unit to a data management unit. On the other hand, the data management unit decrypts in accordance with a protocol and acquires text data outputted from a text-system host computer whose protocol is disclosed. A signal transmitting unit transmits the image data and the text data outputted from the data management unit via a coaxial cable to a display unit. The display unit displays images in response to the image data and the text data received from the signal transmitting unit.

Abstract: A method and device for use with a communication system having a single cable line containing externally transmitted data within a fixed frequency band for providing interaction between a transmitting terminal device and a receiving terminal device without disrupting the externally transmitted data. A modulator is provided for shifting a signal generated by the transmitting device to a frequency not receivable by the receiving device. A low pass filter passes the shifted signal to a block converter which converts the signal to a frequency outside of the fixed frequency band but which is receivable by the receiving device. An amplifier is provided for amplifying the converted signal and the externally transmitted data for receipt of the amplified signal by the receiving device.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for distributing full motion video media, usually in the form of advertisements to a plurality of businesses, such as retail stores that are dispersed over a wide geographical area. The programs are transmitted from a distribution center to a multitude of receiving sites via satellite and are receivable via antennae at the receiving sites. Television monitors located at selected points in the receiving sites display the programs to an audience, which usually will include shoppers in the course of shopping. The invention provides for customizing video programs for particular target audiences or markets, such that the series of programs played in one receiving site could be quite different from that played in another.

Abstract: A multiplex frame format for transmitting digital data in a data transmission system comprises a PACKETS portion comprising a highly error-protected region and a region having only Reed Solomon encoding as an error protection measure, the PACKETS portion including low speed data. The frame format also comprises portions for transmitting medium (AUDIO) and high speed (VIDEO) data streams following the PACKETS portion. Prior to transmission, the composed frame comprising the PACKETS, AUDIO and VIDEO portions is interleaved and the BLOCK SYNC and FRAME SYNC are added. A multiplex structure control packet word of the PACKETS portion immediately follows FRAME SYNC. Thus, the FRAME SYNC word defines where interleaving begins. A demultiplexer in concert with a microcontroller of a decoder decodes the multiplex structure control word and related PACKETS and outputs digital data streams to related output peripheral processors.

Abstract: The formation of leachable mercury upon disposal or during TCLP testing of mercury vapor discharge lamps is substantially prevented by incorporation of an antioxidant in the lamp structure or in the test solution.

Abstract: An interactive entertainment network system supplies previews in an analog format while operating in a video-on-demand (VOD) mode. The previews are displayed instantaneously when a viewer switches to a designated VOD channel. The previews are played in a continuous loop to attract viewers that are switching through channels. The VOD channel therefore appears like traditional broadcast channels, as opposed to a still screen. In this manner, the viewer will be less inclined to skip past the VOD channel. If the viewer does nothing, the previews of the new releases cycle through, one after another. No digital resources are utilized to this point; rather, the analog video stream is continually transmitted in a "broadcast" fashion. However, if the viewer actively requests information or a new set of previews while in the VOD application, the system ceases the analog presentation and transitions to a fully interactive digital system.

Abstract: A collective-house control system is provided which employs an interface circuit for alternative mark inversion (AMI) communication. The interface circuit has a data detecting unit, a controlling unit, and an AMI signal generating unit. The data detecting unit receives input AMI signals from a single coaxial line and detects first control data within the input AMI signal. The controlling unit receives the first control data and generates a corresponding output signal. Also, controlling unit inputs second control data and generates first and second signals for generating an output AMI signal. The AMI signal generating unit inputs the first and second signals and generates the output AMI signal in accordance with such signals. The interface circuit may also include a collision detecting unit and a logic circuit unit.

Abstract: A distribution system for a passenger entertainment system (30) that provides appropriate in-line amplification and equalization of an entertainment signal carried on a common bus (40). The distribution system is comprised of a network of zone management units (ZMUs) (42a, 42b, . . . 42n) and seat electronics units (SEUs) (48a, 48b, . . . 48n) connected to the bus. Each ZMU contains a variable gain amplifier in series with the bus to amplify the entertainment signal carried on the bus. Each ZMU also contains a variable slope compensation network (84) that is continuously adjusted to equalize the amplitude of the entertainment signal across the signal bandwidth. Each SEU contains a variable gain amplifier in series with the bus to amplify the entertainment signal carried on the bus. Each SEU also contains a fixed slope compensation network (330) that may be switched in series with the bus to equalize the amplitude of the entertainment signal across the signal bandwidth.

Abstract: A low power, low cost distributed digital loop (DDL) carrier system that combines television and voice telephone signal transmission over coaxial cables. The DDL system employs a passive/active tap module (114) that controls the steering of the video and telephone signals. The high frequency down stream telephone signal is not processed until a routing terminator (110) converts it to lower frequency signal for transmission in the lower frequency subsplit channel. The telephone signal is then transmitted back up through the subsplit where the active circuitry of each tap intercepts the telephone signal, selects the needed signal and transmits it down to a network interface unit (120) located at the subscriber premises.

Abstract: A CATV system including a CATV network, multiplicity of subscriber units, apparatus for transmitting over said CATV network encrypted information individually addressed to a subscriber unit and apparatus associated with each of said multiplicity of subscriber units for decoding the encrypted information addressed thereto.

Abstract: A fault detection system for a broadband network having a central switch for switched telecommunications connections among subscribers each provided with subscriber interface equipment. The subscriber interface equipment has a received voice path and generates baseband signals for voice telephony which are carried at a carrier frequency on the broadband network. The fault detection system is provided with a tone generator for providing a constant, continuous pilot throughout the network. A pilot tone detector at the subscriber interface equipment detects the absence of pilot tone. The central switch is responsive to each pilot tone detection to recognize the absence of pilot tone at the corresponding subscriber location.

Abstract: In an intergrated broadband and telephone network, caller identification information is delivered to a remote user through a service control point which retrieves nee information from a database in the telephone network and sends ring telephone instructions to the remote user's telephone through the telephone network but caller identification information to a display device at the remote user's location through the broadband network. The caller information may be displayed on a television set, a computer screen, or a window overlay on a different graphics/video image.

Abstract: A hybrid transmission system is provided to transmit and receive high-speed digital information in the form of variable length packets using standard television practices and components. The basic building block of this hybrid digital transmission system is the device at the remote location that receives the analog broadcast TV-like signal processed by a standard vestigial sideband video modulator. This device decodes the digital information from the signal and then passes it along as digital information to any form of a data terminal equipment or computer.