Network Component (e.g., Filter, Tap, Splitter, Amplifier, Repeater, Etc.) Patents (Class 725/127)
  • Patent number: 8931027
    Abstract: Disclosed is a media gateway that processes AV signals offered over various channels into AV stream data and wirelessly transmits the AV stream data to a client such as PC or TV The media gateway includes: a broadcast signal receiver for selecting a broadcast signal and dividing the selected broadcast signal into video and audio signals; a video decoder for decoding the video signal into a displayable image signal; an A/D converter for digitally converting the audio signal; an encoder for encoding the digitally converted audio signal and the image signal; a data communication unit for transmitting/receiving AV stream data and a client control command to/from a data communication unit on a client side; and a main processor for controlling a tuner in the broadcast signal receiver according to a client control command conforming to HTTP standards received through the data communication unit and transmitting AV stream data obtained by encoding a broadcast signal of a channel selected by the tuner to a client side
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: iCube Corp.
    Inventor: Keun-Ho Cho
  • Patent number: 8931025
    Abstract: A method of generating a stream comprising synchronized interactive content is described. The method comprises the steps of: transmitting a first stream from a studio to a terminal or a terminal system of a first user and to a buffer; transmitting in response to the first stream a second stream to a mixer connected to the buffer, the second stream comprising content generated in reaction to the content of the first stream; providing the mixer with a temporal relation between the packets in the first and second stream; generating a first output stream comprising a substantially synchronized content by mixing packets in second stream with packets of the buffered first stream on the basis of the temporal relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignees: Koninklijke KPN N.V., Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast—Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Hans Maarten Stokking, Omar Aziz Niamut, Mattijs Oskar Van Deventer, Fabian Arthur Walraven, Victor Bastiaan Klos, John Gerard Beerends
  • Publication number: 20150007246
    Abstract: There is provided interface apparatus (40) for use in a broadband and/or CATV network (10), the apparatus (40) comprising signal separation means (50, 50?) to create separate downstream and upstream signal paths (46, 48?) and an amplifier means (54) for amplifying upstream signals, wherein the amplifier means (54) is positioned in the upstream signal path and is in communication with a signal detection means (56) operable to power the amplifier means (54) dependent on a signal level of the upstream signal. The signal detection means (56) is positioned downstream of the amplifier means in the upstream path. The signal detection means (56) incorporates a switching element (58) responsive to a detected signal level to interrupt power (60) to the amplifier means (54) and so prevent passing along the upstream path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Jan Ariesen
  • Publication number: 20140380400
    Abstract: A system for providing data communication services includes a cable television (CATV) tap-off device and a CATV gateway device. The tap-off device includes a signal splitter communicably coupled to a tap-off access point and a first signal transceiver and communicates a CATV signal with a CATV network through the splitter. The gateway device is communicably coupled to the signal splitter through a first coaxial cable to communicate the CATV signal with the tap-off device. The gateway device includes a second signal transceiver and is configured to split the CATV signal into a television signal and a baseband data signal. The second signal transceiver communicates the baseband data signal as a transceiver signal over the first coaxial cable to the first signal transceiver. The tap-off access point is configured to transmit a first wireless signal based on the transceiver signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: David WACHOB, Neil TANG
  • Patent number: 8908538
    Abstract: Systems and methods can provide for improved impairment discovery for broadband communication systems. In some implementations, such systems and methods can provide cluster outage detection and/or time-stamped outage data and visualization. Improved outage discovery can help operators plan repair and thereby reduce truck rolls and decrease network down-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Williams
  • Patent number: 8910230
    Abstract: A method of converting legacy HFC CATV cable systems, which transmit data over the optical fiber portion of the system using the optical counterpart of analog RF waveforms, such as RF QAM waveforms transduced to corresponding optical QAM waveforms, to improved HFC CATV systems that transmit data over the optical fiber using optical fiber optimized protocols, such as Ethernet frames and other optical fiber optimized digital transport protocols. According to the method, most aspects of the legacy HFC CATV system may be retained, however at the CATV head end, the optical fiber transmitter system is replaced by an improved system that extracts the underlying symbols from legacy waveforms, packages these symbols into optical fiber optimized packets, and transmits downstream. The legacy optical fiber nodes are replaced with improved nodes capable of receiving the packets and remodulating the symbols into RF waveforms suitable for injection into the system's CATV cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Gainspeed, Inc.
    Inventor: Shlomo Selim Rakib
  • Patent number: 8898725
    Abstract: A method for processing an input signal is disclosed. The method includes receiving an input signal. The method also includes applying a first transfer function to the input signal to produce a first signal, wherein the first transfer function exhibits a high pass characteristic. The method further includes applying a second transfer function to the input signal to produce a second signal, the second transfer function exhibiting a low pass characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: CSR Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt J. Richter, Angelika Schneider
  • Patent number: 8887211
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a first communication unit that includes a first connector, a second communication unit that includes a second connector, and a control unit that controls not to set the second communication unit to one of a first mode and a second mode based on a predetermined device connected to the first connector, wherein the first mode is used for transmitting video data, and the second mode is different from the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Ogaki, Tatsuya Kimoto, Isao Abe
  • Publication number: 20140325584
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for extending high definition multimedia signals from a source to a display over long distances (e.g., up to 300 feet) using a single cable medium having a plurality of twisted pair conductors contained therein. The extender transparently supports HDMI and/or DVI signaling, which allows encrypted video content to be displayed at the remote display (or other sink device). Display data channel control (DDC) information is sampled and transferred in packet from the local unit to a remote unit to comply with high-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: VIDEO PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Madalin Cristea, Adrian Bica
  • Patent number: 8869223
    Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a resonance restricting material in communication with a bypass line of a cable television tap. The bypass line generates resonances at a defined frequency in response to RF parameters in the tap and the resonances increase insertion losses at the defined frequency and precludes bandwidth of the tap being increased above the defined frequency. The resonance restricting material may attenuate the resonances generated by the bypass line at the defined frequency (e.g., approximately 1.2 GHz) and reduce insertion losses at the defined frequency and enable the bandwidth of the tap to be increased (e.g., from 1.0 GHz to 1.8 GHz).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Rudolph J. Menna, Philip Miguelez
  • Patent number: 8869220
    Abstract: Processing a video stream using upon Program Clock References (PCRs) contained therein in preparation for transmission to a wireless device. Operation includes receiving video frames of the video stream, buffering the video frames, and extracting PCRs from at least some of the video frames of the video stream. Operation further includes, based upon at least the values of the PCRs, determining transmission parameters, and transmitting video frames of the video stream to the wireless device according to the transmission parameters. Operation may further include determining a round trip delay of transmissions to the wireless device and acknowledgements from the wireless device, adjusting PCRs of at least some video frames of the video stream based upon the round trip delay, and transmitting the video frames of the video stream to the wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Quigley, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Sherman (Xuemin) Chen, Michael Dove, David Rosmann, Stephen E. Gordon
  • Patent number: 8854947
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a condition responsive device for connection with a communication system. The device includes a receiver configured to receive a physical parameter status signal from a connector of the communication system, the physical parameter status signal containing data pertaining to a condition of the connector connection. The device further includes a processing circuit configured to analyze the data to determine whether a communications signal adjustment is appropriate, wherein the processing circuit is configured to initiate a communications signal adjustment in the communication system if the processing circuit determines that adjustment is appropriate, based on a predetermined set of parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: PPC Broadband, Inc.
    Inventors: David Jackson, Noah Montena
  • Patent number: 8856857
    Abstract: This technique relates to a receiving device, a receiving method, and a program that can demodulate transmitted signals with high accuracy. A receiving device of this disclosure includes: an amplifying unit that amplifies a received signal; an adjusting unit that adjusts gain of the amplifying unit in accordance with power of the signal; a demodulating unit that demodulates the amplified signal; and a detecting unit that detects an interval from the signal, information having the same content continuously appearing in the interval. The adjusting unit restricts the process of adjusting the gain of the amplifying unit in accordance with a result of the detection of the interval. This disclosure can be applied to receiving devices that receive broadcast signals compliant with DVB-C2 via a CATV network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Kobayashi, Naoki Yoshimochi
  • Patent number: 8850506
    Abstract: A method and system for supporting media services on devices lacking capabilities to execute reverse transmission communicates necessary to request and/or locate the services. The method and system may be suitable for use with switched broadcast television (SBT) system having unidirectional digital cable products (UDCPs) which are unable to execute reverse transmission communicates necessary to support SBT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cable Television Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: David K. Broberg
  • Patent number: 8850505
    Abstract: A system for control of noise in a cable TV upstream path of a bi-directional cable TV home amplifier system that is positioned in the premises of the end user includes a noise control circuit and a coupler element that couples between the noise control circuit and the cable TV upstream path. The system further includes an amplifier part that is disposed on the upstream path. The noise control circuit connects or disconnects the cable TV upstream path depending on the level of signal passing through the cable TV upstream path. Namely, when the level of a signal that passes through the upstream path is lower than a predefined signal threshold, the noise control circuit disconnects the upstream path, and when the level of the signal is greater than a predefined signal threshold, the noise control circuit connects the upstream path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: David Zilberberg
  • Patent number: 8839334
    Abstract: The method for controlling interface according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: detecting the state of connection with one or more sink devices and one or more source devices which are connected to input and output ports of a multimedia interface module; identifying one or more operation modes available for the detected connection state; and transmitting device information of the one or more sink devices to the one or more source devices, the device information being selectively edited in accordance with a requested operation mode among the identified operation modes. Therefore, various operation modes such as Through, Convert, Switch, Mix, Distribute, Duplicate and Exchange can be chosen for effective operation, thereby enhancing the convenience of the user and increasing the performance of interface between the sink devices and source devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Humax Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jonghun Lee
  • Publication number: 20140250486
    Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for transmission of multiple data streams from a mobile device to a network. In an embodiment, the system includes a multipath wireless router configured to provide a plurality of network connections including cellular, satellite, or wired Ethernet. An encoding module provided on the mobile device is configured to encode high volume data (e.g. high definition video) recorded by the mobile device into multiple data streams in dependence on the number of network connections available for transmission via the multipath wireless router. The encoding module provided on the mobile device transmits the multiple data streams to the wireless router using Wi-Fi to provide a local, short-hop, high capacity network connection. The plurality of network connections available via the multipath wireless router provides the necessary capacity and reliability to transmit a high volume of data, such as high definition video, virtually live.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: David Sze, Hagen Kaye, Robert Flatt, Joseph Robert (Wayne) Mallet, Arif Hudda, Barry Gilhuly, Bogdan Frusina
  • Patent number: 8793755
    Abstract: A network interface device including a signal splitter which conducts CATV signals through an active branch circuit, the active branch circuit including an active signal conditioner which modifies characteristics of active branch signals conducted through the active branch circuit, a sensor connected to sense normal, inoperative and abnormally operative conditions, the sensor removing a control signal indicative of inoperative and abnormal operating conditions, a selectable switch connected to the active branch circuit, the selectable switch communicating the CATV signals between the CATV network and the subscriber devices when in an activated position, and the selectable switch passing the signals to a signal reduction path when in a deactivated position, the selectable switch assuming the deactivated position in response to the de-assertion of the control signal, and a phase cancellation circuit connected to the signal reduction path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: PPC Broadband, Inc.
    Inventors: Noah P. Montena, Steven K. Shafer, Erdogan Alkan, Paul F. Bailey
  • Patent number: 8776163
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for extending high definition multimedia signals from a source to a display over long distances (e.g., up to 300 feet) using a single cable medium having a plurality of twisted pair conductors contained therein. The extender transparently supports HDMI and/or DVI signaling, which allows encrypted video content to be displayed at the remote display (or other sink device). Display data channel control (DDC) information is sampled and transferred in packet from the local unit to a remote unit to comply with high-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Video Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Madalin Cirstea, Adrian Bica
  • Patent number: 8769597
    Abstract: The present invention helps eliminate ingress noise addition (i.e., the “noise funneling effect” for an HFC coaxial plant). A system according to various aspects of the present invention comprises a switch that includes: (i) a first state for allowing passage of a signal therethrough; and (ii) a second state for preventing passage of the signal therethrough. The system further includes a detection circuit in communication with the switch. The detection circuit is configured to: (i) detect whether the signal includes an amplitude of at least a predetermined level; (ii) operate the switch to the first state if the amplitude of the signal is at least the predetermined level; and (iii) operate the switch to the second state if the amplitude of the signal is less than the predetermined level, wherein operation of the switch to the second state is delayed by a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: PCT International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon-En Wang
  • Patent number: 8763063
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlled splitting and isolation of signals in a radio frequency network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable television network, and the apparatus comprises a signal splitter having controlled isolation loss at its output ports in at least one frequency band, thereby enabling communications between terminal devices at the subscriber premises that would otherwise be isolated by high losses typical of prior art splitters. The splitter apparatus can also be utilized with a filter/reflector circuit that advantageously provides maximal downstream frequency spectrum bandwidth while suitably reflecting the aforementioned communications to maintain them within the subscriber-side network without interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Paul D. Brooks, Robert L. Romerein
  • Patent number: 8756645
    Abstract: Configuring a generic adaptable reconfigurable digital receiver having a programmable signal conditioner includes specifying a number of output RF channels; specifying an RF bandwidth of an output channel; and selecting a digital to analog sampling rate of a digital to analog convertor of the programmable signal conditioner as a function of the RF bandwidth of the output channel using a processor/demux of the generic adaptable reconfigurable digital receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Aurora Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Krzysztof Pradzynski, Sudhesh Mysore, Oleh Sniezko
  • Patent number: 8756647
    Abstract: One embodiment may take the form of a control circuit that provides a combined power signal and control signal to an LNB of a satellite system. The control circuit output may be transmitted to an LNB by a set-top box (STB) such that the STB may control the LNB. The control circuit may accept an enable signal from the STB to alter the circuit from a transmitting circuit to a receiving circuit. The control circuit may also integrate the functionality of a low pass filter into the communication signal circuit, thereby removing the need for a low pass filter at a power supply output. The control circuit may also provide a low overall power consumption of the circuit by isolating the communication signal from the power supply signal before the signals are combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: EchoStar Global B.V.
    Inventor: Herman J. J. de Leeuw
  • Patent number: 8756626
    Abstract: To receive new services including audio or video content for presentation by a cable-compatible digital television or other digital audio/video receiver, a module may be connected to the HOST-POD interface of the digital television. The module has a receiver for receiving audio or video content in a first compression format, a transcoder for converting said audio or video content from the first compression format into a second, different compression format, and a controller for transmitting the audio or visual content in the second compression format to the digital television over a HOST-POD interface. By using such a module, front-end components of the digital television may be bypassed while back-end components may be utilized to decompress and present the content. The module may be a PC card or smart card for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Strasser
  • Patent number: 8752114
    Abstract: A CATV/MoCA signal distribution system includes a first 2-way hybrid splitter for receiving a CATV input signal and splitting it into first and second CATV output signals, a second 2-way hybrid splitter for receiving the second CATV output signal and splitting it into third and fourth CATV output signals, with the latter being connected to a CATV output port. A first diplex filter is receptive of the first CATV output signal, and MoCA signals for providing electrical isolation therebetween and connecting them to a modem port. A second diplex filter is receptive of the third CATV output signal and MoCA signals for providing electrical isolation therebetween and connecting them to a Gateway port. A resistive splitter is connected between the first and second diplex filters and a plurality of individual MoCA signal ports for providing bidirectional MoCA signal flow therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Extreme Broadband Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Shapson, Jay F. Shapson, Matthew M. Shapson, Robert Romerein, Rong Hui Li, Daniel D. Deutmeyer
  • Patent number: 8732788
    Abstract: The present invention is an integrated set-top box. In one embodiment, the up-stream path and the down-stream path are integrated on a common semiconductor substrate. The down-stream path can include a TV tuner and a digital receiver portion that is integrated on the common semiconductor substrate with a power amplifier of the up-stream path. In another embodiment, the TV tuner is implemented on a first semiconductor substrate and the digital receiver portion and the power amplifier are configured on a second semiconductor substrate. However, the two substrates are mounted on a common carrier so that the set-top box appears to be a single chip configuration to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Donald G. McMullin, Lawrence M. Burns, Leonard Dauphinee, Ramon A. Gomez, Loke Tan
  • Patent number: 8726320
    Abstract: A system and method for distributing television signals includes a multi-switch module multiplexing television signals therethrough. The system further includes a plurality of unit configurations having respective power sources therein. The plurality of unit configurations receives the television signals. The system also includes a splitting module in communication with the multi-switch module and the plurality of unit configurations whereby at least one of the plurality of unit configurations powers the multi-switch module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard B. Tatem, Sayedalireza Pezeshki
  • Patent number: 8718478
    Abstract: A radio-over-fiber (RoF) hybrid wired/wireless transponder is disclosed that is configured to provide both wireless and wired communication between a hybrid head-end and one or more client devices. The hybrid transponder includes optical-to-electrical (O/E) and electrical-to-optical (E/O) conversion capability and is configured to frequency multiplex/demultiplex electrical “wired” signals and electrical “wireless” signals. The electrical wireless signals are wirelessly communicated to the client device(s) via a multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) antenna system within a cellular coverage area. The electrical wired signals are communicated to the client device(s) via a wireline cable that plugs into a wireline cable port on the transponder. The hybrid RoF system includes a hybrid head-end capable of transmitting and receiving wired and wireless optical signals, and an optical fiber cable that is optically coupled to the hybrid head-end and to at least one hybrid transponder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Dean Michael Thelen, Jacob George, Luis Alberto Zenteno, Michael Sauer, Martyn N. Easton
  • Patent number: 8695047
    Abstract: System and method for protecting video stream quality during transmission over a wireless medium. A plurality of video streams may be transmitted to one or more clients in a wireless manner. It may be determined that a size of a transmit queue is above a first threshold. The plurality of video streams may be differentiated, as part of which a video stream may be selected for penalization in order to protect the other video streams of the plurality of video streams. A scheduling penalty may be imposed on the selected video stream based on determining that the size of the transmit queue is above the first threshold and based on differentiating the plurality of video streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Ashok Kumar Chennupati
  • Patent number: 8695055
    Abstract: A splitter circuit means for use with a CATV network comprising: a first signal input for receiving a CATV signal; a first splitter for splitting the CATV signal into a first split signal and a second split signal; a second signal input for receiving a MoCA signal; a second splitter for splitting the MoCA signal into a third split signal and a fourth split signal; a first diplex filter arranged to lowpass filter the first split signal and highpass filter the third split signal and to combine said filtered signals into a first combined signal to be supplied in a first output; and a second diplex filter arranged to lowpass filter the second split signal and highpass filter the fourth split signal and to combine said filtered signals into a second combined signal to be supplied in a second output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Teleste Oyj
    Inventor: Marc Labro
  • Patent number: 8689246
    Abstract: A method of providing an Internet protocol television service to a subscriber, and a network element to execute this method. At an acquisition tier, IPTV packets are generated from video stream data of one or more video channels and transmitted to a FCC server cluster at a client-facing tier. IPTV packets associated with one of the one or more video channels selected by the subscriber are delivered from the deliver server cluster to a receiver of the subscriber at a client tier wherein the IPTV packets associated with the one of the one or more video channels are reassembled at said receiver into a coherent video stream. Said generated IPTV packets are routed from a network (5) of a TV broadcaster to networks of one or more TV operators or from a network of a TV operator to networks of one or more TV operators by means of IPTV service routers installed at an intertwine tier arranged between the acquisition tier and the client-facing tier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Werner Van Leekwijck, Toon Coppens, Ing-Jyh Tsang, Tim Gyselings
  • Publication number: 20140090004
    Abstract: An installation includes one or more card cages, which hold antenna array cards for capturing over the air content. The one or more card cages are installed at a cage site, such as a shelter located on the roof of a structure or a floor within the structure. The card cages are powered by a power supply, which is housed within a power supply site. The power supply site is typically a shelter on the roof of the structure or the floor within the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: AEREO, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Thaddeus Lipowski, Chaitanya Kanojia, John David Cann, Brian Scott Loveland, James Alan Bingham, Stephen Edward Harris
  • Patent number: 8681836
    Abstract: A repeater receives an input signal containing mobile/handheld (M/H) data received in an M/H frame equivalent in size to 20 VSB data frames. Each VSB frame contains an odd VSB field and an even VSB field, and each of the VSB fields includes one field sync segment and 312 data segments. The M/H frame includes main data and M/H data, and the M/H data has more robust coding than the main data. The received input signal is demodulated to produce an MPEG transport steam. Frame registration is used to find data and field syncs in the MPEG transport steam. The trellis encoder is reset prior to M/H training data in to the mobile data stream. The data is VSB modulated, the field syncs are added to the modulated data to reconstruct the M/H frame, and the M/H frame upconverted to an RF output signal, which is retransmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Zenith Electronics LLC
    Inventor: Timothy G. Laud
  • Patent number: 8677435
    Abstract: A novel apparatus for and method of upstream power control for multiple transmit channels. The invention is particularly useful in environments that include two level amplification, wherein the first level corresponds to each channel separately and the second level corresponds to the joint sum of all the channels. When working with two-level amplification, changing the joint sum amplification is permitted during specific time periods known as “CMTS re-configuration time” in the DOCSIS specification. The mechanism functions to maintain an optimal transmit power operating point of the PGA using self-configuration without any need to receive permission from an exterior control entity such as the cable head-end thus bypassing the prior art requirement of waiting for a global reconfiguration time from the CMTS (i.e. when the specification assures that there is sufficient time to change the PGA gain).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ziv Kfir, Efrat Levy, Naor Goldman
  • Patent number: 8677441
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for selective filtering of transmissions based on information received from a tuner. An embedded diplexer in a consumer electronic device allows the device to be used in a variety of different signal environments. For example, a television with an embedded switching filter coupled to the television tuner is operable in environments where television signals are transmitted on frequencies up to 1 GHz and in environments where MoCA signals are transmitted on 1 GHz frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Entropic Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Lee
  • Patent number: 8670667
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to an arrayed media converter (AMC) that has an array of Wavelength Division Multiplexing-Passive Optical Network (WDM-PON) Optical Network Units (ONUs) for terminating an optical channel in the feeder or distribution portion of a telecommunication network. The ONU converts an optical signal from the optical channel into at least one electrical signal for transmission to a customer premises. Thus, the AMC serves as an interface between at least one WDM-PON link and at least one conductive connection, such as a twisted pair. In one exemplary embodiment, the AMC comprises a sealed housing that is environmentally hardened to protect the AMC from environmental conditions, including changes in weather. Such an AMC may be used to provide a robust, cost effective Fiber To The Curb (FTTC) solution, but the AMC may be used at other points within the network, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: ADTRAN, Inc.
    Inventors: Leif J. Sandstrom, Kevin W. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20140068694
    Abstract: A network device may receive a signal from a headend, wherein a bandwidth of the received signal spans from a low frequency to a high frequency and encompasses a plurality of sub-bands. The network device may determine, based on communication with the headend, whether one of more of the sub-bands residing above a threshold frequency are available for carrying downstream data from the headend to the circuitry. The network device may digitize the signal using an ADC operating at a sampling frequency. The sampling frequency may be configured based on a result of the determining. When the sub-band(s) are available for carrying downstream data from the headend to the network device, the sampling frequency may be set to a relatively high frequency. When the sub-band(s) are not available for carrying downstream data from the headend to the network device, the sampling frequency may be set to a relatively low frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Curtis Ling, Timothy Gallagher, Sridhar Ramesh
  • Patent number: 8667550
    Abstract: A house amplifier provides automatic gating to selectively block the return path signal in a cable network. The house amplifier includes ports connected to the cable network and to at least one home coaxial outlet. A forward signal path is coupled to pass a forward signal from the cable network. A reverse signal path is coupled to selectively pass a reverse signal from the home to the cable network. The reverse signal path includes a gate configured to block the reverse signal in response to a control signal. A detector circuit detects when the reverse signal is received and activates or deactivates the gate based on the detection. The detector circuit may include a timing circuit configured to provide a delay before deactivating the gate when the reverse signal is no longer detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: PCT International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon-En Wang
  • Patent number: 8661478
    Abstract: A residential gateway includes an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) network communication port and a first isolation transformer circuit. The IPTV network communication port is configured to receive a signal from an ITPV network. The first isolation transformer circuit is in communication with the IPTV network communication port. The isolation transformer is configured to receive the signal from the IPTV network communication port, and to transform a ground of the signal to float at a ground potential of a power source of the residential gateway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventor: Gregory D. Olson
  • Publication number: 20140040972
    Abstract: A fail-safe mechanical switch is provided in a television broadcast environment which bypasses an advertisement insertion server in the event that a failure in the ad insertion server is detected. The broadcast stream from a satellite receiver where the stream originates thus continues uninterrupted to a remultiplexer for further distribution of the broadcast stream. The fail-safe switch cooperates with a processor which is capable of detecting a variety of failure events in the ad insertion server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Vigor Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Magnus Sorlander
  • Patent number: 8646018
    Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a resonance restricting material in communication with a bypass line of a cable television tap. The bypass line generates resonances at a defined frequency in response to RF parameters in the tap and the resonances increase insertion losses at the defined frequency and precludes bandwidth of the tap being increased above the defined frequency. The resonance restricting material may attenuate the resonances generated by the bypass line at the defined frequency (e.g., approximately 1.2 GHz) and reduce insertion losses at the defined frequency and enable the bandwidth of the tap to be increased (e.g., from 1.0 GHz to 1.5 GHz).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Rudolph J. Menna, Philip Miguelez
  • Publication number: 20140033264
    Abstract: A network interface device has a safeguard apparatus. The safeguard apparatus is operable in power on, power off, and degraded power conditions. In power on operation, the safeguard apparatus maintains the quality of active and passive branch communications. During power off and degraded power operation, the safeguard apparatus safeguards the quality of the passive communication path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: PPC Broadband, Inc.
    Inventors: Yan Li, Paul F. Bailey, Erdogan Alkan
  • Publication number: 20140026176
    Abstract: A coupling device for use in a hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network may be configured to disable an upstream path through it when there is only noise incident on the upstream path, and enable the upstream path through it when a desired transmission from a cable modem downstream of the coupling device is incident on the upstream path. The coupling device may be a trunk amplifier, a distribution amplifier, a splitter, or the like. The coupling device may comprise a single upstream interface coupled to a plurality of downstream interfaces. The enabling and/or disabling may be in response to a signal strength indicated by the SSI being below a threshold and/or in response to one or more control messages indicating whether any downstream cable modem is, or will be, transmitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: MaxLinear, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis Ling, Sridhar Ramesh, Timothy Gallagher
  • Patent number: 8634719
    Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling different network nodes of a network access system to share a backhaul communication link are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes: connecting a first modem to a first node of the network access system; connecting a second modem to a second node of the network access system; connecting the first modem to a first port of a splitter filter; connecting the second modem to a second port of the splitter filter; and connecting a backhaul communication link to a third port of the splitter filter, which is configured to multiplex signals transmitted by the modems onto the backhaul communication link, wherein the frequency spectrum of the signal transmitted by the first modem does not overlap substantially with the frequency spectrum of the signal transmitted by the second modem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Per-Erik Eriksson
  • Publication number: 20140013380
    Abstract: Example frequency agile band-pass filtering methods disclosed herein include sending a first command to a frequency agile band-pass filter included in a receiving system, the receiving system to process a media signal to receive first media provided by a first channel of the media signal, the first command being sent to cause the frequency agile band-pass filter to tune to and attenuate the first channel when the first channel is determined to be experiencing degradation caused by a first type of channel interference. Such example methods also include sending a subsequent second command to the frequency agile band-pass filter when the degradation is determined to be caused by fading in addition to the first type of channel interference, the subsequent second command to cause the frequency agile band-pass filter to bypass attenuation processing invoked by the first command during reception of the first channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Brian Wilson, Frank Robert Coppa, Douglas Medina
  • Patent number: 8621539
    Abstract: A physical layer transmitter that communicates between nodes in a broadband cable network by transmitting and receiving packets containing data and control information. Packets are constructed by the physical layer transmitter and transmitted to one or more receiving nodes that are capable of processing the packets. Packets are directed to specific nodes utilizing link layer control data. The packets may also contain control information that may include formatting, encoding and modulation parameters that are capable of being processed by the appropriate receiving nodes. The physical layer transmitter allows node-to-node communication within a broadband cable network and each node in the network is capable of communicating with every other node in the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Entropic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton Monk, Ron Porat, Wee Peng Goh, Magnus Berggren, Ron Lee, Edward Warner, Brett Bernath, Yusuf Ozturk
  • Patent number: 8621523
    Abstract: A system and method for programming a digital video recorder (DVR) over a scheduling network. Program schedule information is provided to a user of a DVR via the scheduling network. A program selection is received from the scheduling client associated with a subscriber via the scheduling network. State information indicative of a state of a program provisioning system is used to determine whether the program selection is deliverable to the DVR via the program provisioning system. If the program selection is deliverable to the DVR via the program provisioning system, then the program is scheduled for recording by the DVR. The subscriber is notified if the program selection is deliverable or undeliverable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: William H. Berger, Todd P. Bowen
  • Publication number: 20130347049
    Abstract: Radio frequency (“RF”) signal amplifiers include an RF input, at least one RF output and communications paths therebetween. The communications paths include a downstream path that is configured to pass signals in a downstream frequency band, a first upstream path that is configured to pass signals in a first upstream frequency band that encompasses frequencies that are lower than the frequencies included within the downstream frequency band and a second upstream path that is configured to pass signals in a second upstream frequency band that encompasses frequencies that are between the frequencies included within the downstream frequency band and the frequencies included within the first upstream frequency band. These RF signal amplifiers further include a downstream power amplifier on the downstream path, a first upstream power amplifier on the first upstream path and a second upstream power amplifier on the second upstream path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Robert Ryan Riggsby
  • Publication number: 20130340024
    Abstract: An apparatus for extending HDMI signal transmission. The apparatus comprises a transmit module and a receive module isolating a native HDMI/DVI cable of indeterminate length and are capable of enabling a relatively long native HDMI/DVI cable to comply with the HDMI specification. The modules each have DC blocks, low speed blocks and high speed blocks and interface with HDMI source and sink devices to maintain HDMI compliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: PHASEHD INC.
    Inventor: John MACDOUGALL
  • Publication number: 20130332978
    Abstract: System and method to extend the data carrying capacity of a hybrid fiber cable (HFC) network by adding wideband RF signal capability above 1 GHz, and replacing the CATV amplifier devices with an improved type of Coax Domain Amplifier-Repeater (CDAR) device that, in addition to being a smart reconfigurable amplifier and cable signal diagnostic device, also segments the CATV cable portion of the HFC network into a series of smaller domains. The CDAR often alter RF signals from 5-865 MHz, while more freely passing RF signals over 1 GHz. Upstream capability is enhanced because the CDAR intercept 5-42 MHz upstream signals from each domain and convert to 1 GHz+ signals. Downstream capability is also enhanced because the CDAR can take efficiently encoded 1 GHz+ digital data, modulate it, and locally inject into each domain without crosstalk between domains. CDAR can use active cancellation, and active restoration techniques to improve performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: Shlomo Selim Rakib