Abstract: A system for restoring a digital TV signal, comprising a signal dividing means receiving the digital TV signal, and dividing the digital TV signal into digital video signals and digital audio signals after a predetermined signal processing; a video decoding means decoding the digital video signals outputted from the signal dividing means into analog video signals, and outputting low frequency analog video signals by colors; an audio decoding means decoding the digital audio signals outputted from the signal dividing means into analog audio signals with a plurality of channels corresponding to predetermined frequencies; a plurality of frequency-modulators frequency-modulating the low frequency analog video signals and the analog audio signals, in response to intermediate frequencies, respectively; a computer system having a wireless transmitter wirelessly transmitting the signals modulated by the frequency-modulators; a plurality of wireless receivers wirelessly receiving the analog video and audio signals tra

Abstract: A cable television (CATV) distribution system, and a method of forming and using the CATV distribution system. In a first embodiment, a narrowcast optical signal is generated by an uncooled laser and converted by a receiver into a narrowcast electrical signal. In a second embodiment, a narrowcast optical signal generated by an uncooled laser is combined with a broadcast optical signal by an optical coupler at a hub of the CATV distribution system to generate a composite optical signal, which at a CATV node is: split into the broadcast and narrowcast optical components, respectively converted into broadcast and narrowcast electrical components, and combined into a composite electrical signal. In a third embodiment, a narrowcast optical signal is generated by an uncooled laser and then combined with the broadcast optical signal by a single receiver.

Abstract: An improved bi-directional access point includes an impedance boosting section in conjunction with an interface section to a bi-directional communication path. The impedance boosting section incorporates a transformer tap output that couples to an access connection point where signals on the bi-directional communication path may be monitored. The impedance boosting section may be a tapped transformer winding that includes N1 turns above the winding tap and N2 turns below the winding tap, where N1>N2. The interface section may be implemented as a resistive interface section. Additionally, the bi-directional access point may further include a tuning section for the access connection point. Implemented as a resistive network, for example, the tuning section may help establish a tap value and return loss through the access connection point below a prescribed level (e.g., −20 dB).

Abstract: A service depends on the location of a device. The device location is determined using DTV signals. More specifically, the device location is determined based on pseudo-ranges between the device and a plurality of digital television (DTV) transmitters and the pseudo-ranges are determined based on broadcast DTV signals received by the device from the DTV transmitters. Examples of DTV signals include the American Television Standards Committee (ATSC) signals, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DVB-T) signals and the Japanese Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) signals.

Abstract: In hybrid fiber coaxial cable networks such as used in cable television where two-way digital communications are desired, a distributed termination system is provided. In such a system the home terminals are digital terminals, such as digital set-top boxes or cable modems using bi-directional transmission standards. The functionality of the head end controller in a conventional system is in this system distributed between the head end and the fiber nodes which link the coaxial cable and optical fiber portions of the system. Thereby the upstream detection takes place in the fiber nodes rather than in the head end by placing upstream burst receivers in the fiber nodes. Further there is a distributed method to enable this by providing synchronization and calibration control between the head end and the fiber nodes. Also, the return path is a digital return path supported by having the burst receivers located in the fiber nodes.

Abstract: The invention provides a mechanism for implementing a common carrier, multiple output RF upconverter. The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a method and apparatus for distributing the LO signals for both the first and second LO functions to several upconverter sections simultaneously. This technique eliminates the frequency synthesizers and VCOs typically required for each individual upconverter section, thereby substantially reducing the board space and component count required to perform this function. By providing a distributed LO, only two LO synthesizers and VCO's are required per board, where a board might support anywhere from two to twelve or more upconverters.

Abstract: When a noise level of upward signal received by a center equipment exceeds a predetermined maximum noise level, line equipment located the closest upstream from a noise source is specified and attenuation of the upward signal on the specified line equipment is increased in levels until the noise level of the upward signal received by the center equipment is equal to or under the maximum noise level. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent abnormal noise to affect the whole system without interrupting the upward signal from a cable modem located downstream of the noise source to the center equipment.

Abstract: A cable television system (100) includes ahead end section (105) for processing information provided from subscriber equipment via a reverse path within the system (100). The reverse signal is provided from subscriber equipment in the form of a broadband RF signal, which can include voice, data, and/or video information. The broadband RF signal is provided from a plurality of subscribers to a node (200) that pulse width modulates the RF signal to generate a reverse optical signal. The pulse width modulated optical signal is then provided to the head end section (105) for processing to recover the information contained therein.

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

Abstract: The CATV system according to the invention comprises at least one primary station (2) and a plurality of secondary stations (4). The primary station (2) and the secondary stations (4) are interconnected via a CATV network (6) comprising a plurality of nodes (8, 10, 12, 14). At least part of these nodes (8, 10, 12, 14) are redirection nodes (30) comprising redirection means (32) for redirecting (routing/switching) downstream data signals. In this way, it is no longer necessary to broadcast the data signals to all the nodes (8, 10, 12, 14) and secondary stations (4) in the CATV system. Instead, the data signals can be efficiently redirected to their destination and the available downstream bandwidth of the CATV network (6) can be used more efficiently.

Abstract: A video interface circuit reduces loading losses when a video system component, such as a television receiver, is connected to a transmission line by amplifying the video signal with a high frequency amplifier and providing positive feedback of the amplified signal to the cable.

Abstract: An integrated video distribution system for distributing video signals from a plurality of sources. The system includes a digitizer arrangement arranged to receive analog video signals from a plurality of video sources. The analog video signals are digitized in YCrCb video format and converted to streams of digital video data. The video data is multiplexed and transmitted on a digital video bus having a plurality of video channels. In one embodiment, the digitizers and video bus are integrated with a backplane arrangement that includes expansion slots for a plurality of terminal controllers. The expansion slots provide connections to the video bus. Each terminal controller mounted on the backplane arrangement can be coupled to a display terminal and an input device. The terminal controller selects one or more of the input streams of video data in response to control signals from the input device and converts the selected video data to an analog video signal for output to a display terminal.

Abstract: An arrangement for TV broadcasting outdoor events or the like via a mobile unit (34), which is connected via cables (30, 11, 20) to devices (12, 21, 22) for supplying and/or receiving video, audio or control signals and accommodates corresponding apparatuses (34a) for processing these signals, achieves a reduction in the number of cables and realizes new services, by providing at least one coupling station (10) in which separate optical waveguides (11, 20), outgoing from the individual devices (12, 21, 22), are coupled to a light-wave broadband cable (30), the light-wave broadband cable (30) being connected to a docking station (31) for transferring source signals, the devices (12, 21, 22) and the docking station (31) having electro-optical transducer elements (32) for converting the source signals, and the docking station being connectable to the mobile unit (34).

Abstract: A rack, in particular for cable television, having a number of modules whose inputs and outputs are connected by means of cables for the transmission of radio frequency signals and control signals, is described. The modules (2) are connected via the common inputs and outputs by means of coaxial cables (3) which carry radio frequency signals as well as coded control signals.

Abstract: A plurality of intelligent device systems for use with a wideband signal distribution network, and methods for transmitting digital information and receiving digital and non-digital information onto and off of an RF carrier through a wideband signal distribution network, are disclosed. The intelligent device systems provide networks of intelligent devices that modulate and demodulate digital video, IP video/data/voice and digital wireless onto, and off of, a wideband signal distribution system, such as an analog carrier system, using existing EIA/TIA 568 standard wiring infrastructure. The methods modulate and demodulate digital video, IP video/data/voice and digital wireless onto, and off of, a wideband distribution system, such as an analog carrier system, and separate IP portions from non-IP portions.

Abstract: A cable television tap (500) for receiving a forward signal including an information signal and a power signal. The tap (500) includes a diplex filter (520) for receiving the forward signal and for separating the information signal from the power signal at outputs of the diplex filter (520) and a plurality of subscriber ports (535) coupled to an output of the diplex filter (520) for receiving the information signal such that the information signal can be accessed at each of the plurality of subscriber ports (535). The tap (500) also includes a removable port device (555) coupled to the other output of the diplex filter (520) for receiving the power signal, and the port device (555) has a connector (550) so that the power signal can be accessed. According to the present invention, when the port device (555) is coupled to the tap (500), the information signal can only be accessed at the subscriber ports (535), and the power signal can only be accessed at the connector (550) of the port device (555).

Abstract: An information delivery system includes an information delivery apparatus installed at a sales company and receiver apparatuses installed at sales shops. A control unit generates program information data from stored program contents including catalog information, and generates delivery schedule information data based on stored delivery information. The program information data and the delivery schedule information data are transmitted by a broadband transmitter unit to the receiver apparatuses. The delivery schedule information is also transmitted to the receiver apparatuses, as required, via a narrowband communication path. In each receiver apparatus, a broadband receiver unit and a narrowband receiver unit receives the program information data and the delivery schedule information data, and the program contents are retrieved as desired and stored. A display unit displays the retrieved catalog information under the control of an information retrieval control unit.

Abstract: In a CATV trunk amplifier, downward signal inputted to an input terminal from the center equipment side is inputted to a downward amplifying circuit via a first filter and a second filter, and the amplified downward signal is outputted to the terminal device side via the second filter, the first filter and an output terminal. Upward L signal is inputted from the terminal device side via the output terminal to an upward L amplifying circuit via the first filter and a third filter, and the amplified upward L signal is outputted to the center equipment side via the third filter, the first filter and the input terminal. Upward H signal is inputted to an upward H amplifying circuit via a fourth filter, and the amplified upward H signal is outputted to the center equipment side via the fourth filter and the input terminal.

Abstract: A removable plug-in board for dividing incoming radio frequency (RF) to an external port and providing alternating current (AC) signals to a CATV system amplifier contains a radio frequency choke or inductor for passing the AC power signal, a high pass filter for passing the radio frequency signal and either a directional coupler or a splitter. This plug-in board is inserted into a motherboard on which is mounted amplification circuitry and power supply and divider circuitry. The plug-in board routes RF signals arriving on an input port of the amplifier motherboard through the directional coupler to the amplification circuitry, while additionally tapping off and feeding the incoming RF signals to a second output port of the amplifier motherboard.