Antronix Inc.

Worldgate Service, Inc.

David E Wachob

Neil H Tang

Hal M Krisbergh

Randall J Gort

Joseph Ellis Augenbraun

Navneeth N Kannan

Whitney Blackmon

Richard W Westerfer

Juan Rafael Bravo

Randell E Jesup

Maire D Reavy

Michael Wu

Earl C Pearson

Jamie Press

Jeanne Ritts

Joseph A Augenbraun

Joel Boyarski

Dana Ainsworth

In one embodiment, a system includes a CATV node, a first device, and at least one micro distribution system. The CATV node transmits CATV RF signals to the first device, which converts the RF signals to optical signals. Each micro distribution system includes a micro node receiving the optical signals from the first device and converting the optical signals to RF signals. Each micro distribution system further includes at least two strings of taps independently coupled to the micro node and receiving the RF signals from the micro node. For each string of taps, the received RF signals are passed from the micro node along the taps, while a powering signal is passed along the taps.

Distributed access architecture system for CATV

In one embodiment, a system includes a first device that receives, from a cable television (CATV) node, first downstream and upstream CATV RF signals and converts them to downstream and upstream optical signals. The first device distributes the downstream and upstream optical signals separately from each other by using different fiber optic cables or different wavelengths. The system further includes at least one micro distribution system, each comprising a micro node and at least one string of taps. The micro node receives the downstream and upstream optical signals from the first device and converts them to second downstream and upstream CATV RF signals. For each string of taps, the received second downstream and upstream CATV RF signals are passed from the micro node along the taps and blocked by a low pass filter (LPF), and the powering signal is passed along the taps and through the LPF.

In one embodiment, a system includes a CATV node, a first device, and at least one micro distribution system. The CATV node transmits CATV RF signals to the first device, which converts the RF signals to optical signals. Each micro distribution system includes a micro node receiving the optical signals from the first device and converting the optical signals to RF signals. Each micro distribution system further includes at least two strings of taps independently coupled to the micro node and receiving the RF signals from the micro node. Each string of taps is terminated at an end by a low pass filter (LPF). For each string of taps, the received RF signals are passed from the micro node along the taps and blocked by the LPF, while a powering signal is passed along the taps and through the LPF.

A passive component for coupling to, and thereby tracking, an intermediary device within a cable television system is disclosed. The passive component includes a tracking circuit separate in functionality from an existing circuit of the intermediary device. The tracking circuit, which is unpowered and uncontrolled, receives a first signal from a first device in the cable television system, modifies the first signal to create a modified signal, and passes the modified first signal to a second device in the cable television system, the second device being configured to determine a type for the intermediary device based on the modification to the first signal. The first device is one of a cable modem or a CMTS, and the second device is the other of the cable modem and the CMTS.

Inventory tracking in cable TV system

In one embodiment, a fiber optic connector assembly is provided that includes an adapter defining a first through opening in which a coupler is arranged. A sleeve defines a second through opening dimensioned to receive the adapter, and the sleeve includes a first threading on an axial end. The first threading is configured to matingly engage with a corresponding second threading defined within an opening of a junction housing. A retention assembly is provided between the adapter and the sleeve, and the retention assembly axially fixes the adapter relative to the sleeve such that the adapter is rotatable relative to the sleeve. The embodiments disclosed herein generally protect against electromagnetic interference (EMI), shield against radiofrequency (RF) signals, prevent attenuation of fiber optic cables due to varying rotational capability, and protect the connector assembly from debris and moisture.

Fiber optic connector assembly

A system, method, and/or apparatus may track an intermediary device within a communications system. For example, a first signal may be transmitted from a first device in a communications system to the intermediary device in the communications system. The first signal from the first device may be modified (e.g., by a passive component of the intermediary device) to create a modified signal. The modified signal may be passed by the intermediary device to a second device in the communications system. The second device may be upstream or downstream from the first device and the intermediary device in the communications system. A type for the intermediary device may be determined based on the modification to the first signal. The second device may be configured to determine an identify of the first device associated with the intermediary device.

In one embodiment, a system for providing data communication services includes a cable television (CATV) tap operably coupled to a CATV network, the CATV tap comprising a tap transceiver. Further, a CATV gateway device is operably coupled to the CATV tap and includes a gateway modem using a first communications standard to communicate with the CATV network, and a gateway transceiver operably coupled to the gateway modem and configured to communicate with the tap transceiver. The system further includes a first device operably coupled to the CATV tap and configured to send or receive device data. The device data includes control data for controlling the first device or monitoring data generated by the first device. The tap transceiver of the CATV tap is configured to communicate the device data between the first device and the gateway transceiver.

System and method for providing data communication services through a CATV tap-off device

The present invention provides for eliminating the requirement for cable modems and routers to be installed in subscribers homes, and/or establishments, by instead including the cable modems and routers in a CATV provider's main distribution line, for sharing amongst a plurality of subscriber homes and/or establishments.

Integrated coax/ethernet distribution system

The present invention provides for eliminating the requirement for cable modems and routers to be installed in CATV system subscriber homes, and/or establishments, by instead including the cable modems and routers in a CATV provider's main distribution line, for sharing amongst a plurality of subscriber homes and/or establishments.

In one embodiment, a system for providing data communication services includes a cable television (CATV) tap-off device including a signal splitter communicably coupled to a tap-off access point and a first signal transceiver, the CATV tap-off device being configured to communicate a CATV signal with a CATV network through the splitter; and a CATV gateway device communicably coupled to the signal splitter through a first coaxial cable to communicate the CATV signal with the CATV tap-off device. The CATV gateway device is configured to split the CATV signal into a television signal and a baseband data signal. A second signal transceiver of the CATV gateway device is configured to communicate 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 wirelessly transmit a first wireless signal based on the transceiver signal.

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.

A videophone system providing high resolution video transmission between videophones utilizes compressed video signals and audio signals which may be transmitted through any communications network, with the system providing real time adaptive error recovery and synchronization between the audio and video signals to produce high quality video images and sound. The system is highly resilient, adapting in real time to changing conditions in a network or to network errors due to data corruption or loss that can be produced, for example, by noise or line losses, thereby substantially eliminating fitter, signal packet loss or delay, or other errors which produce signal degradation.

Adaptive video telephone system

System and method for providing personal videotelephony in which a plurality of videophones are connected to a communications network that is configured for transmitted video and audio communications. Each of the videophones typically includes a camera, display device, telephone keypad, speaker and microphone all of which are operatively connected. The videophones further include means for selectably receiving and transmitting signals over the communications network, which signals represent images and/or sound, and for selectably displaying the signals representing any received signals representing the images on the display screen, and for playing any received signals representing the sounds on said speaker. Means are also provided for selectably accessing a remote location, such as, but not limited to, another videophone, using information entered or selected by a user of the videophone, and to retrieve the signals representing the images and sounds being transmitted from the remote location. In one or more embodiments the present invention further includes at least one networks operation center to store information related to the operation of the videophones and to facilitate the operation of the videophones.

Growing community of inventors

New Hope, PA, United States of America

David E Wachob