Thomson Licensing

Thomson Consumer Electronics Inc.

Thomson Licensing S.a.

Thomson Licensing Dtv

Michael Anthony Pugel

Kumar Ramaswamy

Max Ward Muterspaugh

John Sidney Stewart

Louis Robert Litwin

Kurt Joseph Richter

David J Duffield

Matthew Thomas Mayer

Leroy S Wignot

William L Lehmann

Clint Alan Ecoff

Gary Dean Grubbs

David Mark Badger

Kevin Paul McReynolds

Robert James Ramspacher

Michael Kelly Perdue

Wesley John Boyd

James Allen Strothmann

Michael Alan Bridge

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

Multichannel digital cable tuner

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

Tuning device with diplexer input

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

Tuner input filter with electronically adjustable response for adapting to antenna characteristic

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

Apparatus and method for receiving emergency alert signals

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

Apparatus and method for optimizing the level of RF signals based upon the information stored on a memory

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

Method and apparatus for performing channel detection

A television signal processing apparatus is capable of receiving emergency alert signals and providing alert outputs to notify individuals of emergency events. According to one exemplary embodiment, the television signal processing apparatus includes a tuner operative to tune a frequency including emergency alert signals indicating an emergency event. A processor is operative to cause the television signal processing apparatus to be switched from an off/standby mode to an on mode responsive to the emergency alert signals.

Television signal receiver capable of receiving emergency alert signals

A method, apparatus and data structure enabling multiple channel data stream transmission by inserting data to be transmitted into portions of a plurality of transport streams nominally including NULL packets. The inserted packets have associated with them stream identification and sequence code information enabling the reconstruction of the initial data stream using data packets transmitted via a plurality of data channels.

Method, apparatus and data structure enabling multiple channel data stream transmission

A method for creating a secure powerline modem network transmits a private key (y) individually to each of the plurality of powerline modem devices () to be secured in a network such that each powerline modem device receives the private key in isolation of the network. Each of the plurality of powerline modem devices store the private key. A public key (X) is computed by a master device () in the network to be secured. The public key is transmitted from the master device to the plurality of devices. A shared key (Y) is computed at each of the plurality of powerline devices based on the public key and the private key, and communication within the secured network is performed by employing messages encrypted based on the shared key.

Method for providing security on a powerline-modem network

An apparatus and method for simultaneously processing each of a plurality of carrier signals having data modulated thereon, wherein a complete data stream is formed by extracting at least portions of at least two of the modulated signals and combining the extracted portions. Each of the portions of the complete data stream comprises a plurality of packets having associated with them respective stream identification and sequence codes, where the stream identification identifies the complete bit stream to be formed, and the sequence codes identify the order or position within the complete bitstream that the associated data packets should be inserted.

Method and apparatus for simultaneously retrieving portions of a data stream from different channels

A multi-mode bi-directional communications device including a diplexer having a high-pass filter, a first low-pass filter, and a second low-pass filter. Downstream processing circuitry is coupled to the high-pass filter, and upstream processing circuitry is selectively coupled to the first low-pass filter and the second low-pass filter in response to an indicium of a desired spectral region.

Multi-mode bi-directional communications device including a diplexer having switchable low pass filters

A control arrangement and method includes a digital to analog converter and a mode controller that is operative to provide the digital to analog converter with a plurality of reference voltage ranges (Vref) under a respective plurality of operating modes.

Digital to analog converter system

A device for sensing unauthorized use of an electronic security device has a host device and a detector with a loop antenna associated with the port that receives the electronic security device, such as a smart card. The host device comprises a housing having the port formed therein. In one embodiment, the port detector senses radiation emitted from unauthorized use of the electronic security device by attachment of hot-wire conductors to the security device, which conductors carry currents through the port and the detector. In an alternate embodiment, the dielectric constant of the electronic security device is measured and compared to a predetermined value for distinguishing a nominal device from one with attached hot wiring.

Apparatus and associated method for limiting access of information transferred between an electronic security device and a host device

An electronic alignment system for a television signal tuner utilizes first and second controllers for generating respective first and second control signals for respective first and second signal processing circuits of a signal processing arrangement, with the first and second signal processing circuits having respective first and second tunable elements responsive to the respective first and second control signals. A deviation range of the first control signal is higher than a deviation range of the second control signal.

Growing community of inventors

Noblesville, IN, United States of America

Michael Anthony Pugel