Adapter for a cable-television network
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An adapter for a cable-television (CATV) network, the adapter comprising:
- an input port configured to connect to a CATV network so as to receive downstream signals therefrom and to provide upstream signals thereto;
a signal splitter coupled to the input port, the signal splitter having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the signal splitter is configured to communicate the downstream signals to the first terminal and the second terminal;
an active port configured to connect to a first subscriber device;
an active branch circuit coupled to the first terminal of the signal splitter and the active port, the active branch circuit being configured to be coupled to a power supply, and the active branch circuit comprising;
at least one powered device configured to be powered by the power supply;
a signal termination having an impedance configured to match an impedance of a cable of the CATV network;
a switch configured to switch between an operative state and a termination state, wherein;
when the switch is in the operative state, the switch is configured to direct the downstream signals from first terminal of the signal splitter toward the active port, andwhen the switch is in the termination state, the switch is configured to direct the downstream signals from the first terminal of the signal splitter toward the signal termination;
a sensor coupled to the switch, wherein the sensor is configured to determine that the active branch circuit is operating in a low-power condition or a fault condition, and wherein the sensor is configured to cause the switch to move from the operative state to the termination state in response to the sensor determining that the active branch circuit is in the low-power condition or the fault condition;
a passive port configured to connect to a second subscriber device; and
a passive branch circuit coupled to the second terminal of the signal splitter and the passive port, wherein the passive branch circuit is configured to communicate the downstream signals from the second terminal of the signal splitter to the passive port.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An adapter includes a passive branch circuit configured to communicate a first cable television (CATV) signal between an input port and a passive port, an active branch circuit configured to receive a second CATV signal from the input port, and a sensor configured to detect a low-power condition in the active branch circuit. The active branch circuit is configured to terminate the second CATV signal in response to the sensor detecting the low-power condition, and the active branch circuit is configured to communicate the second CATV signal from to one or more active ports when the active branch circuit does not terminate the second CATV signal.
196 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An adapter for a cable-television (CATV) network, the adapter comprising:
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an input port configured to connect to a CATV network so as to receive downstream signals therefrom and to provide upstream signals thereto; a signal splitter coupled to the input port, the signal splitter having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the signal splitter is configured to communicate the downstream signals to the first terminal and the second terminal; an active port configured to connect to a first subscriber device; an active branch circuit coupled to the first terminal of the signal splitter and the active port, the active branch circuit being configured to be coupled to a power supply, and the active branch circuit comprising; at least one powered device configured to be powered by the power supply; a signal termination having an impedance configured to match an impedance of a cable of the CATV network; a switch configured to switch between an operative state and a termination state, wherein; when the switch is in the operative state, the switch is configured to direct the downstream signals from first terminal of the signal splitter toward the active port, and when the switch is in the termination state, the switch is configured to direct the downstream signals from the first terminal of the signal splitter toward the signal termination; a sensor coupled to the switch, wherein the sensor is configured to determine that the active branch circuit is operating in a low-power condition or a fault condition, and wherein the sensor is configured to cause the switch to move from the operative state to the termination state in response to the sensor determining that the active branch circuit is in the low-power condition or the fault condition; a passive port configured to connect to a second subscriber device; and a passive branch circuit coupled to the second terminal of the signal splitter and the passive port, wherein the passive branch circuit is configured to communicate the downstream signals from the second terminal of the signal splitter to the passive port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An adapter, comprising:
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a passive branch circuit configured to communicate a first cable television (CATV) signal between an input port and a passive port; an active branch circuit configured to receive a second CATV signal from the input port; and a sensor configured to detect a low-power condition in the active branch circuit, wherein the active branch circuit is configured to terminate the second CATV signal in response to the sensor detecting the low-power condition, and wherein the active branch circuit is configured to communicate the second CATV signal from to one or more active ports when the active branch circuit does not terminate the second CATV signal. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An adapter, comprising:
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an input port configured to receive downstream signals from a cable television (CATV) network, and to provide upstream signals thereto; a passive port configured to connect to a first subscriber device and to receive first upstream signals therefrom; an active port configured to connect to a second subscriber device and to receive second upstream signals therefrom; a passive branch circuit configured to communicate the downstream signals and the first upstream signals between the input port and the passive port; an active branch circuit comprising a switch and at least one powered component, wherein; the active branch circuit is configured to communicate the downstream signals and the second upstream signals between the input port and the active port when the switch is in a first state; and the active branch circuit is configured to terminate the downstream signals when the switch is in a second state; and a sensor coupled to the switch, the sensor being configured to; detect that the active branch circuit is in a low-power condition; and signal the switch to be in the second state in response to detecting that the active branch circuit is in the low-power condition. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification