Device and method of determining location of signal ingress

• US 20030033609A1
• Filed: 09/05/2001
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ComSonics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ComSonics, Inc.
• Inventors: Zimmerman, Dennis A
• Granted Patent: US 6,978,476 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/125
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 17/00 Diagnosis, testing or measuring for television systems or their details

Abstract

The present invention comprises a device which may be attached to a cable ground block (62) such that the level and type for signal emitted through the upstream flow of the signal, from a residence or business (59), may be determined along with the location of the source of ingress of any such signals. The invention, further includes a device (10) to transmit a signal of predetermined frequency towards a residence, such the source of errant signal ingress may be determined. Further, a method of causing the transmission of the signal at a predetermined time, measurement of the signal and determination of the source of the ingress of the signal is provided.

Claims

1. A method of determining the location of an ingress of errant signals into a cable system, comprising the steps of:

providing a transmitter and an antenna, for radiating an electrical signal of a desired frequency;

providing a shielded receiver at the cable entry location of a test site, said receiver having a tuner, signal detector and a display reactive to signals of a particular frequency passing solely through the cable system of said test site; and

radiating a signal of said particular frequency and observing said display for reaction.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is adapted for use in a test site having a plurality of cable connections therein, and including the steps of individually temporarily disconnecting any one of said plurality of cable connections in the test site and radiating another electrical signal of said desired frequency and observing said display for reaction.

3. The method of claim 1, including the steps of providing an activation encoder and an activation transmitter in said receiver, and providing an activation receiver and an activation decoder in said transmitter, such that when it is desired to test said cable system, said receiver may signal said transmitter and said transmitter may activate said receiver and then radiate said signal of a desired frequency.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said desired frequency is a frequency of between 5 MHz and 50 MHz.

5. A receiving device for use in measuring the ingress of errant signals of a predetermined frequency range, in a coaxial cable communications system, the receiving device comprising:

an input tuner section for filtering of upstream signals;

a signal detector, in electronic communication with said input tuner;

an errant signal display in communication with said signal detector; and

a connector for connecting the receiver to the cable system cable ground block 62, such that signals traveling in an upstream direction enter said receiver, said input tuner and signal detector, said signal detector causing said signal display to react upon the detection of a signal of a predetermined frequency.

6. The receiving device of claim 5, including an antenna, an activate transmitter and an activate encoder, such that the receiving device may be specifically activated to test for ingress of a coded signal radiated to the cable communication system.

7. A transmitting device for use in measuring the ingress of errant signals of a predetermined frequency range, in a coaxial cable communications system, the transmitting device comprising:

an antenna;

a signal filter in electrical communication with said antenna;

a test signal transmitter for radiating a signal of a desired frequency;

a transmitter enable switch for permitting the powering-up of said transmitter;

an activation receiver for receiving activation instructions from a distant test device;

an activation decoder connected to said activation receiver;

said antenna tuned to receive an activation signal and communicating said activation signal through said filter to said activation receiver for decoding by said activation decoder, such that upon receipt of activation instructions from said test device, said activation decoder causes said transmitter enable switch to permit the powering-up of said test signal transmitter for test signal production, said signal filter feeding a test signal to said antenna for radiation to said coaxial cable system.

8. The transmitting device of claim 7, wherein said desired frequency is a frequency between 5 MHz and 50 MHz.