CATV entry adapter and method for distributing CATV and in-home entertainment signals
First Claim
1. A device comprising:
- an entry port configured to connect to an upstream cable television (CATV) network;
a passive port configured to connect to a first downstream subscriber device, the passive port electrically connecting the entry port via a passive signal communication path;
at least one active port configured to connect to at least a second downstream subscriber device, the at least one active port electrically connecting to the entry port via an active signal communication path;
a first bidirectional splitter/combiner, the first bidirectional splitter/combiner comprising a common terminal, a first leg terminal, and a second leg terminal;
a first directional coupler comprising;
a first input port electrically connected to the at least one active port,a first through port electrically connected to the first leg terminal of the first bidirectional splitter/combiner, anda first coupled port; and
a second directional coupler comprising;
a second input port electrically connected to the passive port;
a second through port electrically connected to the second leg terminal of the first bidirectional splitter/combiner; and
a second coupled port electrically connected to the first coupled port of the first directional coupler,wherein a signal in an in-home entertainment (IHE) frequency range is conducted between the passive port and the at least one active port through and IHE signal communication path between the first coupled port and the second coupled port.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cable television (CATV) entry adapter connects to a CATV network and serves as a hub in an In-Home Entertainment (IHE) network. IHE signals may be communicated between passive and active ports of an embodiment of the entry adapter through a pair of directional couplers which allow an IHE-enabled embedded multimedia terminal device (eMTA) at the passive port to communicate with multimedia devices of the IHE network connected to the active ports. An IHE frequency rejection filter is used in some embodiments to confine IHE signal to a single subscriber premise. In some embodiments a bidirectional IHE bandpass filter is used to enable IHE signals to pass between the passive and active ports of the CATV entry adapter.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A device comprising:
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an entry port configured to connect to an upstream cable television (CATV) network; a passive port configured to connect to a first downstream subscriber device, the passive port electrically connecting the entry port via a passive signal communication path; at least one active port configured to connect to at least a second downstream subscriber device, the at least one active port electrically connecting to the entry port via an active signal communication path; a first bidirectional splitter/combiner, the first bidirectional splitter/combiner comprising a common terminal, a first leg terminal, and a second leg terminal; a first directional coupler comprising; a first input port electrically connected to the at least one active port, a first through port electrically connected to the first leg terminal of the first bidirectional splitter/combiner, and a first coupled port; and a second directional coupler comprising; a second input port electrically connected to the passive port; a second through port electrically connected to the second leg terminal of the first bidirectional splitter/combiner; and a second coupled port electrically connected to the first coupled port of the first directional coupler, wherein a signal in an in-home entertainment (IHE) frequency range is conducted between the passive port and the at least one active port through and IHE signal communication path between the first coupled port and the second coupled port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A device comprising:
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an entry port configured to connect to an upstream cable television (CATV) network; a passive port configured to connect to a first downstream subscriber device, the passive port electrically connecting the entry port via a passive signal communication path; at least one active port configured to connect to at least a second downstream subscriber device, the at least one active port electrically connecting to the entry port via an active signal communication path; a first bidirectional splitter/combiner, the first bidirectional splitter/combiner comprising a common terminal, a first leg terminal, and a second leg terminal; a first directional coupler comprising a first input port, a first through port, and a first coupled port, wherein; the first directional coupler is configured to split input power incident on a first input port between a first through port and a first coupled port based on a first predetermined coupling factor, the first input port electrically connects to the at least one active port, the first through port electrically connects to the first leg terminal of the first bidirectional splitter/combiner; and a second directional coupler comprising a second input port, a second through port, and a second coupled port, wherein; the second directional coupler is configured to split input power incident on a second input port between a second through port and a second coupled port based on a second predetermined coupling factor, the second input port electrically connects to the passive port, the second through port electrically connects to the second leg terminal of the first bidirectional splitter/combiner; and the second coupled port electrically connects to the first coupled port of the first directional coupler, wherein a signal in an in-home entertainment (IHE) frequency range is conducted between the passive port and the at least one active port through and IHE signal communication path between the first coupled port and the second coupled port. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification