Patent Publication Number: US-2021176425-A1

Title: Cable television multi-tap system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/502,449, filed on Jul. 3, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/703,597, filed on Jul. 26, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     In cable television (CATV) and broadband networks, signals can be transmitted bi-directionally between a head-end and potentially many remote, subscriber premises. The networks employ a variety of devices to deliver and condition such signals to enhance quality and performance of the signal transmission. 
     One type of device that is employed in the networks is a tap (also referred to as a multi-tap). A tap is connected to a main input cable (e.g., CATV hardline), which continues past the tap or may be terminated at the tap. The tap also provides one or more subscriber ports. A drop cable leading to a subscriber premises may be connected to each of the subscriber ports. 
     The tap may include a plug-in module that provides signal conditioning. For example, in upstream signals (also referred to as return signals) proceeding from the subscriber premises toward the head-end, ingress noise can be received from various sources. If left unconditioned, this noise from disparate sources can combine and affect the operation of the network, e.g., the return signal devices thereof. Additionally, signal equalization, cable simulation, and other signal conditioning characteristics may also be desirable at the taps for the downstream signals (also referred to as forward signals), which proceed from the head-end to the subscribers. The level of attenuation and/or other conditioning characteristics best suited to the signal can change depending on the location of the tap in the network. 
     The tap may also include a directional coupler that provides a desired level of attenuation for the signals tapped off to the subscribers (a “tap value”). The directional coupler may be removably coupled to a printed circuit board that is (e.g., permanently) coupled to a face plate. The face plate may be removably coupled to a tap housing. To change the tap value, the face plate may be removed from the tap housing, and a user (e.g., a technician) may then remove and replace the directional coupler to change the tap value. However, removing the face plate from the tap housing and subsequently removing and replacing the directional coupler may require the drop connections to the subscriber premises to be disconnected, leading to an interruption in service at the subscriber premises. 
     SUMMARY 
     A cable television (CATV) multi-tap system is disclosed. The system includes a tap housing including one or more housing ports configured to connect to a main input cable that provides a CATV signal. The system also includes a face plate that is integral with the tap housing. The face plate includes one or more subscriber ports configured to connect to one or more subscriber devices. The system also includes a circuit board positioned within the tap housing and coupled to an inner surface of the face plate. The circuit board includes a directional coupler configured control a tap value of the CATV signal. The circuit board also includes a plug-in module configured to provide signal conditioning to the CATV signal. The circuit board also includes a splitter configured to split the CATV signal between the one or more housing ports and the one or more subscriber ports. The system also includes an access cover coupled to an opposite side of the tap housing from the face plate. The access cover is configured to be removed to allow access to the circuit board to change the tap value without removing the face plate and without disconnecting connections between the one or more subscriber ports and the one or more subscriber devices. 
     In another embodiment, the system includes a tap housing. The system also includes a face plate that is coupled to the tap housing. The face plate includes one or more subscriber ports. The system also includes a circuit board positioned within the tap housing and coupled to the face plate. The circuit board includes a directional coupler. The system also includes an access cover coupled to the tap housing. The access cover is configured to be removed to allow the directional coupler to be removed and replaced without removing the face plate from the tap housing and without disconnecting connections between the one or more subscriber ports and one or more subscriber devices. 
     In another embodiment, the system includes a tap housing. The system also includes a face plate including one or more subscriber ports. The system also includes a circuit board positioned within the tap housing and coupled to the face plate. The system also includes an access cover coupled to the tap housing. The access cover is configured to be removed from the tap housing to allow access to the circuit board without removing the face plate or the circuit board from the tap housing. 
     It will be appreciated that this summary is intended merely to introduce some aspects of the present methods, systems, and media, which are more fully described and/or claimed below. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present teachings and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present teachings. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a cable television (CATV) multi-tap system in a closed state, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the CATV multi-tap system in an open state, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of a different CATV multi-tap system, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of the CATV multi-tap system of  FIG. 3  taken from a different angle, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a cable television (CATV) multi-tap system  100  in a closed state, according to an embodiment. The CATV multi-tap system  100  includes a tap housing  110 . The CATV multi-tap system  100  may also include a face plate  120 . The face plate  120  may be located on a first (e.g., front) side/wall of the tap housing  110 . In one embodiment, the face plate  120  may be permanently coupled to (e.g., non-removable and/or integral with) the tap housing  110 . In at least one embodiment, one or more first ports may be mounted directly to the tap housing  110 . For example, the first ports may be mounted directly to the face plate  120 . The first ports may also be referred to as subscriber ports and/or F-ports. The first ports may provide connections with subscriber devices (e.g., via drop cables connected therebetween). More particularly, the first ports may be used to forward signals to a plurality of subscriber devices and to receive return signals from the subscriber devices. 
     The tap housing  110  may also include one or more second ports (e.g., four are shown:  131 - 134 ). The second ports  131 - 134  may also be referred to as housing ports and/or KS-ports. The second ports  131 - 134  may connect to a main input cable (e.g., CATV hardline). In at least one embodiment, only two of the four second ports  131 - 134  may be used at a time, e.g., depending on the installation orientation, with one serving as an input for the CATV hardline and the other serving as an output for the CATV hardline. 
     The CATV multi-tap system  100  may also include an access cover  140 . The access cover  140  may be positioned on a second (e.g., back) side/wall of the tap housing  110 , such that the access cover  140  and the face plate  120  are positioned on opposite sides of the tap housing  110 . Having the access cover  140  located on the back of the tap housing  110  may allow the tap value to be changed (e.g., by removing the access cover  140  and accessing a circuit board contained within the housing  110 ) without having to remove the face plate  120  and/or disconnect the drop connections that are connected to the first ports, as described in greater detail below. 
     The CATV multi-tap system  100  is in the closed state when the access cover  140  is coupled to the tap housing  110 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The CATV multi-tap system  100  may be secured in the closed state by one or more fasteners (e.g., bolts or screws—one is shown)  142 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  and described in greater detail below, the access cover  140  may be removable (i.e., decoupled from and/or recoupled to the tap housing  110 ) to provide access to an internal volume of the tap housing  110 . 
     A clamp  160  may be coupled to the access cover  140 . The clamp  160  may secure the system  100  to a strand (e.g., a cable) or a pedestal (e.g., a bracket) that may be configured to support two or more devices. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the CATV multi-tap system  100  in an open state, according to an embodiment. The CATV multi-tap system  100  is in the open state when the access cover  140  is de-coupled and/or removed from the tap housing  110 . As shown, the tap housing  110  may include inwardly-extending flanges  112  that may define a slot into/through which the access cover  140  may slide. More particularly, to open the CATV multi-tap system  100 , the fastener(s)  142  may first be removed. Then, the access cover  140  may slide (e.g., upward) through the slot to provide access to the internal volume. The flanges  112  may prevent the access cover  140  from moving laterally-away from the tap housing  110  when the access cover  140  is at least partially positioned in the slot. As a result, in at least one embodiment, a single fastener  142 , in combination with the flanges  112 , may be sufficient to secure the CATV multi-tap system  100  in the closed state. In at least one embodiment, lip structures (e.g., seals) at the top and/or bottom edges of the tap housing  110  and/or access cover  140  may be configured to seal the top and/or bottom of the tap housing  110  relative to the access cover  140 . 
     A circuit board  150  may be positioned within the internal volume of the tap housing  110 . The circuit board  150  may be connected to the tap housing  110 . For example, the circuit board  150  may be connected to the inner surface of the non-removable face plate  120  via one or more (e.g., two) single pin connectors on the non-removable face plate  120 , which may provide the main CATV signal in and the main CATV signal out. The circuit board  150  may also or instead be connected to the non-removable face plate  120  via a multi-pin connector to connect the first ports. 
     The circuit board  150  may include a plug-in module  152 , a directional coupler  154 , and/or a splitter  156 . As mentioned above, the plug-in module  152  may be configured to provide signal conditioning to the upstream portion of the CATV signal and/or the downstream portion of the CATV signal. The plug-in module  152  may be configured to be removed and replaced to change the signal conditioning. 
     The directional coupler  154  may be configured to provide and/or control a desired level of attenuation for the CATV signal (e.g., the “tap value”) tapped off to the first ports and/or the subscriber devices. The splitter  156  may be configured to split the downstream portion of the CATV signal for transmission to the plurality of subscriber devices. The splitter  156  may also be configured to combine the upstream portion of the CATV signal for transmission toward the head-end. 
     A technician may remove the access cover  140  to gain access to the circuit board  150  without removing the circuit board  150  from the tap housing  110  and/or without interrupting service to the subscriber devices. Once the access cover  140  has been removed, the technician can subsequently remove and replace the directional coupler  154  (with a different directional coupler) to change the tap value. The tap value may not be changed unless/until the directional coupler  154  is removed and/or replaced. In at least one embodiment, the remainder of the circuit board  150  (e.g., the plug-in module  152  and/or the splitter  156 ) may remain positioned within the tap housing  110  (e.g., coupled to the face plate  120 ) while the directional coupler  154  is being removed and replaced. 
     Thus, the technician may access the circuit board  150  and change the tap value without disconnecting the CATV main cable from the one or more second ports  131 - 134  and without disconnecting the connections between the first (subscriber) ports and the subscriber devices. The subscriber devices may only have service interrupted for a brief time (e.g., a few seconds) during which the directional coupler  154  is being replaced. As will be appreciated, this interruption in service may have a much shorter duration when compared to conventional CATV multi-tap systems where the circuit board is coupled to a removable face plate, and the face plate is removed to change the directional coupler  154 . In another embodiment, the circuit board  150  may include a bypass path that may allow the CATV signals to continue to be transmitted to the subscriber devices even while the directional coupler  154  is removed (i.e., service may not be interrupted at all). 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate exploded views of another CATV multi-tap system  300 , according to an embodiment. Similar to the system  100 , the system  300  may include a tap housing  310 , a face plate  320 , an access cover  340 , and a circuit board  350 . The circuit board  350  may include a removable directional coupler  354 . One or more first ports  314  (e.g., subscriber ports, also known as F-ports) may be mounted directly to the tap housing  310  (e.g., the non-removable face plate  320 ). 
     In this embodiment, however, the tap housing  310  does not include flanges that define a slot. Rather, the access cover  340  may be coupled to the tap housing  310  via a plurality of fasteners (three are shown:  342 A-C). In this embodiment, once the fasteners  342 A-C are removed, the access cover  340  may be moved laterally-away from the tap housing  110  to provide access to the internal volume. 
     In another embodiment, rather than using fasteners  142 ,  342 A-C, the access cover  140 ,  340  may be secured in the closed state via a snap-fit arrangement, a tongue-in-groove arrangement, or the like with the tap housing  110 ,  310 . For example, rather than having the flanges  112  be vertical, the flanges  112  may be horizontal. In this example, the lip structure(s) may be present at the sides of the tap housing  110 ,  310  and/or access cover  140 ,  340  may be configured to seal the sides of the tap housing  110 ,  310  relative to the access cover  140 ,  340 . In another example, the flanges  112  and slot may be reversed. In other words, the flanges and slot may be formed in the access cover  140 ,  340 . 
     While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims. The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. 
     With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. 
     It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.