Abstract:
A testing rack for infrared cable boxes has a bottom panel and a series of opposing top arms. The bottom panel and the top arms are spaced apart by a substantially planar back panel, and each of the top arms is configured to deflect relative to the back panel to allow a cable box to be installed and removed. An emitter bar on the back panel includes a channel and a series of slots, each corresponding to one of the top arms. The slots are each located next to an IR emitter port formed in the back panel, and are sized to accommodate an IR emitter cable. The channel is sized to hold a plurality of IR emitters such that each IR emitter is visible to a cable box through an IR emitter port with the IR emitter cable extending through a slot.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to storage for electronic tuning devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a rack for holding and testing multiple television converter boxes. 
       RELATED ART 
       [0002]    Cable boxes and similar devices for converting and transporting cable channel data to a television are known in the art. For selecting among various channels, cable boxes rely on an infrared receiver and remote control. Cable boxes are typically owned by a cable provider and thus are not sold, but leased to end users. When a cable subscription terminates, the cable box is returned to the cable provider by the end user, tested and re-leased to a new user. Since cable providers frequently serve many customers over a large geographical area, account turnover requires constant testing (and repair if necessary) of cable boxes for new accounts. 
         [0003]    When testing cable boxes, an IR emitter is placed in front of a cable box and connected to a controller that issues a series of commands, such as powering on the cable box, changing channels, etc., to make sure the cable box is fully functional. The testing process in the current art requires an individual emitter to be paired with an individual cable box, fully testing the cable box, and then moving on to the next pairing. This process is time consuming and requires considerable labor in repeatedly assembling and disassembling an emitter and cable box for each cable box needing testing. 
         [0004]    Hence, what is needed is an apparatus that provides for simultaneous IR testing of multiple cable boxes without the limitations of existing techniques. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A testing rack for cable boxes, including cable boxes having IR receivers includes a bottom panel and a plurality of top arms. The bottom panel and the top arms are spaced apart by a substantially planar back panel. Each of the top arms is configured to deflect, individually, relative to the back panel, thereby allowing a cable box to be installed therein. An emitter bar is disposed on the back panel. The emitter bar includes a plurality of first slots that correspond to the top arms. The emitter bar also has a channel. The plurality of first slots on the emitter bar are disposed individually adjacent a plurality of IR emitter ports, which are formed in the back panel. Each of the plurality of first slots sized to accommodate an IR emitter cable. The channel is sized to hold a plurality of IR emitters such that each IR emitter is visible to a cable box through an IR emitter port. 
         [0006]    The bottom panel preferably includes a bottom edge guard for retaining cable boxes installed in the testing rack. In addition to the edge guard, the bottom panel preferably also includes cable box dividers configured to align installed cable boxes with the top arms when installed in the testing rack. Each of the plurality of top arms preferably includes a tab for deflecting the top arm relative to the back panel, thereby facilitating installation of a cable box. Each of the top arms also preferably includes a power control access port. The power control access ports each correspond to a power control on a cable box installed in the testing rack. 
         [0007]    The back panel preferably includes anchor points corresponding to a standard nineteen inch studio rack. The back panel also includes cable ports sized to accommodate a plurality of emitter cables extending through the back panel. Importantly, the back panel also preferably includes a plurality of power indicator windows corresponding to power indicators on each of the cable boxes installed in the testing rack. A series of second slots may be formed in the back panel between each of the top arms to allow easier deflection of a top arm relative to the back panel. In one embodiment, the bottom panel and the plurality of top arms comprise vent ports adjacent vents of a cable box installed in the testing rack, to allow adequate cooling of the cable box. 
         [0008]    The testing rack may also be characterized as having a substantially planar back panel with a first side and a second side. A series of IR emitter ports are disposed in the back panel and an emitter bar is disposed on the first side. The emitter bar includes a plurality of first slots, each of the plurality of first slots sized to accommodate an IR emitter cable, and each of the plurality of first slots is disposed individually adjacent a plurality of IR emitter ports formed in the back panel. A bottom panel and a plurality of top arms are disposed on the second side for holding cable boxes. Each of the top arms is configured to individually deflect relative to the back panel for installing and removing a cable box, and the channel is sized to hold a plurality of IR emitters such that each IR emitter is visible to a cable box through an IR emitter port for testing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a cable box testing rack; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a rear view of the testing rack; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a rear perspective view of the testing rack with an emitter housing removed; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of the testing rack with a cable box installed therein; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a rear view of the testing rack with a cable box installed therein; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the testing rack with a cable box installed therein; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  illustrates a rear view of the testing rack filled with cable boxes and installed in a standard electronics equipment enclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided n the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a cable box rack (rack)  10  for cable box testing stations (not shown) includes a back panel  14 , a bottom panel  16 , and a series of top arms  18  for individually holding cable boxes  56  ( FIGS. 4-6 ). The back panel  14  is preferably sized for installation in a standard nineteen inch electronics rack  74  ( FIG. 7 ), and includes a series of rack anchor points  20  for installation. In the illustrated embodiment, four anchor points  20  are employed. In addition to the anchor points  20 , the back panel  14  includes cable ports  22 , through which a collection of emitter cables  70  ( FIG. 7 ) may be passed. The back panel  14  also has a series of emitter ports  52  corresponding to each of the top arms  18 , and emitter bar anchorages  24  for fastening an emitter bar  42  ( FIGS. 2-3, 5 and 7 ), discussed below. The back panel  14  is also characterized by a series of slots  26  between the top arms  18 , which render the top arms  18  individually flexible, so that each top arm  18  can deflect under pressure, thereby allowing cable boxes  56  to be selectively installed and removed from the rack  10 . 
         [0018]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the bottom panel  16  includes a bottom panel edge guard  28  to prevent installed cable boxes  56  from moving relative to the bottom panel  16 , and bottom vent ports  30  corresponding vents  40  ( FIG. 5 ) on a cable box  56  for dissipating heat. The top arms  18  each have a tab  32  for manipulating a top arm  18  when installing and removing a cable box  56  from the rack  10 . The tabs  32  are set slightly off plane from the top arms  18 , thereby allowing the tabs  32  to securely hold each cable box  56 . The top arms  18  include top vent ports  34  corresponding to vents  40  ( FIG. 6 ) on the cable boxes  56 , similar to the bottom vent ports  30 , to allow cross ventilation through the cable boxes  56  when installed. A power control access  36  on each top arm  18  allows user access to each installed cable box  56  for powering it on and off. Although the terms ‘top’ arm  18  and ‘bottom’ panel  16  are used herein, it is to be understood that the rack  10  may be installed inverted from the illustrated configuration according to preference. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the back of the rack  10  is shown as it would be installed, preferably facing the inside of the electronics rack  74 . In this view the emitter bar  42  is shown installed on the back panel  14 . The emitter bar  42  holds the emitters  54  ( FIG. 7 ), allowing them to communicate with installed cable boxes  56 . The emitter bar  42  is fastened to the back panel  14  using emitter bar fasteners  46  extending through the emitter bar anchorages  24  on the back panel  14 . A series of emitter cable slots  44  are formed in the emitter bar  42 . Each emitter cable slot  44  accepts an individual emitter cable  70 , thereby holding an emitter  54  adjacent an emitter port  52 . The emitter cable slots  44  and emitter ports  52  align with an IR (infra-red) signal receiver (not shown) on each cable box  56 . 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the emitter bar  42  is shown removed from the back panel  14 . The emitter bar  42  includes a lengthwise channel  50  for accommodating the emitters  54 . Since the emitter  54  will not fit through the emitter cable slots  44 , users may place an emitter  54  in the lengthwise channel  50  when the emitter bar  42  is removed, and pass its emitter cable  70  through the emitter cable slot  44 . Once the required number of emitters  54  are in place, the emitter bar  42  can be reinstalled on the back panel  14 . The substantially enclosed nature of the channel  50  also helps prevent other light sources from reaching IR receivers on the cable boxes  56 , thereby avoiding unwanted interference from ambient light, and in particular light approaching the IR spectrum. The individual emitter ports  52  prevent IR signal from adjacent emitters from reaching a cable box. The emitter ports  52  are also sized complimentary to a cable box  56  IR receiver to avoid light pollution from external sources. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a cable box  56  is shown installed in the rack  10 . Among the anticipated uses of the rack  10 , any number of cable boxes  56  may be installed according to preference or need. With a cable box  56  held in place by the bottom panel  16  and top arm  18 , and an emitter  54  in the channel  50  of the emitter bar  42 , the emitter  54  is held directly in front of the cable box  56  IR receiver. A cable box  56  vent  40  is shown appearing in the bottom vent port  30 , preventing heat build-up. The rack  10  leaves the cable box input/outputs  64  exposed for ease of access when connecting various signal connectors (not shown) from a testing station to a cable box  56 . In the illustrated embodiment, conventional input/outputs  64 , including coaxial, HDMI, and USB receptacles are shown. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the rack  10  is shown with a cable box  56  installed. The cable box  56  is held against the back panel  14 , confined by the bottom panel  16  and one of the top arms  18 . The vents  40  are aligned with a bottom vent port  30  and top vent port  34 , preventing the cable box  56  from overheating. The power indicator  60  of the cable box  56  is shown appearing through a power indicator window  38 , which enables a user testing the cable box  56  to ensure that the cable box  56  is powered before attempting to control it with an emitter  54 . 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the cable box  56  is shown installed in the rack  10  and held in place by a top arm  18  and the bottom panel  16 . The cable box  56  vent  40  appears in a top vent port  34  adjacent the power on/off control  62  appearing through the power control access  36  on the top arm  18 . Also shown in this view is a series of cable box dividers  66  on the bottom panel  16 . The cable box dividers  66  prevent the cable box  56  from moving laterally when held in the rack  10  in the event the cable box  56  is inadvertently bumped or otherwise disturbed when installed. 
         [0024]      FIG. 7  shows the rack  10  installed in a larger electronics rack  74  using second fasteners  68  with a full complement of cable boxes  56  installed therein. Emitters  54  have been installed in the channel  50  with each emitter cable  70  extending through an emitter cable slot  44  for controlling the cable boxes  56 . The emitter cables  70  may be grouped and held by a cable tie  76  near the cable port  22  through which they pass to present an organized and tidy appearance. Input/output cables  72  have been temporarily placed in the slots  26  between the top arms  18  adjacent their respective cable boxes  56 . The power indicator  60  of each cable box  56  can be seen through each of the power indicator windows  38  on the back panel  14 . Once the input/output cables  72  are connected to their respective cable boxes  56 , the cable boxes  56  may be easily and quickly tested for defects. 
         [0025]    The features of the cable box rack  10  having been shown and described, its method of operation will now be discussed. 
         [0026]    For initial setup, the rack  10  is installed in an electronics rack  74  with associated testing equipment and input/output cables  72 , including a customary nineteen inch electronics rack  74 . The emitter bar  42  is then removed using the first fasteners  46  and a series of emitters  54  are installed in the channel  50  with the emitter cable  70  of each emitter  54  running through an emitter cable slot  44 . The emitter cables  70  are optionally tied together with a cable tie  76  and run through a cable port  22 , to be connected to the testing equipment for receiving and transmitting signal. 
         [0027]    To test one or more cable boxes  56 , a preferred number of individual cable boxes  56  are installed in the rack  10 . Each cable box  56  is installed by lifting up on the tab  32  of a top arm  18 , thereby causing it to deflect. Each cable box  56  is seated in the bottom panel  16  between cable box dividers  66 , or if on the end, between a cable box divider  66  and the bottom panel edge guard  28 , and slid against the back panel  14 . As a cable box  56  reaches the back panel  14  it clears the tab  32  and the top arm  18  closes down on it. With each cable box  56  in an installed position, the vents  58  on the cable box  56  are aligned with the bottom vent port  30  and top vent port  34 , the power button  62  is aligned with the power control access  36 , the IR receiver is proximal its respective emitter  54  through an emitter port  52 , the power indicator  60  is visible through its respective power indicator window  38 , and the cable box input/outputs  64  are easily accessible for connection with the input/output cables  72 . 
         [0028]    Once the input/output cables  72  are connected to the appropriate cable boxes  56 , and the cable boxes  56  powered on, typically by depressing the power buttons  62  in the power control accesses  36 , a user may ensure that all the cable boxes  56  have power by inspecting the power indicator windows  38  on the back panel  14 . If all of the cable boxes  56  are powered and plugged in, testing equipment can be activated to interface with and control the cable boxes  56 . The testing equipment transmits and detects control information including signal strength, channel selection activity, etc. 
         [0029]    After the cable boxes  56  have been tested and any faulty boxes identified, they may be disconnected, removed, and placed into service or sent for repair as appropriate. To remove the cable boxes  56 , the input/output cables  72  are first disconnected. Then the tab  32  of each top arm  18  is deflected enough to allow a cable box  56  held therein to clear the top arm  18  and slide away from the back panel  14  and out of the rack  10 . The rack  10  can be left installed in the electronics rack  74  for testing additional cable boxes  56 , or removed and transported to another similar location for testing. 
         [0030]    The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention have been presented only for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Additionally, the above disclosure is not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.