Patent ID: 7395548

Claim:
A method of validating signals and detecting signal leakage in a cable communications system, the cable communications system providing channel programming on a plurality of RF channels, the method comprising the steps of: a) tuning a radio frequency receiver to a desired visual carrier center frequency of a selected RF channel; b) measuring a signal level of the carrier center frequency energy; c) off-tuning the receiver by a predetermined offset such that an off-tuned carrier frequency, within the same RF television channel allocation but at an alternate to the center carrier frequency location and independent of side band frequency location or coded signal detection, where carrier center freauency and/or side band energy in said channel programming received by said receiver, when off-tuned, should be reduced below carrier center frequency energy in the absence of interference, is selected; d) measuring a signal level of the off-tuned carrier frequency energy; e) obtaining a signal level difference between the signal level of the carrier center frequency and the signal level of the off-tuned carrier frequency to determine if interference exists; f) declaring an interference condition if the signal level difference is less than a predetermined difference amount; and g) providing an indication of the signal level of the carrier frequency to permit a determination of whether a signal leakage condition exists without requiring use of a coded signal of said channel programming.