Patent ID: 8769597

Claim:
A system comprising: (a) a switch including: (i) a first state for allowing passage of a signal therethrough; and (ii) a second state for preventing passage of the signal therethrough; and (b) a detection circuit in communication with the switch, the detection circuit configured to: (i) detect whether the signal includes an amplitude of at least a predetermined level; (ii) operate the switch to the first state if the amplitude of the signal is at least the predetermined level; and (iii) operate the switch to the second state if the amplitude of the signal is less than the predetermined level, wherein operation of the switch to the second state is delayed by a predetermined period of time, wherein the system is a noise reduction system positionable between a cable television services provider and a cable television services recipient, wherein the switch is configured to attenuate noise transmitted from the cable television services recipient to the cable television services provider, wherein the detection circuit is in communication with the switch to selectively operate the switch between the first and second states, wherein said detect includes demodulate and amplify a return signal from the cable television services recipient to the cable television services provider, wherein the predetermined period is a second predetermined period and said detect includes transmit the demodulated and amplified return signal into a timer circuit to delay operation of the switch to the second state by the second predetermined period or to delay operation of the switch to the first state by a first predetermined period, wherein the first predetermined period is shorter than the second predetermined period.