Addressable Coaxial Filters for Remote Location Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cable multi-service operators face difficulties in locating point-of-entry filters within customer premises, leading to increased time and cost of service calls, as these filters are often hard to find due to various installation locations and lack of a viable tracking solution.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of electronically addressable filters with active circuitry that generates a message signal in response to an interrogation signal, allowing for the identification and tracking of in-line coaxial cable devices within the network, facilitating their location and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If point-of-entry filters are installed in various locations within customer premises, then the filter can be connected to different cable links for flexibility, but the filter becomes difficult to physically locate during service calls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary addressing circuit and identification system between the filter and the technician. The filter is assigned a unique address and can be queried through the cable infrastructure, allowing technicians to locate filters remotely without physically searching through customer premises. This mediator (the addressing system) resolves the contradiction by enabling flexible installation while simplifying location detection.
2Device complexity
If technicians manually search for filters during service calls, then no additional tracking infrastructure is needed, but the time and cost of service calls significantly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by assigning unique addresses to filters during installation and registering them in a database before service calls occur. When a service call is needed, the system can immediately query the database to determine filter locations, eliminating the need for technicians to manually search. This preliminary addressing and registration infrastructure reduces service call time without requiring complex real-time tracking during the service call itself.
3Ease of manufacture
If no addressing system is implemented, then the filter installation process remains simple, but the filter cannot be efficiently tracked or located for upgrades and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service by having the filter automatically respond to query signals with its address information. The filter itself provides the location data when queried, eliminating the need for complex external tracking infrastructure. This self-identifying capability maintains installation simplicity while dramatically improving service efficiency, as technicians can quickly locate filters through automated queries rather than manual searching.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary apparatus for use in a cable-based network includes passive circuitry coupled with an input of the apparatus and configured to generate an output signal having frequency response characteristics controlled as a function of a value of at least one component in the passive circuitry. The apparatus further includes active circuitry coupled with the input of the apparatus. The active circuitry is configured to generate a message signal indicative of a presence of the apparatus in the cable-based network in response to an interrogation signal supplied to the apparatus.